Hand Drying Methods To Consider In Your Commercial Bathrooms

Hand washing fixtures in washroom facilities have always been a requirement, especially in commercial bathrooms. However, some washrooms care too much about hand washing and pay less attention to hand drying methods, which is also a necessary component of hand hygiene. Damp hands can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and could contribute to their spread. This article explores the different hand drying methods and specifications you need to consider for your commercial bathroom to comply with sanitary regulations

Different Hand Drying Solutions for Bathrooms

Nowadays, there are three main hand drying methods used by many commercial bathrooms and even private lavatories. These three methods offer their pros and cons, which should be used to your advantage.

Roller Towel Cabinets – These can provide a durable and robust hand drying method. They work differently from paper towel dispensers, mainly because the towels themselves stay affixed to the cabinet and cannot be torn or disposed of by the user. The cupboards are stocked with clean, sanitized, and highly absorbent roller towels that effectively remove moisture and dry hands. There’s also no risk of cross-contamination because the used roller towels are separated from the clean roller towels.

For hygiene standards, it’s best that once an entire roll of towels is used up, it should be replaced with new ones, and the used roller towels should be professionally cleaned. This is what sets roller towel dispensers apart from other hand drying solutions because they can be reused.

Paper Towel Dispensers – These work similarly to roller towel cabinets. However, instead of storing the used towels, it uses disposable paper towels that can be torn and taken from the dispenser. For hygienic reasons, the paper towels are disposed of in a nearby trash bin.

However, one obvious flaw of this system is how it can be easily contaminated depending on how they are provided in washrooms. If the paper towels are left exposed on washroom surfaces close to the sinks, they can become contaminated with germs. This means towel dispensers need to be separated from the sink and protected from splashes. They also need to be placed at an accessible-height to accommodate persons with disabilities. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) even released a guide for the proper location of paper towel dispensers.

Electronic Hand Dryers – Perhaps one of the most popular hand drying solutions being used today is the electronic hand dryer. They provide a convenient, easy-to-use, and quick method of eliminating moisture on the user’s hands. There’s also less of a risk of contamination due to the hands-free design of electronic hand dryers. By equipping the machines with a motion sensor, users can place their hands in front of the hand dryer and let the machine do its work.

As with other hand drying methods, the ADA also implemented guidelines on the proper placement and specifications of electronic hand dryers. To be ADA compliant, all buttons and touch-free sensors on the hand dryer must fall between a height of 38 inches to 48 inches off the floor.

Conclusion

Hand drying methods have evolved over the years and are now considered even more effective and efficient. They must adhere to the guidelines of the ADA to accommodate every type of user, including those with disabilities.

SBI Contracting Inc. is Idaho’s most trusted expert when it comes to commercial bathrooms. We take pride in our knowledge and expertise of the industry and the type of services the community needs for their bathroom facilities. Take advantage of our hand drying solutions, toilet hardware, and site furnishings built precisely to address the needs of our clients. Visit our showroom today to see what we have to offer.