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Month: May 2020

Protecting your people and premises from the risk of fire should be a top priority. As an owner or occupier, responsibility for prevention, suppression and evacuation lies with you, so it’s vital that all staff are educated in the things they can do to help reduce the dangers around offices, warehouses, public areas and storage spaces.

In this quick guide, we’ve provided a quick overview of the most common hazards in the workplace. For more in-depth guidance – or to book a full fire risk assessment – please contact one of our experts.

Key things that will help prevent potential fire safety hazards in the workplace:

  1. Keep your buildings clean & tidy – both public areas and behind the scene
  2. Dispose of waste correctly and regularly – especially flammable materials
  3. Store chemicals safely – and clean up spillages straight away
  4. Keep fire doors closed – and ensure all fire exits are clear
  5. Check electrical equipment and machinery often – and replace faulty items
  6. Carry out a regular fire risk assessment – this is a legal requirement
  7. Audit your extinguishers, signage, alarms etc – book regular inspections with BAFE-approved engineers

Storage of waste and combustible materials

​If you allow rubbish and recycling to build up in your premises – especially paper, cardboard and other combustible materials – you’re quite literally fueling the risk of accidental fires.

Warehouses, delivery docks and storage rooms in particular should be checked and cleared regularly. If possible you should store waste in a designated space away from the main buildings, and away from any potential sources of ignition such as heaters, fans, office appliances, machinery, smoking areas and vehicles.

The ideal here is to arrange the removal of bulky and flammable rubbish to an off-site facility as regularly as possible.

Dust build-up

Dust isn’t commonly seen as a hazardous substance, and so is often treated as an inconvenience rather than a danger. However, combustible dust can easily catch fire and explode if exposed to heat, static electricity, friction or naked flames.

Ensuring a regular cleaning program is in place can lower the risk here, and it’s also important to encourage clear desk policies to lessen the build up of dust in workspaces and around plugs or other power and heating sources. Efficient air conditioning can also help reduce dust around your premises.

Flammable liquids and vapours

Everyday chemicals can pose a problem in any workplace – especially those with commercial laundries and kitchens. But things like petrol are a bigger hazard in larger industrial settings like warehouses and factories where stock might be held in high volumes.

Explosions and fast-spreading fires can be caused and accelerated by spillages and careless storage, so always make sure your containers are properly sealed and kept away from potential sources of ignition. If something is knocked over or spilled, clean it up immediately using appropriate methods and always follow manufacturer instructions.

Blocked fire exits

It’s vital that you have clear access to, and through, all fire exits. Equipment, packaging and personal belongings have a habit of being left in the way of doors and in thoroughfares where they could block evacuation in the event of a fire.

It’s easy to remove this common hazard by de-cluttering the area around every exit, inside and out. A weekly reminder in the diary, noticeboard reminders and regular all-staff memos could help set a ‘keep it clear’ mindset, which will ultimately allow your building occupants to escape easily if a fire (or indeed any other emergency) occurs.

Open or damaged fire doors

Interior fire doors are designed to stop fire in its tracks – but often they are left open for ‘fresh air’, or because there’s a fault with their spring hinges and/or latches.

Again, employee education should focus on keeping fire doors shut. If you have ventilation issues, it’s important to address your heating system or building layout rather than compromising your fire suppression precautions.

If there is a fault with your door, it’s equally important to seek expert advice on a fix. Even if your doors are always shut, you still need to check the seals, make sure there are no gaps between door and wall, and ensure hinges are fit for purpose.

Heat-generating equipment & machinery

Faulty electrical equipment is one of the most common workplace fire hazards. Loose cabling is a no-no, as are damaged plugs – so regular detangling is a must, along with regular condition checks. All electrical equipment should be regularly checked and PAT tested by an expert.

Overloaded plugs are a common fire hazard, but one of the easiest to prevent. If too many items are plugged into a socket or extension cable, overheating can quickly start a fire – which can soon get out of control with many sockets usually placed under or near desks which hold lots of paper as well as combustible electrical items.

If possible, unplug any equipment not in use and never leave it running overnight unattended.

Untested fire alarms

Fire alarms only help to keep your people and premises safe if they’re in full working order.

Having a fire alarm system installed is great, but is no use whatsoever if they don’t work or the batteries have run out. Having a maintenance schedule and contract in place for your fire alarm system will ensure it works when you need it most.

Inadequate smoking provisions

Many fires are started by cigarettes that have not been put out properly. If smoking is allowed on your premises, ensure your smoking areas are situated away from main buildings and areas where rubbish and chemicals might be stored – and of course, any structures should be non-flammable and compliant with regulations.

Smoking bins should be provided in all designated smoking areas, and it’s a good idea to educate and remind employees of the dangers of smoking – place posters around your site to send out the message that cigarettes must be properly put out and disposed of.

Fire risk assessments

It’s a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises with 5 or more staff to carry out a fire safety risk assessment. You must also keep a full written record of your assessment – and ideally a full fire safety plan. At JLA we can carry out a full check, along with ongoing guidance on fire hazards in the workplace as well as checks for fire extinguishers, alarms and other vital devices, to help you meet government legislation.

Book a fire risk assessment now

Whether you’re running a hotel, a spa, a salon or a sports club, soft and fluffy towels will keep your guests and customers coming back for more. Here are our top tips on how to get the best results from every wash in an on-site laundry.

Towels

1. Wash before use

First things first, wash all your new towels before hanging them out for use. This will make sure any bits of lint and fluff or even chemicals used during storage will be removed. Popping them in the laundry before they’re used will also increase a towel’s absorbency, so it will be more pleasant to use and will dry hair and skin quicker.

2. Choose commercial washing machines

It can be tempting to use domestic washers in your laundry. However, commercial laundry equipment is a must in a business setting. Heavy-duty (yet compact) commercial washers and dryers get better results than high street machines, and they use shorter cycles which means your towels last longer due to less time in the laundry – so your bills will be lower too.

 

Smart Washer
Browse our commercial laundry equipment range

Domestic warranties also become void if you use ‘retailer’ machines in a business setting, and the size of the drum is bigger by design in commercial washers and dryers – again allowing you to do more laundry in less time to reduce those utility costs.

A high-performance commercial machine is designed to complete up to 35,000 cycles, while even the best domestic high street washers are generally only built to exceed just 10,000 cycles (and the cheapest may only keep going for around 600 hours).

3. Use the right temperature

Busy days (and nights) can lead to shortcuts in the laundry, but using a quick wash or express cycle for towels can mean poor wash quality – and bristly towels rather than soft, fluffy ones.   By the same token, although high temperatures are recommended for white towels, too much heat in the washer (and dryer) will leave them feeling flat and reduce their lifespan by fading or damaging the fibres.

Here’s a quick guide to common towel temperatures:

  • Coloured 100% Egyptian cotton towels wash best at 40 degrees – but avoid going above 60
  • White 100% Egyptian cotton towels will need a 90 degree wash
  • Fleecy bathrobes are best washed at 40 degrees

The above is a good ‘rule of thumb’ guide, but it’s also possible to get the same results or better at low temperatures – using ozone laundry. This natural (disinfection) method also opens up fibres more than a traditional thermal wash, which can give you towels that are 20% fluffier.

Browse our commercial laundry equipment range

Domestic warranties also become void if you use ‘retailer’ machines in a business setting, and the size of the drum is bigger by design in commercial washers and dryers – again allowing you to do more laundry in less time to reduce those utility costs.

A high-performance commercial machine is designed to complete up to 35,000 cycles, while even the best domestic high street washers are generally only built to exceed just 10,000 cycles (and the cheapest may only keep going for around 600 hours).

3. Use the right temperature

Busy days (and nights) can lead to shortcuts in the laundry, but using a quick wash or express cycle for towels can mean poor wash quality – and bristly towels rather than soft, fluffy ones.   By the same token, although high temperatures are recommended for white towels, too much heat in the washer (and dryer) will leave them feeling flat and reduce their lifespan by fading or damaging the fibres.

Here’s a quick guide to common towel temperatures:

  • Coloured 100% Egyptian cotton towels wash best at 40 degrees – but avoid going above 60
  • White 100% Egyptian cotton towels will need a 90 degree wash
  • Fleecy bathrobes are best washed at 40 degrees

The above is a good ‘rule of thumb’ guide, but it’s also possible to get the same results or better at low temperatures – using ozone laundry. This natural (disinfection) method also opens up fibres more than a traditional thermal wash, which can give you towels that are 20% fluffier.

How To Get soft, fluffy towels with ozone laundry

4. Use emulsifier

Oils, lotions, creams and other body care products can be hard to deal with on the used towels in your health and beauty spas. A common mistake is to simply wash towels with a standard domestic washing detergent. But beware that these won’t be a match for certain substances that need to be broken down more thoroughly in the washer by commercial-grade detergents – and more importantly, an emulsifier.

Any spa looking for outstanding appearance and fluffiness should always use an emulsifier. This enhances your ‘base’ detergent performance by working specifically on oil removal.

Spa, salon and clubhouse towels that have been incorrectly washed have been linked to an increased fire risk (oils + heat + oxygen in a dryer is a dangerous mix). Emulsifiers are designed to break down oils, creams and lotions while also leaving you with fluffy towels that are free of hardened or stained patches. Win-win if you wash lots of towels in a health and beauty setting.

5. Avoid fabric conditioner

Fabric conditioner can reduce the absorbency of your towels while residue from the liquid also gets trapped in the fabric – leaving them less effective to dry with and ‘greasy’ to the touch.

Why are my towels stiff after washing?

Towels can become stiff, scratchy and bristly if you use too much detergent, or add fabric conditioner to your wash. This can also make towels less absorbent too. Air-drying can harden the fibres…although so can over-drying in a dryer. Hard water salts can also leave residue from fabric conditioner can make towels stiff, so ask your laundry supplier for advice on water softeners if you’re not sure whether you’re in a hard wayer area.

6. Tumble dry your towels

Drying in a commercial tumble dryer can help to fluff-up the fibre of a towel, giving them a softer feel and a more luxurious appearance. Try not to over-dry though, as too much heat will damage the fibres and leave towels flat and/or bristly, reducing their overall lifespan.

Always ask your supplier if their dryers are equipped with a sensor-activated fire extinguisher – this is particularly important for laundry rooms washing towels that have been in contact with oils and lotions.

JLA’s commercial SMART dryers have inbuilt sensors which allow them to auto-dry your loads. This will ensure your towels last longer, and could help cut your energy usage by around 30% too.

From our OTEX ozone laundry solution to SMART, energy-efficient machines and SAFE tumble dryers, we have everything you need to get clean, soft and fluffy towels in your laundry.

Need help with your towels?

Contact our friendly team today >>

We know that starting a laundry business can be daunting, and that you may need some help along the way. With four decades’ experience, we can offer that help, beginning with a ‘Starting a Launderette’ Business Guide that has been specially designed to cover the steps you need to take when setting up a self service coin-op, ‘drop-off and pickup’ service wash, specialist dry-cleaning or even a collection and delivery business.

How to start a laundry business

Here are our quick tips for starting up your very own laundry venture…

  • Write up a solid business plan
  • Choose the right location
  • Get planning permission (and any permits required)
  • Check out the competition
  • Decide on your services
  • Source reliable equipment
  • Explore different financing options – such as subscription contracts
  • Pick a comprehensive service plan
  • Start marketing and open your doors!

Anyone can set up a laundry business

Thousands of UK launderettes, dry cleaners and coin laundry business owners trust us to provide them with the heavy-duty equipment they need to serve their customers and make a profit. Many of them, often inspired by the U.S Laundromat model, had no prior experience…

Before I opened up, I’d never turned on a washing machine in my life – I ran a bakery and a fish & chip shop, and I wasn't domesticated at all. It just goes to show that anyone is capable of starting a laundry business.

Peter Marks - a JLA customer @ The Lost Sock Launderette

If you’re interested in starting your own laundry business, we’ve made it a bit easier by putting together a FREE laundry and dry-cleaning starter guide.

Download your FREE guide

Start a laundry - download your FREE guide

Our dedicated team have created a handy guide to help you on your way when putting together your laundry shop business plan – take a look at what it covers, then simply fill in the form below to download it today and take the next steps towards a profitable laundry business of your own.

  • Tips on target market research and marketing
  • Advice on the commercial laundry machines you might need
  • Expected startup costs
  • How much your laundry services could bring in once you open
  • How to write a business plan
Download your FREE guide

Get the startup laundry equipment you need for no capital outlay

Don’t let the perceived cost of starting a laundry business put you off pursuing your goals – we have tailored plan to help you set things up without any capital expenditure. With a Total Care all-inclusive subscription contract from JLA, you can start a laundry business or coin-operated laundry without having to pay for the equipment outright…and get breakdown cover included with every machine. This means that you can get up and running – and earning revenue – far sooner than you might have thought possible. With our Total Care subscription, you’ll get…
  • Market-leading equipment with no capital outlay
  • Fully-inclusive breakdown cover with no wear-and-tear clause
  • An 8 working-hour engineer response…or we pay you £100
  • Seven-day call-out cover, including bank holidays
  • No repair bills – ever
  • …all for a simple monthly payment.
Find out how to manage a laundry business once you get started >>
Free download
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FREE Download: Starting A Launderette

If you’re thinking of setting up a laundry business, read our overview of all the things you need to consider.

Get our expert advice on:

  • Customers
  • Location
  • Parking
  • Services to offer
  • Planning Permission
  • Equipment

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