When outfitting a commercial or institutional washroom facility managers and contractors must be sure that the products they select meet local building codes, safety certifications, and accessibility standards.

The following is a basic guide that outlines the key requirements that modern commercial hand dryers must fulfill and what to look for when evaluating specific models.

These days there are so many hand dryers available online with many of them lacking proper certifications and falling out of code.

This guide should help you ensure you choose a product that's safe, compliant, and suitable for professional environments.

Electrical and Safety Certifications

Commercial hand dryers are typically hardwired into a building's electrical system or plugged in using a grounded outlet. As such, to use them in public spaces they must meet strict safety requirements.

When researching a hand dryer for commercial bathrooms, look for models certified by recognized bodies such as:

cULus (UL/CSA for North America)

This label confirms the product complies with Canadian and U.S. electrical safety standards.

CE (European Conformity)

This is required for products sold in European markets and indicates the product's conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards.

ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

This label verifies that the product does not contain substances like lead, mercury, or cadmium above permissable limits.

There are other designations like WEEE and GreenSpec which may apply depending on the region, but the cULus and CE certificates are the most essential for North American and international installations.

ADA and Accessibility Considerations

Another fundamental requirement for commercial washrooms is with compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or similar barrier-free building codes like products classified for the OBC codes for Ontario. Hand dryers also must be accessible to users with limited mobility or for those in wheelchairs.

The Key ADA-related guidelines include:

• The bottom of the dryer must not be mounted higher than 48 inches from the finished floor.
• The unit should not protrude more than 4 inches from the wall if installed in a corridor or circulation path.
• Touch-free operation via sensors is generally preferred over push-button controls for accessibility and hygiene.

For example: The Frost 1196 hand dryer is ADA compliant when it's installed in a commercial washroom according to proper mounting guidelines. It also allows mounting that keeps the bottom of the unit within the 48" reach range. It also carries cULus, CE, and ROHS certifications and meets both North American and international safety standards.

The following video is a performance and efficiency report of the Frost 1196 hand dryer:

Noise Levels and Placement Requirements

Most commercial hand dryers range between 65 and 80 decibels. Even though less quieter models may provide faster drying, quiet operation is often necessary places like schools, libraries and medical facilities.

Did you know? The placement of hand dryers also affects compliance. There are building codes that usually require that hand dryer installations be:

• Installed at least 12 inches above any fixed obstruction like a counter or waste bin.
• Positioned away from fire exits or areas where airflow could disrupt accessibility.
• Installed securely to withstand public use without risk of detachment or injury.

Maintenance and Reliability

To maintain compliance and safety, hand dryers should be regularly cleaned and inspected. Most manufacturers require internal components to be kept free of dust and debris, and improper maintenance may void warranties.

The housing materials should also be 18-gauge stainless steel which is preferred in high-traffic environments because they're more durable and better withstand vandalism. This is important because if a hand dryer is vandalized, technically the washroom becomes less accessible.

Before You Buy

Before you or your contractor buys, always verify that the product you choose complies with provincial/state and regional regulations and includes the proper certifications.