Drying Hands Matter: The Paper Towel Dispenser

Hand drying in a public restroom is a necessity. If you are including paper towels in your ADA restroom, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design offers advisory guidelines in Advisory 606.1 General. They must be located within the reach ranges specified in 308: 308.1 Unobstructed or 308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach, depending on where it will be placed. If unobstructed, then the side reach can be 15” to 18” above the floor. If obstructed (by the sink) and the depth is 10”, then the side reach can be 15” to 48”. However, if the depth exceeds 10”, but no more than 24”, then the side reach range is 15” to 46”.

Keep in mind that these dimensions are different for children’s restrooms. They are:

Children’s Reach Ranges
Forward or Side Reach	Ages 3 and 4	Ages 5 through 8	Ages 9 through 12
High (maximum)	36”	40”	44”
Low (minimum)	20”	18”	16”

Often when specifying paper towel dispensers for ADA restrooms, the wording is general such as “provide ADA compliant paper towel dispenser.” Surprisingly, paper towel dispensers are most often specified under the Specialties Division. Sometimes the specifications list a specific manufacturer or manufacturer list. At this writing, there were 142 projects in ConstructConnect within the Specialties Division that specified ADA paper towel dispensers for this year. Since most do not contain a specific manufacturer, the field is wide open for product manufacturers to become a basis of design or position their dispenser as THE ones for ADA restrooms.

Choosing the right paper towel dispenser can play a large role in encouraging handwashing and keeping users healthy. Options to look for in paper towel dispensing include systems that can be operated with one hand. Roll or Fold? Folded towel or roll dispensers offer one towel at a time or roll systems with one lever to push down for a preset length of towel. Sensor-operated dispensers are ideal options because they do not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

Manufacturers

There are many manufacturers of towel dispensers for ADA restrooms. Here are a few to consider.

Bobrick. Bobrick is recognized as an industry leader in well-designed, value-oriented restroom accessories and toilet partitions. Some of the world’s most renowned companies and institutions rely on Bobrick Solutions to reinforce their brands, reduce long-term operating costs and position their organizations for a successful future. You will find a large section dedicated to paper towel dispensers on their website, such as:

•  2620 Paper Towel Dispenser 304 Stainless Steel, surface-mounted, satin-finish dispenses 400 C-fold or 525 multifold paper towels.
• B-359033 Recessed Paper Towel Holder Trim Line Series, 304 Stainless Steel, recessed-mount, with tumbler lock, dispenses 300 C-fold and 40 multifold paper towels.
• B-369 Recessed Paper Towel Dispenser Classic Series Recessed Towel/Waste Receptacle  304 Stainless Steel, dispenses 350 C-fold and 475 multifold towels, two-gallon removable waste container

American Specialties Inc. (ASI). The ASI Group designs, engineers, and manufactures fully integrated washroom accessories, partitions, lockers, and visual display products from one source. A wide variety of single wall-and-floor mounted paper towel dispensers and dual soap dispensers and paper towel holders are available and include:

• ASI 20210 Paper Towel Dispenser  Part of the Royal Collection 22 gauge, type 304 stainless steel, holds 400 C-fold and 525 multi-fold paper towels, surface mounted, tumbler lock
• ASI 0210 Paper Towel Dispenser Surface Mounted Paper Towel Holder, 22 gauge, type 304 stainless steel, holds 400 C-fold and 525 multi-fold paper towels, surface mounted
• ASI 0462-AD Paper Towel Dispenser and Waste Receptacle, 22 gauge, type 304 stainless steels, holds 475 C-fold paper towels, recessed mount

Kimberly-Clark Professional. Kimberly-Clark Professional partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces, helping to make them healthier, safer, and more productive. You will find a selection of paper towel holders roll and individual:

• 09996 Sanitouch Hard Roll Paper Towel Dispenser Touchless technology improves hygiene, Black, only touch the towel you take, no batteries
• 39710 MOD Universal Folded Paper Towel Holder Faux stainless steel, only touch the towel you take, Kleenex and Scott multi-fold and C-fold towels, key-activated spring lock or push-button operation and a hinged front cover
• 48857 Automatic High Capacity Paper Towel Dispenser Touchless, roll, battery powered, keyless or key activated spring lock, emergency feed knob, Black

Georgia-Pacific Pro is a division of Georgia-Pacific and a leading provider of advanced dispensing solutions for commercial facilities. GP PRO offers a variety of paper towel dispensers and paper towels to help make any restroom or breakroom better, such as:

• 56650A Paper Towel Dispenser Durable plastic, high-capacity holds 400 C-fold, 600 multi-fold paper towels, key lock, Black
• 54338A Push Paddle Roll Paper Towel Dispenser  Hardwound roll, contemporary, durable, plastic, Black
• 58201 Centerpull Paper Towel Dispenser  Large, high-capacity 560 large soft centerpull towels, plastic, Black

San Jamar. San Jamar is part of the CFS Brands family. CFS Brands is the parent company of the leading names in foodservice, healthcare and sanitary maintenance. washroom products. For more than 20 years San Jamar has listened and innovated – making your operations smarter, safer and more sanitary. Find out more about San Jamar paper towel dispensers:

• T1755TBK Ultrafold Fusion Folder Towel Dispenser Compact design stores 240 C-fold and 400 multifold towels, touchless, low profile, key lock, Black
• T1950XC Towel Mini Dispenser 300-C-fold, 500-multifold capacity, chrome, key lock, space saving, touchless
• T850TBK Integra Lever Roll Towel Dispenser  Front dispensing, holds most roll types with any core size including coreless, sold and center pull rolls, contoured arm allows use of wrist, arm or elbow for dispensing

Oasis Creations. Oasis Creations, based in Los Angeles, develops and makes high quality products for customers’ across the US. Oasis Creations also offers a range of products for home or office including paper towel dispensers all in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Find out more:

• Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser  Touchless, key lock, 500 multifold capacity, compact and space saving
• Wall Mounted/Countertop Paper Towel Holder Acrylic, holds 250 paper towels. Dispenses c-fold, tri-fold and multi-fold, Black

Tork USA. Tork, a part of Essity, offers professional hygiene products and services ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels.  Find out more:

• 302030 Design Xpress Countertop Hand Towel Dispenser Upscale, compact, stainless steel, multifold, medium or low traffic, paper towel running-low color indicator
• 5510282 Tork Matic Hand Towel Roll Dispenser Elevation design, High capacity, new design ensures easy maintenance and paper towel refilling and use, one-at-a-time dispensing
• 5511202 Tork Matic Paper Hand Towel Dispenser with Intuition Sensor  No-touch hand drying, adjustable towel lenght, battery-operated

Advance Tabco. Advance Tabco was established in lower Manhattan in 1929 by two brothers from the Ukraine. They have over 6,000 standard products, most of which can be customized to satisfy a customer’s needs including paper towel dispensers. Find out more:

• 7-PS-35 Paper Towel Dispenser Wall mount, Key lock, stainless steel, c-fold paper towels, fill indicator

Bradley Corporation. Bradley is one of the most complete and advanced manufacturers for commercial washrooms, and comprehensive solutions for emergency safety and industrial applications. Now in the fifth generation of the Mullett family their continued commitment includes treating customers and employees like family.  Find out more:

• 2494-000000 High impact material, dispenses roll towels up to 8″ in diameter and 8″dispenses roll towels up to 8″ in diameter and 8″wide, automatically dispensed, automatic roll transfer system, low battery indicator
• 234-000000 Recessed Mounted Towel Dispenser/Waste Receptacle Standard 22-gauge stainless steel, recessed mount, paper towel capacity 800 mult-fold or 600 C-fold, 12-gallon waste container
• 250-150000 Stainless Steel Surface Mounted Towel Dispenser Heavy gauge stainless steel, dispenses 525 mult-fold paper towels, towel level indicator