| Care Standards Act 2000 - Minimum Laundry Standards
"The standards are published by the Secretary of State for Health in accordance with section 23 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA). They will apply from 1st April 2002, unless otherwise stated in any standard."
The Standard of interest with regard to laundry equipment is:
STANDARD 26
Services: Hygiene and Control of Infection
26.1 The premises are kept clean, hygienic and free from offensive odours throughout and systems are in place to control the spread of infection, in accordance with relevant legislation and published professional guidance.
26.2 Laundry facilities are sited so that soiled articles, clothing and infected linen are not carried through areas where food is stored, prepared, cooked or eaten and do not intrude on service users.
26.3 Hand washing facilities are prominently sited in areas where infected material and / or clinical waste are being handled.
26.4 the laundry floor finishes are impermeable and these and wall finishes are readily cleanable.
26.5 Policies and procedures for control of infection include the safe handling and disposal of clinical waste; dealing with spillages; provision of protective clothing; handwashing.
26.6 The home has a sluicing facilityand, in care homes providing nursing , a sluicing disinfector.
26.7 Foul laundry is washed at appropriate temperatures (minimum 65 degrees centigrade for not less than 10 minutes) to thoroughly clean linen and control risk infection.
26.8 Washing machines have the specified programming ability to meet disinfection standards.
26.9 Services and facilities comply with the WaterSupply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
At JTM we ensure that equipment supplied will be suitable for the client requirement and meet all requirements of legislation in force ( or pending) at the time of purchase.
Water Regulations
The new Water Regulations replaced the Water Byelaws and include legal requirements which serve to protect mains water from backflow contamination. The risk of contamination is defined in 5 levels of fluid category where 1 is "water supplied directly from a water undertakers main" and 5 is "fluid representing a serious health hazard". Washing machines installed in healthcare premises are included in examples of fluid category 5 and can only be connected to mains water if the machine or installation has an approved backflow protection device fitted.
At JTM we will assess your water services and install the correct equipment to meet the regulations. If you have existing equipment that does not comply we have a range of remedial options available and will be pleased to advise you with no obligation. | 
