How do I check the age and bulb-hour records of a tanning salon’s beds?

Request an equipment schedule that names each bed, its serial number and when it went into service. Ask how bulb hours are tracked, whether by a counter on the unit or a handwritten sheet, and who signs it off. Records kept consistently over time are a good sign. Records that stop and restart deserve a question.

During the visit, look at the beds themselves. Check the acrylic for cracking, test the timers and the cooling, and ask when bulbs and filters were last changed. Ask to see invoices for repairs and for any technician visits, then match them to the log. If a bed has been rebuilt, find out by whom.

Finally, ask which beds are close to retirement and what each replacement would cost. Your accountant can help you weigh that against the price and the earnings. A qualified equipment appraiser can give a view on condition if the numbers matter to your decision. Photograph the labels and serial plates during your visit so you can match them to the schedule later. Small mismatches between the paperwork and the room are worth asking about directly. Ask also whether replacement parts are still easy to find for older models, and whether a technician who knows them is nearby.

Key takeaways

• Get a bed-by-bed schedule with make, install date and bulb-hour log.
• Inspect the beds in person and match repair invoices to the records.
• Ask which beds are nearing retirement and what replacing them would involve.