It is imperative that every effort is made to ensure that all people are able to find usable restroom facilities wherever they travel and irrespective of their physical handicaps. Since the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act in 2014, businesses have been required to offer accessible facilities for their employees as well as customers. Of the important aspects of this is ensuring the bathroom and toilet facilities are available to every visitor, regardless of their physical limitations. There are many various requirements that accessible properties have to fulfill which is why this piece will discuss the latest regulations regarding bathrooms accessible to handicapped people.
A bathroom accessible to wheelchair users must be able to accommodate the majority of wheelchair users. It must also have enough space to accommodate a caregiver should it be required. Additionally, it must meet the requirements of users who have health conditions that restrict their bathroom usage such as those suffering from urinary or bowel problems. Grab rails and emergency alarms also are essential to ensure that the toilet is accessible to as many people as is possible. Although it’s unattainable (and almost impossible) to expect every business owner to be able to provide a toilet that is usable for everyone, regardless of their physical limitations, they do have an obligation to make their facilities accessible to everyone who can use them. There are certain conditions to be fulfilled to achieve this.
Types of Bathroom
There are two distinct types of disabled bathroom: ambulant accessible and accessible. It is essential to recognize the differences between (and needs of) the two kinds prior to building your bathroom.
Ambulant toilets are the most widely used disabled toilets, and easy to put in. Ambulant accessible toilet cubicles are usually similar in size to standard toilets. They tend to be part of a larger bathroom for public use together with other toilets. They will have higher toilet pans, grab rails, and toilets to make it easier standing and sitting, as well as an outward opening door where is possible. The toilets don’t provide accessibility for wheelchairs, or facilities for people with colostomy bags.
True accessible toilets are more extensive conversions but are able to be used by those with a broader range of needs. They have the same features as an ambulant toilet (a larger toilet pan, and grab rails) but they also offer accessibility for wheelchairs, shelves for colostomy and wash basins designed to accommodate people who have limitations in hand dexterity. These wash basins will feature lever taps, or due to the advantages technological advancements, sensor taps that activate automatically when you place your hands under them. Emergency alarms are recommended in bathrooms with handicaps, should be fitted in bathrooms that is considered to be accessible. Doors should be able to open upwards and be at a minimum 90mm wide for accessible wheelchair access. They shouldn’t be higher than a standard door (900mm is also a standard width). Because they require an area for wheelchairs accessible toilet, they require more room for the floor (1500mm in x 2200mm). In most cases, accessible toilets will be configured for right handed wheelchair transfer but in places that have more than one, this should change from toilet to.
Accessible Bathroom Requirements
The regulations must be adhered to when installing new bathrooms whether they are a new construction, an extension or a refurbishment. This includes when an existing bathroom is remodelled to be accessible. There are other tips to take into consideration when installing an accessible toilet. This list is not complete but describes some of the essential aspects to be considered when building an accessible bathroom.
In addition to the disabled cubicles located in public male or female toilets, its vital that there’s an additional bathroom for women that is accessible without needing to pass through these single gender bathrooms. This is to ensure that disabled persons can be guided into the toilet by a person who is a different gender if needed.
Toilets that are accessible should be kept clear of any unnecessary clutter; they should not be used as storage for cleaning supplies or other objects due to the importance of a clean and accessible access.
Door locks, taps and shower controls must be simple to operate with no requirement to grasp or clench the handle, allowing people with limited mobility to enjoy privacy and independence in using the bathroom. The majority of these will come as lever-operated models, and sometimes push button designs.
Lighting shouldn’t be activated through motion alone, since people with a limited mobility might not be able to turn on the lights after they stop turning off the lights.
Showers and taps need to be thermostatically controlled so that the users do not burn themselves when manipulating the controls. This is particularly important for those with less sensitivity who could be burned while not being aware of the water temperature.
Cleaning staff must be educated in order to be aware of the particular necessities of bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs. They should ensure that cistern tops, shelves and the transfer zone are kept clean and that the alarm pull cords must not be tied up and made impossible to reach to the toilet.
Toilets accessible to wheelchair users aren’t expected to also serve as an area for changing babies. It is imperative to keep them clear for the intended use and using the bathroom for two roles can double the amount of time it is occupied.
Grab rails need to be installed in a specified layout that is in accordance to Document M. You can buy Doc M packs, which includes the rails as well as instructions necessary to install a toilet that is in compliance with Document M. Rails must also be to be distinct from the walls they are installed on, typically the rails are dark or blue on white walls or white rails for darker walls. This is to ensure that the rails can be seen by people with impaired vision. Rails made of white should not be used in areas with white tiles or paint as there will be insufficient contrast between the two. Similar guidelines are available in the case of showers for disabled people, with aEURoeDoc MaEUR packs offering simple methods of installing a shower that is compliant.
Furniture that isn’t necessary, like vanity units, as well as alterations such as boxing in pipes, should be avoided since they reduce the amount of floor space available and could make it difficult for wheelchair users to reach wash basins. If you intend to design your accessible toilet to be used by both able-bodied and disabled users, as well as handicapped users, you’ll need to include a standing height wash basin and expand the size of the bathroom up to 2200mm x 2000mm to accommodate this.
Showers that are accessible must provide space for wheelchair accessibility and transfer, while also with the appropriate seating and grab rails to make this possible for the majority of people. The accessible shower space needs to be at least 2200mm by 2000mm, and this increasing to 2500mm 2400mm in the event that a corner toilet is additionally included. If a disabled shower is part of a larger showering area or is part of the public pool, it is important to have a variety of lockers to store special items such as crutches.
If renovations, repairs or refurbishment is going to make an accessible toilet unusable and there are no alternate toilets in the same area, it is important to inform users of this in advance. The details should include the length of time that people are unable to make use of the restroom as well as where the nearest alternative is, and how quickly and easily it can be accessible. Because of the importance of accessible toilets for people with disabilities and how precise their travel plans could be, advanced warning and clear advice are essential. This information can be shared via a variety of channels including company apps, site updates, social media posts, bulletin boards as well as audio or video announcements on the premises or simple face-to-face communication.
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