With so many do’s and don’ts – and so many restrictions about operating electrical devices in a bathroom – we’re often asked “Where can you install a hand dryer safely in the bathroom or washroom?”.

It’s a very good question. The simple answer is that our hand dryers can be installed anywhere outside bathroom zones 0, 1 and 2 and where no water jet is likely to be used.

But let me explain that for you in a little bit more detail…

Waterproof compliance

First, let’s look at the ratings that classify bathroom electricals.

The IP Code was developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), and is used to classify the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of any electrical equipment.

  • The first number in the IP Code describes the level of protection from solid objects.
  • The second number in the IP Code describes the level of protection from liquids.

Obviously our products are designed to dry wet hands, so they’re all IPX1 rated. That means they’re protected against vertically falling water drops.

Understanding bathroom zones

It is also important that you choose fittings with the correct rating, according to where they’re going to be sited within the bathroom. This image shows a bathroom split into four clear zones: 0, 1, 2 and 3:

  • Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and must be rated at least IP67, which is totally immersion proof.
  • Zone 1 is the area above the bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP45 is required.
  • Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25 from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required.
  • Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating is required here.

All of our hand dryer products conform to the protection requirements of IPX1 making them practical and safe for use in zone 3; which in laymen’s terms means:

  • Outside of the bath or shower itself
  • 2.25m above the bath from the floor
  • 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m above the bath from the floor

Luckily, most commercial washrooms do not include a bath. That means we can apply common sense to decide the working location of the hand dryer, while still meeting the regulatory requirements.

But if you’re not sure – if you need a little extra guidance, just let us know