Hand Dryer Case Study (Secondary School) - Gladesmore Community School, Tottenham, London

The challenge

Both male and female student washrooms were to be fully refurbished in the main building as they were tired looking and the busiest in a school with 1200+ students.

The old hand dryers were loud and slow to dry the hands. The washrooms were opposite classrooms, so noise was an issue.

New hand dryers needed to be energy efficient, cost effective, robust, reliable, attractive and with quick drying times.

“They are quieter than the old hand dryers so neighbouring rooms have benefited. Since installation we feel they have encouraged more usage as a result, so contributing to improved hygiene by users in the premises.”

Alexis O’Brien - Premises Manager, Gladesmore Community School

About Gladesmore Community School

Gladesmore is an 11-16, mixed school with approximately 1,250 pupils. It is situated in the urban area of South Tottenham, adjacent to Markfield Park which backs onto the River Lea. It has repeatedly been judged to be an ‘Outstanding School’ in all aspects by Ofsted Inspectors.

The solution

Providing a quick dry time yet Quiet Mark approved low noise volume, this vandal resistant hand dryer has 4 settings to maximise energy efficiency and minimise running costs.

• Model: Dryflow Viper
• Dry time range: 15 - 20 seconds
• Rated power: 600W - 2000W (4 settings available)
• Guarantee length: 3 years

The results

“The hand dryers are robust while still looking attractive. They dry hands just as quick as a more expensive brand but at more than half the cost.

The quick drying time has also helped to alleviate congestion at peak rush periods during break times.

The ability to easily adjust the temperature and speed with no special tools is useful and can be done in under one minute.”

Alexis O’Brien - Premises Manager, Gladesmore Community School

Estimated annual savings using new high-speed hand dryers compared to previous units⁺:

• Cost Savings: £196
• Electricity savings: 1,634 kW/h
• Carbon Savings: 882kg/CO₂

Estimated annual savings using new high-speed hand dryers compared to if paper towels were used⁺**:

• Cost Savings: £9,856
• Carbon Savings: 11,592kg/CO₂

_{(+Dryflow Viper running at its most energy efficient setting based on 12p per kW/h and 1kW = 0.54kg/CO2; **Based on 3 paper towels used per dry, 0.6p per paper towel, 22.5gms/CO2 per dry)}