Any professional involved in facilities planning, construction, improvement or upkeep is surely familiar, at least to some extent, with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Outlining the technical requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, these guidelines help ensure that no part of a building prohibits access and use by persons with disabilities. Simply put, these are the rules to build by.
As such, in recent years, no one is going to break ground on a new workplace, government service building, place of public accommodation or commercial facility without the ADA design standards at hand. But what about preexisting structures, ones built before ADA? Nearly three decades in, questions still tend to surround the obligation of these buildings to comply.
The confusion is understandable. With regard to an existing building, the policy states that any modifications must comply with ADA guidelines. Well, we have no modifications planned, a facilities owner or manager may think. This may be true—but if there are potential “architectural barriers” to accessibility anywhere on the premises, change is likely warranted. Unless the facility can prove that barrier removal would not be “readily achievable,” failure to remove it is noncompliance.
Because what constitutes an “architectural barrier” and its “readily achievable” removal are extremely case dependent, compliance determination can be, too. The best bet, therefore, is to readily achieve what you can. For example, do your restrooms meet ADA bathroom requirements? With more than a dozen specs to consider, Excel Dryer—a trusted Allied partner and longtime industry leader—provides an easy, cost-effective and sustainable place to start.
As manufacturer of the original, high-speed, energy-efficient, EPD Certified XLERATOR® Hand Dryer, Excel Dryer is committed to ensuring guideline adherence through innovative hand-drying technology. It was Excel Dryer that developed the first ADA compliant recess kit for a high-speed energy efficient hand dryer, an accessory that immediately makes any XLERATOR a bona fide ADA hand dryer. Next came the company’s XChanger® Combo Kit, allowing for a simple, damage-free retrofit of a paper towel dispenser to an XLERATOR.
More recently, Excel introduced its own fully ADA compliant hand dryer: the ThinAir® Hand Dryer. Using only 950 watts or less to dry hands fast, ThinAir protrudes only four inches from
the wall, in accordance with ADA guidelines for the visually impaired. It’s equipped with automatic sensors for no touch operation, exceeding the ADA requirement of a push-button that’s operational with one hand. ThinAir is accessible for both left-handed and right-handed users, another must for an ADA compliant bathroom. With installation at the recommended height of 37 inches above finished floor (AFF), ThinAir offers complete compliance with ADA bathroom regulations. Further, in addition to the original ABS polymer cover, this super-sleek appliance is available in brushed stainless steel and features a washable pre-filter to extend the life of the unit.
ThinAir and all models in Excel Dryer’s expanded and enhanced line of high-efficiency, EPD Certified hand dryers—the only hand dryers to be Made in USA Certified®—also offer:
- adjustable speed, heat and sound controls—critical for noise reduction in sound-sensitive environments—as well as multi-voltage options and an externally visible service LED
- an average 95% cost savings over paper towels, while eliminating their labor, maintenance and waste
- unbeatable hygienic benefits
- supreme eco-friendliness, helping facilities qualify for more LEED® v4 credits than any other hand dryer brand
- signature customizability for any restroom environment
As you work toward your facility’s total ADA compliance, count on Excel Dryer to take care of the business it knows best. Isn’t it time to throw in the towel?