Choosing The Right Commercial Equipment For Your Academy Or School

In an education setting, you will regularly have children brining in mucky clothes and dirty items. Others may have accidents, and some may even be ill. Due to these circumstances, school must have adequate laundry facilities in place.

If you are thinking of upgrading your school’s laundry equipment, look at the current size and capacity of your laundry and decide if the machines are still the right size and if your current layout and floorplan is working for you. 

Here are our tips to consider when choosing the best commercial equipment for your academy or school:

1)    Assess Your Needs

Before you start your shopping, it’s important to assess your school’s needs. Determine what types of equipment you need and how much of each you’ll need. Consider things like class sizes, student age, and budget constraints.

2)    Consider Safety

Safety should be a top priority when choosing commercial equipment for schools. Look for equipment that has safety features such as automatic shut-off switches, safety guards, and safety certifications from relevant organisations.

3)    Check For Quality and Robustness

Look for commercial equipment that is durable and built to last. Read reviews, check warranties, and look for brands with a reputation for quality. Quality equipment will not only last longer but also require less maintenance, saving your school money in the long run. You may also want to consider speed, opt for machines for high capacity drums, high spin-speeds, and fast wash cycles. 

4)    Remember Maintenance

Maintenance is an important factor to consider when choosing commercial equipment for your school. Look for equipment that is easy to clean and maintain, with readily available replacement parts and repair services.

5)    Look For Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is an important consideration when selecting commercial equipment for your school. Look for equipment that has an Energy Star certification or other energy-saving features. Energy efficient equipment can help reduce your school’s energy costs and environmental impact. 

6)    Check For Compliance

Ensure that the commercial equipment you choose is compliant with relevant regulations and standards. This includes safety standards, environmental regulations, and any industry-specific regulations.

Service Requirements

Washing Machine Service Requirements

•    Water: Extremely variable based on the capacity of the machine you select. Ideally a cold and hot water feed with good water pressure within 1m of the rear of the machine.
•    Drainage: Requirements are dependent on whether you have a drain pump or gravity drain machine, however the drainage must always fall away from the machine.
•    Power: Most machines within a school environment require a dedicated hard wired power supply.

Dryer Service Requirements

•    Power/Heating Source: Dryers can be heated by gas or electricity and that will affect the services they require.
•    Exhaust Ducting: Any vented dryer must exhaust via ducting. With a gas-heated dryer, the design and make-up of this ducting are governed by Gas Safe regulations which must be adhered to. There must also be a source of make-up air, e.g. a grill or vent in an external wall.
•    Water/Drainage: Modern heat pump dryers require both a cold-water source and drainage.

For more laundry tips for schools, read out Boarding School Laundry Guide here.

At GA Commercial, our advanced range of commercial-grade washers and dryers are specifically designed for the demands of school and university washing facilities. With a large choice of machine functionalities and a minimum 12-month warranty on all our products, GA Commercial is here to help meet your every requirement.