Maintenance
How to maintain a commercial ice bath: the daily, weekly and yearly routine
By ThermaCare team · Published 2026-09-16 · Reviewed 2026-09-16 · UK guidance
A commercial ice bath needs a written routine at four rhythms. Every day: test the water before opening and at close, skim and check the inlet, check the control panel, rinse and rotate the filter cartridge, wipe the tub inside and out, and dose to the range in your written scheme then retest. Every week: fit a new filter cartridge (the commercial minimum), descale and flush any shower, check safety equipment. Every month: a deep clean and a chemical clean of the spare cartridge, a stock count and a review of open faults. Every year: the manufacturer service by an approved engineer, plus the electrical and legionella reviews. Record every step with a time and a name.
Every day
The daily routine is what keeps the water safe and the records defensible. Test before the first bather and again at close; record the actual values, the time and who tested. Skim debris and check the inlet and outlet are clear. Check the control panel for error codes and the set temperature. Rinse the filter cartridge under clean running water and fit the dry spare from rotation. Wipe the tub interior, rim and steps. Dose to the range in your written treatment scheme and retest before recording the day as done.
If you run a fresh-fill routine (drain, clean and refill each day) the order is: closing test, power off and drain, clean while draining, filter, refill, dose, retest, cover. Many operators clean the sauna and shower during the drain to use the time.
Every week
Fit a brand-new filter cartridge. For commercial bather loads weekly is the minimum; the daily rinse only extends the cartridge between changes. Retire the oldest cartridge from rotation. Descale and flush the shower. Check the first-aid kit and safety equipment. Check smart-lock batteries if you use them.
Every month
A deeper clean of the shell and cover. Soak the out-of-rotation cartridge in filter cleaner per its label, rinse, dry fully and return it to rotation. Count stock of cartridges, sanitiser and test strips and reorder before you run out. Review any open faults and anything overdue on the rota.
Every year
The manufacturer service, by the engineer the warranty names. Keep the report against the asset. Alongside it: PAT testing, the extinguisher service, the emergency lighting test, the risk assessment reviews and insurance renewals. Every five years the EICR; every two the legionella risk assessment review.
What to record, and why
Each task done, by whom, at what time. Each water test with values. Each filter change. Each service report. Each fault and what was done about it. That record is what proves to an insurer that the room was run properly, to a manufacturer that the warranty holds, and to an inspector that HSG282 was followed. A chat thread and a paper sheet do not survive a lost phone or a leaver.
Questions operators ask next
How often should I change the filter in a commercial ice bath?
Fit a new cartridge at least weekly under commercial use, rinse and rotate daily, and chemically clean the spare monthly.
How often should a commercial ice bath be drained?
Follow the manufacturer's care sheet and your written treatment scheme. Many operators of small tubs drain and refill daily; larger filtered systems run longer between changes with tighter testing.
Who should service a commercial ice bath?
The manufacturer-approved engineer named in your warranty, usually annually. Using anyone else can void the warranty.
See where your room stands
ThermaCare tracks every requirement on this page against your own records, with the daily checklist, water tests, certificate reminders and asset history to prove it. Start with the free five-minute risk score, or create your account.
This guide summarises UK legislation and HSE guidance as understood on 2026-09-16. It is a working guide, not legal advice; decisions about your premises rest with you and your professional advisers.