F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions)
Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions.
Questions
- 01. How much is spent in a Self Carwash on average?
- 02. Is washing a car on the street prohibited in the Netherlands?
- 03. What environmental regulations does a Self Carwash need to comply with?
- 04. What are the environmental categories for the ‘permit application’ and ‘car wash’?
- 05. What does a water softener have to do with spot-free rinsing?
- 06. Can I pour pure cleaning agents straight from the packaging into the Self Carwash?
- 07. Is it useful to install a separate water meter for the Self Carwash?
- 08. Do I need to make arrangements for the prevention of Legionnaires disease in my Self Carwash?
- 09. Am I allowed to pump groundwater and use it in my Self Carwash?
- 10. Is it possible to connect my Carwash to the cash registers at my petrol station?
- 11. Can I use glass for the partition walls in my Self Carwash?
- 12. Can a Self Carwash be connected to a water recycling system?
- 13. Can a Chip Card system (of national banks) be connected to a Self Carwash?
- 14. Does the technical equipment need to be placed in a separate control room, or can it also be placed in the wash area?
Answers
01. How much is spent in a Self Carwash on average?
On average between € 3.50 and € 5.00 including GST. However, this is very dependant on the region.
Savona has been developing special software (Savona “Washer”) since the early 1990s, to be able to measure the average expenditure ’Live'. In Savona wash bays, our clients also use this "Washer" PC software program to directly measure how many washes have been performed per day/week/month/year etc.
02. Is washing a car on the street prohibited in the Netherlands?
Yes, in some municipalities (e.g. Almere, Waalwijk) such restrictions exist locally. The number of restrictions is still growing.
03. What environmental regulations does a Self Carwash need to comply with?
Liquid proof paving with a so-called PBV certificate (Plan for Soil Protection Provisions) and an oil/petrol separator with the option of an integrated or separate sludge drain, which has a capacity in accordance with EU norm 858.
For more information about the PBV certificate, click here.
04. What are the environmental categories for the ‘permit application’ and ‘car wash’?
Car washes fall under SBI code 5020.5. A zoning plan has been made for every piece of land in the Netherlands. The environmental category stated indicates the type of companies that are allowed to establish there. Car washes are in environmental category 2.
05. What does a water softener have to do with spot-free rinsing?
Nothing at all. It is the reverse osmosis installation that filters out all salt and mineral contaminates using very fine membrane filtration.
Water softeners only remove calcium and magnesium salts from the water by means of so-called ion exchange technology. The water softener is made out of a synthetic bottle filled with wax, a control unit and a salt tub. The size of the water softener is dependant on how “hard” the water is locally and the 24 hour water usage. These installations are available in a compact version and a Duo Bloc system. If continuous water quality is required 24 hours per day, a so-called Duplex System is available (= double wax bottle). Savona can also provide water softening for rollover units or wash tunnels. We are happy to provide you with the relevant information for a custom quote.
Water softeners only remove calcium and magnesium salts from the water by means of so-called ion exchange technology. The water softener is made out of a synthetic bottle filled with wax, a control unit and a salt tub. The size of the water softener is dependant on how “hard” the water is locally and the 24 hour water usage. These installations are available in a compact version and a Duo Bloc system. If continuous water quality is required 24 hours per day, a so-called Duplex System is available (= double wax bottle). Savona can also provide water softening for rollover units or wash tunnels. We are happy to provide you with the relevant information for a custom quote.
06. Can I pour pure cleaning agents straight from the packaging into the Self Carwash?
Of course this is possible, but we do not recommend this for two reasons:
1. Every Self Carwash must premix its cleaning agents, considering the small quantity required to reach the desired effect.
2. Taking point 1 into account and the high pure concentration of almost all chemical brands, it would lead to overdosing and an increase in cost price. Overdosing will also lead to quicker deterioration of the material in and around the high pressure pump unit, and the cars themselves.
1. Every Self Carwash must premix its cleaning agents, considering the small quantity required to reach the desired effect.
2. Taking point 1 into account and the high pure concentration of almost all chemical brands, it would lead to overdosing and an increase in cost price. Overdosing will also lead to quicker deterioration of the material in and around the high pressure pump unit, and the cars themselves.
07. Is it useful to install a separate water meter for the Self Carwash?
Yes. All the (fresh) water you drain in the Carwash goes through an oil/petrol separator, and is therefore cleaner than water you drain in toilets or other tap points. The Water Board will charge a lower drain factor for water drained trough the oil/petrol separator.
08. Do I need to make arrangements for the prevention of Legionnaires disease in my Self Carwash?
Yes, you are obliged to have a so-called risk evaluation performed. This scan will outline what a potential management plan will entail.
09. Am I allowed to pump groundwater and use it in my Self Carwash?
Yes, in the Netherlands you are allowed to drain ground water up to 10 m3 per hour (10,000 litres/hour), without requiring a permit. However, you are obliged to report this.
10. Is it possible to connect my Carwash to the cash registers at my petrol station?
Yes, this is possible, depending on the brand of cash register you use. We refer you to a company with the greatest expertise and experience in this field: Carwash Info Systems BV ph: +31135230260 info@savona.nl.
11. Can I use glass for the partition walls in my Self Carwash?
Yes, this transparent product is used increasingly at Self Carwash. However, we would like to advise you to never use cleaning products containing silicates. Over time, these materials have an etching effect on the glass, making it dull. Tinted hard glass is available in several colours. Savona can provide you with an appropriate offer.
12. Can a Self Carwash be connected to a water recycling system?
In principle, you are free to connect an installation to any type of water. Water quality that complies with the Dutch drinking water policy can be tested and is consistent in quality. All other water qualities are inconsistent, and can therefore more quickly lead to (temporary) problems in pipes/valves and pumps. Savona can therefore only guarantee an installation connected to a water supply that complies with the above mentioned quality norms. Technological development of water recycling installations is constantly changing; enquire with us or your recycling equipment supplier regarding experiences and possibilities.
However, we would like to add that of all the programs available on the Self Car Wash, only a few would be suitable for use with recycled water. Programs such as Hot Wax and Spot Free Rinsing require a better quality (standardized) water supply to work correctly. If you have a central-heating boiler as a warm water supply, the use of recycled water is generally not recommended. After all, water of a “dirtier” quality is heated to a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees, and afterwards mixed back to the washing temperature of 55-60 degrees Celsius.
Experience has shown that this can cause stubborn sedimentary deposits and pollution in the boiler/pipes/valves and pumps.
However, we would like to add that of all the programs available on the Self Car Wash, only a few would be suitable for use with recycled water. Programs such as Hot Wax and Spot Free Rinsing require a better quality (standardized) water supply to work correctly. If you have a central-heating boiler as a warm water supply, the use of recycled water is generally not recommended. After all, water of a “dirtier” quality is heated to a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees, and afterwards mixed back to the washing temperature of 55-60 degrees Celsius.
Experience has shown that this can cause stubborn sedimentary deposits and pollution in the boiler/pipes/valves and pumps.
13. Can a Chip Card system (of national banks) be connected to a Self Carwash?
Yes, this is possible.
14. Does the technical equipment need to be placed in a separate control room, or can it also be placed in the wash area?
The best solution is to centralize all technical equipment in a separate control room. After all, the water and power supply always enter via a central area. Some components, such as the high pressure pump, could be accommodated in a technical unit or casing on the washing site itself.
On the other hand, a water heater, central heating boiler, water softener and osmosis installation should always be placed in a separate room.
If a high pressure pump is placed in a technical unit on each separate washing site, you should take into account that all energy supplies have to be fed to each unit, including hot water, cold water, osmosis water, air and high voltage current. Aside from extra costs due to underground provisions, the latter also results in a loss of return in the warm water supply.
On the other hand, a water heater, central heating boiler, water softener and osmosis installation should always be placed in a separate room.
If a high pressure pump is placed in a technical unit on each separate washing site, you should take into account that all energy supplies have to be fed to each unit, including hot water, cold water, osmosis water, air and high voltage current. Aside from extra costs due to underground provisions, the latter also results in a loss of return in the warm water supply.
