February 2023

Lucy Cripwell, Chemist at JLA, discusses how you can keep laundry loads infection-free while keeping energy costs down.

From hospitals to care homes, staying compliant is non-negotiable. But when the cost of using your laundry room’s washers and dryers is rising fast, how can you make savings while keeping your staff, patients and residents safe and comfortable?

Below you’ll find a few handy pointers that can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your laundry room running efficiently.

Invest in commercial equipment over domestic

With energy costs rising, it’s understandable that many businesses may be tempted to install cheaper domestic washing machines to power their laundry rooms. With this in mind, JLA conducted research to investigate whether domestic machines can achieve and maintain temperatures required to stay compliant. Our findings revealed that, on a programmed temperature of 60°C, an A-rated domestic machine reached a high of only 54°C for a short period of time.

Not only were the domestic machines unable to reach programmed temperatures, but their temperature holding times – vital for distributing heat throughout a load, and achieving disinfection – were too short. In turn, the results show that domestic machines are incapable of facilitating any measure of disinfection in line with the requirements of HTM 01-04.

A commercial washing machine, meanwhile, was found to be much more accurate in terms of maximum temperature achieved. When detailed programming options are introduced, commercial washers can control temperatures more effectively, and also provide the correct holding time to achieve the full penetration of the load for disinfection.

Use ozone technology to eliminate infection, not hot water

Running washes at high temperatures might seem the best way to eliminate infection from your laundry loads, but there are other ways to better guarantee loads are disinfected. One alternative to thermal disinfection is ozone technology, which uses the power of natural ozone gas to eliminate infection from laundry loads on an energy-saving cool wash.

JLA’s own OTEX laundry disinfection system uses ozone to eliminate 99.999% of bacteria, including heat-resistant strains, and has proven to be more effective than traditional thermal disinfection methods. For instance, during an in-depth study with De Montfort University in Leicester, the OTEX disinfection system was found to completely remove coronavirus from laundry.

Not only is ozone better at guaranteeing disinfection, but our research has shown that it also cuts hot water usage by up to 80%, electricity by 60%, and gas by 35%, with total energy usage down by up to 45%.* With a recent CBI survey predicting that energy prices will grow by almost 30% over the next five years, investing in ozone now could be a powerful way to save.

Additional tips and tricks

There are plenty of other reasons to pick commercial over domestic, too. JLA’s commercial machines are built to perform in demanding professional environments, making them robust and reliable day in, day out – ideal in healthcare environments where, owing to high volumes of laundry, some machines are running almost constantly.

On top of this, commercial washing machines and tumble dryers have much larger capacities, which means it will take far fewer cycles to get the job done. And then there’s the risk that a domestic machine warranty will be invalidated when the machine is used in a commercial environment, which could be costly.

Tackling rising energy costs and disinfection in 2023 and beyond

We understand the challenges that lie ahead for businesses that operate a busy laundry room. Taking some of these small steps and making the transition to commercial machines and ozone technology could play a huge role in reducing your operating costs over the long-term.

For more on ways you can keep your energy bills low, please get in touch with one of our experts today.

Mark Bone
Fire safety expert

As a critical part of your organisation’s fire safety strategy, automatic opening vents (or AOVs) work to reduce smoke and heat in the event of a fire.

By carrying out regular AOV maintenance and testing, you’ll not only make sure you can safely evacuate your building in the event in the event of a fire but stay compliant with the latest fire safety regulations. You’re legally obliged to keep smoke vents in good working condition, but with a partner like JLA in support, it shouldn’t feel like a hassle.

Understanding your obligations

When it comes to fire safety laws, fines (or worse) can be imposed for non-compliance. As things stand, British Standards BS 7346:8-1990, BS9999-2017, BS 5588:12-2004 and The Buildings Regulations Approved Document B (ADB) state that regular AOV maintenance is necessary. And following the recent Fire Reform Act, it’s your responsibility to make sure it happens.

Regular maintenance and testing should include weekly visual checks of smoke vents for signs of faults, misuse or vandalism, alongside monthly testing by a responsible person using manual controls. And if you do spot any faults through this testing, or have one reported by your building’s occupants, you should get things repaired quickly.

On top of these regular checks, AOV systems need to be serviced annually or bi-annually, with maintenance certificates kept and logged, by a specialist smoke control contractor. At JLA, we actually recommend bi-annual servicing for extra peace of mind, especially if you’re working in the social or hospitality sectors.

Servicing and maintenance support, 24/7

JLA is a contractor with the Smoke Control Association (SCA), and holds approvals from International Fire Consultants (IFC) and STI19 (part of IFC accreditation). This means we’re one of only 40 UK-based firms that are fully accredited by both bodies to design, install and maintain automatic smoke vents and similar systems.

Plus, if you choose Total Care – our all-inclusive package, specially designed for you – you’ll pay nothing upfront to benefit from new fire safety assets, and enjoy free installation with 24/7 emergency support. All for a simple monthly fee.

To find out more about AOV installation and servicing with JLA, please get in touch today.

Mark Bone
Fire safety expert

Automatic opening vent systems (AOVs for short) are a critical part of fire safety and prevention in offices, apartment blocks and commercial properties. Set in casement windows, roofs, and even ducting systems, AOVs help to clear smoke, heat and harmful gases from escape routes during an emergency.

Smoke control systems create safe passage

Smoke inhalation is the biggest threat to life during a fire. But with effective smoke control solutions in place – including window ventilation, roof vent hatches and smoke shaft damper systems that provide compartmentalisation within a smoke shaft or ducting stop fire and smoke spreading between protected zones – smoke and other hazardous fumes are drawn away from access routes, giving evacuees less hazardous to breathe, and improved visibility as they escape.

AOVs enable a faster emergency response

Quickly ventilating smoke from an escape route gives your occupants a lot more time to escape, and aids emergency services in locating and tackling the fire as early as possible by keeping more of the building free of smoke. AOVs are proven to cut the time it takes for fire crews to find and put out a fire – and also make buildings much safer for rescue and recovery.

Ventilation reduces the risk of ‘flashover’

Flashover happens when a fire reaches a critical temperature and ignites a room full of combustible materials at the same time, dangerously intensifying heat and smoke, while making a fire larger and harder to control. AOVs help to prevent or delay flashovers by containing an area, restricting air flow (and oxygen supply) to a fire, or by removing the smoke and heat that’s building up.

AOVs help to reduce damage to property and assets

Fire can be devastating at any scale. But with effective AOVs in place, the worst of the damage can be controlled, with equipment, furnishings and other contents often spared thanks to a reduction in heat or smoke. If the worst happens, it could mean the difference between losing everything and being able to keep critical functions running as you get back on your feet.

We’ll help to keep you compliant with new regulations

Document B of the Building regulations, BS 9991:2011, and BS7346-8 state that automatic smoke vents should be included in the overall fire strategy for the building including but not exhaustive residential, commercial, education and heathcare dwellings. As part of the Fire Reform Act, it’s now your responsibility to ensure your AOVs are maintained and fully compliant.

As a contractor with the Smoke Control Association (SCA), and with approvals from International Fire Consultants (IFC) and STI19 (part of IFC accreditation), JLA is perfectly placed to look after your automatic smoke vents and fire systems, and keep you fully compliant.

We offer a comprehensive, end-to-end package, from free consultation through to supply, installation, servicing and ongoing maintenance. And with our unrivalled Total Care package, you pay nothing upfront and enjoy AOV installation at no extra cost. If you’d like to know more, simply contact us today.

Peter Westwell
Catering expert

When it comes to fitting out a commercial kitchen, size can be incredibly important. Thankfully though, if you only have a limited amount of space available, you can get creative with the appliances you choose.

In this commercial catering equipment fitout guide, we’ll outline exactly how to choose the right commercial cooking equipment for your kitchen. We’ll also provide you with our favourite commercial kitchen tips.

Choosing the right layout

You can’t operate a safe and efficient kitchen without having the correct catering equipment in place. So, when it comes to commercial kitchen planning, you need to put serious consideration into exactly where your appliances will go.

Remember, when planning your commercial kitchen, you’re not simply deciding which appliances you’d like, you also need to consider exactly where these appliances will sit in the room and what a logical layout looks like. For example, you should sit as many of your appliances as close together as possible, so your chefs can work efficiently.

Choosing the right appliances

Once the commercial kitchen planning phase is complete, you’ll know which appliances you need and roughly where they will sit. However, it’s likely that at this stage of the process you may have realised you don’t have as much space as you’d like. If this is the case, consider the following space-saving appliances.

If you choose a combination oven, you’ll receive multi-function versatility in your kitchen. This is because these impressive (yet rather sleek and small) appliances allow you to steam, cook with convection, use a combination of both methods or regenerate pre-prepared dishes.

If you’re working in a small space, then you should search for appliances that allow you to perform as many cooking methods as possible. In this scenario, a commercial salamander grill is a great option. This is because this appliance allows you to cook, bake, brown, toast, grill, flash cook or simply finish everything from snacks and sandwiches to full breakfasts and burgers. As a result, you can complete a range of dishes quickly and easily.

Similarly, you can also choose appliances that fit within your chosen layout. For example, if floor space is an issue but counter space is available, then you can opt for a countertop fryer instead of a traditional floor-standing option. The same can also be said for commercial hobs, which are also available as portable options if you don’t opt for a range oven with an in-built hob.

On top of all this, your fridges and freezers could double up as workspaces if you choose undercounter options. The same can be said for dishwashers. If you’re only running a small café, then an undercounter dishwasher that doesn’t take up much space and sits directly below your prep area could be the perfect solution.

Choosing the right furniture

Finally, you must consider the role commercial kitchen furniture will play in helping you increase the space you have available. By opting for modular commercial kitchen furniture, you can maximise prep and storage space while also complementing your other professional equipment.

Follow these commercial kitchen tips and you’ll have no problem ensuring that you have all the necessary equipment for an operational and safe kitchen. If you need help planning your space or need assistance finding the right catering equipment, get in touch with our experts today. Whatever you need, we can help.

The challenge: tackle rising energy costs without compromising care

A specialist dementia care provider with purpose-built homes in Pannal, Starbeck and Harlow Carr, Vida Healthcare’s ethos is to make sure that every one of its residents can continue to live a fulfilled life.

Along with maintaining the highest standards of care and comfort, staying true to this ethos also means safeguarding Vida’s future, especially in the face of rising bills. According to CBI predictions, energy prices will continue to grow by over 30% in the next five years, which has made energy and cost savings a priority.

For Vida Court, the group’s newest home, laundry was a key overhead to target. Accordingly, Vida sought a commercial equipment partner to help manage a constant flow of laundry, guarantee disinfection on every cycle, minimise downtime, and meet the challenge of ballooning energy costs.

The solution: energy-efficient cleaning with trackable savings

Vida Court chose JLA’s OTEX ozone disinfection equipment for its ability to eradicate 99.99% of harmful bugs, even on a cool wash. A natural alternative to thermal disinfection, OTEX uses less hot water, electricity and detergent, and can generate savings of up to 60%. In turn, it’s now helping Vida Court to quickly contain infectious outbreaks, and keep costs down.

"Community teams have been impressed by our use of Ozone technology for infection control and anecdotal evidence suggests that Otex helps us to eradicate infections from our buildings more quickly than other care homes might."

Jill Young, Operations Director at Vida Court

Vida Court’s OTEX equipment comes with Total Care, JLA’s all-inclusive equipment and repair package. This has given Vida Court the assurance of free installation, 24/7 support and ongoing maintenance, covered by one simple monthly cost. Plus, when everything from false teeth to spoons can end up in the wash, having access to JLA’s 450-strong engineer network also minimises downtime.

"I’m always confident that if there's a problem, it’ll be solved at speed. Our equipment takes an absolute bashing, but JLA’s engineers look after us with no questions asked. I rest easy knowing I won’t face any repair bills."

Jill Young, Operations Director at Vida Court

MyJLA, the online portal where staff can easily view essential documents, pay bills, and book engineer visits, has helped the team save time when it comes to finding certification, and means fewer phone calls and emails overall.

JLA Connect is JLA’s remote monitoring service. With Connect’s sensors installed, Vida Court’s laundry appliances send live data to JLA and Vida’s customer dashboard on MyJLA, and even flag up errors before they can turn into bigger faults – preventing disruption.

Better yet, JLA Connect enables the team to keep track of usage and energy bill estimates in real time, see the most efficient time to run their machines, and work out just how much OTEX is saving them on an ongoing basis. In one recent 30-day period, for example, Vida Court saw a £900 reduction in energy costs, simply by using ozone disinfection instead of thermal.

"Anything that saves a call or email is ideal for us, and with MyJLA and Connect, everything I need to manage each site is all in one place. The dashboard answers a lot of questions about cost and performance, and lets me see trends that ultimately help us manage faults. I’ve already signed up my team because we get a lot of value from it."

Jill Young, Operations Director at Vida Court

Mark Bone
Fire safety expert

Automatic opening vent systems, or AOV systems, are a critical safety feature and legal requirement in buildings with communal stairwells, multiple stories and often the first line of defence in the event of a fire.

In the event of a fire, automatic smoke vents will activate when they’re triggered by smoke detectors or a manual call point, and work to quickly clear smoke, heat and dangerous fumes. This allows people to evacuate via stairs or corridors, while helping to reduce the effects of fire on your premises. By removing smoke and improving visibility, they also help emergency services to quickly find and tackle a fire.

What’s the right smoke control system for my building?

When it comes to selecting the right AOV system for a building, there are two main types of systems to consider – mechanical and natural.

Mechanical AOV systems (sometimes called mechanical smoke ventilation systems, or MSVS), use elements like high temperature extractor fans, (often aided by natural ventilation, end of corridor vents and stairwell ventilators to provide a fresh air supply.) to aid smoke clearance. With lots of moving parts, these systems need regular maintenance by an accredited competent person to make sure they’re compliant and working properly.

Natural AOV systems, meanwhile, extract smoke and heat and hazardous gases via strategically placed end of corridor windows, venting smoke and gases to atmosphere. Natural smoke shafts are often utilised and utilises a stack effect to disperse smoke via a head of shaft ventilator.

Buildings can incorporate both kinds of systems as part of a broader fire safety solution, which means you’ll usually find them situated in stairwells, common corridors, atriums and other emergency escape routes.

Here is a summary of the most common systems in use.

Window AOVs

A window AOV can be directly connected to PIR sensors, thermostats, smoke detection and fire persons override and are fitted with actuators that will automatically open or close the window if there are changes in temperature or air quality, or when smoke is detected in the protected zone. They have a subtle design, making them both a practical and aesthetic choice.

Glazed louvre AOVs

Glazed louvre AOVs use mechanical actuators to improve ventilation, or help to clear smoke and fumes in an emergency.

Louvres offer extra flexibility and are trusted to provide weather tightness and thermal protection. As well as often negating a fall risk with large openings provided by Casement windows.

AOV roof hatches

Hatches have a dual purpose, offering easy, safe access to a roof, while extracting smoke and hazardous gases in an emergency. They also provide ventilation and air circulation for the spaces below where an air inlet is often used.

Smoke dampers

Smoke dampers are installed in ventilation systems and will close off air ducts if triggered by a smoke alarm or manually activated. When utilised in and AOV Installation they provide an exhaust point in each protected zone within a purpose-built smoke shaft usually extending to roof level. With superior air-tight performance, they prevent the spread of smoke and heat through a building and are a critical element in fire safety.

Can JLA help you?

As a contractor with the Smoke Control Association (SCA) and approved by International Fire Consultants (IFC) and SDI19 (part of IFC accreditation), JLA is one of only 26 companies in the UK that is fully accredited by both bodies to supply and take care of your buildings’ automatic smoke vents and associated fire safety systems.

We offer a comprehensive, end-to-end package, from free consultation through to supply, installation, servicing, and ongoing maintenance, providing full turnkey solutions and with our unrivalled Total Care package, you pay nothing upfront and enjoy installation at no extra cost. If you’d like to know more, simply contact us today.

In 2023, JLA customers get more built into their contracts than ever before. All of these fresh benefits are designed to help you get the most out of your all-inclusive package!

MyJLA – your portal for all things JLA

In case you missed our announcement in 2022, all JLA customers now have access to MyJLA, our free customer portal.

MyJLA is here to support the smooth running of your business, 24/7, and is the fastest way to view product documentation and service reports, book an engineer, pay your bills, or contact us.

Register your interest if you haven’t already.

Stay on top of your costs with Connect

In addition to MyJLA, we’ve recently upgraded JLA Connect: continuous monitoring and always-on care for your laundry equipment.

Connect allows our experts to remotely monitor and care for your compatible washers and dryers – spotting issues before you even know about them, and sorting things quickly.

Connect also tracks energy usage, so you can understand the cost of running your machines and monitor your environmental impact through CO2 emissions estimates.

This can all be viewed on your MyJLA dashboard. It all adds up to a system that helps you minimise downtime, improve laundry performance and keep on top of costs, as well as reduce your environmental impact.

JLA detergents now available on MyJLA

It’s now fast and easy to order JLA’s powerful detergents straight from MyJLA.

Our detergents have been formulated to help you get the best performance from your JLA washing machines and dishwashers, meaning you get the perfect clean every time. They are also effective at cleaning across a range of temperatures, even energy saving cool washes, which makes our detergents compatible with our OTEX ozone disinfection system.

From degreasers to detergents, the full range is available to order at the touch of a button. We can even remember your orders to make repeat orders even quicker. Visit MyJLA for the new quickest way to place your detergents order.

We hope these exclusive benefits will continue to help your business run smoothly. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team is here for you around the clock.

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

If you’re setting up a new commercial laundry from scratch, then you may be struggling to decide which pieces of equipment meet your needs. This is particularly the case if you need to meet infection control guidelines. To help you work out which machine types and capacities you require, we’ve put together this commercial laundry equipment guide.

As well as discussing which washing machines are best, our commercial laundry guide will also provide advice relating to dryers and finishing equipment. So, read on to find out how to choose commercial laundry equipment for your business.

How to choose commercial laundry equipment: Care homes

We understand that caring for your residents is your biggest priority. Thankfully, using our decades of experience, we’ve developed our OTEX laundry disinfection solutions, which are perfect for care homes.

These machines remove all traces of coronavirus, as well as 99.999% of other harmful micro-organisms. They also provide disinfection receipts to prove disinfection has taken place.

In a care home setting, you will require a barrier washer. These machines are designed for bulky loads and contain separate loading and unloading areas to ensure clean and contaminated linens never come into contact. These washing machines should be combined with our class-leading industrial tumble dryers, which have been designed to cope with even the largest and bulkiest items (such as duvets and sheets).

If you’re running a care home laundry room, you should also consider whether our automatic medical macerators are appropriate for your needs. These machines provide you with a fast, cost-effective and hassle-free alternative to manual sluicing. They also eliminate the risk of wide-area contamination.

Hospitals

In hospitals and healthcare settings, OTEX laundry systems are vital for preventing outbreaks and keeping linen fresh. Plus, they are also ideal for hospital staff who want to be sure that their staff uniforms, towels and microfibre mops are thoroughly disinfected. As a result, these machines also greatly reduce the transmission risk of healthcare-acquired infections (HCAIs).

For your hospital laundry room, you should select a barrier washer. These machines prevent clean and contaminated linens from coming into contact. They also help you meet national healthcare standards.

As with care homes, industrial dryers are also important pieces of equipment. Due to the volume of washing and drying you’ll need to complete in the setting, we recommend choosing the largest washing machines and dryers available. The dryers you choose should be fitted with SAFE technology and should feature a tilt function, so it’s easier for staff members to load or unload bulky items. Again, you should also consider the role macerators could play in preventing contamination.

Football Clubs

We recommend that football clubs use our SMART washers to produce match-winning results. Not only do these machines produce the best possible finish time after time, but they also use less energy. Alongside your washer, you should also select a commercial dryer that matches your usual load size (our capacities range from 5kg to 310kg).

In an environment such as this, we know just how important results can be. For this reason, as well as selecting the right washers and dryers, it’s also vital that you purchase the right commercial irons, including rotary irons and ironing tables.

Laundrettes

Did you know that over 70% of the UK’s laundrettes and dry cleaners trust JLA to supply and look after their critical equipment?

If you’re running a commercial laundrette, then our coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers are the perfect solutions. These impressive pieces of machinery are available in a variety of drum capacities and have been designed to help you maximise revenue in your launderette or managed laundry. Plus, thanks to features like speedy spin cycles and eco options, they can also save you money on your utility bills.

Housing

These coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers are also the ideal solutions if you’re providing university accommodation or running a holiday park. Not only can these machines help your guests meet their laundry needs, but they can also provide you with an extra revenue stream.

In these circumstances, if you only have a small laundry room available, then we recommend that you look at our stackable washing machines and dryers. This way, you can maximise throughput without taking up extra space. You can stack our washing machines in washer-dryer and dryer-dryer combinations.

Pubs and Restaurants

Although the laundry capacity of pubs and restaurants is often not seen as a pressing concern, it’s vital that your hospitality setting has the right washers and dryers in place so that it can effectively clean table linens and napkins.

Domestic washing machines cannot cope with the laundry demands of a pub or restaurant. For this reason, they won’t provide the quality of finish you need and will regularly break down. As a result, commercial washing machines are a much better solution.

That said, depending on the size of your establishment, you may find that semi-professional models that are the same size as domestic variants will provide you with the finish you require. If you run a larger establishment, you’ll need something more substantial.

As well as selecting a commercial washing machine for your pub or restaurant, you will also require a commercial dryer. On top of this, you should also consider purchasing finishing equipment. This way, your table linens will always be perfectly presented.

Vets

Vets must be sure that their bedding, blankets and linens are hygienic so that pets remain happy and healthy. By choosing an OTEX laundry disinfection solution, you can reduce cross-infection risks and improve hygiene in your veterinary surgery.

As well as choosing a washing machine that can disinfect bulky items like pet bedding and blankets, you should also choose a SMART dryer. These impressive machines feature auto-dry programmes that reduce drying time. Plus, these dryers also feature SAFE technology, which will protect your premises, people and animals from dryer fires.

Hotels and Spas

Hotel managers and spa owners will also benefit from our OTEX laundry disinfection solutions. This is because not only will hotel managers enjoy improved hygiene standards, but spa managers will enjoy cheaper utility costs and will be able to provide clean, soft and fluffy towels and bathrobes to guests.

Here at JLA, we work with over 3,000 hotels and spas across the UK. As a result, we can help you find the perfect solutions for your laundry room. In these scenarios, we believe our OTEX laundry systems are perfect because they can make your linens last longer, reduce your carbon footprint and kill 99.999% of viruses and bacteria. However, if you believe these systems aren’t right for your needs, then take a look at our SMART washing machines, which are available in a range of drum capacities.

You should also choose a commercial tumble dryer that suits the size of your premises. Here at JLA, we cater for all usage levels and our capacities range from 5kg to 310kg. While large hotels will benefit from a machine with a vast capacity, smaller spas may prefer a more compact option.

Schools

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

While schools will likely only require a domestic-sized commercial dryer with a 7kg-8kg capacity, they will benefit from an OTEX laundry system. These machines can stop outbreaks occurring and can help schools save money on utility bills.

Prisons

Prisons require commercial laundry equipment to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Our wing laundry facilities have been designed with compliance and capacity in mind. So, regardless of whether you have a small prison population or you’re running a large facility that requires round-the-clock washing and drying facilities, we can supply everything you need.

In these settings, we recommend our OTEX laundry systems, which can also prevent outbreaks in the prison population and can keep both prisoners and wardens alike safe.

We hope this commercial laundry guide has provided you with all the information you need to make an informed buying decision. However, if you’d like to learn even more or have a specific question about any of our pieces of laundry equipment, talk to our laundry experts today. Whatever your business needs, we have a solution.

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

Choosing an industrial washing machine or dryer for your business can be tricky. After all, each machine has different features and benefits. So, how do you know which is best for you?

To help, we’ve put together this guide. As well as explaining which features you should look out for, we’ve also provided a brief explanation of which option in our range may be best for your business.

Top washing machine features

When picking a new industrial washing machine, top features you should look for include:

High G-force and spin rates, which reduce drying times
Oversized doors, which help staff members load and unload bulky items
Eco washing functions, which reduce water and electricity consumption and save you money on your bills
Programmable microprocessors, which will make operation simple for staff members
Separate loading and unloading areas, so clean linen is always kept away from contaminated linen

Which washing machine is right for me?

The correct washing machine for you will be determined by two factors: the load size you usually wash and whether you require a barrier washer.

Care homes, hospitals and other businesses that must meet stringent healthcare regulations will require a barrier washer for infection control purposes. In this scenario, a JLA large medical washing machine is a great option.

If you don’t require a barrier washer, then instead take a look at the JLA small medical washing machine, which is available in a range of sizes to suit your needs.

Top tumble dryer features

When picking a new industrial tumble dryer, top features you should look for include:

Pre-programmed cycles, which will make operation simple for staff
Large lint filters, which make the drying process more efficient
Tilt options and large door openings, which make it easy for staff to load and unload bulky items
SAFE systems, which can eliminate the risk of fire
Insulated cabinets, which lead to substantial energy savings
Reversing drums, which can stop large items from becoming tangled

Which tumble dryer is right for me?

The right industrial dryer for your business will largely be determined by the capacity you need, whether you require a SAFE system and whether you need the machine to tilt. You’ll also need to decide whether a steam or gas model is best.

Generally speaking, the largest tumble dryers are best suited to hotels and care homes. This is because these businesses wash huge volumes of linens and bulky items, such as bed sheets. If you’re regularly washing and drying these items, then we recommend purchasing a tumble dryer that tilts and features extra-large door opening. In these scenarios, the JLA D tumble dryer is the perfect option.

However, if you’re drying smaller loads or don’t need the dryer to be in near-constant use, then a smaller dryer such as the JLA D heavy duty dryer may be better suited to you.

Need help choosing an industrial washing machine or dryer? Get in touch with the laundry experts at JLA today. Our knowledgeable experts can help you find the perfect machine for your needs.

Peter Westwell
Catering expert

The food you offer is hugely important to residents and their loved ones. However, achieving consistently good, nutritious results while also adhering to regulations can be an impossible task without commercial catering equipment that is up to the job.

That’s why, here at JLA, we have developed a range of market-leading equipment for the whole kitchen. In this catering guide for care homes, we’ll explain which of our solutions is best for your needs. But first, let’s look at the regulations that impact care home catering settings and key things you need to consider.

What does the CQC say about care home catering?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body responsible for inspecting care homes across the UK, states that all care homes must ensure that they offer “nutrition and hydration to sustain life and good health” (Health & Social Care Act 2008, Regulation 14).

As a result, care home owners must assess nutritional needs and provide food in accordance with these needs. This means that food must be adapted for individuals. In addition to this, food must also be adapted to take residents’ preferences, religious and cultural backgrounds into account.

Although the CQC’s regulations do not state that commercial catering equipment must be used, equipping a care home kitchen with commercial equipment can ensure that meeting the regulations is much easier and that provisions are consistent.

Plus, this standard of equipment also gives care home managers greater confidence that their kitchen won’t let them down. Remember, the CQC can prosecute for a breach of regulations, so it is key to have robust, reliable equipment in place.

Key considerations for your commercial kitchen

Before you decide which pieces of catering equipment you need to purchase for your care home, ask yourself the following questions:

How many residents do we need to feed at mealtimes?
How will we ensure that we’re offering optimal nutritional standards in the meals we serve?
How will we stop items like cups and cutlery from spreading outbreaks?
How many kettles will we need to run to make a sufficient number of teas and coffees?
How will we prepare and cook for such a large volume of people?
How will meals be transported around the home?
How will we ensure the nutritional needs of each resident are met?
How will we clean used dishes to the required standard?
What is the end-to-end process with regards to food storage capacity, food rotation and delivery frequency?

Once you start to answer these questions, you’ll gain a better understanding of the care home catering setup you require.

Which pieces of catering equipment does my care home need?

To help you decide exactly which pieces of care home catering equipment you need, we’ve put together this in-depth guide.

Without further ado, here are our suggestions for the best pieces of care home catering equipment, based on the assumption you’re running a 20-40 bed care home.

Combi ovens

The extensive range of JLA combi ovens like the are perfect for care homes. This is because these versatile pieces of equipment can transform the way you cook.

By combining dry heat and steam to provide a range of cooking methods, a combi oven boasts the ability to cook an entire roast dinner using only one piece of equipment. Due to this, the oven can make your kitchen highly efficient.

Combi ovens provide all of the following benefits:

They’re capable of conducting 8 of the 12 cooking methods used in a care kitchen
They use 60% less energy
They lock in nutrients, vitamins and flavours
They reduce shrinkage, meaning you receive more servings
They reduce cooking times
They allow for the rapid regeneration of meals
They have large capacities
They allow for one-touch cleaning

Range ovens

Pieces of prime cooking equipment like range ovens are the workhorses of any care home kitchen.

Our 4-burner gas range oven has been designed to withstand heavy use without ever compromising on quality. Featuring stainless steel construction for durability and reliability, it can perform 10 of the 12 modern aspects of cooking.

If you need extra cooking capacity, then you can upgrade to a 6-burner gas range oven, or you can combine your range oven with other pieces of prime cooking equipment, such as fryers or salamander grills.

Hot Cupboards and Water Boilers

As well as the above, your care home kitchen will also require pieces of complementary cooking equipment, such as hot cupboards, bain maries and hot water boilers.

These complementary pieces of cooking equipment help make mealtimes a breeze. While hot cupboards and bain maries can store your cooked foods at the ideal temperature, hot water boilers can save staff members time when they have dozens of cups of tea and coffee to serve.

Fridges and Freezers

In a care home kitchen, your refrigeration setup is important for food storage purposes. However, your setup is also vital for ensuring that you comply with HACCP food safety guidelines.

Designed for frequent use, commercial fridges and freezers like our JLA Active Cool 600 upright fridge and JLA Active Freeze 600 freezer can keep your food stock cool during peak times. Both pieces of equipment also feature an external digital temperature display for easy monitoring and can help you to save up to 15% on your energy costs.

In addition to these pieces of equipment, we also recommend that care homes purchase blast chillers for their kitchens. These allow you to rapidly cool cooked food in a way which minimises bacteria, retains flavour and keeps nutritional value. This chilling process exceeds the minimum standards specified in food safety legislation.

Dishwashers

Hygiene and infection control are critical in your care home, both for the safety of your residents and for ensuring that your care home complies with national regulations and CQC standards.

All of our high-quality commercial dishwashers are WRAS approved and offer quick cycles that meet disinfection guidelines – so you can be assured of excellent wash quality every time.

Our range of dishwashers contains undercounter and passthrough options. However, for care homes, we usually recommend the JLA FW20s Pro, which offers 11 different cycle programmes, can wash up to 456 plates per hour and fits neatly under a countertop for great space savings.

That’s all the care home catering equipment your kitchen should require. Still unsure which models are best for your needs or have a question about one of our options? Speak to our catering experts today. We can advise you on all aspects of your care home’s catering setup. Whatever you need, we’re here to help.

Total Care