Radiant Heat for the Car Wash Industry

Why do car washes need radiant heat?

Radiant heating systems have gained acceptance in homes as an alternative to forced air systems. Radiant heat is typically installed under the floor and designed to transfer its heat through the floor which conveniently takes the bite out of hard surfaces like tile and marble.  Now, the same concept for interior radiant heating is being applied at higher temperatures to exterior applications as a way to remove snow and ice.

Driveways, sidewalks, entrances and now car washes across the country are installing electric heat resistance cables or PEX tubing that circulates a mixture of heated water and glycol to warm concrete to the point of melting dangerous snow and ice. Matt Carter a national account manager for Warmzone (www.warmzone.com) notes “Repeatedly, I receive calls from business owners looking for more reliable methods to remove snow and ice in an attempt to avoid expensive liability suits against their business.” 

The car wash industry has become a prime target for injury lawsuits stemming from slips washes in cold regions across the country to have ice accumulate on the walls and ground surfaces when the temperatures are at or near freezing.  Recently, a man was awarded $634,000 after slipping and falling on black ice at a car wash in Charleston West Virginia.

Even though a snow melting system using radiant heat is not always an absolute guarantee against lawsuits, it can be a useful method for raising the ground temperatures enough to change this potential hazard. Salts and other chemicals typically have a temperature range at which they work effectively and keep in mind someone actually has to be on site to distribute them. So, if someone forgets to shovel or spread salt at a car wash or other business venue, a possible risk to their patrons may make them liable for an expensive lawsuit to defend or settle.  

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