INSTITUTIONAL SAFETY



Model A by World Dryer

 

Question:

Hand Dryer Expert,

I am considering installing Hand dryers into a mental health unit, but I have some concerns.  Is there is a concern of safety associated with hand dryers? 

From, Kirk


Answer:

Kirk,

 

Hand dryers are made with safety standards and vandalism prevention in mind.  Dryers operate in mental institutions, federal prisons, and large public schools.  They have an excellent, proven track record.  One model to consider is the World Dryer Model A with a cast iron cover.  This has been extensively tested for vandalism over the past 60 years that it has been in service!  They have been prodded, poked, shot (did you know that a cast iron cover will flatten almost any bullet?) doused with flammable liquids and lit, and subjected to many other evils.  Cast iron with porcelain enamel is the best for vandalism, but stainless steel is on par.  (I was told by one major chain that they use only stainless because the vandals don’t even bother messing with it.  Brushed is the best because it hides marks.) 

 

Many institutions swear by push button models because they feel they are more durable, but I prefer automatics because there are less moving parts and of course you don’t have to touch them.  One prison told me that they go with automatic because they are afraid that the push button, if it were somehow pried free, could be used as a weapon.

Thanks, Hand Dryer Expert

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DYSON AIRBLADE

Dyson Airblade



Question:

Hand Dryer Expert,

Is it okay to spray the Dyson Airblade down with water?

From, Nicole


Answer:

Nicole,

I spoke to the engineers at Dyson and their answer is “yes”. It is acceptable to spray the Dyson Airblade with water when needed. This dryer has a water ingress rating of IPX5, which means it is approved for some water conditions, such as rain, but it should not be submerged.

All hand dryers are made for the restroom and so are expected to be able to handle a certain amount of moisture. Having them outside is even permitted so long as they are not exposed to rain. Some people like to clean restrooms by taking a fire hose to them. If water gets into the workings of a hand dryer, this can actually void the warranty on many models. I think the Dyson Airblade may be the best choice if you want to spray a restroom because it is made to capture water as it comes off your hands. (As you know you put your hands down into the Airblade rather than below a regular dryer.) But I would still take care not to spray water at the bottom of the unit where the air intakes are located. Please remember that these are electrical appliances and electricity and water do not mix.

Thanks, Hand Dryer Expert

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??? Do you have a hand dryer question ???
Email:HandDryerExpert@gmail.com
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WATTS VS HEAT

American Dryer GXT

Question:

Hand Dryer Expert,

I am looking for an electric hand dryer with a heater, not just room (ambient) temperature. I would like one that uses a low amount of energy too. Could you give me some information as to what my options are?

Signed,  Rob

Answer:

Rob,

It used to be that all hand dryers had heating elements.  Heat makes your hands feel more comfortable while drying them, but it does not necessarily speed up the dry time, especially in the faster hand dryers which displace the water rather than evaporate it.  The heating element generally uses more energy than the motor for the blower.  So some of the newer high speed hand dryers have removed the heating element to make a more energy efficient, albeit cooler, hand dryer.  Others, like the World Dryer Smartdri, have a heating element that can be turned off.

There are a number of good choices when it comes to dryers with heating elements

World Dryer Model A
The traditional standard in the industry, this dryer comes with a heating element and consumes 2300 watts, which is now on the high end of energy consumption (although still considerably more efficient than paper towels).  To get the same (very durable) hand dryer that consumes less energy, get the World Dryer AirMax.  The AirMax also consumes 2300 watts, but it has a motor that is almost twice as fast (15 seconds vs 25 seconds to dry) as the Model A.  It therefore uses almost  ½ the energy, which helped it to qualify for a GreenSpec listing. 

Xlerator
Here we have an even faster hand dryer (12-15 seconds) that uses less energy (1500 watts).  It also has a heating element and puts out nice warm air. 

Nova 1
The Nova 1 hand dryer is only 1000 watts.  It also has a heating element but is not very powerful.  So because it takes more time to dry your hands, (about 30 seconds) it is not as energy efficient as the high speed hand dryers. 

American Dryer GXT
This hand dryer is similar in function to the Xlerator, but more compact.  It uses about 1500 watts and this can be adjusted down with lower speed settings.  However its sister hand dryer, the EXT, has no heating element at all and it gets VERY efficient at about 540 watts on the fastest settings.

Slimdri
The new World Dryer Slimdri has a heating element and is very energy efficient at only 950 watts. And it is very slim (ADA compliant).  But wait, there’s more!  The heating element can be turned off, pushing the energy consumption to only 350 watts, or 3.5 amps at 120 volts.  It is a mid-speed hand dryer, about 20 seconds.

Thanks,  Hand Dryer Expert

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