Quiet enough for young pupils
A loud dryer echoing round a small toilet block is the last thing a nervous reception child needs. Our quietest school dryer, the Viska, runs at under 65 dBA at 1 metre on a brushless motor, within the noise limit the DfE sets for school hand dryers. On the BulletDri Plus you can fine-tune the motor speed to bring the noise down further.
Built to the DfE Technical Manual
The Department for Education's Technical Manual (January 2026) sets the design and construction standards for school and college buildings under its Construction Framework 2025. Clause 5.1.20 makes electric hand dryers the default unless the project brief asks for paper towels, and sets out what they must do. The Viska meets every requirement.
Requirements of DfE clause 5.1.20:
How many?
One for every five toilets, or part thereof, within a space
Drying time
Less than 30 seconds
Control
Infrared, no-contact start, auto-off
Noise level
Less than 65 dBA at 1m
Fittings
Concealed and tamper-proof
The manual also sets mounting heights, measured to the underside of the dryer:
Age group Mounting height:
Early Years - 650mm
KS1 / Infant - 775mm
KS2 / Junior - 850mm
Secondary, post-16, college and adult (KS3–KS5) - 1,000mm
Specifying for a DfE framework project? Read the DfE Technical Manual on GOV.UK, or ask one of our approved distributors for the Viska's specification.
Built for break time
Every dryer on this page is vandal-resistant. The Ecowave has a stainless steel cover fixed with four anti-vandal screws onto a solid steel back plate. The BulletDri Plus motor is rated for more than a million uses. At just 100mm deep, the BulletDri Plus, Ecowave and Connect sit close to the wall in narrow corridors and cubicles.
Cleaner air, no paper towels
HEPA filters on the Viska, Ecowave, BulletDri Plus, SteelForce and Infinity capture up to 99.9% of bacteria and particles before the air reaches pupils' hands. With no paper towels, there are no dispensers to refill, no overflowing bins and no towels blocking toilets.
Lower running costs
A hand dryer costs a fraction of paper towels to run:
Dries per £1
Viska - 12,500
Ecowave - about 3,000
BulletDri - 2,500 to 2,727
Infinity - 2,571
Paper towels - 143
Based on £0.20 per kWh on the most economical setting. The Turboforce Junior Plus and Connect only switch their heater on when the washroom is cold, and the Ecowave and Infinity have an on/off heater switch.
Free repairs for life
The DfE expects electric hand dryers to last at least five years (Technical Manual clause 5.1.4). Every Dryflow hand dryer comes with free repairs for life and up to 10 years' warranty, so support doesn't stop at five years. Have it fitted by an approved electrician and register it online within 28 days. Read the guarantee.
Proven in schools
Barnsley's Building Schools for the Future programme supplied more than 300 BulletDri Plus dryers to schools across the area. They replaced paper towels and dryers more than 10 years old. The programme chose the BulletDri Plus for its slim 100mm depth, low noise, vandal-resistant build and Carbon Neutral certification. Read the South Yorkshire schools case study, or see Dryflow at Cambridge University.
Hand dryers for schools: FAQs
What is the quietest hand dryer for a school?
The Viska is our quietest school dryer, at under 65 dBA at 1 metre. It uses a brushless motor and meets the hand dryer requirements in clause 5.1.20 of the DfE Technical Manual.
What is the best hand dryer for a primary school?
For primary schools we recommend the Viska for low noise, or the Turboforce Junior Plus and Connect if budget is the priority. All three are vandal-resistant and suitable for young children.
How many hand dryers does a school need?
The DfE Technical Manual asks for one hand dryer for every five toilets, or part thereof, in each space.
How high should a hand dryer be mounted in a school?
The DfE sets heights to the underside of the dryer: 650mm for Early Years, 775mm for KS1, 850mm for KS2, and 1,000mm for secondary, post-16, college and adult users.
Does the DfE require hand dryers in schools?
On projects built to the DfE Technical Manual, yes. It requires electric hand dryers unless the project brief states a preference for paper towels.
Are hand dryers cheaper than paper towels for schools?
Yes. Paper towels give about 143 dries per £1, while our school dryers give between 2,500 and 12,500 dries per £1 of electricity. There are also no towels to restock or bins to empty.
Are your hand dryers vandal-resistant?
Yes, every model on this page. The Ecowave has a stainless steel cover, four anti-vandal screws and a solid steel back plate.
Are hand dryers hygienic in school toilets?
The Viska, Ecowave, BulletDri Plus, SteelForce and Infinity have HEPA filters that capture up to 99.9% of bacteria and particles before the air reaches hands.
Have Dryflow hand dryers been used in UK schools?
Yes. More than 300 BulletDri Plus dryers were supplied to schools across Barnsley through the Building Schools for the Future programme.
What warranty do schools get?
Free repairs for life and up to 10 years' warranty, against the DfE's five-year minimum life expectancy for hand dryers. The dryer must be fitted by an approved electrician and registered online within 28 days.
Where can schools buy Dryflow hand dryers?
Through one of our approved distributors.
