| Normal Household Kettle | | | | of these machines within the reach of |
| | | | children, to ensure that children are safe |
| Normally constructed from durable plastic or | | | | consider a desktop version of the machine or |
| steel with a plastic handle for safety the | | | | one of the heaters or boilers listed below. |
| typical kettle is powered by mains | | | | |
| electricity and heats the water until the | | | | Hand Wash Water Heaters |
| kettle automatically deactivates to prevent | | | | |
| the water boiling away and damaging the | | | | Typically starting at around £100 these |
| heating element. | | | | systems are ideal for washroom areas where no |
| | | | hot water is available; the systems are |
| The kettle can be time inefficient as staff | | | | capable of delivering water at temperatures |
| can end up waiting around for the kettle to | | | | of between 35°C to 80°C. Normally |
| boil several times in one day. | | | | installed over the sink with a dedicated |
| | | | spout the systems are also available as under |
| It's also important to realise that all | | | | sink models at which point the hot water is |
| portable electrical appliances in offices | | | | fed into a dedicated tap. |
| within the UK are subject to PAT (Portable | | | | |
| Appliance Test) testing. PAT testing | | | | The pricing of these systems is centred |
| involves the routine checking of each | | | | around the capacity that they are capable of |
| appliance to ensure continual safety; the | | | | delivering. For a 5 litre system which is |
| interval between tests depends on both the | | | | adequate for most small offices you need to |
| type of appliance and the environment in | | | | think about spending around £100, if |
| which it is used. The Institution of | | | | larger capacities are required say between 30 |
| Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Health and | | | | and 100 Litres then £3-400 is a reasonable |
| Safety Executive (HSE) suggest intervals for | | | | price. |
| inspection and testing ranging from 3 months | | | | |
| to 4 years. To check if your office kettle | | | | As these are hot water systems and subject to |
| has been tested check for a label stuck to | | | | scale you should consider a filter with a |
| the kettles power cable. | | | | scale inhibitor. More importantly make sure |
| | | | that the machine is supplied by a reputable |
| A common misconception is that kettles reach | | | | manufacturer and consider taking out a |
| boiling point, this is rarely the case see | | | | service contract to protect against failure. |
| this is only important as the household | | | | |
| kettle is the standard that most people have | | | | Water Boilers |
| in mind when attempting to provide hot drinks | | | | |
| in their office, in reality boiling water is | | | | Often considered an excellent alternative to |
| not necessary for hot drinks water at 95°C | | | | the normal kettle water boilers can provide |
| and above is perfectly fine even for an | | | | near boiling water at the touch of a tap. |
| office full of tea lovers. | | | | Sourcing your machine from a trusted |
| | | | manufacturer is essential as the |
| Water Coolers with a Hot or Cook option | | | | manufacturing of these machines can be |
| | | | subject to sub standard batches in some |
| Water coolers (often abbreviated to | | | | cases. |
| "watercooler") are devices that cool and | | | | |
| dispenses water. Generally speaking there | | | | The pricing of these systems is partly |
| are 2 types of water cooler: bottle-less and | | | | centred around the capacity, but is also |
| bottled: bottle-less water coolers are | | | | somewhat dependant on the manufacturer name. |
| connected to the mains water supply, while | | | | Many of the systems that we have tested have |
| bottled water coolers require regular | | | | fallen short of manufacturer stated |
| delivery of water in large bottles from | | | | performance levels so it's important to get |
| distributors. What a lot of people don't | | | | best value when it comes to parting with your |
| know is that both types of cooler are often | | | | money. |
| available with a hot water capability | | | | |
| allowing some machines to dispense hot water | | | | Water Boilers fall into many categories |
| up to 98?C these machines are know as cold | | | | including wall mounted, over sink and under |
| and hot or cold and cook machines. | | | | sink models and undersink taps which normally |
| | | | have an additional chilled option. |
| If you are considering purchasing a water | | | | |
| cooler with a hot tap it's important to | | | | The machines themselves often have a sleep |
| research the exact capabilities of the | | | | mode allowing the machine to be kinder to the |
| machine, often these machines are not capable | | | | environment and the company coffers. |
| of supplying water at sufficient temperatures | | | | |
| to make a good cup of tea which could land | | | | As before these are hot water systems and |
| you in hot water with your staff unless your | | | | subject to scale you should consider a filter |
| office is full of coffee drinkers. In | | | | with a scale inhibitor. More importantly |
| addition make sure that the machine comes | | | | make sure that the machine is supplied by a |
| with a safety tap that has passed all | | | | reputable manufacturer and consider taking |
| relevant UK safety checks. Even with a | | | | out a service contract to protect against |
| decent hot tap it's best not to install one | | | | failure. |