CHEMICALS & DOSING EQUIPMENT


dosing within a laundry environment is far more difficult and sensitive than in mechanical glass and dishwashing, and only reputable chemical suppliers will have the knowledge and know-how to do this properly. Once everything is calibrated and set-up, the laundry chemicals will be strictly controlled to dispense precise doses into each wash programme.


THE USE OF FLUSH


MANIFOLDS (INLET & OUTLET) In many OPLs, space in the laundry room is at a premium and chemical containers are often sited next to, between or even behind the washing machines in tight and inaccessible spaces. Where there are multiple machines but insufficient space for many chemical drums, then one set of chemicals can be used to service all machines with the installation of an inlet manifold unit between the chemicals and the pumps.


Chemical is drawn from a single drum via a single tube but it is then distributed via the manifold outlet to the dosing units on each machine e.g. one drum of laundry detergent chemical may supply four laundry machines.


An outlet manifold can then be fitted after the laundry pump unit to pre-mix the chemicals with water and then transport the chemical solution to the machines through one single pipe rather than through individual pipes for each chemical.


SETTING THE RIGHT WASH


PROGRAMMES BY WASH TYPE During the initial survey of the laundry, the chemical supplier aims to gain as much information as possible about the types of washing being done. Successful laundry processing cannot be achieved by simply fitting a chemical dosing unit, pumping in chemical and walking away. You can install the best equipment, use the best chemicals and still obtain poor results – even when dispensing chemical reliably and effectively, as this still represents only part of the laundry process.


The different wash loads cannot be laundered to a satisfactory standard using only two or three standard wash programmes, such as ‘Heavy Soiled’


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or ‘Medium Soiled’ as this is too vague. Wash programmes should be as detailed as possible and each category of load washed on a bespoke basis – remember there are up to 20 different options available so it makes sense to make use of them.


“Good ongoing engineering support


is critical to achieving consistent, quality


results in any laundry operation.“


The more wash programmes that are used, the greater the chances of getting good results. Very often, when items come out of the washing machine and are still not clean, have shrunk, have been bleached, etc, the first reaction is to blame the chemicals and contact the chemical supplier. From experience, we know that the most common reason for poor wash performance is that laundry staff have simply chosen the wrong wash programme.


The chemical supplier controls what chemicals are dosed into the selected wash programmes and it is the responsibility of the laundry to select the correct wash temperature/ programme on the laundry machine. Washing should be sorted into different wash categories based on type of soiling, fabrics and care label guidance, and the appropriate wash programme then selected for each wash category.


Another common error among some laundry operators is that they assume that different chemicals can be interchanged on a like for like basis and that they all work at the same temperatures or in the same way. Different chemical suppliers may adopt different chemistry within their products which may require different temperatures from the chemicals that are in use. Operators should be aware that, if changing chemical suppliers or simply changing the chemicals in use,


adjustments to wash temperatures may have to be made. An example of this might be if you chose to switch from a chlorine bleach to an oxidising bleach – one is only effective at very low temperature and dosed at the end of a cycle whereas the other is only effective at higher temperatures and dosed much earlier in the wash cycle.


THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE


ENGINEERING SUPPORT Good ongoing engineering support is critical to achieving consistent, quality results in any laundry operation. There is little point in having a modern laundry dosing unit fitted if it is not installed, and programmed correctly with reliable preventative maintenance engineering support. Laundry problems need to be addressed immediately – or before they happen – to minimise long term and recurring rewash problems.


Chemical dosing units in a busy professional laundry work hard – very hard – and sometimes even 24/7. As such, there will be wear and tear on equipment. Likewise, with constant dosing, the chemicals eventually put severe strain on the pump tubing which, if left unattended would eventually lead to tube failure or inconsistent dosing. Regular service calls and preventative maintenance checks can highlight impending problems, be fixed on the spot and avoid problems further down the line. Therefore by adopting a proactive approach to engineering support, the supplier can reduce the incidence of breakdown callouts and laundry downtime.


The customer too has a role to play in helping him/herself to speed up and maintain a quality engineering service. In simple terms, where there is a problem, it should be reported as quickly as possible to the manufacturer (and not the distributor) so that it can be quickly resolved. Delays can lead to more serious and costly problems so both the chemical supplier and customer should share the responsibility of maintaining standards to the very highest level.


www.rpadam.co.uk Tomorrow’s Cleaning | 55


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