The protocol sets out the standards a hand dryer must meet to be considered hygienic.

The candidates

Take 3 male and 3 female candidates.

Weigh clean paper towel

Fold a paper towel once, place on digital scales and record weight.

Wet hands

Place both hands in water container up to level of wrist crease for 5 seconds. Rub hands in the water to remove air traps and bubbles.

Drip

Remove hands from container and let water drip from hands for 5 seconds.

Position hands

Place hands under dryer 5cm from outlet.

*Dry hands according to manufacturer's instructions. If these instructions include rubbing then rub hands at a rate of 2 times per 5 seconds

Dry hands

Once air begins to flow from dryer begin to rub and dry hands. Start drying process by rubbing palms together twice.

Roll hands

Continue drying process by rolling hands twice.

Interlock hands

Continue drying process by interlocking and unlocking hands twice.

Remove excess moisture

Remove excess water from hands (between fingers and wrist) with paper towel until hands feel dry. Roll towel into a ball and place on scales within 5 seconds.

Re-weigh towel

Re-weigh the towel and record the weight.

Calculate the results

Repeat the test for all 6 candidates and calculate the mean dry time of the six tests.

If the re-weighed towel has 0.1g or less of moisture the product passes based on the NSF test hand drying time of 15 seconds.

Anything over 0.1g of moisture means the product will be deemed a failure.