| Purchasing a medical equipment washer is probably a new assignment for you. Listed below are some of the key questions you need to ask and get answered in preparation for your purchase of any medical or non-medical cleaning equipment. For additional assistance, call Aqua Phase at 800-208-9274 or 715-463-5851. |
- Does the manufacturer of the washer you are considering make other related commercial products for other industrial applications? How much experience do they have in making this type of equipment?
- Does the company make more than one model? Why do some companies make more than one model?
- Is technical information about the commercial equipment printed and ready for your review? How much information can you get about the product on the Internet? Why does one company have so much information and others so little?
- What material is the wash chamber made of - stainless steel, plastic, or aluminum? It would be quite rare to see or purchase a commercial dishwasher or laundry unit that was not stainless steel.
- Do the spray arms rotate or are they fixed? When was the last time you saw or purchased commercial washing equipment that had the majority of the spray arms fixed in one location, not oscillating?
- What material are the spray arms made of - stainless steel or plastic? At any time have you seen or purchased commercial washing equipment that used plastic or hose for the spray arms?
- What material is used to hold the spray nozzles - stainless steel or plastic? Have you ever seen or purchased commercial washing equipment that used plastic pipe or hoses to support and hold the spray nozzles?
- Does the stated usage rate of cleaning solutions make sense? Would you base your purchase of a commercial washer on the stated number of washes per gallon of cleaner as compared to the actual effectiveness of the washer?
- How many wheelchairs or other items does the manufacturer claim you can wash at one time? Do items stacked on top of each other or squeezed together actually get cleaned? Would you stack two bowls, one directly on top of the other, in your dishwasher and expect them to be cleaned?
- Is the washer available on a free trial basis? If it is, why? There must be reasons why any company would have extra units costing over $7,500.00 sitting in inventory available for free.
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Purchasing Comparison — Important Answers:
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Weight of the Machine – Stainless Steel Construction (Question #4 from page 1):
Your primary concern should be cleaning efficiency. Weight of the machine has little to do with cleaning ability. The lightest machines on the market are made of aluminum. Aluminum can not withstand the pH needed to properly clean equipment. What is important, related to weight, may be your need to relocate the equipment. The facts are simple: the bigger the wheels, the easier the washer will move. On smooth flooring, with 10 lbs. of force, Aqua Phase models can easily be moved and relocated. Because Aqua Phase washers move so easily, the rear caster wheels are equipped with brakes.
Number of Washes Per Gallon of Chemical (Question #8 from page 1):
A good cleaner is essential for removing body oils, proteins, and carbohydrates on medical equipment. The proper pH of the water is a key element for doing this. Some units on the market are sold with claims of 300 washes per gallon of cleaner. This could be done with Aqua Phase as well; however, at this high level of dilution (1 part to 1650) an effective pH level for cleaning will not be achieved. In more practical terms, this dilution rate is equal to putting less than one teaspoon of soap in a typical kitchen sink to do your dishes. Washing an item two or three times, or hand wiping the item after a wash cycle, in order to get it clean is not efficient. When washers are set up at laundry facilities, the water is usually tested using a titrate test. This testing ensures that the proper amount of detergent is being injected. This test serves two purposes: 1) it prevents you from using too much detergent and 2) it ensures that you are using enough detergent so you don’t have to wash the item again. At Aqua Phase we have calculated the proper amount of cleaner needed to achieve the proper pH that will clean your equipment during a wash cycle.
Fitting Two Items (Wheelchairs) in the Wash Chamber (Question #9 from page 1):
Folded wheelchairs are very similar to dishes that have been stacked, one on top of the other, in a dishwasher. When you collapse a wheelchair you have vinyl against vinyl. On a wheelchair, the seat, the back ,and the arms have the highest level of contamination. The middle of the chair is not going to get cleaned if it is collapsed. If you are not sure, try a "peanut butter test". Put peanut butter on the collapsed chair(s) and see how much will remain untouched after washing. If you need to wash several chairs, in a fixed time frame, the Aqua Phase 4000 Models can wash three chairs, un-collapsed, during one cycle. These models were designed for your larger washing requirements.
FREE Trials (Question #10 from page 1):
Consider this statement, "Buyer Beware!" when you read or hear the offer of a "free trial". You should not feel obligated to purchase. If an item is free and it does not work, it is not free in the short or long term. Trials should only be used to evaluate the equipment. Some may be "free", some may be rented. At Aqua Phase we are certain our units will out clean any other product on the market. If you have a trial unit now from some other company, please take the AQUA PHASE challenge.
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With varying features and price levels, Aqua Phase fits into every facility’s cleaning protocol and budget. Combined with the Disinfectant Application System, Equipment Rack for large items, and Utility Trays for smaller equipment, the Aqua Phase can be a powerful tool within your cleaning and infection control protocols.
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Page 2
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Comparison Table: More Answers
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Aqua Phase MODEL 1000
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Aqua Phase
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Brand 2
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Brand 3
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Brand 4
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Variable time cycles of 3, 5, or 7 minutes at the turn of a switch (others require adjusting cams or dials)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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1" Stainless Steel pipe spray arms (others - plastic or hose)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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One-horse power system water pump (others - less)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Four, 5" caster wheels rated for over 1 ton of weight and wear
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Fully sealed, welded wash chamber (no silicone)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Stainless Steel door hinges
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Stainless Steel door handle mechanism
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Disinfectant Application System option
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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National service and Toll Free Line direct to factory
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Meets European specification, as well as Domestic
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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110 or 220 volt systems available
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Wheel Chair Wheel Rotation System option
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Free testing of your water to assure proper cleaner injection rate. (Question #8 page 1)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Disinfectant Application System tested to prove zero bacteria culture growth
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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1/8" thick Stainless Steel wash chamber door (Not 1/16")
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Pump re-circulation rated at 470 gallons in 7 minutes
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Supplied with Fill and Drain Hoses with hydraulic connected ends and rated for 180 degree water use
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Pump-to-Drain System rated for 15’ vertical lift and 200’ horizontal pumping to a drain
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Average spray nozzle capacity of 1.8 gallons per minute
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Total of 23 spray nozzles. (30 with Disinfectant Application System)
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Filtration System to protect nozzles, pumps and valves from clogging.
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Aqua Phase Model 2000
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All of the above AQUA PHASE 1000 Features
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Standard Wheel Rotation System
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Aqua Phase Model 3000
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All of the above Aqua Phase 1000 and 2000 Features
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Double wall Stainless Steel construction
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Standard Disinfectant Application System
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Why AQUA PHASE ?
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- Designed by experienced Professionals.
- Over 10 years in design, development and production of Aqua Phase units.
- Integrated System - Wash/Rinse/Disinfection.
- Premium Stainless Steel Construction.
- High-Quality Components - UL Approved Controls.
- Automatic Operation - Chemical Injection.
- Variable Wash Time Cycles.
- Oscillating Wash Action.
- Disinfection Application System.
- Ergonomically designed.
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General Aqua Phase Facts
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- Wash times of 3, 5, or 7 minutes compared to 30 minutes needed to manually clean/rinse & disinfect one wheelchair or other equipment by hand.
- Approximately 5.5 gallons of water to wash.
- Utility costs of less than 2¢ per cycle for hot water and electric consumption.
- Typical per cycle chemical cost (utilities included):
- 59¢ per cycle without disinfectant - 74¢ per cycle with disinfectant
- Anticipated annual maintenance costs: Under $100.
- All your cleaning solution needs available from Aqua Phase:
AQ-240 - Detergent Solution, specially developed for Aqua Phase, non-foaming.
AQ-260 - Rinse Solution, to speed drying time & reduce water spotting.
AQ-128 - Disinfectant Solution, broad spectrum disinfectant solution
- SC Johnson Wax - Virex 128.
AQ-130 - TB-Cide Plus, mycobacterium tuberculosis disinfectant solution
- TB-Cide Plus 130.
- Toll Free Factory-Direct Service Line - FREE phone service for life of machine, 800-208-9274.
- Warranty for 5 years on wash chamber, 1 year on parts, 90 days on labor.
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Automatic ease of operation and durability are keys to the popularity of Aqua Phase. Connect two hoses, plug in the Aqua Phase, push the start button, and you are on your way to saving over 60% of your labor cleaning costs. Aqua Phase’s stainless steel construction and high-grade components lead to long-lasting, trouble free operation.
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