Hand Dryer Case Study - Manchester Airport

The Project

In aiming to create a facility capable of accommodating 55 million passengers a year, the Manchester Airport project became one of the UK’s largest airport development projects to date.

An integral consideration for Manchester Airport Group (MAG) in their decision-making process was ensuring that any solution aligned with their overarching sustainability goals. These goals aim to consistently reduce their carbon footprint and uphold their carbon-neutral status, which they have maintained since 2016.

Not only this, but MAG also had to consider a wider variety of objectives, including the long term operational performance of the whole building, lifetime costs and customer approval ratings, amongst many other factors.

Finding a solution for over 100 washrooms, that aligned with these numerous, sometimes conflicting objectives, was imperative. Fortunately, the Diamond Dryer proved to be just the solution MAG was looking for.

The Solution

Sustainability:

The latest generation of hand dryer technology, utilised by Diamond Dryers, uses a powerful brushless motor, ensuring that electricity consumption is minimised. Thanks to a low 300W rating, this, in turn, saves 90% of energy compared to conventional hot air dyers.

For MAG, using hand dryers instead of paper towels immediately reduced waste generation too, and the need for waste collection/removal. This allowed for an immediate carbon reduction, delivering environmental and cost-saving benefits alongside.

Reliability & Maintenance:

The brushless motor technology that these Diamond Dryers use is super-reliable and the units are backed with a seven year warranty to offer long-term peace of mind.

To minimise downtime, these dryers have just three replaceable parts, which on-site engineers hold in stock. This means that the units can be installed by them easily in minutes.

Speed:

In busy public buildings with significant peaks in traffic, washrooms must be able to manage sudden influxes of people to prevent congestion. Since airports face this challenge, a rapid drying solution makes a major difference. The Diamond Dryers specified by MAG meet this challenge, taking just 10 seconds to complete the hand drying cycle.

Aesthetics:

The aesthetic appeal of each washroom is an important issue. Unattractive or poorly coordinated hand dryers can detract from the overall ambiance. This aspect was particularly crucial for MAG.

The sleek, contemporary design of the new Terminal 2 applies to every aspect of the building. Opting for the compact Diamond Dryer units, in colours and finishes to match the décor, provides a seamless sense of unity and cleanliness. This integration contributes positively to the overall impression of the airport complex.

The Results

In considering all these factors as part of its washrooms strategy, MAG has been able to arrive at a specification that will deliver the best solution long-term. The process they have adopted here shows the potential for any other public building operator to benefit from advances in hand dryer technology and work towards a more sustainable future.

*Please note that images on this case study are for illustrative purposes only, to demonstrate the Diamond Dryer in action in the washroom. These are not photographs of the Manchester airport washroom facilities.