5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs drying room requirements？

Dry storage is where you store foods that don’t require time-temperature controls for safety.

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This includes items like cereals, flour, grains, canned foods, and other packaged foods.

Dry storage is also where you store single-service items like disposable utensils, containers, straws, and plastic wrap.

To keep these items safe, there are certain best practices you must follow.

This article explains everything you need to know about food safety guidelines for dry storage.

Food safety guidelines for dry storage

Here are the best food safety practices for dry storage (1):

Keep items off the floor

Just as you should never store items on the fridge or freezer floor, you also shouldn’t store items on the floor in dry storage.

Storing items on the floor can easily contaminate them and make it difficult to properly clean the floors.

Therefore, you must keep all food and non-food items like single-use utensils and napkins at least 6 inches from the floor.

In some settings, like nursing homes, you may also need to keep food at least 18 inches from the ceiling to prevent the obstruction of the sprinklers in the event of a fire.

Label and date

Labeling and dating aren’t just for food you keep in cold storage.

Always label any food not in its original container with its common name so you or your coworkers don’t mistake the food for a different one, which could lead to cross-contact.

This rule only applies to food or ingredients that aren’t easily recognizable or could be mistaken for a different one like sugar and flour.

It’s also good practice to mark foods the day that you receive them so you can organize them in a way that ensures the food that has been stored the longest is the next food used.

This is known as the FIFO — or first in, first out — method.

The FIFO method reduces the risk of using or selling a product that is past its use-by or expiration date while also decreasing food waste.

In some instances, manufacturers may send products with an earlier expiration or use-by date than the products that you currently have in stock, so you can’t always rely on when you receive the product.

Therefore, always cross-check the use-by or expiration date with when you received the product.

Maintain proper temperature and airflow

Although the food in dry storage is not time-temperature controlled, you must still ensure the area doesn’t get too warm.

There is no specific temperature at which you must maintain the dry storage area but between 50ºF and 70ºF (10ºC and 21ºC) is ideal.

Nursing homes are required to maintain their dry storage in this temperature range.

Use wire shelving and avoid stocking food too close together to ensure good airflow.

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Never store chemicals

Never store chemicals near or in the same area as food or single-service utensils.

Doing so increases the risk of a chemical hazard.

Always store sanitizers, detergents, and other chemicals in designated areas, such as a utility room.

Keep the area clean

Cleanliness is key to preventing food contamination.

You don’t need to sanitize the dry storage area but you should regularly wash the floors and dust the shelves and food products.

Don’t forget to dust light fixtures and vents as these items can easily accumulate dirt and dust.

Keeping your dry storage area clean reduces the risk of contamination from dirt and other debris as well as from pests like rodents and cockroaches.

The bottom line

Dry storage is where you store foods that don’t require time-temperature controls and single-service items like napkins and disposable utensils.

To keep these items safe in dry storage, keep them off the floor, label and date them, and maintain the area at a proper temperature with good airflow.

Keep the area clean to reduce the risk of contamination from dirt, debris, and pests, and never use your dry storage area to store chemicals.

In today’s world, compliance with regulations isn’t just a competitive advantage, but a requisite for running a successful business. Investing in an ADA-approved hand dryer solution can be a major step towards ensuring that your business is inclusive of all types of guests. Public facilities and businesses must be designed to accommodate everyone, including people with disabilities. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of ADA compliance for restrooms, specifically regarding hand dryers, and how you can take steps to meet these essential requirements.

What is ADA Compliance for Restrooms? 

Every facility or establishment, private or public, must follow the law and make provisions for disabled individuals to use their services. This includes providing accessible spaces, with well-designed toilets, sinks, and hand dryers. In , an update was made to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, outlining guidelines for constructing new or modifying existing public restrooms to ensure they meet all ADA guidelines.

Meeting ADA Bathroom Requirements: Enhancing Hand Drying Solutions for All

Ensuring ADA compliance in restrooms goes beyond simply replacing paper towel dispensers with hand dryers. It involves careful consideration of various factors to accommodate individuals with diverse needs.

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The Height of ADA Hand Dryers

The ADA states that paper towels must be accessible from 15 inches to 48 inches above the ground. They must also allow both forward and side reach for people in wheelchairs. To be more precise, the operable part of the dispenser must be no higher than 48 inches. This could include the handle or lever, a touch-free sensor, and more – it all depends on what type of dispenser is present. The height of ADA hand dryers, therefore, must meet the same guidelines. All buttons and touch-free sensors must fall between a height of 38 inches to 48 inches off the floor. Push buttons must be operable with one hand and should start the hand dryer with a force of no more than five pounds.

Considerations for Left-Handed, Right-Handed, and the Visually Impaired Users

ADA regulations require hand dryers to cater to both right-handed and left-handed users, allowing flexibility for wheelchair approaches in the restroom. Additionally, hand dryers should be visually distinct from surrounding materials, aiding the visually impaired in locating them effortlessly. The protrusion of hand dryers from the wall serves a dual purpose: it allows visually impaired visitors to identify them by touch and prevents potential collisions.

ADA Hand Dryers and Excel Dryer

At Excel Dryer, we take pride in our commitment to ensuring ADA adherence through cutting-edge technology. As the manufacturer of the original, high-speed, and energy-efficient, and now EPD Certified XLERATOR® Hand Dryer, we have revolutionized the industry. Let’s explore our range of ADA-compliant hand dryers, designed to meet the needs of all users while facilitating easy compliance with ADA bathroom requirements:

1. XLERATOR Hand Dryer with ADA Recess Kit and XChanger Combo Kit:

   To make it ADA compliant, we developed the first-ever ADA recess kit for a high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer. This accessory allows any XLERATOR to instantly become an ADA hand dryer, catering to users with diverse needs. Additionally, we introduced the XChanger Combo Kit, enabling smooth retrofitting of paper towel dispensers to the XLERATOR Hand Dryer. This kit offers a seamless switch without causing damage to the existing space or wall, making the transition hassle-free.

2. ThinAir Hand Dryer

   As part of our enhanced line of high-efficiency, EPD Certified hand dryers, we proudly present the ThinAir Hand Dryer. Designed with ADA compliance in mind, ThinAir is a surface-mounted, fast-drying hand dryer that consumes only 950 watts or less. Complying with ADA guidelines for the visually impaired, ThinAir protrudes less than four inches from the wall and meets all ADA requirements when installed at the recommended height of 37 inches above the finished floor (AFF). ThinAir also comes with new enhanced features, including adjustable sound, speed, heat controls, multi-voltage options, and an externally visible service LED. With options for ABS polymer or brushed stainless steel covers and a washable pre-filter, ThinAir ensures longevity and user satisfaction.

The Significance of ADA Hand Dryers: Enhancing Accessibility and Compliance with Excel Dryer

Ensuring accessibility for all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities, is a fundamental aspect of inclusive design. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of , established in , outlines technical requirements that mandate workplaces, government services, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be accessible and usable by persons with disabilities. 

Architects, builders, and facilities managers have a critical role in ensuring that their spaces meet the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and the restroom is a vital area to address. Excel Dryer stands ready to assist with our cutting-edge ADA hand dryers, providing cost-effective, energy-efficient, high-performing solutions supporting your facility’s accessibility goals. 

Embrace inclusivity and ADA compliance with Excel Dryer’s innovative hand dryer solutions today.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of sand moving equipment. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.