Number of Hand Sanitizer Units Double in Facilities

Facility managers have responded to the coronavirus pandemic by more than doubling the number of hand sanitizer units in their buildings, according to a new GP PRO survey of 425 individuals who are responsible for buying or maintaining hand sanitizer units in facilities.

Many commercial facilities already had hand sanitizer units dispersed throughout the buildings. Pre-pandemic, foodservice, health care, industrial, lodging, and office facilities had an average of 23 units. Currently, the average number of units among all these facilities is more than 40 units. Office buildings tripled the number of units and health care and lodging facilities each average 85 units.

The survey found that 85% of those responsible for buying or maintaining hand sanitizer units plan to keep most or all of them once the pandemic is over.

“Although we knew early on in the pandemic that there was increased demand for our sanitizer and dispensing products, this survey makes clear that those involved in facility management have come to greatly value the role hand sanitizer plays in improving hygiene,” said Julie Howard, vice president and general manager of GP PRO’s towel, skin care, and air care categories.

Additional findings of the survey include:

• Hand sanitizer units increased by more than 50% on average in health care facilities. Post-pandemic, 91% of healthcare respondents expect to leave most or all of their hand sanitizer units in place. 
• Hand sanitizer units increased by 200% on average in office facilities. Post-pandemic, 90% of office respondents expect to leave most or all of their hand sanitizer units in place.
• Hand sanitizer units increased by 180% on average in industrial facilities. Post-pandemic, 85% of industrial respondents expect to leave most or all of their hand sanitizer units in place. 
• Hand sanitizer units increased by 100% in foodservice facilities. Post-pandemic, 79% of foodservice respondents expect to leave most or all of their hand sanitizer units in place. 
• Hand sanitizer units increased by nearly 85% on average in lodging facilities. Post-pandemic, 70% of lodging respondents expect to leave most or all of their hand sanitizer units in place.
• Automated wall-mounted dispensers are the most common hand sanitizer format, with 61% of survey respondents using them in their facilities.

Did You Know? According to the 2021 CMM In-House Facility Management Benchmarking Survey, more than 90% of facility managers reported that they posted new signage, 81% installed partitions or barrier shields, and 72% instated touchless hand sanitizer stations during the past 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.