Palmer Fixture BluStorm High-Speed Hand Dryers
The BluStorm is one of Palmer Fixture's best-known commercial hand dryers. Its signature blue guide light helps show users where to place their hands for effective drying, while adjustable airflow and a fast drying cycle make it a practical option for many commercial restroom applications.
BluStorm Features
- 10-15 second rated dry time
- Blue guide light to help users find the drying zone
- Adjustable motor speed
- Automatic touch-free operation
- 68.2 dB published sound level on the current HD0950
- Brushed stainless steel construction
- Surface-mounted and recessed options
- Optional air filter
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
What Makes the BluStorm Different?
The defining feature of the BluStorm is its blue action light. Instead of simply activating when hands enter the sensor range, the dryer visually identifies the most effective drying area.
That small feature improves usability because people can immediately see where their hands should be positioned rather than moving them around looking for the strongest airflow.
The current BluStorm also uses adjustable motor speed, which gives facilities some control over the balance between drying performance and sound.
Our Experience With BluStorm
ProDryers has had a BluStorm installed in one of our own restrooms since 2011. That long-term use gives us firsthand familiarity with how the dryer performs outside of a product specification sheet.
BluStorm Surface-Mounted Models
The standard BluStorm is available as a surface-mounted commercial dryer in both low- and high-voltage configurations.
Current ProDryers offerings include:
- HD0950 for 110-120V electrical service
- HD0951 for 220-240V electrical service
Both use the same general BluStorm drying format and stainless steel cabinet, but the correct model must match the electrical service available at the installation.
BluStorm2 Recessed Hand Dryer
Palmer Fixture also offers the BluStorm2 HD0955 recessed hand dryer for applications where reducing wall projection is important.
The recessed version places much of the hand dryer body within the wall rather than leaving the full cabinet projecting into the restroom. This can be especially useful where circulation paths or accessibility requirements make wall projection an important design consideration.
Recessed installations require appropriate wall construction and should be coordinated during planning rather than treated as a simple surface-mount replacement.
BluStorm Drying Speed and Sound
Palmer Fixture publishes an approximately 10-15 second dry time for the current BluStorm.
The current HD0950 has a published sound level of approximately 68.2 dB, which is notably lower than older BluStorm specifications. Palmer updated the model with additional air vents and other changes intended to reduce sound while maintaining drying performance.
Real-world sound will still vary depending on restroom size, wall materials, mounting location and surrounding surfaces.
BluStorm Airflow and Adjustability
The BluStorm uses an adjustable brush-type motor with a published operating range of approximately 12,000-18,000 RPM.
Adjustability can be useful in restrooms where maximum airflow is not always necessary. Facilities can tune the dryer based on the desired balance of drying speed and sound rather than being locked into a single operating setting.
BluStorm Construction and Durability
The current BluStorm uses a stainless steel cabinet and an all-metal back. Palmer also uses vandal-resistant cover screws that require the supplied service tool.
That does not make the dryer indestructible, but it is a more appropriate description than simply calling the product "not vandal resistant." Installation environment, supervision and abuse level still matter when selecting any commercial hand dryer.
BluStorm vs. BluStorm Bolt
The BluStorm Bolt is a different Palmer Fixture design even though it carries the BluStorm name.
| Feature | BluStorm | BluStorm Bolt |
|---|
| Drying format |
Conventional hands-under |
Wide dual-outlet hands-under |
| Blue guide light |
Yes |
Yes |
| Approx. wall depth |
About 7 in. |
Less than 4 in. |
| Primary reason to choose |
Established BluStorm design and adjustable operation |
Shallow wall projection |
See the Palmer Fixture BluStorm Bolt if minimizing wall projection is a leading project requirement.
BluStorm vs. Other Palmer Fixture Storm Dryers
The BluStorm sits in the middle of Palmer Fixture's broader Storm dryer lineup.
| Model | Best Fit |
|---|
| EcoStorm |
Lower-cost high-speed drying |
| BluStorm |
Established high-speed design with blue guide light |
| Storm Rider |
Modern adjustable high-speed dryer |
| BluStorm Bolt |
Shallow-profile installation |
| iStorm2 |
Hands-in drying with filtration and water management |
See the full Palmer Fixture hand dryer lineup to compare the entire Storm family.
Where Does BluStorm Make Sense?
Offices: A practical high-speed dryer for standard commercial restrooms.
Schools and institutional facilities: Adjustable airflow and straightforward operation can make the BluStorm worth considering for controlled commercial environments.
Restaurants and retail: The blue guide light makes the drying zone easy for occasional users to understand.
Renovations: The recessed BluStorm2 can be useful where wall projection is an important design consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions About BluStorm Hand Dryers
How fast does the Palmer Fixture BluStorm dry hands?
Palmer Fixture publishes an approximately 10-15 second drying time for the current BluStorm.
What is the blue light on the BluStorm for?
The blue guide light indicates the most effective drying area, helping users position their hands where the airflow is strongest.
Is BluStorm adjustable?
Yes. BluStorm uses an adjustable-speed motor, allowing facilities to balance airflow performance and sound.
Is there a recessed BluStorm hand dryer?
Yes. Palmer Fixture offers the BluStorm2 HD0955 recessed high-speed hand dryer.
What warranty does the BluStorm have?
Palmer Fixture currently lists a 5-year warranty for the BluStorm family.
Is BluStorm the same as BluStorm Bolt?
No. BluStorm Bolt is a newer shallow-profile design with dual air outlets and a cabinet that projects less than four inches from the wall. The standard BluStorm uses a deeper conventional high-speed dryer body.
Need Help Comparing BluStorm?
ProDryers can help compare BluStorm with EcoStorm, Storm Rider, BluStorm Bolt, iStorm2 and other commercial hand dryers based on traffic, wall conditions, electrical requirements, sound and budget.
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