« Back to Facilities Management News Home
May 26, 2016 — Mitsubishi Electric has had the Quiet Mark accreditation for its Jet Towel high-speed, hands-in hand dryer reconfirmed for 2016 by the UK’s Noise Abatement Society.
Many hand dryers are noisy in operation, especially high- speed ones. But Jet Towel has always been extremely quiet, and is now even quieter. The popular Jet Towel Slim operates at 56dB for standard models and 59db for the high-powered units, while the new compact Jet Towel Smart runs at 58-59dB in standard format and 60-62dB for high-powered dryers. These figures compare with the 80 to 90dB typical for other dryers.
This acoustic performance is achieved through careful detail design. The fans and air nozzles are designed to create a precision laminar airflow that wipes moisture from users’ hands with maximum efficiency. Additionally, the drying chamber of the Slim units is shaped to minimize disruption to the laminar airflow, which further helps keep noise low.
The World Health Organization has described noise pollution as the second-biggest environmental issue after air pollution, as it impedes mental and physical health, well-being, and learning. It can also disrupt conversations and mask other important sounds such as alarms and distress calls.
The Noise Abatement Society is well regarded in the UK for its work in the field of extraneous noise reduction, and its Quiet Mark scheme is recognized for its championing of low-noise equipment. A new Quiet Mark Global website is now taking the concept to new regions including the U.S., Canada, Japan, China, France, Germany, and Australia.
Low-noise operation is required in many situations, such as schools, universities, conference centers, hospitals, broadcast studios, and art galleries. Jet Towels have also been installed in mental health clinics and police stations, where noise can have a profound effect on the occupants.
Almost all public washrooms have hard-surface walls, floors, and ceilings. This makes them easier to clean but also tends to cause echoes and amplifies sounds, with the result that a noisy hand dryer can sound extra loud — even to the point of disorienting vulnerable groups such as hearing-aid users, young children, the elderly, and dementia sufferers.
“Facilities, designers, and managers are increasingly concerned with minimizing background noise in their premises,” said Mitsubishi Electric’s Fawn Litchfield. “A busy washroom can have hand dryers in almost constant use, and noisy ones may be heard many meters away from the washroom.
“The Quiet Mark represents instant confirmation that Jet Towel is a good choice for creating a calm atmosphere in washrooms and out into wider public spaces.”
For more information, visit www.jettowel.co.uk.
