GovWire

Car washes are a generalist RVU property class and whether automated or hand, the following should apply:

List description: Automated Car Wash and Premises or Hand Car Wash and Premises

Primary Description Code: CX

SCAT code: 045, suffix G

The Transport Class Coordination Team are responsible for the provision and application of both Rating Manual guidance and relevant Practice Notes.

As this is a split class of property, stand alone automated conveyor washes are typically dealt with by Specialists within each regional valuation unit. It should be noted that automated washes located on sites such as Petrol Filling Stations (PFS) should be valued in line with the PFS national scheme of valuation.

Hand car washes are a generalist category of property although it is considered there is the need for co-ordination given the synergy between these and automated washes.

The Transport Class Co-ordination Team has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of this class. The team are responsible for the approach to and accuracy and consistency of valuations. The team will deliver Practice Notes describing the valuation basis for revaluation and provide advice as necessary during the life of the rating lists. Valuers and referencers have a responsibility to:

• Follow the advice given at all times Practice Notes are mandatory.

• Not depart from the guidance given on challenges, appeals or maintenance work, without approval from the class co-ordination team.

• At certain sites a trolley wash operation exists within a car park, with occupation consisting of a steel container housing washing equipment. Due to the transient nature of such occupation, a Rateable Value of 1,000 is recommended for this type of hereditament.

• Seek advice from the co-ordination team before starting on any new work.

All car washes whether automated or hand should comply with PPG 13 - July 2007 - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/290144/pmho0307bmdx-e-e.pdf

These are the pollution prevention guidelines as laid down by the Environment Agency and others and are aimed at limiting the amount of trade effluent discharged into the main drainage system.

The leading industry association is the Car Wash Advisory Service (CWAS) which replaced the Car Wash Association (CWA). Many operators seek to be accredited with the CWAS industry certification WashMark which can indicate quality and compliance with environmental and commercial legislation requirements.

Automated Car Washes

6.1 Types of Automated Car Wash

There are 2 main types of automated car wash: - rollover brush washes and conveyors. There may also be an addition of pressure washes on such sites.

Rollover brush washes are those more typically found on petrol filling station forecourts because they require less space and often form part of that hereditament.

The most common found on stand alone automated sites is the conveyor, which pulls the car through a series of revolving brushes, water jets and air blowers. These facilities generally recycle 95% of the water they use. A typical modern conveyor system can handle 4 cars at a time and up to 40-60 cars an hour, although these figures do not appear typical of most washes of this type within the UK.

6.2 Description

A typical automated stand alone car wash requires a site normally in excess of 1000m2 (usually about 1350m2) with good bitumen macadam surfacing and parking for 5 or 6 cars. It may well include 1 or 2 coin-operated vacuum cleaners and it is not uncommon to find fixed jet washes either open or in screened bays on a stand alone site.

An ideal site will be highly visible, usually on a main road and with a population of 50,000 -100,000 within the catchment area. Automated car washes have over the years spread to other key sites such as retail parks and superstore sites.

Traditionally, a typical older pre 2010 car wash building, for example, usually extends to around 120m2 GIA (car wash 97m2, office 7m2, stores 9m2, WCs 7m2).

View the original news story