Knowledge Base

RAMCO LAUNDRY MACHINERY INSTALLATION ENGINEERING GUIDE

SECTION 1. MACHINE DATA

1-1.  MACHINES
For model specifications, features, electrical data, valve data, motor data and outline dimensions refer to the following publications:



SECTION 2. MACHINE MOUNTING

2-1.  GROUND FLOOR
Refer to the detailed specifications for each machine to determine the static and dynamic loads. The anchoring and trough drawings for each machine contain information on anchor bolt placement.

Anchor bolts are furnished with all machines.
Proper leveling and grouting is a machine installation requirement. Failure to comply with these instructions may void the machine warranty.2-2.  ABOVE-GROUND FLOOR
For above-ground installations, floor construction must support the static and dynamic load of the machine when fully operational. It is important to determine that the natural frequency of the building does not coincide with the frequency generated by the machine. It is important to verify the floor construction is adequate. If in doubt about floor specifications, contact the RAMCO Sales Engineering Department before proceeding.

CAUTION: Floor must support the static and dynamic load of the machine when fully operational. It is important to verify that floor construction is adequate.

SECTION 3. WATER DRAIN

3-1.  WATER USAGE FOR LAUNDERING
Refer to Table 3.1 for further information.

3-2.  DRAIN TROUGH
RAMCO end-loading machines can either be connected directly to the sewer pipe or discharged into a drain trough. Barrier machines require a drain trough which must be large enough to contain the rapidly drained water without overflowing. RAMCO Marketing Technical Support Group will furnish detailed drain trough drawings. Trough capacities for single machines are shown in Table 3-1.



3-3.  SEWER PIPE
The drain pipe of an end-loading machine can be piped directly to the sewer pipe provided the sewer pipe size is larger than the drain pipe. If the sewer pipe is smaller, the machine must drain into a trough.

All side-loading machines must drain into a trough.

The sewer pipe connected to the drain trough must be sized large enough to empty the trough in 45-60 seconds. If a number of machines drain into a common trough, the sewer pipe size is calculated as follows:

  1. Determine the total trough capacity by adding the trough capacity required for each machine (Table 3-1).
  2. Calculate design capacity by multiplying the total capacity by the appropriate modification factor in Table 3-2.
  3. Select from Table 3-3 the sewer pipe size that matches the design trough capacity. If the design capacity falls between pipe sizes, select the larger pipe size, i.e., if the trough is 400 gallon, use a 6” pipe rather than a 5” pipe.


EXAMPLE: Determine the drain trough capacity and sewer pipe size required for an installation with these RAMCO machines:
1 - SWE 450, 1 - SWE 230, 1 - SWE 110.

1. Total trough capacity (Table 3 -1):

1-SWE 450    =    1 @ 185 gallon  =    185 gallon
1-SWE 230    =    1 @ 85 gallon    =      85 gallon
1-SWE 110    =    1 @ 60 gallon    =      60 gallon
                  Total trough capacity    =    330 gallon

2. Design trough capacity
Design capacity    =   Total capacity x modification factor (Table 3-2)
                             =   330 gallon x .85   =   281 gallon

3. Sewer pipe size
Design capacity    =   281 gallon

From Table 3-3 select a 5” sewer pipe which has a capacity of 350 gpm.

SECTION 4. UTILITIES

4-1. WATER
For productivity, quality, and efficiency, it is essential that the water supply system (softeners, tanks, pumps, heaters, piping, etc.) be adequately sized to provide the required hourly consumption, and the momentary peak demands.

A. AVERAGE HOURLY WATER CONSUMPTION in the wash-room varies according to the poundage processed,the type of work, and the wash formulas. First, determine the required hourly production and then multiply this poundage by the typical water consumption figure given in Table 4-1. (In actual operation, the total amount of water used may be considerably less.)


EXAMPLE: Determine the hourly water consumption for an institutional laundry that washes 2400 Ib/ hr (see Table 4-1).
Hot water     =   2400 pounds/hour   x   2 gallon/pound   =   4800 gallon/hour
Cold water   =   2400 pounds/hour   x   1 gallon/pound   =   2400 gallon/hour
                                               Total water consumption   =   7200 gallon/hour

B. MOMENTARY PEAK DEMAND. All components of the water system should be designed to fill the machines at a rate of approximately 1/2 gpm per pound of rated load capacity of a machine. At that flow rate, it takes about 30- 45 seconds to fill a machine to rinse level.

In a multiple machine installation it is unlikely that all machines will fill simultaneously. Thus, peak demand is based on the flow requirements of the largest machine (see Table 4-2) plus a percentage of the demand of the additional machines (see Table 4-3).

The water header shall then be sized based on flow rates in Table 4-4 so that the water velocity shall not exceed 15 ft/sec (4.5 m/sec) except on short runs.


NOTE: Install manual shut off valves on the hot and cold water lines to each machine.

CAUTION: Make sure all manual shut off valves are installed in a convenient location so the operator can reach them quickly in an emergency.

EXAMPLE: Determine the momentary peak demand, and size the hot and cold water headers for an installation with these RAMCO machines:
2 - SWE 450, 1 - SWE 230, 1 - SWE 110

1. Momentary peak demand (see Tables 4-2 and 4-3).

  • Hot Water. For four machines, the momentary peak demand is the momentary demand of the largest machine (SWE 450 @ 200 gpm) plus 50% of the demand for the other three machines:
  • Hot water demand = 200 + .5 (200 + 105 + 50) = 200 + .5 (355) = 378 gpm.
  • Cold Water. The peak demand is the momentary demand of the largest machine (SWE 450) plus 25% of the demand of the remaining three machines.
  • Cold water demand = 200 + .25 (200 + 105 + 50) = 200 + .25 (355) = 289 gpm

2. Water header size (see Table 4-4).

  • Hot water header is sized for a flow rate of 378 gpm. Select a 4” header (up to 600 gpm).
  • Cold water header is sized for a flow rate of 289 gpm. Select a 3” header.
  • Water Pressure - Although it is uncommon, water pressure can exceed 55 psi. If water pressure exceeds 55 psi at the installation site, install a pressure regulator ahead of the machine to reduce the pressure to below 55 psi. This will protect the water inlet valves from excessive pressure.

4-2. STEAM
About two-thirds of the energy consumed in a laundry is used to heat water for washing. To save energy, many laundries are now using “low temperature” wash formulas and installing waste water heat reclaimers. Hot water systems, therefore, can vary dramatically. They are custom engineered and designed to meet the individual needs of each plant.

The energy figures given in Table 4-5 are approximate and should be used only as a guide if no other data is available. For example, hot water temperature is assumed to be 160 F (71° C) and no heat reclaimer is contemplated. If higher temperatures are required to wash more heavily soiled loads, live steam can be injected into the machine. Steam for this purpose should be supplied at 60-100 psi (4-7 bar). The steam pipe size for each RAMCO machine is shown in the technical bulletins, referenced in Section 1-1. For a multiple machine installation the steam pipe header size is equal to the pipe area of the largest machine plus the total pipe area of the remaining machines multiplied by the modification factor in Table 4-6. Select the pipe header size which matches the total equivalent pipe area.



NOTE: Install a manual shut-off valve on the steam line to each machine. Make sure all manual shut-off valves are installed in a convenient location so the operator can reach them quickly in an emergency.

EXAMPLE: Determine the steam pipe header size for injecting supplemental steam for an installation with these RAMCO machines:

Equivalent pipe area = 2.036 + .5 (2.036 + 0.864 + 0.533) = 3.127 + .5 (6.255) = 6.48 sq in from area closest to 6.48 sq in is the 7.393 sq in area of a 3” pipe.
NOTE: Always select the size larger rather than smaller to the equivalent area. Therefore: Select a 3” steam pipe header.


NOTE: Steam pressure must not exceed 100 psi

4.3 COMPRESSED AIR
Each RAMCO machine must have a dependable and adequate supply of clean, dry compressed air as specified in Table 4-8.


In addition to the RAMCO machines, other air-operated equipment is used throughout most laundries. Feeders, folders, presses, etc., all require air. Therefore, to select the proper size air compressor, add up the amount of air required by each piece of equipment, assuming they all function simultaneously. Select the standard size compressor which exceeds the minimum volume by about 10%. To avoid problems and reduce maintenance, the compressor should be equipped with a receiver tank, air filter, dryer, and air cover. Provide a manual shut off on the air line feeding each machine.

NOTE: Make sure all manual shut-off valves are installed in a convenient location so the operator can reach them quickly in an emergency.

4-4. ELECTRICAL
Although each machine must have its own circuit breaker for branch-circuit protection, it is unlikely that all machines in a multi-machine installation will be drawing maximum current at the same time. Thus, the size of the distribution panel is determined by the size circuit breaker (see Table 3T-15) of the two largest machines plus a percentage of the circuit breaker size of the remaining machines per Table 4-9.



EXAMPLE: Determine the size distribution panel required for an installation with the following RAMCO machines on 240/60/3 electrical system:

2 - SWE 450 @ 125 amps, 1 - SWE2 30 @ 70 amps, 1 - SWE 110 @ 50 amps

Distribution panel size = 125 +125 = 250 (70 + 50 ) = 120 x 0.60 = 72 + 250 = 322 amps

To determine the total electrical service requirements for the entire laundry, add the 322 amps required by RAMCO to the total amps required by all other equipment and electrical devices in the laundry.

NOTE: The National Electrical Code requires a minimum of 42 inches working aisle in front of the electrical panel. For installations outside the USA consult local electrical codes.

Machines equipped with variable speed drive units require particular attention to the electrical installation.