Airflow, Technology and Expertise. Guidance for specifying washroom equipment James Clark, Group Commercial Director of The Airdri Group, looks at the issues specifiers should consider when working on washrooms. If you’ve never been involved in specifying washrooms, you may think your hand drying options come down to a choice between roller towels, paper towel dispensers or noisy hand dryers. However, there’s much more to it than that. Every decision made during the specification process can help to include or exclude users. Inclusive design, including the choice of equipment, emphasises the importance of understanding diversity and using that knowledge to make the correct design decisions. be at the forefront of specifying decisions. Over the years, we think we’ve come across every situation and option that people might come up with and we’ve developed a range of hand dryers to meet those needs. Airdri customers can expect increased speed, reduced noise and power consumption and a long life expectancy from our hand dryers due to our ongoing investment in research and development. Whether choosing a robust, cast iron hand dryer to cope with high levels of use, or a more modern looking dryer, such as our QuazarTM model, to complement stylish washroom facilities, there is a dryer to fit every washroom environment. We’ve been making hand dryers at Airdri for over 40 years and recognise that equipment must meet user requirements, as well as fit with the style and space in which it’s located. Quiet high speed hand dryers are the ideal alternative to paper towels as they eliminate the high cost of paper towels and the mess they can cause. Where’s it going? Washroom equipment requirements can vary greatly depending on the industry, position (for example public facing or for staff) and main type of user. For instance, in boutique hotels or prestigious offices the primary goal will be to improve the visitor experience, in hospitals keeping noise to a minimum is very important and in educational facilities the overriding factor is more likely to be ensuring equipment is durable. Motorway service stations may be more focused on speed of use to cope with high washroom traffic. At Roadchef – one of Airdri’s customers – the washrooms must cater for sudden rushes from coach parties and even visitors from seasonal events like Glastonbury. Ensuring the washroom is suitable for the end user should Appealing aesthetics Aesthetics will always play a leading role as everyone wants an attractive washroom, if budget and space allow. You may be surprised by the range of dryers on offer and the way they can enhance a washroom. A sleek, brushed stainless steel cover can really add to the appeal - and looks a lot better than an overflowing paper towel bin! Washrooms are not always the most spacious area and can often have a number of people negotiating their way around. Installing slim, wall mounted dryers can be of significant benefit. The Airdri Quad and Quazar both conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act as their slim profile enables better access for disabled users. WWW.AIRDRI.COM Noise level compliance At Airdri all our dryers are designed to keep noise levels to a minimum for enhanced user comfort. Excessive noise can seriously harm our health, affecting concentration, disrupting recreation, inducing stress and causing cardiovascular harm. In addition, children can find appliances frightening if they are too noisy. The staff at Chesterton Primary School in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, knew they had found the perfect solution to combat children’s reluctance to use hand dryers when they heard that we manufacture a dryer specifically for small children. Puff the Magic Dryer makes hand drying fun and noise reduction is built into its design. The Quad model, adapted to create ‘Puff’, has achieved the Quiet Mark – an international mark of excellence from the UK Noise Abatement Society. It runs at just 71 decibels so is not harmful to sensitive ears. The Quad’s flat surface lends itself to the application of a vinyl. It can be used to place an advertisement and, in some cases, schools have applied their own mascot encouraging pupils to adopt good hand hygiene. The flat surface creates a safer environment for lively children, the visually impaired or disabled as the dryer does not protrude far from the wall. Keeping noise to a minimum also has other practical applications. For instance at airports and railway stations it is important that passengers and staff don’t miss vital security announcements. Our fast drying, energy efficient, Quartz hand dryer, the first to be awarded the Quiet Mark, meets the specific requirements of Birmingham Airport. Deane Arnold, Contracts Manager for Birmingham Airport, explained: “Sound level is something we’ve been waiting for hand dryer manufacturers to address for some time. The Airdri Quartz is a perfect hand dryer for our airport’s demanding environment.” When choosing hand dryers you should compare decibel levels and also look for the Quiet Mark. Five out of seven of Airdri’s hand dryer range are Quiet Mark approved. Financial and environmental cost Sustainability is central to our product development. We strive to not only meet but exceed our environmental obligations, providing reliable and innovative products that reflect our commitment to waste, energy and noise reduction. All Airdri’s hand dryer models last for at least 6,500 hours – around six times longer than other fast dry models – saving up to 80% of the supply and maintenance costs of paper or roller towels. Thanks to significant improvements in technology washroom hand dryers no longer need to be replaced regularly because of failing motors. Investing in effective, long-lasting, energy efficient washroom equipment now means using less energy and fewer materials. Investing in a model with a long life also reduces unnecessary waste being sent to landfill. Good design in the environments in which we live, work, or play is an important factor in making buildings inclusive and promoting better hygiene. Choosing the right washroom equipment, whether the decision is based on noise reduction, accessibility or aesthetics, will make a significant difference to user satisfaction. Airdri Limited Technology House, Oakfield Estate Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4AQ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1865 882330 WWW.AIRDRI.COM
AIRFLOW | TECHNOLOGY | EXPERTISE There are many aspects to consider when selecting the most appropriate dryer for a washroom. Choose from Airdri’s range of Quiet Mark approved hand dryers designed to meet the varied requirements of any washroom: · Sleek, ADA compliant styling · Low energy · Black, white, polished or brushed stainless steel cover options · Quiet Mark accredited · Reliable · 6,500 hour lifecycle – reduced carbon footprint For further information call +44 (0)1865 882330. WWW.AIRDRI.COM Airdri Limited, Technology House, Oakfield Estate, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4AQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1865 882330
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