Commercial Laundry Room Code Requirements

Commercial laundry room code requirements will vary from state to state, but some national regulations and standards are useful to consider alongside researching state-specific regulations. Understanding spatial requirements, electrical and plumbing specifications and safety protocols is important for a successful business. 

When designing a commercial laundry room, it’s best to consider specific equipment and plan with your chosen machines and plumbing in mind.

What Equipment Is Necessary and What Regulations Apply?

It’s important to ensure your equipment meets the relevant regulations. For example, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), washing machines must have mechanisms to hold doors or covers open during loading and unloading.

In addition to commercial washing machines and dryers, you can install specialized equipment that increases the functionality of a laundry room. For example, a trough drain with a lint filter will decrease fire hazards and reduce cleanup and maintenance. Investing in equipment from H-M Company is worthwhile, as it lessens the strain on plumbing systems and increases the drainage capacity. 

How Much Floor Space Is Required in Commercial Laundry Rooms? 

Commercial laundry room floor space requirements depend on the machines you’re using. An estimate of 5 square feet of floor space per machine should be suitable, but remember to consider the opening mechanisms you plan to use. For a commercial front loader, extra space in front of the machine is necessary for loading and unloading. 

The floor plan should account for the ease of customers and staff moving through the space and the specific operation requirements of the machines. In general, there should be at least 48 inches in front and 18 inches between the laundry machines.

What Are the Accessibility Standards for Commercial Laundry Rooms? 

The Americans With Disabilities Act guides commercial laundry room accessibility requirements along with the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC states that if a laundry room has more than three washing machines, at least two must be accessible to anyone using the facility. 

Staff and customers should also have access to a lavatory. Depending on the size of the business, one or two lavatories will likely meet IBC guidelines. 

What Are the Ventilation Requirements for Commercial Laundry Rooms? 

Ventilation is particularly important because washing machines and dryers increase moisture and heat. Air quality must be addressed for comfort and safety. Temperature regulation, humidity control and adequate airflow will protect the building from mold and related concerns and help to sustain occupants’ health. Clean air and moisture reduction are key commercial laundry room ventilation requirements.

There are several ways to improve indoor air quality, including: 

• Natural ventilation of air moving through doors and windows.
• Mechanical means, such as air conditioning and HVAC systems.
• Infiltration, or the process of air flowing through cracks and joints. 

What Are the Requirements for Floor Drains in Commercial Laundry Rooms?

Commercial laundry room floor drain requirements are helpful to consider for many reasons, including their potential environmental impact. Floor drains can cause contamination if used improperly. Superior products like H-M Company’s drain troughs will help your drainage systems work efficiently, maximize your productivity and increase revenue through improved service and function. 

Per commercial laundry room plumbing requirements, the trap and fixture drain for a washing machine standpipe must be at least 2 inches in diameter. Our trough drains are available in all standard plumbing sizes and can be installed however best suits your requirements.

How Can You Optimize Equipment Drainage and Plumbing? 

Understanding what the drain requirements for a commercial washing machine are is important, and partnering with H-M Company can further optimize the drainage capacity of your washers. We have manufactured drain troughs and lint interceptors since 1992, selling them along with top-quality commercial washing machines and laundry equipment. There are many benefits to using laundry drain troughs, including: 

• Ease of cleaning: H-M Company’s lint filters are conveniently located for removal and cleaning. 
• Multiple configurations: They are sized for each situation and can be installed in-ground or on the floor. 
• Reduced odors: Drain troughs efficiently contain odors and suds. 
• Chemical resistance: Our unique polypropylene material limits corrosion from exposure to chemicals.
• Decreased plumbing issues: Drain troughs restrict lint from clogging your plumbing system.

Contact H-M Company for Commercial Laundry Room Solutions

Contact us today, and we’ll assist you with sourcing and installing drain troughs and other superior commercial laundry equipment. We serve Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Ohio, doing local installations in Cincinnati. H-M Company is proud to provide equipment that will increase your business’s success.