I agree that Sanitaire is most often used in US institutional settings. At least that's what I've seen. Nowadays, however, there seems to be a proponderance of Windsor/Sebo type vacs aimed at the commercial market. You know the ones - they are copies of the Windsor Versamatic (dual motor) or XP12. I don't know how deeply these have penetrated the institutional arena here in the US. I understand that quiet uprights, like the Windsor Versamatic or Lindhaus Health Care Pro, are often used in hospitals. Again, though, I haven't personally witnessed anyone vacuuming in a hospital so I can't say. I've seen maid services using Oreck XL's. I think the appeal is their light weight which make them very easy to transport. I'm quite ambivalent to Oreck XL's, myself. I like their weight, but I'm not sure how well they clean. The one I have is kinda loud, too. Caveat is I just got it so it's pretty new to me.
Most office and hospital carpet here in the US is also that low pile, thin, commercial grade carpet. We have some in our apartment building and while it has gotten discolored over the years it is very durable. There's not a lot of loft for dirt and grit to settle into, so it's quick and easy to vacuum.
Speaking of cleaning commercial carpet, I saw a marketing video that Pro Team produced where the cleaning staff at a small college or school switched to Pro Team backpacks. The cleaning staff talked about how they were really hesitant to make the switch, and how difficult is was to adjust to the backpacks. After they got used to it, however, they found that cleaning went a lot faster, with less fatigue. In fact, there was one point where one of the staff said that he didn't have any problems with his wrist any more, like he did when he used the Sanitaire (meaning upright-type vacs). The most surprising part for me was watching him vacuum the hallway. He walked down the hallway with the backpack vac attached to an unpowered rug brush on a long wand. As he walked down the hall, he pivoted left, right, left, right, left, right in quick arcing motions (as if he were cutting rye with a scythe). It was very fast and I wondered how could you possibly clean a carpet by passing over it that quickly with the nozzle? But that's what they did at that school. I couldn't find that video, but I attached a link to one showing the same pivoting motion.
For detail and above floor cleaning I find the red Sanitaire Mighty Mite commercial canister absolutely great. It's light, goes on a shoulderstrap, is very powerful, and is Hepa filter ready. I can't tell you how much easier cleaning moldings, shelves, cabinets, windowsills, baseboard heaters, etc. is after you've removed all the built up dust, dirt, grit, and debris first with the Mighty Mite. You don't have to deal with grungy water during the wipedown, as most of the dust and debris has already been removed. My only complaint is that the vacuum is loud. It has a plastic shell which give very little sound insulation.
Even better, though, for above floor cleaning is a backpack vacuum. OK, if you are just hitting a spot or two it's overkill. But if you're doing a bi-weekly or monthly cleaning of the whole house - hitting the cobwebs, hard stair cases, light fixtures, windowsills, moldgings, baseboards, the top surfaces of shelves, counters, TV's and tables, lamps, etc., a small to medium backpack vacuum is so convenient. Even more so than the Mighty Might. Just strap it on, walk around, and clean.
I've heard a lot of good things about the Numatic Henry and regret they don't sell them in the US. One question I have, though: is there anything special or unique about the Henry? From outward appearances it looks a lot like a $30 utilitarian wet/dry vac. I assume the motor is very powerful. How about noise levels and filtration? Is there anything to recommend it over, let's say, a Tristar CXL?
