Hand Dryer Heights & Considerations for Disabled Toilets in Australia
Close to one in five Australians live with some sort of disability. These disabilities often make even the simplest everyday activities more challenging, thus it is vital to carefully consider and plan disabled access spaces for ease and optimal usability. This includes planning your new public washroom.
Disabled toilets and washrooms are a requirement of almost every building, and specifications regarding their design and placement of fittings must be strictly followed. Here we’ll take a look at the correct height and other factors to consider when installing hand dryers in disabled bathrooms.
What is the correct height of a hand dryer in a disabled toilet?
When installing a disabled toilet hand dryer it is necessary to comply with the Australian Standard Design for access and mobility. The Standard states that the main components or outlets of hand dryers, soap dispensers, towel dispensers and similar fittings must be installed between 900mm and 1100mm above the finished floor, and 500mm or further from any corners in a disabled access bathroom. These fittings must also be fully operational with one hand.
Consider speed and noise factors
As well as having the appropriate hand dryer height in a disabled toilet, it’s also important to consider other aspects of usability. Blade dryers require the user to stand up, so are generally impractical for a disabled washroom. A wall mounted hand dryer should be used instead as it can be operated with one button or an autosensor, and can be used from the same height or from below the outlet.
Some people with disabilities could have sensitivities to loud noises, so think about whether you will need to select a hand dryer with quiet operation. In addition, some people with disabilities may have reduced energy or mobility, so a fast-working, high speed dryer will be a sensible choice. Space is also a highly important factor within disabled bathrooms, so look to low-profile hand dryers to provide more space for a wheelchair to be maneuvered inside the room.
Ideal hand dryers for disabled washrooms
Choosing hand dryers for disabled washrooms is not like choosing hand dryers for regular washrooms. There are several things you have to consider, though understandably you’d still want a unit that will complement your washroom, perform well and give you the best value for money.
Fortunately there are a number of hand dryer products that can meet all these requirements for disabled washrooms here at Davidson Washroom. Some even meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements for disabled washrooms, which are more detailed than Australian standards. In particular, our Mediclinics Speedflow range is the only dryer of its type to meet the US legal requirements without any modifications to the building. Speedflow products all offer a low profile, smooth design with no sharp corners, and fast, quiet operation.
When it comes to completing your public disabled washrooms, make sure you fully comply with Australian standards without compromising on quality, performance and design. Choose Davidson Washroom for your hand dryers and other washroom fittings.
For expert assistance in choosing the right hand dryer for your commercial washrooms within Australia, view our selection guide and contact our team today.