The pressure washer is the corner stone of your wash bay, it’s important to examine several factors in order to properly size your piece of equipment. The number of operators, anticipated level of usage, and time restrictions all go into selecting the right washer, however, there are many other things to consider with your equipment as well.
Your pressure washer needs to be located away from the direct spray of water in the bay. Ideally, the washer should be placed in a separate equipment room or on a mezzanine with drops plumbed into the wash bay. If this isn’t possible, the machine should at least be placed on a stand and surrounded by a curtain wall. This will prevent issues with mechanical/electrical failures and prolong the life of your equipment.
While the pressure washer should be placed outside of the wash bay, it’s important the the controls be located in a convenient place for the operator to turn on and off the pump, burner, and detergent systems. Ideally these are located close to the hose reel and wand holder so an operator turns the machine on and off where the equipment is supposed to be stored. Be cautious about high voltage remote stations as they can present dangerous conditions. Also, consider a unit with a pro-logic controller which will prevent damage to your unit due to excessive by-pass run times.
Most hot water pressure washers require many tradespeople to facilitate a proper installation: HVAC to vent the exhaust, electrical to supply power to unit, plumber to stub in water supply, and an adequate fuel supply must be facilitated by a professional. Additionally, low-voltage cable and high pressure lines need to be run to specified drops. It is best to coordinate these things early in the design process to avoid costly change orders and other difficulties.
