Resources
Planning to implement a new commercial laundry facility or upgrade your current one? We understand that the design process can be a little complicated, so we’ve enlisted the help of our Installation Manager, Mark Pettis, who has put together some things to consider when planning your laundry room layout.
What is the ideal location for my laundry?
The location is possibly one of the most important decisions when planning your laundry room layout. We recommend ground-floor sites as the best option, as this ensures a structurally sound base for the machines and minimises noise and vibration around the building, this will also facilitate installation and maintenance, as well as daily access for your team.
Ideally, the laundry should be located away from the main entrance and any outdoor seating areas, or places such as offices or bedrooms, so the noise from the machines doesn’t inconvenience residents or other staff members. To manage infection control, it should also be a safe distance from the kitchen or any food preparation areas, ensuring that food and soiled linens do not share the same corridor.
To avoid cross-contamination, laundry segregation must be considered when planning the room layout. Ideally, 1/3 of the space should be dedicated to processing dirty linen and 2/3 should be reserved for the clean items. You can read more about this in our resource on laundry room layout to avoid cross-contamination.
Another important element to consider is ventilation. The laundry room should preferably have at least one external wall for tumble dryer exhaust ducts and to bring fresh air in without the need for expensive fan systems. This may then also make windows an option, letting in natural light to improve the working environment for your laundry team. All tumble dryers have an air requirement which is often larger than you think so always check the manufactures instructions to ensure the right size vents are installed.
Another factor to consider is the fluing of the dryers, particularly when using gas. Gas regulations state that ‘a flue terminal from a commercial tumble dryer must terminate at least 2000mm from any opening into the building’. This can often be a challenge when there are windows, doors and even the air makeup vent to be considered.
Gas services
If the laundry room is to have gas appliances, there must be suitable means of isolating the supply in an emergency. This must be situated at an exit point and can be a mechanical lever valve on the pipe work or more often these days an ‘emergency stop’ button which electrically shuts off a solenoid within the pipe work. This can also be linked to the fire alarm system if required. If the dryers ducting or air makeup is fan assisted this will need to be interlocked with the gas solenoid as well.
What flooring is best?
As the laundry is a high-traffic area with exposure to moisture and vibration, the flooring is a key element to get right. Solid concrete is usually considered the best option, as it is slip-resistant, waterproof and unsusceptible to bleach, detergents and other cleaning agents. It will tolerate the high levels of foot and cart traffic, as well as bear the weight of your laundry equipment well.
Does my laundry need specific wall finishes?
To help prevent any issues arising from the condensation produced during the laundry process, your walls should ideally be oil-painted or plastic-clad. Any crevices or areas where lint might accumulate should also be filled in.
Are there particular drainage requirements for in-house laundries?
Though specifics will vary depending on your machine, all laundry facilities should have a main drain, soil vent pipe (often referred to as an SVP) or stub stack (min. 100mm diameter) entering the foul water system and wastewater be safely trapped.
Should sinks be installed?
Installing a handwash basin for your team within the soiled linen area of the laundry is a good precautionary measure for sanitation. This can be paired with a separate utility sink for items such as mops and buckets to help avoid cross-contamination with soiled linens.
How should sorting and storage spaces be planned?
Setting up linen collection, sorting and storage spaces will be essential to the smooth running of your laundry. The sorting area should be well-lit with bright white lights to help your team easily identify stains, while the storage space for clean linens should be located some distance away from soiled items to avoid cross-contamination.
What fire safety precautions should be taken?
To help reduce the risk of fires in your commercial laundry room, there are some key things to consider. These include:
Exits
Ideally, your laundry room should have two exits available in the event of a fire that are clearly marked and kept clear at all times. We also recommend that appropriate extinguishers are made accessible near the exits, preferably maintained under a specialist contract to ensure they are always in good working order.
Automatic fire alarms
The installation of an automatic fire alarm system with remote signalling to an alarm receiving centre will enable faster response times in the event of a fire, while also giving you peace of mind. Detection should be implemented within both the laundry processing and storage areas.
Automatic sprinkler systems
Sprinkler systems can help to reduce damage from laundry fires that result from “spontaneous combustion”, which can often occur overnight outside of normal working hours. They commonly happen when linen is tightly packed into storage whilst still hot, causing residual chemicals and soiling from fat, grease and oil (if not washed correctly) to react with the heat.
Staff procedures
Having the right procedures in place for your team to follow will help to prevent and mitigate the risk of fire in your laundry room. These should include:
- Cleaning routines that ensure all combustible rubbish is removed daily and lint is cleared from surfaces weekly.
- Training in fire safety that covers how to raise the alarm, how/when to evacuate and how/when to use extinguishers.
How can WASHCO help?
As specialists in commercial laundry equipment and installation, the team at WASHCO have the knowledge and experience to support projects of all sizes. We’ll work closely with you to understand any challenges you may have, as well as conduct site surveys to ensure we are best placed to design a solution that works for you.
Find out how we supported Best Care Ltd and Concord College with their commercial laundry, which included changing the room location and layout to improve processes and increase capacity.