In housekeeping, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 typically refer to room cleaning standards or categories used to classify the cleanliness of hotel rooms or other facilities like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and resorts. These terms are part of a quality control system used by housekeeping departments to ensure consistent and high standards of cleanliness and service.

Here’s a general breakdown of what these categories usually represent…

R1 – Room Ready (or Room 1)

Room Ready or R1 indicates that the room is completely clean and ready for guests or patients. This room is in perfect condition, with no outstanding tasks, and is often the highest standard for a room that’s been serviced.

• Tasks completed
  • Beds made
  • Floors vacuumed or mopped
  • Bathrooms sanitized and stocked
  • All surfaces wiped down
  • Towels and toiletries replenished
  • No visible dust or dirt
• Use – Often used in the hotel industry to signify that a guest can check in immediately without any concerns about cleanliness.

R2 – Room Needs Attention (or Room 2)

Room Needs Attention or R2 means the room is partially cleaned, but there are issues that need to be addressed before it is ready for occupancy. This could be a room that has dirty linens, a soiled carpet, or unfinished cleaning tasks.

• Tasks that might be pending
  • Bed linens not changed
  • Bathrooms not fully cleaned
  • Trash not emptied
  • Stains or dirt on floors or walls
• Use – This status is often assigned when rooms are in the process of being cleaned or when issues are discovered during a room inspection that need to be fixed before the room is officially “ready.”

R3 – Room Under Inspection (or Room 3)

Room Under Inspection or R3 indicates that the room has been cleaned but is awaiting an inspection by a supervisor or housekeeping manager. The room is usually marked as incomplete until it passes inspection.

• Tasks involved
  • The room is cleaned but needs final quality checks.
  • The supervisor or housekeeping manager verifies if all tasks have been completed up to the standards.
• Use – This ensures that there is a quality control system in place to guarantee rooms meet specific standards before being designated as fully clean.

R4 – Room Ready for Maintenance (or Room 4)

Room Ready for Maintenance or R4 means that the room has been cleaned, but it requires maintenance or repair work before it can be used. This could include fixing appliances, repairing plumbing issues, or addressing any structural issues in the room.

• Tasks or issues
  • Leaking faucets or plumbing issues
  • Malfunctioning lights, air conditioning, or heating systems
  • Furniture or fixtures needing repair
  • Any other maintenance issue that prevents the room from being fully functional
• Use – The room cannot be used until the maintenance team fixes the reported problems.

R5 – Room Out of Service (or Room 5)

Room Out of Service or R5 refers to a room that is not available for occupancy for a variety of reasons. It could be undergoing major repairs, deep cleaning, or is closed for some other operational reason.

• Tasks or issues
  • Extensive repairs needed (e.g., water damage, electrical failure)
  • Deep cleaning for long-term sanitation (e.g., after a pest issue or after renovations)
  • Temporary closure due to safety concerns
• Use – This room is removed from inventory and cannot be booked or assigned to guests or patients until it is restored to a usable condition.

In Summary

• R1 – Room Ready – Fully cleaned and ready for use.
• R2 – Room Needs Attention – Partially cleaned, needs further attention or repairs.
• R3 – Room Under Inspection – Cleaned but awaiting final inspection to confirm readiness.
• R4 – Room Ready for Maintenance – Clean but requires maintenance before use.
• R5 – Room Out of Service – Not available for occupancy due to major issues.

These categories are helpful in quality control, inventory management, and ensuring that rooms meet a certain standard of cleanliness and maintenance before they are made available. In large hotels, hospitals, or resorts, this system allows housekeeping departments to stay organized and ensures that no room is missed during routine checks or cleaning rounds.