Brace yourself – the sunbed is coming! How to prepare for the sunbed installation.
The final approach of opening your dream tanning salon…
Opening a tanning salon is an exciting journey that involves months of careful planning and preparation. However, the final step—sunbed installation—can make or break your success. If not properly executed, it can quickly turn into a stressful and costly nightmare. To ensure a smooth process, we’ll share some essential tips below to help you avoid common pitfalls and set your salon up for success.
Save the energy, maintain amazing tanning results
1. **Electrical Setup**:
Sunbeds require a specific electrical configuration depending on whether your facility operates on single-phase or three-phase power. For three-phase power, a 32A Type C MCB fuse and a 32A rotary isolator are required. For single-phase power, a 65A Type C MCB fuse is needed. Additionally, each sunbed must be connected to a 63 Amp rotary isolator switch. Having the correct electrical setup is vital to prevent delays during installation and avoid extra charges.
2. **Room Size and Space Requirements**:
Adequate space is essential for both comfort and the proper functioning of the sunbed. A minimum of 50 cm should be left in front of the unit for customers to change and feel at ease. Ensure at least 25 cm of space on either side to accommodate the sunbed. The perfect-size room for laydown should be 305cm x 305cm. For vertical models, a ceiling height of 250 cm or higher is recommended. If space is limited, consult with the supplier for compact models. Proper room sizing ensures ease of use and customer comfort.
3. **Ventilation**:
Proper ventilation is crucial to maintain optimal air quality and prevent overheating. Each sunbed requires a 300 mm hole in the wall as well as the 300mm collar for hot air to be vented out, alongside a sufficient supply of fresh air into the room. Additionally, trimming the doors by 5-7 cm helps with airflow. Adequate ventilation not only maintains the temperature but also prolongs the lifespan of the equipment.
5. **Insurance**:
When running a tanning salon, securing the right insurance is essential to protect your business. Liability insurance is crucial, covering any potential claims if a customer suffers an injury or adverse reaction during their session. It helps safeguard your business from costly lawsuits. Property insurance is equally important, as it protects your salon premises and contents from risks like fire, theft, or natural disasters.
6. **Operating system**:
Managing your tanning beds efficiently is key to running a smooth operation, and choosing the right control system plays a big part in that. **IDE digital bed controllers** offer a simple and reliable solution, allowing you to control each sunbed manually. This option is ideal for smaller salons that prefer direct control over each unit. On the other hand, a **computerized management system** provides greater flexibility and automation, enabling you to manage multiple beds, monitor usage, and integrate customer booking seamlessly. For larger salons with higher traffic, the computer system offers enhanced efficiency and tracking capabilities, helping optimize both time and resources.
8. **Choosing the right bed for your business**:
Choosing the right sunbeds for your salon is a key decision that should align with your business needs and location. The type of sunbed you invest in may depend on your target market and the local competition. For instance, if nearby salons offer high-end or specialized tanning options, you might want to differentiate by providing premium beds or unique features. Researching what other salons in your area are offering can help you make an informed choice that sets your business apart, ensuring you attract the right clientele while maximizing your salon’s profitability.
9. **Choosing right range of cosmetics**
Choosing the right range of cosmetics for your tanning salon is essential for boosting profits and ensuring customer satisfaction. Cosmetic sales can significantly contribute to covering expenses like rent and salaries, making it a vital revenue stream. It’s important to offer products specifically designed for sunbed use, as regular skincare products can damage the sunbed acrylics. Offering a selection of tanning accelerators, intensifiers, bronzers, and after-tan lotions will not only help clients achieve optimal results but also build trust in your salon as a provider of high-quality tanning experiences. You should also supply your customer with eye protection goggles.
7.**Access to premises**
When preparing for the installation of sunbeds, ensuring easy access to your premises is crucial. Sunbeds are heavy and require careful handling, so the installation team will need enough space for a 7-meter-long van to park as close to your salon as possible. A clear path is necessary to unload the bulky components and transport them safely inside. Make sure that the doors, corridors, and any passageways are wide enough to accommodate the equipment, and ensure the route to the dedicated room or cubicle is free of obstacles. Proper access ensures a smooth installation process and prevents damage to both the equipment and your property.
