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2 While every effort is made to ensure that information held within this document is accurate and up to date, Neath Port Talbot Access Group and Croft Consultants will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience caused by any inaccuracies contained herein. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of any references and website addresses listed in this publication, their future availability cannot be guaranteed. All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored on a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Neath Port Talbot Access Group or Croft Consultants. This document is only available for download in Adobe PDF format. A large print version is available on request. Any comments gratefully accepted and will be considered for inclusion in the next revision. Document Reference 1200 D Fonts used Ariel, Tahoma, Verdana Revision 0 6 th January Minor revision 14 Oct 2007 With thanks to all those who have contributed time and effort in compiling this guide. Including Marcus Ormerod Salford University Malcolm Morton - Liverpool Council Flick Harris Manchester Disability Sponsored by Llanelli Disabled Access Group Neath Port Talbot Access Group If you find this document useful please consider making a donation to help us continue research and development of new best practice guides to meet everyone s needs. 2

3 Fully Accessible Part 1 Index INTRODUCTION...4 Sanitary Facility Design... 6 STANDARDS...7 Standard fittings, fixtures and décor... 7 Unisex... 7 Turning Space Notes... 8 Colour... 8 Doors... 8 Flooring Grabrails Lighting Lobbies Mirrors Walls Shelving Heating Fittings & Fixtures Needle disposal Electrical equipment Alarms RADAR Locks (UK) Seating Hoists Signage Fires Water supplies Facilities at beaches etc Slop sinks Piping Fixtures & Fittings Materials Ventilation Disposal of Contaminated Waste SHOPPING DEVELOPMENTS CHILDREN S UNITS DISABILITIES Standard WC...30 Manual Wheelchair WC Small 32 Scooter Accessible WCs...33 Assisted Peninsular WC BS Assisted Accessible Peninsular WCs...36 Scooter WC with Changing Bed...38 Ambulant Adult WC...39 Ambulant WC with Changing.40 Male & Female Adult Toilet Units...41 Accessible Changing Cubicles 43 Scooter Accessible Changing.44 Basic Changing and Wash with Seat...46 Basic Changing with Bed & Hoist...47 Scooter Changing with Bed & Hoist...47 Changing, Washing Beds & Cubicles...49 Accessible Changing Cubicles 50 This guide is continued in Part 2 which contains the appendices and reference together with further designs. 3

4 Units with shower and bath Bidettes Male urinals PAMIS guidance Alternate designs (non UK) Minimum domestic WC Grab rail design Large changing (sports etc.) Industrial emergency shower Baby & maternity units Facts and general guidance Introduction The standards applied to WC s, Showers and Changing rooms designated as Accessible Unisex are often too small for to day s mobility vehicles. Basic manual wheelchair riders can use the Building Regulations Part M and British Standard 8300 standard designs; however, today people are using larger vehicles such as sports wheelchairs, outdoor powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Scooters are not only used by people with recognised disabilities they use is also becoming more common amongst older people, who appreciate the facilities designed into modern accessible sanitary units. It should be remembered that a disabled person may be accompanied by another disabled person who is acting as their carer. Therefore, all unisex sanitary facilities need to be fully accessible in design and in their fixtures. Remember, it is not only wheelchair riders who may need assistance to use facilities people with Mobility impairments (standing, sitting, bending, reaching), Manipulative impairment (limited hand, arm of body movement or strength) and Visual & hearing impairments All need to be considered when designing facilities. The following pages illustrate various WC, changing and shower units for adults. Children s facilities are dealt with in a separate guide. Most people don't know what actually goes on 'behind the toilet door', other than their own toileting practices, so they can't really understand or be expected to understand how the various bits of kit are used by real human beings. There is no optimum arrangement. Please some users and others will find themselves excluded. For the 'smallest room' it s a difficult design problem BS8300 increased the minimum size of corner layout to 1500 x 2200 mm but as we all know builders and architects take the minimum as being the recommendation and that is the size it gets built. But comments by users continue to say when Introduction 4

5 it comes to accessible loos size IS everything and 1500 x 2200 mm just ain't enough!. Accessible sanitary units are not just physical structures; there is a range of management and staff factors which contribute to safe accessible units. Providing an accessible unit is only stage one. It is essential that assistance training for staff is provided to react to the use of Help Calls, planning and provisions for times when there is a fire or other emergency in the building. Ensuring maintenance, cleaning and servicing are carried out effectively and on a timely basis. All are parts of the whole concept of accessible sanitary facilities and need to be considered and built into operating schedules and procedures for the unit. Please note that the deigns shown cover the range of users, therefore styles which are of narrow appeal are included. The height of the WC itself can be a problem; standard units can be used by a wide range of people. Children need lower units, while adults with hip replacement often like higher seat heights. 17 th July 2005 (BBS News) The lives of new mothers and babies are at risk from poor conditions in some maternity wards, a report has warned. The Healthcare Commission highlighted overcrowding, dirty toilets, a shortage of midwives and inadequate organisation after investigations at three units. Health Minister Liam Bryne admitted services were "not yet good enough" and said an action plan was being drawn up. The poor state of toilet provision in UK schools is clearly illustrated in the report from Bog Standard see website ults.aspx The design information provided on this website is not always compatible with the needs of pupils or teachers with disabilities. Please note: in the drawings and sketches every fitting and fixture is not always shown to improve clarity by reducing drawing clutter. All dimensions shown are given in millimetres unless otherwise stated. Drawings are not to scale to permit emphasis of certain features. The term scooter accessible is used to indicate larger units suitable for use with powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters as distinct from the minimal space required for a manual wheelchair. 5

6 Sanitary Facility Design The design requirements of the smallest room for use by people with disabilities and older people vary as often as the number of people involved. This guide provides an in-site into the factors which make sanitary provisions suitable to the widest range of people within reasonable expectation. Everyone s detailed needs cannot be accounted for in a common use facility. The Toilet needs of a man are also different from a woman, a child, an older person, infant and different kinds of people with disabilities such as the visually impaired, blind, wheel-chair rider and people with low mobility, etc. Furthermore, ethnic and cultural needs also have to be addressed. Sanitary facility design for a factory differ from the needs of facilities in an office, a shopping centre, a school or a sports complex, as do the cleaning and maintenance requirements for each location. Anyone, who has even been in an overcrowded or uncomfortable public toilet, will value a good toilet design. The usual demands placed on a high-profile, high traffic and heavily used facility requires extra thought for each process. A well-designed public sanitary unit has to be: (a) Accessible to everyone, including, children, older and disabled people (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Clean and dry Well ventilated Well lighted and provide good definition Easy to, and well, maintained Well planned layout Public toilets are places where one is obliged to place oneself in unfamiliar surroundings among the strangers of the same sex and perform activities which are often regarded as private. Therefore, the fundamental principles of good sanitary facility design include psychological factors and not just those related to physical clearances, space requirement and basic sensory factors. A number of different activity spaces are needed together with space occupied by the appliances themselves, additional space required by the user and further space for their own belongings or circulation within the toilets. In many cases, these latter spaces may overlap on occasion. Common sense will dictate when this is appropriate and when it is not. Placing the facilities and appliances in a logical order of use simplifies the circulation and reduces the distance travelled by the user. Sanitary Facility Design 6

7 Using sensor-operated appliances should encourage hygiene and reduce costs It is difficult and costly to insulate the toilets acoustically and this problem can be resolved by planning isolation as much as possible. Single entrance/exit plans work satisfactorily provided the path of the users do not cross each other and the entrance route and circulation space is wide enough. Dispensing with the entrance door to the public toilet not only helps to improve the ventilation within the toilet but also minimises hand contact for hygiene reasons. In many sanitary units, doors have been replaced by offset entrance maze which blocks the view yet allows easier, hands-free access. This approach eliminates the need for automatic doors and thus meeting stringent disability access guidelines. Consideration should be given to the positioning of the mirrors and to the gaps created by the hinges. Toilets and change/wash facilities should be located in easy distance from main traffic areas for people with limited walking endurance and those who need to make urgent response. A well designed, lighted and maintained facility is far less likely to attract vandalism than a dingy, poorly maintained and smelly unit. Standards This is to remind people that the Disability Discrimination Act won't necessarily recognise "minimum standards". So if someone argues that there have been no "reasonable" adjustments made to buildings, the minimum standard as it relates to that particular person may not apply. It might be argued that "anticipating" people's requirements should be based on BS 8300 or Part M but we always advise people, as do some of the DRC speakers at conferences, that what is "reasonable" changes over time and that the DDA relates to what is reasonable for individuals. So for all design issues, best practice should apply as far as possible to have some sort of defence. We realise this doesn't apply outside the UK but in references to legislation here, it should be noted. Standard fittings Standard fittings, fixtures and décor Note: for clarity some items may not be shown or labelled in some of the drawings. All dimensions are in millimetres unless otherwise stated. See also our guide Portable Sanitary Facilities. Unisex Unisex facilities are also useful where a parent needs to accompany an opposite sex child. Children should not be expected to use or pass 7

8 through facilities designed for adults of the opposite sex. Where the cubicle is smaller than can be used by scooter and outdoor powered and sports wheelchairs consider fitting handrails from the door to the WC and washbasin to aid people with limited walking ability. Turning Space Notes Recent reviews of access provision for manual wheelchairs have shown that the current standard 1500 x 1500 mm clear space is insufficient for safe independent use of facilities. Recent advances recommend that a minimum manoeuvring space of 1800 x 1800 mm is provided for manual wheelchairs riders and baby buggies. For most outdoor powered wheelchairs, manual sports chairs and mobility scooters a 2200 x 2200 mm clear turning space is suitable. Additional space may be required where bed trolleys and reclining wheelchairs are used. Colour When choosing colours making rails etc. yellow does not necessarily provide contrast. Garish colours are not necessary and do not always provide a contrast. Contrasts should be provided for all walls, floors, fixtures, fittings, operating switches and levers. Large areas of stainless steel and brushed aluminium being reflective can be a problem for people with visual impairments. They also provide too little definition for identification of doors and furnishings. Doors Doors should have accessible fittings and locks (lever action with large 30 mm grips). Locks should be operable from outside in an emergency. Open both ways doors are preferred for cubicles, e.g. if a person has fallen against it. Colour contrasts must be applied. A horizontal closing bar should be fixed to the inside face of an inward or outward opening door of an accessible unisex WC. Unisex WC, changing and shower cubicles should have 1000 mm wide doors (minimum), ambulant WC cubicles should have 800 mm wide doors (minimum). Where bed trolleys need access a 1000 mm wide main door with 800 mm second door should be provided. Bad Design 8

9 Sliding doors may be fitted where it is not possible for a side hung door to swing either in or out. The door should be of a robust construction to which door furniture can be securely fixed. Where doors with floor and top bolts are provided on double doors extension arms should be used to allow seated people and people who cannot bend or reach upwards to operate the bolts. These levers should be sited between 900 and 1100 mm above floor level. Outward opening doors can be dangerous and must not form a hazard for people passing the doorway. Doors should open against walls i.e. at the end of a set of cubicles, in a recess, or barriers should be used to prevent people walking into the swinging door. Corridors should be door width mm as a minimum. There must be space for wheelchair at the door where it will not interfere with other doorways. Where the compartment has an inward-opening door, it should be fitted with a double action pivot set and an emergency release mechanism operated from the outside. Rotating doors and turnstiles should not be used unless there is an alternative accessible entrance close by. Outward opening doors must not open into fire/emergency escape routes where they could hazard people or reduce the required corridor widths (see Part B Table 5 for required corridor and door widths for escape routes) see also outward opening doors in the Appendices in Part 2. 9

10 Doors need to be fixed sturdily to the walls or partitions, so that a door cannot be lifted off its hinges. Door closures should be robust and close gently against the frame to avoid trapped fingers. A horizontal pull rail should be fixed to the closing face of an outward opening door of an accessible unisex WC where no door closing device is fitted. The door should be of a robust construction to which such door furniture can be securely fixed. Where an inward opening door is the only solution for a WC cubicle that is accessible to a wheelchair user a clear minimum space (on plan) of 700 mm by mm should be provided between the door swing and any sanitary fittings as otherwise the door will obstruct a wheelchair user. Flooring Should be non slip when wet, have a maximum slope of 1:40 out to 500 mm from the wall at urinals. Consider fitting a floor drain. Contrast floors to walls and fixtures or provide a contrasting skirting band. Consider a tactile and colour guide path to the accessible unit. Grabrails Grabrails should be firmly fixed to strong walls so that if a heavy person slips and grabs the rail they do not pull out of the wall. Grabrails should be 32 mm to 35 mm diameter provide a good nonslip grip when wet, easy to clean, contrast with walls and fixtures. Grabrails should not be stainless steel; these provide poor contrast, temperature levels and are slippery. A fixed grabrail should be located behind, and centred on, the WC pan when the cistern is in a duct or when the cistern is at high level. Drop down rails should be of a type that can be pulled down by a person when seated on the WC. They should incorporate vertical support struts, set back from the front edge of the rail by at least half its projection from the wall so as not to impede mobility vehicle access. Although not included in standards it is strongly recommended that grabrails suitable for a standing person 10

11 are provided at a WC, this provides support for people using the WC standing and for people adjusting colostomy bags and making injections. This is especially important in WCs on public transport vehicles (trains, buses, ships, aircraft,) where people are subject to vehicle movement when using the facility. Grabrails should be inspected regularly and re-fixed if they become loose or damaged. (See also deign of grabrails in Part 2 and our guide Grabrail Design.) Lighting The relationship of the light source to the objects in the sanitary facilities (toilets, lockers, mirrors) and the reflection of light from these surfaces to the viewer is very important in these space types, to avoid veiling, reflections, shadows and glaring lamp images. The most common problem in sanitary facilities are direct light glare from reflective surfaces and veiling due to reflection and on glossy and shiny surfaces. When they must occur, stepping light levels up or down should be gradual. The eyes of people with low vision adjust more slowly than those without impairment, e.g. People should not move abruptly from a dimly lighted section to an area with high intensity lighting or from sunlight to a dim interior. Lighting should be at 100 minimum (300 preferred) Lux minimum throughout the facility, natural tone lighting is preferred. Brighter lighting (500 Lux) should be provided where shaving and make-up may be carried out. Unisex and ambulant cubicles should have a 300 Lux minimum light level due to often more complex activity requirements. While a lighting range in the region of 20:1 is acceptable in these spaces enhancing object definition through use of strategic shadow and light, be aware that light coloured surfaces reduce the effect of shadow and contrast by light dispersion. (Note 10 Lux = 1 fc). Poorly designed lighting fixtures with discoloured diffusers go a long way to make a toilet dingy. Dark and shadowy, off-coloured lighting can create the impression that a facility is not clean. Natural lighting can be used to help create a softer, friendlier environment. Harsh lighting can create a cold and unwelcoming feel while being inappropriate for the tasks being performed. It can also be used to highlight hard-to-clean areas. Thoughtful selection of fixtures and lamps coupled with careful placement is essential. Warm-colours and good lighting aids in the creation of a better ambience in the sanitary facilities: anti-drug injection should be avoided if at all possible as some people need to inject for treatment. This in turn encourages more care and responsibility from the users and tends to discourage vandalism. 11

12 Where lighting can be individually controlled within a sanitary compartment (preferred), a pull cord, if provided instead of a wall switch, should be set between 900 mm and 1100 mm above the floor, and located within 150 mm of the leading edge of the door. Consider a secondary pull in reach of someone on the WC in the event of some outside the cubicle shutting off the light. Lighting should not have controls only on the outside the cubicle especially where children may be present. Remember, users will often have difficulty moving in light in darkness this can become impossible or unsafe. Where automatic lighting is used, back-up lighting should be provided. The timing of automatic lights should take account of the extra time that disabled people take to use lavatory facilities. Blue lighting is used by some managers to prevent drug abusers main-lining. However, this prevents many legitimate needle users e.g. diabetics and people with colostomy tubes, from using needles etc., safely. It is also a hazard for people shaving and not suitable for make-up application. Blue lighting also drops colour contrasts which are essential for many people. Where viewing facial features in a mirror is the primary purpose of the lighting, a combination of frontal and side lighting is needed. While daylight is not required for these facilities consider fitting windows at transom level backed with light shelves and/or roof-lights to distribute light throughout the area. This helps reduce operating costs and the need for emergency lighting during daylight hours. Frosted glass can be used to enhance privacy and to help control solar heat gain. Design of Lighting Lights placed on the wall or in the ceiling behind the toilet provide light from the best angle for cleaning and for assessing the cleanliness of the plumbing fixtures. For larger cubicles or in single WCs, a secondary ceiling or mirror light may be required. Use of down and side lights mounted behind fascias can enhance the lighting arrangement while reducing direct lamp glare. Where this is employed light colour eggshell and semi-matt surfaces are necessary to help light diffusion. Gloss and specular (shiny spots) surfaces should not be used. Where the light source is close to mirrors designers may need to 12

13 consider the addition of diffusers, baffles or louvers to reduce glare. This use of diffusers etc requires a brighter light source and increases power usage. The lamp should be inset mm in a wide slot. Additional area lighting will be required where rooms are more than 5 metres from the light source. (See also Lockers in Part 2). Controls Automatic on/off occupancy sensors are a good solution for power use reduction. At least 20% of lights in an area should remain on in sanitary facilities at all times when the premises are in use so that people do not get left in the dark if they stay still for a time. These orientation lights should be strategically located so that people can navigate and sense direction even when the main lighting is off. Ultrasonic-type occupancy sensors are the most effective in these spaces blocked by toilet partitions, shower doors and high lockers, since they don t require line-of-sight to operate. Sensors should be located frequently to compensate for the vertical obstructions. Occupancy sensors designed for a linear or corridor distribution may be a good choice for the aisles of elongated locker rooms. Emergency lighting levels in sanitary facilities should be brighter (closer spaced) than in other areas as people may be partly dressed and have to navigate wet floors. Routes to the exit should not be obstructed by partitions and other items of equipment or fixtures. The master on/off switch should not be accessible by members of the public. Fully enclosed cubicles e.g. in accessible unisex cubicles, should have switches (pull cords,) for light control in reach of people who are seated on the WC or laying on the floor so that they do not loose all light if someone switches of the external control. Where practicable, the flush should be operated manually by a spatula type lever or a chain pull. Alternatively, it should be operated by infra-red activation. Lobbies A lobby should be provided at the entrance of all toilet, changing and shower facilities. There must be a lobby or room between sanitary and food serving, preparation, storage areas. See Sanitary facility Lobbies in Part 2. Mirrors Mirrors should not cover large surface areas and should be limited to a maximum height of 2 metres. Consider providing grabrails. In addition to any mirrors provided at wash basins a full length mirror (from 600 above floor to 1700 mm height,) should be provided near 13

14 the exit to any facility where clothing needs to be adjusted. Large areas or mirror or reflective surfaces should be avoided as these can be confusing for people with low vision. Where lighting is to 100 Lux in the facility vanity mirrors for make up and shaving should have additional light to give Lux on the face. Walls Should Be Non-Reflective (Mat Finish), Provide Contrast To Floors And Fixtures. Large areas of stainless steel or mirrors cause confusion, glare and echo. Where fixtures are fitted to walls the wall must be suitable for accepting screws etc. so that the unit or grabrails can withstand a heavy person falling and leaning on them. Where the unit is smaller than can be used by scooter and outdoor powered and sports wheelchairs consider fitting handrails from the door to the WC, urinal and washbasin to aid people with limited walking ability. Shelving Consideration should be given to providing a shelf, approximately 400 mm wide and 200 mm deep, set at 700 mm above the floor, adjacent to the wash basin and away from the wheelchair manoeuvring area. Unisex and ambulant WC cubicles as a minimum should have a shelf set between mm above the floor set near the WC for use by people making colostomy bag changes or medication injections. Shelving must be robust enough to carry the weight of a heavy person who slips and grabs for support. Heating Heating units and piping should not reduce the space available to wheelchair riders and assistants. Unprotected hot surfaces should not be sited near where people pass and may come into contact with them. Where possible, WC facilities should be heated to C. 14

15 Fittings & Fixtures Should be readily identifiable with easily operated switches and readable controls. This should include: Lever type door handles and cubicle latches. Lever operated flush and taps or electronic pads or sensor operation. (electronic flush has proved vandal resistant and improves water conservation reducing costs typically in large busy units the installation will pay for itself in a few months) Sensor operated hand dryers Paper towel dispensers Switches and levers should be sited between 900 and 1200 mm above the floor. Mirrors behind wash basins (if no vanity mirror and shelf are provided) Adequate grabrails where people need to stand Liquid soap dispensers Sanitary towel and condom dispensers 15

16 Consider providing a wash basin suitable for children. Research by the Women s Design Circle (sponsored by the DoH) suggests a height of 500 mm. Lavatory accessories Lavatory accessories such as dispensers for soap, toilet paper and paper towels should be suitable for singlehanded use and for use by people with weak arm movements. They should be readily accessible to a wheelchair rider when or seated on the WC, and to a person when standing. These are not shown on every drawing for clarity and to reduce drawing clutter. See standard accessories drawings. Automatic hand dryers should be provided in addition to a paper towel dispenser. They should be installed on the exit door side of the wash basin. In children s facilities these should be at 700 mm height. 16

17 (Kindergartens and similar may need alternate heights). WC units for adult use should be around 480 mm high. Have robust seats and covers should not be used as they impede seating and can e a problem for wheelchair riders during transfer, Sanitary towel and incontinence pad dispensers, and sealed containers for their disposal, as well as disposal bins for other items, should be incorporated into the design of the WC compartment so as not to obstruct transfer from a wheelchair to the WC pan. They should not be placed within the manoeuvring area for wheelchairs. In areas of high usage, it may be preferable to install built-in macerator units. Wash basins should be available at a variety of heights for taller and shorter people, e.g mm max to 780 min for adults and at 500 mm height for children. (Kindergartens and similar may need alternate heights.) In unisex accessible WCs the washbasin near the WC does not need to be full size. Using a smaller basin reduces interference with wheelchair or helper movement. Where there are no separate-sex toilet washrooms with facilities for ambulant disabled people near a unisex accessible toilet, there should be a second, standinguser height wash basin included in the unisex accessible toilet, the room being widened or lengthened accordingly. Needle disposal Provision of sealed, robust vandal proof needle disposal containers in lavatories should be considered. This provides for people who need to take regular injected medication and helps reduce the problem of used needles by drug abusers. The needles from syringes, insulin pen devices and lancets from finger-pricking devices used when measuring blood glucose levels, 17

18 are classified as Group B clinical waste 1, because they are sharp and have been in contact with blood. They therefore need special care by a registered contractor in terms of safe disposal. Similarly consider disposal of medicine containers. If sharps are not disposed of appropriately, someone may prick themselves accidentally with them, e.g. rubbish collection workers, children, or other members of the public. This could lead to cross-infection of diseases. Whilst diabetes cannot be caught, some diseases can be, and the person who has received the injury will not know what the sharp has been used for or whether it carries an infectious disease such as hepatitis or HIV. Electrical equipment All power supplies and electrical equipment in potentially wet areas or where hands etc. may be wet should be protected by use of RCDs (residual current devices). Light switches inside sanitary/wet areas must be pull cord types. Power points for mobile equipment should be outside the sanitary area. Cables should be concealed with lockable robust access panels for ease of maintenance. Electronic flush and water buttons need to be wet resistant and sealed to prevent shock. Flush buttons can be wall mounted or set on the drop down grabrails. Where the location or design of the cistern is such that the drop-down grab rail impedes the use of the flushing mechanism, an alternative solution, such as a cistern activated by infra-red may be considered. Where a chain pull from a high level cistern is used in a corner WC arrangement, it should be positioned on the open side and terminate 1 Definitions of clinical waste are available for the safe disposal of clinical waste from the Health Services Advisory Committee of the Health and Safety Commission, 1999 HMSO, Norwich 18

19 with a ring handle of 50 mm diameter at a height of between 800 mm to mm above the floor. Alarms Pull cord alarms should be provided in all unisex WCs, changing and shower cubicles. Consideration should be given to providing an alarm cord in ambulant access WC s should be given. These alarms should not be confused with Evacuation (Fire) Alarm sounds and lights. The alarm should be visible and audible outside the cubicle and at the attendant s location. The emergency assistance pull cord, coloured red, should be provided with two red bangles of 50 mm diameter, one set at a height between 800 mm and 1000 mm and the other set at 100 mm above floor level. Additionally a tap/break alarm cable can be run around the cubicle at skirting board height so that people fallen to the floor can reach and call for assistance. Visible and audible indication of activation and staff response to an emergency call should be fitted in the cubicle. The reset control for the emergency assistance alarm should be clearly marked as such and reachable from both a wheelchair and the WC above the floor. Call alarms are not just about signals. Staff training and response form essential components of the system. This includes Fire Flashing light outside the cubicle for staff or public attention. Signal in a staffed location, with button to indicate staff have taken notice and are responding. The ability for staff to open the cubicle door from outside. Outward opening or swing both ways doors so that if someone falls against the door it can still be opened. Staff training in response, interaction with the person, preferably First Aid training, how to safely lift the person back into their chair (Manual Handling) as well as disability awareness regarding how and when to offer assistance. In buildings Evacuation (Fire) Alarms must be visible and audible in each facility and in any closed cubicle. (Not shown on drawings for clarity). Always check audible and visible alarms for all parts of the cubicle/unit. Fire marshals must ensure that sanitary facilities are part of their regular inspections and that they form part of any evacuation procedures. 19

20 RADAR Locks (UK)...Fully Accessible RADAR may be used on unisex accessible WCs to control users. A spare key should be available on request; a notice should inform users where this can be obtained. Other non-standard locks are not permitted as this requires the user to ask for a key for admission and a court has ruled this as providing a lower standard of service. Seating Consider providing seating or perches where people may have to queue to use the facilities, or for companions waiting. Flip down seats are needed in changing and shower cubicles. They should also be considered for other locations where people may need to rest while not absorbing space which could otherwise be used for movement. Hoists Where hoists are fitted a competent engineer should check the suitability of the building for supporting the dynamic weight of users. In a home this would tend to be a single person, in all other places the largest and heaviest person needs to be catered for. Older buildings may have problems with dry or wet rot in timbers. Some modern buildings have very light structures which are unsuitable for carrying loads. It is cheaper to obtain competent advice in the beginning than to pay out on an accident claim. Headroom needed to fit a hoist rail must be a minimum of 2400 mm. Rails should pass directly over the fixtures, people should never be swing in or out from the fixture and over a space large enough for the mobility vehicle and space on both sides for an assistant to ensure correct fitting of the slings. 20

21 The competent person should design a test and inspection schedule for the hoist (mechanical & electrical), its track and the building structure in accordance with the PUWER and LOLER regulations (UK). This should be at least once each year, for a home installation a less frequent inspection schedule may be recommended by the competent engineer. For institutional and public use hoists the report should be kept for at least three years. Slings, chains etc. also need regular inspections and cleaning. All electrical equipment used in wet areas must be protected with an RCD (residual current device) see above. Slings should be fully supportive of the person when lifted as some people have little upper body strength and muscle control. In medical facilities management should consider having both prone and sitting position slings. Use of mobile floor hoists to transport people from one room to another is not a recommended practice as this can be uncomfortable or lead to injury of the person being transported. This also may place a strain on the mainly female staff employed in these premises. (See table. Note: turning and manoeuvring requires additional force). Overhead hoists require far less effort even for the heaviest person as there are no carpets and other friction sources to counter. Signage Good signage and pictograms help everyone, especially other language speakers and people with learning difficulties. Standard international symbols and colours should be used in all cases. Using different colours or terms e.g. His and Hers rather than men and women can lead to confusion or Restroom in place of WC or Toilet. Using the accessible symbol alone for a unisex This sign should not be used 21

22 WC, does not indicate what it means. The text either WC or Toilet should be added to the sign. It is a good practice to indicate the direction on the sign and where possible add the distance in metres. Where an accessible WC is contained in a male or female only unit the accessible symbol can be used along with the standard signs for men and women or WC. Unisex WC In today s multicultural world village use of multiple language signs is acceptable. But symbols can be universal if the standard is followed. Fires Non-flammable fittings particularly toilet paper dispensers, soap dispensers, coat hooks and toilet seats and partitions. Toilet paper dispensers and sanitary disposal bins designed to reduce fire spreading into the container if the exposed toilet paper is ignited Water supplies See Building Regulations Approved Document G (UK) Hygiene 1992 edition- for water supply and drainage regulations. It is preferred that wash basin water is potable as it may be drunk, used for tooth cleaning or shaving. It may also be used to clean skin ready for injections or colostomy fitting. Use of automatic taps and flushing should be considered to reduce water waste, trials by British Airports have shown that the reduction of water use and vandalism quickly pay for the installations. All non-potable water supply taps in sanitary units must be clearly marked as such. (See Appendix in Part 2 for further details) 22

23 Water temperature...fully Accessible Water temperature should be controlled to a maximum of 42 o C. Hot and cold running water must be provided in or near all sanitary facilities. Facilities at beaches etc Wash areas large enough for all users should also be provided outside public toilets serving wet markets and beaches. These should have level (1:40 max cross-fall for drainage) non-slip surfaces, have grabrails to provide support for people with mobility and visual impairments, either automatic washers or lever tap and hose spray heads, be lighted to Lux level,. Consider providing a flip down seat. An accessible WC should be available close to any disabled beach access route, near the car park (for arrivals and departure preparation). Accessible toilet facilities (wheelchair where possible and ambulant in every unit) should be available along any promenade and on fishing and sightseeing piers, near where bot trips start. Consider providing a wash/change unit for disabled people near any beach access used by disabled people. The water supply should either be potable or clearly marked as not drinking water. Slop sinks Slop sinks should preferably be housed in a separate compartment or accessible area for washing reusable napkins (diapers) and similar cleaning purposes. These could be provided in accessible wash/changing cubicles. These should be provided so that people do not have to carry soiled clothing for possibly extended periods of time. Piping Fixtures & Fittings Piping and its boxing must not encroach on the minimum clear tuning spaces in wheelchair accessible cubicles. All pipe works should be concealed, except for final connections to the fixtures, where pipework is exposed to view it should be contrasted for visibility. Avoid surface mounting of cables. These should be fully concealed. Avoid sharp corners or edges. Cove tiles or PVC strips should be provided along these edges as far as possible. Access panels to pipe ducts should be located as far as possible in inconspicuous areas. 23

24 Materials...Fully Accessible Materials used should be durable and resistant to vandalism and neglect. Applied finishes such as paint should be avoided. Examples of good materials: - (a) Floor Non-slip ceramic tiles, natural stone (unpolished), homogeneous tiles, terrazzo. (b) Wall Ceramic tiles, natural stone, homogeneous tiles, stainless steel, enamelled steel panels, glass block, aluminium panels, phenolic-resin cladding. (c) Ceiling Mineral fibre board, fibrous plaster board, Aluminium panels or strips As noted large expanses of stainless steel and brushed aluminium should be avoided for walls, doors and floors due to reflection glare and lack of definition. Care must be taken to ensure that ceramic tiles are not used where they can for a slip hazard or add to glare factors. Carefully selected, durable materials minimise maintenance and prevent vandalism. It is highly desirable that painted finishes are avoided, together with any materials, which are affected by moisture or corrosion (e.g. plaster board, wood-chip products and ferrous metals). Glass vanity surfaces should be avoided as there provide poor contrasts, are prone to vandalism and breakage. Special attention needs to be paid to the specification of false ceilings. These need to be robust and easy to clean and maintain. Access panels should be visible and lockable. Ventilation All public toilets should be mechanically ventilated. Small public toilets should be fitted with an exhaust fan as minimum. Well designed and adequate ventilation of a sanitary unit should be one of the highest priorities. Ineffective ventilation can make a public toilet unbearable even if it is well designed. A smelly facility discourages users, is bad advertising for the owner and encourages vandalism. Effective ventilation ensures that polluted air is quickly extracted, and helps to avoid dampness and subsequent growth of mould on floors and walls. The toilet air should be extracted to the outside by a mechanical ventilation system at a rate not less than 15 air charges per hour. The mechanical ventilation system of exhaust fans and, where applicable, ventilation ducts and grilles should ensure that every part of the unit is within 3000 mm of the fan inlet or an intake grille, measured horizontally. Preferably, extractor grilles should also be 24

25 provided at low levels near the WCs to enable foul-air to be extracted quickly before diffusing into other areas of the toilet. Where service access ducts are provided, these should be connected to the unit exhaust ducts to extract air at a rate of 5 air changes per hour (minimum). The make-up air to the service access ducts may be taken through extractor grilles installed at low level on the walls between the WC compartments and the access duct The exhaust air should be discharged to the exterior of the building at a position at least 2000 mm above the footway level and at least 5000 mm from any window or fresh air intake. Replacement air should be supplied to the toilet to make up for the exhaust air. The replacement air may be taken directly from the exterior, or from adjacent spaces that are permanently airconditioned or naturally ventilated. The replacement air may be drawn through louvers in the doors, cuttings under the door, or other openings. If replacement air is taken from the exterior, the quantity shall be lower than that of the exhaust air so that a lower pressure is created in the toilet, which minimises the possibility of vitiated air entering the adjacent spaces. Replacement air should preferably be discharged close to the floor level near the wash basins to help keep the floor dry. Consideration on the design of the toilet enclosure and layout could also enhance its natural cross ventilation and thus minimise the use of mechanical ventilation. Features such as raised roof, roof ventilation openings, external wall undercut, high and low level external louvers, entrance gate or open passage in lieu of a solid door, unobstructed air flow path with respect to entrance opening position, openings on opposite walls, etc. are measures that could increase natural cross ventilation inside a toilet and help to remove malodour more quickly and effectively Airflow sensor control If the design of a toilet enclosure has maximised its natural ventilation capability, the operation of mechanical ventilation fans could be minimised. Siting electronically controlled louvered inlet vents on each side of the building permits natural air flows (wind) to provide unpowered ventilation. Wind sensors could therefore be employed for on/off control of the toilet mechanical ventilation fans where wind pressure is unsuitable. The wind sensor should be composed of a wind speed sensor and a wind direction sensor. By careful site adjustment during testing and commissioning, the facility ventilation fans can be switched off when outdoor prevailing wind is strong enough to effect sufficient air replacement inside the toilet. 25

26 Conservation...Fully Accessible Use of wall and ceiling insulation coupled with wall and roof windows to enhance heat take up can reduce heating costs. Provision of roof skylights and windows reduces the need for artificial lighting. In rural areas consideration for using photovoltaic or wind turbines could be considered. Consider using passive solar water heating panels. Disposal of Contaminated Waste Local Authorities are strongly urged to provide suitable safe disposal of human contaminated items in public sanitary facilities. This provision will help prevent children and animals being hurt or infected by discarded items in play and travel areas. The toilet and sewerage system is designed to deal with urine, faeces and toilet tissue. When other items are flushed down the toilet it can easily lead to blockages in the pipes and can cause flooding by contaminated water. This problem is especially true in local sewage wetlands etc. (see our guide Treatment of Waste Water) where design is minimal and intended for unsupervised working. Similarly when the waste eventually gets to the sewage treatment plant it can block the plants' filter screens. 26

27 If there is heavy rainfall, this waste may escape from overflow pipes directly into the river and sea. This waste is known as Sanitary Related Debris (SRD). Items which cause problems when pushed into WCs include General waste Any other items e.g. food, plastics, toilet roll tubes, tights etc Contaminated waste Condoms and Femidoms Cotton buds Disposable nappies Facial and cleaning wipes Incontinence pads Sanitary towels, panty liners and backing strips Tampons and tampon applicators Clinical waste Colostomy bags (separately bagged before adding to disposal bin) Old bandages High Hazard items (separate disposal) A notice should instruct users on safe disposal. Razor blades,syringes and needles (special sharps disposal bins) Medicine including inhalers (return to pharmacist do not dispose of in the sewage system, e.g. antibiotics mixing with sewage etc can promote the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of disease causing germs) Other waste which can cause a problem to the waste system and should not be disposed of down sewage systems - includes Engine oil Food waste (meat, fish, vegetable peelings) Gardening chemicals Grease Household chemicals Kitchen fat Paint Radiation products 27

28 Please do not place clinical waste and needles (e.g. incontinence pads, colostomy bags and dressings,) in standard waste bins as this is both a health hazard and illegal. Clinical waste includes all items which may be contaminated by bodily fluids or blood products. These items must be handled by trained personnel with control procedures and disposed of by licensed contractors in UK. (See NHS guidance Example local clinical waste disposal procedure within a total waste management regime available to download from aste%20disposal%20procedure.pdf ) A notice should be attached to disposal bins requesting the user to empty colostomy bags and faces down the WC before disposing of the item in the appropriate bag. The provision of separate disposal bins for various categories of waste could mean that additional space will be needed in both unisex and ambulant disabled people s sanitary units. Authorities are also likely to have higher disposal bills due to collection and disposal of wastes in the higher categories. Shopping Developments In shopping developments it is recommended that any large shop of 1,000m 2 2 (net) sales area or above should provide customer toilet facilities. Toilets can either be, within the shop or elsewhere as part of larger development scheme provided they are located in a convenient location close to main pedestrian areas. The recommended level of provision for shops is related to their size as follows; Net sales area 1-2,000m 2 : 1 male, 1 female, Net sales area 2-4,000m 2 : 1 male cubicle plus 2 urinals, 2 female cubicles, 1 child cubicle thereafter in proportion to the area of shopping. Notes: At least one of the female cubicles should be at least 900 mm x 1500 mm to allow ease of access for pregnant women. At least 1 cubicle in each male and female unit should be to an ambulant accessible design. Children s Units Where toilets are being provided it is important to consider the needs of young children for smaller and lower facilities. 28

29 The following should be considered for inclusion in sanitary units, especially where children are likely to use them (e.g. shopping centre, cinema, bowling alley). Fixtures and fittings for children should be smaller than for adults, easy to use and located at a suitable height. There is a need for smaller and lower toilets ( mm), lower level wash basins and hand dryers ( mm high) to cater for young children. Toilets for small children may be situated separately to enable parents of either sex to accompany their children. Children of opposite sex should not have to pass through units for the use of adults of the opposite sex. Cubicles should be large enough to allow adults to accompany children and ensure both the safety of the children themselves and the avoidance of vandalism. Adult size equipment can also be made more accessible to children by the provision of steps or blocks, which must not form tripping hazards. Drinking water could be provided with a low level drinking fountain. Facilities should be well maintained, cleaned regularly and supervised where feasible. Further guidance can be found in our children s series of guides. Disabilities Figures (published May 2005) indicate 24.1% of people in Wales are disabled, compared with 18% in Scotland and 16.7% in England. It is therefore in every business interest to plan for people with disabilities; likewise Public Authorities need to cater for the needs of their citizens, tourists and service users. There are an estimated 7.5 million people with significant continence problems in the UK. Note: It is unlikely that BS dimensions were ever acceptable as a typical wheelchair is long and 700 mm wide (wider for heavy people). This dimension does not take into account the increasingly popular sport style wheelchairs which have a wheel span wide, not does it take into account indoor/outdoor or outdoor powered wheelchairs, or other mobility vehicles. At best this dimension is only suitable for domestic use. Note: Experience and research since the development and publication of BS8300 suggests a minimum of 1800 long by 950 wide for general public use clear of the door swing, not allowing the chair to rotate once the door is closed; this is not acceptable for public facilities. 29