Commonly Asked Questions About Towel Dispensers
When designing your wash area, obvious items like hand sinks & soap dispensers are put in place. However, towel dispensers seem to have a ton of variations & that raises some questions. In fact, towel dispensers are the glue that keeps your facility hygiene intact. Investing in the correct dispenser is pivotal.
In this article, we’ll answer 5 of the most common questions about towel dispensers & give some IMC product recommendations as necessary. Let’s begin with the basics.
1. Is There Really a Difference Between Rolled & Folded Towel Dispensers?
Yes, here are the key differences:
Rolled
- It’s simply better for high traffic/volume areas. If you are expecting an abundance of users, rolled paper towel dispensers are the better choice.
- The paper towels are made from brown Kraft, so they are environmentally friendly.
Folded
- Although both types are sanitary, folded towel dispensers are slightly more sanitary due to the individual sheets.
- These dispensers are usually smaller in size & sleeker, giving a better aesthetic.
At the end of the day, both dispense paper towels. It’ll ultimately come down to your preference of which one you want to incorporate into your overall layout. Remember – whatever type you decide to go with, make sure the construction is 100% stainless steel for the best durability possible.
2. I’m Going With a Folded Paper Towel Dispenser. What’s the Difference Between C-Fold & M-Fold Paper Towels? Is One Better Than the Other?
C-fold towels have two folds & do not interlock. Instead they are designed to lie on top of each other.
M-fold (or multifold) paper towels also have two folds, but are folded in opposite directions. This allows for interlocking & you can fit more towels in the dispenser as a result.
C-fold towels are easier to pinch & multiple can be grabbed at one time. However, the product must be unfolded. M-fold towels are only dispensed one at a time, but come out fully opened up meaning less paper waste. Here’s a visual look:
3. What About Automatic vs. Manual Towel Dispensers?
Automatic paper towels are simply more sanitary due to the inherent hands-free design. They also help to reduce waste by delivering paper towels in fixed lengths. However, overall cost & maintenance is much higher for these dispensers.
Manual towel dispensers are the more traditional type & budget friendly. However, there is no control over how many paper towels are dispensed & cross contamination is a real concern.
IMC offers both automatic & manual paper towel dispensers. Particularly, Model #TD-AR is IMC’s automatic towel dispenser, which is able to accommodate up to an 800′ roll.
4. I’m Looking To Save Space. Do Soap/Paper Towel Combos Exist?
We know hand washing is not complete without soap. Integrated combination towel & soap dispenser are suitable for all hand wash areas, providing convenient access to soap & towels at the sink. Located immediately above the hand sink, there are no spills or mess to deal with also.
IMC offers 2 combo soap/paper towel dispensers – Model #ITSD & Model #ITSD-2. ITSD is IMC’s basic offering featuring a hinged door with optional lock for providing access for replenishing towels & soap. ITSD-2 takes it a step further by providing side splashes & a sleeker, compact design.
5. My Facility Needs to Meet ADA Compliance for Hand Washing. Where Do I Start?
You’ll need specialized ADA compliant equipment to meet all the regulations of the “ADA Standards for Accessible Design” amendment. For hand washing, you’ll need custom sinks that are installed no higher than 34″ above the floor, have sufficient knee clearance & an oversized deck. The sinks must have no exposed pipes/surfaces & ample floor space in the front. Lever or electronic faucets are acceptable. Soap dispensers should be at a max of 44″ above the finished floor.
As far as paper towel dispensers are concerned, they should be integrated into the hand sink itself. Typically they are installed on the side of the hand sinks for easy access. IMC’s Model #ADA has the paper towel dispenser built into the side of the sink. Here’s a closer look:
Paper towel dispensers play a pivotal role in keeping towels dry, neat & away from contamination. The type of dispenser will come down to the overall aesthetic, size & maintenance. For our complete paper towel dispensers offerings, please check here.
