Installation Support Centre
We created this support centre to provide guidance on how to prepare for the installation so it goes as smoothly as possible.
Thank you for choosing JLA
The Installation Support Centre helps you to prepare your site ready for JLA engineers. Ths will allow us to install your equipment smoothly, effectively and in a timely manner so you can concentrate on your business.
Pre-installation guidelines
We have created pre-installation guidelines and checklists to help ensure the installation of your JLA commercial laundry equipment is a success. Please review the following information so your laundry room is ready for the JLA engineers.
Services
To help prepare your premises, this section outlines essential services and utilities, such as drainage, ducting, water, gas, electricity, and inlets along with key considerations for each.
Installation of your JLA Total Care equipment is included in the deal when connecting to services provided within 1.5 meters of install location. JLA can in certain circumstances run services further, but costs normally fall out of the agreed Total Care deal and will need to be paid upfront, confirmation of this will be provided once a full scope has been carried out by our installation experts.
A foul drainage SVP or stub stack (min. 100mm diameter) should be situated in the ‘wet’ side of the laundry.
The portion of external wall to receive the dryer ducts and air inlet panels should be in the ‘dry’ side of the laundry.
Invariably the laundry will require a three-phase electric supply. The ratings vary according to machine size and heater capacity. As a rule of thumb each washer and ironer will be three phases, generally around 32 amps per phase. Dryers will be single phase 13 amp if gas heated or three phase if electric heated.
Hot and cold water supplies which supply up to 24 litres per minute at 1.5 bar minimum are required under normal circumstances. Obviously, these will vary according to the numbers and types of washers in use.
Gas should be sized according to the types of machines employed and the distance, route configuration and other draws from the source point. A manual or electronic shut off valve must be provided in an accessible location.
The duct size and air inlet panel size increases in proportion to the size and number of the dryers in the laundry.
The dryer outlet to atmosphere (even for gas dryers) is completely harmless, albeit unpleasant and musty in odour. The duct can be vented out at any point, high or low, where the odour is least likely to cause offence, i.e. at least 2m away from open windows and the air inlet panel.
The requirements for air inlets used in dryers and boilers are as different as their respective exhausts. The dryer draws air out of the room to operate the linen drying process.
As a result, a substantially sized panel is required to allow the correct amount of ‘make-up’ air to be drawn back into the room, equally replacing that which is exhausted out of the room.
It is important to note that a dryer will use the same amount of air whether it is heated by gas, electric or steam, therefore the theory that an electric dryer does not require make-up air is incorrect.
Location
This section provides guidance on selecting the most suitable location for installing laundry equipment within your premises. The checklist covers key considerations including ground-floor accessibility, external wall ducting, visual impact, and ease of access to the machines.
Ideally, the laundry should be situated on the ground floor to facilitate easy machine access and to alleviate structure borne vibration which may damage the building.
The chosen site should consist of at least one external wall to receive dryer exhaust ducts and air inlet panels without the need for expensive and troublesome fan assisted systems.
The wall to receive the duct outlets should be aesthetic to the client’s satisfaction, i.e. not close to the main entrance.
Consideration should be given to machine access, bearing in mind that machines may need to be swapped or upgraded long after the completion of the building.
Basement laundries should be avoided. These present problems with machine access and generally make the installation of foul drains, dryer exhausts and make up air very difficult.
Floor quality
Floor quality plays a vital role in ensuring your laundry machines operate safely and efficiently. In this section, we examine different flooring types, such as concrete slabs, timber, and underfloor heating, and how each impacts installation and performance.
Where possible the laundry floor should be a solid concrete ground floor slab – even if the rest of the ground floor is suspended PCC beams.
Timber floors should be avoided.
Under-floor heating must be omitted from the area that is to receive the washing machines.
Where PCC floors or block and beam floors are unavoidably present, your appointed structural engineer must be consulted. In most cases a concrete plinth will need to be cast on top of the structural floor (not the screed) to receive holding down bolts.
Fixing and mounting
This section highlights the importance of securing a stable base for your equipment. We also explain how weight and momentum are distributed within commercial washing machines to help customers understand how to anchor a base.
Most commercial washing machines need anchoring to a firm floor or base. This is generally done by drilling four holes per washer and fixing down with 150mm long M16 Rawl bolts, through bolts or Chem-fix bolts.
Although the washers are heavy, it is not their dead weight that generally causes structural problems. The revolving momentum of the drum causes an alternate effect. On the downward side of the curve the washer pushes down onto its bolts and forces its weight upon them. Then, on the upward curve, it drags them back up.
The important thing here is that the washer does not just rise, it actually pulls itself upwards, which is why such hefty bolts are required to prevent it pulling itself loose, which may in turn lead to the structure vibrating.
Advice and insights
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Our installations expert
George joined JLA as an apprentice service engineer in 2011. With years of experience in plumbing, engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, he oversees the delivery of safe, compliant installations.
