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Petitioners typically replace carpeting after approximately
2-1/2 to 7 years of use due to heavy wear, soiling, and changes
in the decor of petitioners' hospitals.13 Workers remove the
carpeting by using a linoleum knife to lift up one corner of the
carpeting and then by pulling the carpeting by hand from the
concrete floors. Removal of the carpeting is not a difficult or
time-consuming process and does not damage the underlying
concrete floors. Petitioners typically discard the removed
carpeting. Petitioners do not allow the removed carpeting to be
reused because of potential health risks.
7. Vinyl Wall Coverings (Property Unit 2380)
The vinyl wall coverings originally placed in the various
hospital facilities are also in issue. The wall coverings
consist of 3-foot or 4-foot wide strips of vinyl fabric. The
strips of vinyl fabric are secured to the walls with an adhesive.
The walls are treated with glue sizing prior to placing the vinyl
wall coverings on the sheetrock walls of the hospital facilities.
The glue sizing protects the sheetrock walls from being damaged
upon a subsequent removal of the wall coverings.
The vinyl wall covering is used as an alternative to
painting the sheet rock walls. Due to heavy wear and to changes
13 In one of the representative facilities, after approximately
8 years of use, more than 95 percent of the carpeting in issue
had been removed and replaced. Petitioners intend to replace the
remaining 5 percent of that carpeting, which is badly soiled and
worn, when scheduling permits.
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