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.
Ground floor level
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.
External wall and ducting
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.
Aesthetic considerations
The wall to receive the duct outlets should be aesthetic to the client’s satisfaction, i.e. not close to the main entrance.
Machine access
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.
Avoiding basement laundries
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 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.
Concrete floor slabs
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.
Using timber
Timber floors should be avoided.
Under-floor heating
Under-floor heating must be omitted from the area that is to receive the washing machines.
When to consult a structural engineer
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.
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.
Anchoring 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.
Weight and machine forces
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.
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.
What is included in JLA Total Care
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.
Drainage
A foul drainage SVP or stub stack (min. 100mm diameter) should be situated in the ‘wet’ side of the laundry.
Ducting
The portion of external wall to receive the dryer ducts and air inlet panels should be in the ‘dry’ side of the laundry.
Three-phase electricity supply
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.
Water supply
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 supply
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.
Duct and air inlet panel sizes
The duct size and air inlet panel size increases in proportion to the size and number of the dryers in the laundry.
Dryer outlet
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.
Air inlet requirements
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.

Knowledge Hub
JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.

Knowledge Hub
JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.
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JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.

JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.

JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.
Knowledge Hub
JLA's expert advice can help you with keeping compliant, understanding future trends and make efficiencies.
Find the best industry resources for laundry, catering, HVAC, fire and infection control here. Download or read resources that will help your businesses.


Total Care
A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
- Market-leading equipment with no upfront payments, repair bills or call-out charges – ever
- Installation at no extra cost
- Guaranteed local engineer response
- 24/7/365 support from friendly advisors
- Access to MyJLA, with billing, essential documents, engineer booking and support in one place
- Round-the-clock monitoring to minimise downtime – we sort issues before you know about them
- Keep an eye on your energy usage with live bill estimates and CO2 emissions

Total Care
A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
- Market-leading equipment with no upfront payments, repair bills or call-out charges – ever
- Installation at no extra cost
- Guaranteed local engineer response
- 24/7/365 support from friendly advisors
- Access to MyJLA, with billing, essential documents, engineer booking and support in one place
- Round-the-clock monitoring to minimise downtime – we sort issues before you know about them
- Keep an eye on your energy usage with live bill estimates and CO2 emissions

Total Care
A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
- Market-leading equipment with no upfront payments, repair bills or call-out charges – ever
- Installation at no extra cost
- Guaranteed local engineer response
- 24/7/365 support from friendly advisors
- Access to MyJLA, with billing, essential documents, engineer booking and support in one place
- Round-the-clock monitoring to minimise downtime – we sort issues before you know about them
- Keep an eye on your energy usage with live bill estimates and CO2 emissions
Total Care
A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
- Market-leading equipment with no upfront payments, repair bills or call-out charges – ever
- Installation at no extra cost
- Guaranteed local engineer response
- 24/7/365 support from friendly advisors
- Access to MyJLA, with billing, essential documents, engineer booking and support in one place
- Round-the-clock monitoring to minimise downtime – we sort issues before you know about them
- Keep an eye on your energy usage with live bill estimates and CO2 emissions
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Caring for Care Summer Social
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You’re invited!
The Caring for Care Summer Social, hosted by JLA welcomes leading care sector providers and suppliers to attend. We are passionate about care and recognise the importance of bringing together leading providers and suppliers to collaborate and create lasting relationships.Â
The Caring for Care Summer Social event will provide valuable networking opportunities, exchange best practices and collaborate on innovative solutions to address today’s care challenges.Â
For the Care sector only
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Laundry
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Total Care
A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
- Market-leading equipment with no upfront payments, repair bills or call-out charges – ever
- Pay nothing upfront with JLA total care
- Installation at no extra cost
- Guaranteed local engineer response
- 24/7/365 support from friendly advisors
- Access to MyJLA, with billing, essential documents, engineer booking and support in one place
- Round-the-clock monitoring to minimise downtime – we sort issues before you know about them
- Keep an eye on your energy usage with live bill estimates and CO2 emissions