So part two of our series about the installation of an AER will continue with some specific site specific recommendations and requirements that are very important to consider prior to installation. These recommendations may even be important to consider during the selection process and purchase of your AER.

Different AER machines have different requirements so this article is not meant to be an exact installation guide for your specific AER. It's merely meant to give you some things to consider and investigate for yourself with the manufacturer of the AER unit you are interested in or have purchased. With that in mind let's dig right in!

In "Part 1" we covered Electrical, Room Ventilation and Air Supply topics that got us off to a great start. In this article we'll be covering your water supply system, details of the water delivery and the quality of the water itself.

The water delivery temperature is an important factor. On some machines the water supply will be connected to a mixing valve which controls and delivers water at a specific temperature. If the water is not delivered at the correct temperature some systems even include heaters that heat the water to the temperature that's needed. It's important for you to do the research on the machine you're considering to make sure you're able to provide the correct temperature of water. Adding to this requirement, some detergents also require pre-heated water to function at their maximum efficiency. So again, please dig into this to make sure you are following the AER manufacturer's guidelines.

You should also check to make sure that your water supply line inner diameter is large enough to provide the volume of water necessary. Some AERs require at least ½" inner diameter and that the flow rate is at least 3.2 GPM. The water pressure is also a consideration. Some machines require that the water pressure be within the range of 40 to 87 PSI.

There's typically quite a few AER filters used in these amazing machines. And sometimes a pre-filter system is used that typically will be installed within a few feet of the machine itself. But even with all of these AER filters, another factor to consider is water hardness. Some AER manufacturers require that the water hardness is less than 12 gpg (200 ppm) for best performance.

Additionally a shut-off valve must be installed in front of the pre-filtration system. Most manufacturers also require that it be installed within reach of the AER operator.

With all of these water requirements, it might make good sense to hire a professional to come in and analyze your water system making sure it meets all the requirements set forth by the manufacturer of the automated endoscopic reprocessor you have chosen.