Information for Occupational Therapists & Clinicians
This page is written for clinicians assessing whether a Tornado Body Dryer is appropriate for a patient. If you need a written functional description for a named patient, or an itemized quote for a funding application, contact us and we will provide it.
What the device does, in functional terms
The Tornado Body Dryer removes the towel-drying task from the post-shower routine. The patient stands or sits in a column of warm air and is dry in around three minutes, hands-free.
Removing towel drying eliminates several specific demands that commonly present as difficulties or risks in assessment:
- Single-handed grab-bar reliance while the other hand manipulates a towel
- Unilateral reaching to dry the contralateral shoulder and back
- Trunk rotation and forward flexion to reach the lower legs and feet
- Single-leg standing balance while drying the opposite foot
- Sustained grip and repeated friction against the skin
For patients who can shower with minimal assistance, this often changes the level of help required at the drying stage specifically, which is frequently the point in the routine where assistance is still needed.
Seated and wheelchair use
The unit is a full-height column, so it dries a seated user as well as a standing one. The pod is a quarter-moon section that fits into the corner of the enclosure, keeping floor space clear for a shower chair or a wheelchair transfer. The wall switch is a pneumatic remote switch connected to the pod by a PVC hose, with no electrical component at the point of touch, so its height can be specified for seated reach at the point of installation.
Populations it is used with
Customers include people living with arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, ALS, spinal cord injury, limb difference, and the effects of ageing. It is also used for skin conditions where towel friction is an irritant, including eczema and psoriasis, because warm air dries without any mechanical contact with the skin.
Safety notes and contraindications
- Air output is approximately 100°F (38°C), typically 3–4°F above ambient. It is warm air, not hot air.
- Suitable for children aged 8 and over with adult supervision.
- Installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician on a dedicated 220–240V circuit, with GFCI protection recommended, in accordance with the NEC and local codes.
- The unit is rated IPX4 (splash-resistant). It is installed within the enclosure but must not sit in the direct shower spray.
- Consider the patient’s ability to operate a three-press wall switch, and specify its position accordingly.
Space and installation requirements
| Assembled height | 80.7 in (205 cm) |
|---|---|
| Pod size | 10.8 in (27.5 cm) W x 10.4 in (26.5 cm) D |
| Unit weight | 9.2 lbs |
| Wall bracket height | 78 in (198 cm) from floor |
| Bracket offset from corner | 5.3 in (13.5 cm) |
| Maximum leg reduction | 17.3 in (44 cm) |
| Minimum recommended enclosure | 36 x 36 in |
| Electrical supply | 220–240V, 12.8 A, 2.9 kW nominal |
| Energy per cycle | Approx 0.15 kWh per 3-minute cycle |
| Air output temperature | Approx 100°F (38°C) |
| Drying time | Approx 3 minutes on full airflow |
| Ingress rating | IPX4 |
| Casing material | Injection-molded ABS |
| Controls | Wall-mounted pneumatic switch, 3-press cycle (moderate / full / off) |
Full details are in the Specification Sheet and the Installation Instructions. For the electrical detail a contractor will want, see Information for Your Electrician.
Summary for a patient file
Device: Tornado Body Dryer, wall-mounted in-shower warm-air body drying system. Manufacturer: Tornado Body Dryer LLC, 4012 Storrow Way, Noblesville, IN 46062. Tel +1 (463) 223-8920.
Function: Dries the user hands-free with warm air in approximately three minutes, standing or seated, removing the reaching, bending, single-leg balance and sustained grip required by towel drying.
Key parameters: 80.7 in assembled height; corner-mounted pod 10.8 x 10.4 in; air output approx 100°F (38°C); approx 0.15 kWh per cycle; IPX4; minimum recommended enclosure 36 x 36 in; pneumatic wall switch, height specifiable for seated reach.
Installation: Dedicated 220–240V circuit, 12.8 A, GFCI protection recommended, licensed electrician, NEC and local codes. Typically 1–2 hours electrical work plus under an hour mechanical assembly.
Cost: $1,499 (White). Premium and custom finishes +$500. Free delivery to all 50 US states and Canada with duties and taxes included. 2 year manufacturer’s warranty. 30 day returns, uninstalled and unused, in original packaging.
Funding: See Funding & Financial Assistance for VA HISA, Medicaid HCBS waivers, state assistive technology programs and other routes.
Clinician inquiries
If you need a written functional description for a specific patient, an itemized quote for a funding application, or a technical answer we have not covered here, contact us directly and say you are a clinician — we will prioritize it.
Contact us
Phone: +1 (463) 223-8920
Email: info@tornadobodydryers.com
Support hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm CT