This SAE Standard applies to all self-propelled machines with a gross vehicle mass up to 5000 kg that are utilized to clean material from outside paved areas, parkland, floors in non-residential buildings and areas principally exposed to pedestrian traffic. Primary methods for material removal can be by mechanical, pneumatic, washing and flushing systems, or in a combination of any system.

To identify self-propelled cleaning equipment, which are grouped into street and industrial sweepers and scrubbers classified under the Earthmoving Machine category of SAE J1116.