{"id":13834,"date":"2023-12-22T06:50:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T06:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designbuybuild.co.uk\/?p=13834"},"modified":"2023-12-22T07:20:46","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T07:20:46","slug":"design-build-buy-commercial-laundry-planning-guide-for-architects-and-contractors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/designbuybuild.co.uk\/design-build-buy-commercial-laundry-planning-guide-for-architects-and-contractors\/","title":{"rendered":"Commercial laundry planning guide for architects and contractors"},"content":{"rendered":"
In our experience, the best architects and contractors have the ability to look at all the design aspects of a new project, taking into account every challenge they may face and uncovering every possibility open to them. Nevertheless, when the new build or refurbishment includes an on-premise laundry, even the most seasoned building experts need and benefit from our specialist advice\u2026which this commercial laundry planning guide aims to provide.<\/p>\n
Location<\/strong><\/p>\n Ideally, the laundry should be situated on the ground floor of a build, to facilitate easy\u00a0commercial laundry equipment<\/a>\u00a0access and to alleviate structure-borne vibration which could cause damage. 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. Natural light is always preferred to provide laundry staff with pleasant working conditions. However part of the external wall should be window free so tall dryers or\u00a0stack towers\u00a0do not obscure natural light.<\/p>\n For\u00a0infection control, always plan the laundry away from the kitchen, ensuring that food and soiled linen do not share the same corridor.).<\/p>\n Flooring<\/strong><\/p>\n Where possible the laundry floor should be a solid concrete ground floor slab \u2013 even if the rest of the ground floor is suspended PCC beams. Timber floors should be avoided, and underfloor heating must be omitted from the area where\u00a0commercial washing machines<\/a>\u00a0will be installed. An insulation layer between the structural floor and the screed must be omitted from the area to receive the washing machines \u2013 under-screed DPMs should be avoided.<\/p>\n Where PCC floors or block and beam floors are unavoidable, 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Layout<\/strong><\/p>\n The laundry room should have a \u2018soiled\/in\u2019 door and a \u2018clean\/out\u2019 door. Regardless of dimensions, the room should be designed with 1\/3 of the space available for the \u2018wet\u2019 side and 2\/3 for the \u2018dry\u2019 side \u2013 each with sorting and storage area.<\/p>\n A fire exit on the external wall should be included, which could also satisfy the machine access requirement, should machines may need to be swapped or upgraded after the completion of the build.<\/p>\n