Quiet Mark reveals UK's Top 10 Quietest Hand Dryers

(MENAFNEditorial)

Latest noise-tests on high performance hand dryers carried out in washroom environment for real-life results

London, March 27, 2017: The noise of super-fast hand dryers in public washrooms can be startling - for many small children they are terrifying and a distressing experience. Those with dementia, autism, or hearing problems can also be upset and disorientated by the sudden bursts of loud noise. Even people with stronger sound tolerance dislike roaring hand dryers which are uncomfortable to bear.

For facility managers, reducing hand dryer noise is high on the washroom agenda - and Quiet Mark is assisting them to make well informed buying decisions by adding the hand dryer category to its rigorous testing program. Quiet Mark provides scientific verification and tests acoustic performance across a range of product categories; reconstructing real life scenarios to ensure that the noise impact on human ears is accurately assessed, the quietest high performance models available within each category are awarded the purple Quiet Mark, to give consumers and purchasers independent third-party assurance they are buying one of the quietest products available on the market.

For the first time, Quiet Mark have tested a broad range of hand dryers in three categories: Hands-under dryers using hot air; hands-under dryers using high-speed (cold) air; and hands-in (U-shaped) dryers using high-speed air. Only the quietest, high-performance machines were awarded the Quiet Mark.

The Top 10 (in no particular order) Quietest Hand Dryers were found to be:

Real-life testing environment for accurate results
Until now, the sound levels of hand dryers have often been tested in ultra-absorbent acoustic laboratories, rather than in highly reverberant washrooms and toilets, where their loud motor noise can be uncomfortably amplified. They may also be tested without human hands in the airflow, which can add up to 10dB in some cases. Therefore, test results have typically underestimated the noise of the machines.

Quiet Mark's acoustic testing, however, was done in an environment like a real washroom, with tiled wall surfaces and hard flooring, which reflect sound. Quiet Mark's testing partner Sonic Oasis, part of Anderson Acoustics, carried out a decibel noise analysis using a dB1 Duo Class 1 sound level meter. Measurements were taken at adult head height, as if standing next to the dryer, and with hands in the airflow. All this ensures that the Quiet Mark is only awarded to hand dryers that are the quietest in real situations.

With Quiet Mark's universal symbol now identifying the quietest hand dryers available on the market, it will be easier for those in charge of restaurants, bars, leisure centres, shops, libraries, hospitals and public conveniences to consider sound levels when assessing hand dryers for their venues.

Finally - Peace in the washroom
Poppy Szkiler, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Quiet Mark, comments, "Launching the hand dryer category at Quiet Mark is an important step in our quest to define excellence in acoustic design for technology in public spaces. Quiet Mark has worked with all of the industry leaders to produce a level playing field for comparative acoustic testing. Carried out in a real environment, it reflects the true impact of hand dryer noise, enabling purchasers to easily identify independently validated products to help buy the quietest models. More peaceful washrooms will be a welcome relief to those who find hand dryer noise uncomfortable providing greater health and well-being benefits for the general public."

Trudi Osborne, Group Head of Dryer Sales and Marketing Projects, The AIRDRI Group, comments: "Quiet operation stands alongside fast drying as a leading requirement in Airdri's hand dryer development. We recognised the importance of noise level reduction back in 2012 and that year became the first hand dryer manufacturer to be awarded the Quiet Mark for one of our fast-dry models. Going forward, we will always develop hand dryers that achieve low noise levels to help those susceptible to acoustic distress, such as the young, the elderly, those who are hard of hearing or those who are on the autistic spectrum."

Sam Bernard, Global Category Director at Dyson Professional, comments, "At Dyson we don't just pay attention to how our products perform - we also obsess about how they sound. The latest Dyson Airblade V hand dryer is 35% quieter than its predecessor, while maintaining a fast and hygienic dry time of 12 seconds. As health and wellbeing in commercial environments comes under increasing scrutiny, Quiet Mark recognises the importance of controlling excessive noise."

Andy Cameron, Sales Director of Intelligent, says, "We have campaigned for an industry standard for acoustic and noise levels in the hand dryer market for some time. It's vitally important to make hand dryers inclusive for all, with smooth and tolerable noise levels for all users."

Stephen Levy, Managing Director of Handy Dryers, says, "Handy Dryers are proud to work with Quiet Mark. Our focus is on improving the washroom experience. Our hand dryers now not only offer cutting edge design and performance, they are now recognised as one of the quietest in their class."

Mitsubishi Electric's Fawn Litchfield comments, "Facilities, designers and managers are increasingly concerned with minimising background noise in their premises. A busy washroom can have hand dryers in almost constant use, and noisy ones may be heard many metres 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."

Miriam McDonald, Marketing Director, Cannon Hygiene International, comments, "Cannon Hygiene excels in providing hygienic washroom spaces with reliable service. We are very pleased the Cannon Air Jet and the Air Rapide have both achieved the Quiet Mark. Not only are both hand dryers some of the most reliable, but validation by Quiet Mark, tells customers they are also some of the quietest."

Ends

Quiet Mark Press contacts
Liberate Media
Lloyd Gofton - +44 (0) 7919 353484; Email:
Catherine Goddard - +44 (0) 7720 635048; Email:
Justine Holman - +44 (0) 7808 608416; Email:

About Quiet Mark
In our stressful lives, we are surrounded by a cacophony of sound that we have little power to stop. The louder the noise around us, the more energy we waste to overcome it, and it is getting worse day by day. If we don't do something about this soon, our ability to hear the subtle sounds around us will disappear. Quiet Mark has embarked on a journey to transform the situation, to create a demand for the use of quieter technology in our homes, workplace and outdoor environments.

Quiet Mark, associated with the Noise Abatement Society charity, sprang from the response to public complaints received by the Society's 24/7 national noise helpline, concerning the volume of excessive noise made by household tools, appliances and technology which invade the fabric of everyday life.

Quiet Mark brings the answer with a universal symbol and system of support for consumers and industry alike to help transform the aural environment for the benefit of all by commending a selection of the quietest technology currently available on the market.

The response from industry internationally has been overwhelmingly positive with over 70 leading global brands across first 30 product categories, from dishwashers to garden tools, now on board including AEG Electrolux, Dyson, Miele, Mitsubishi Electric, Logitech and Whirlpool among many others. They have all achieved awards for their quieter products with the distinctive purple Quiet Mark logo. For more information see here: www.quietmark.com

About the Noise Abatement Society:
The remit of this national charity is to abate excessive and unnecessary noise to protect the public and improve the aural environment. Working with Government and Industry for more than fifty years the Noise Abatement Society has achieved a reputation for collaborative partnerships to find practical solutions to noise problems, underscored by programmes to raise awareness and educate about measured, considered and responsible use of sound. www.noiseabatementsociety.com

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