A Guide to Disabled Bathrooms

It is essential that every effort is made to ensure that individuals are in a position to access usable bathroom facilities, wherever they go and whatever their physical handicaps. Since the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act in 2014, businesses have been required to provide accessible utilities for their employees and customers. The most important aspects of this is ensuring the bathroom and toilet facilities are accessible to every person regardless of their physical abilities. There are a number of different requirements accessibility-friendly properties must fulfil in this post. We will provide some of the new regulations for disabled bathrooms.

A bathroom accessible to wheelchair users must be able to accommodate the majority of wheelchair users and will provide enough space for a carer should it be required. Additionally, it must accommodate the needs of people who suffer from health issues that limit their bathroom use for example, those who suffer from bladder or bowel issues. Grab rails as well as emergency alarms are needed to ensure that the toilet is accessible to as many people as is possible. Although it’s not realistic (and almost impossible) to assume that every business owner will be able to provide a bathroom that can be used by everyone regardless of physical abilities, they must accept the obligation of making their facilities accessible to the maximum number of people. There are certain prerequisites that must be met for this.

Different types of Bathroom

There are two types of accessible bathrooms: ambulant accessible and accessible. It is important to know the differences between (and specifications of) the two kinds prior to constructing your own toilet.

Ambulant accessible toilets are most common disabled toilets as well as they are the easiest to set up. Ambulant accessible toilet cubicles tend to be a similar size to normal toilets, which means they are usually installed as part of a bigger public bathroom together with other toilets. They will have higher toilet pans, grab rails, and toilets to allow for easier sitting and standing, and an opening inwards when it is feasible. These toilets do not offer access for wheelchairs or facilities for those with bags for colostomy.

True accessible toilets have more modifications, but can be used by those with a broader range of special requirements. They feature the same utilities as an accessible toilet (a higher toilet pan and grab rails) but also provide wheelchair accessibility, shelves for colostomy and wash basins designed for people with limitations in hand dexterity. They will have lever taps, or due to the benefits of modern technology, sensors taps that will automatically turn on when your hands are placed beneath them. Alarms for emergencies, which are advisable in any toilet with a disability, must be installed for a bathroom to be deemed accessible. Doors should be able to open upwards and at least at 900mm wide, which will allow an easy access for wheelchairs. These doorways needn’t be any more than standard doors (900mm is also considered to be the standard width). Because of the need for enough space for a wheelchair, accessible toilets need more room for the floor (1500mm and 2200mm). Most accessible toilets are designed to allow wheelchairs to be transferred right handed but in places that have more than one toilet, this will alternate from toilet to toilet.

Accessible Bathroom Requirements

The regulations must be adhered to when installing new bathrooms, regardless of whether they’re a brand new build or extension, or as a renovation. This applies even the case of a bathroom that has been modified to make it accessible. There are other aspects to consider when making the accessible bathroom. This list is not complete but describes some of the major aspects to take into consideration when building an accessible bathroom.

In addition to any disabled cubicles that are located in public male or female toilets, its vital that there’s an unisex bathroom which is accessible to all without the need to pass through these single gender rooms. This will allow disabled users can be accompanied on their way to bathroom facilities by someone who is a different gender if needed.

Accessible toilets should be clean and free of unnecessary clutter. They are not suitable for storage for cleaning supplies or other things due to the importance of having a clear and easy access.

Door locks, taps and shower controls need to be simple to operate with no requirement to grasp or clench the handle, which allows those with limited mobility to have privacy and freedom in the bathroom. The majority of these will come as lever-operated models, and sometimes push button designs.

The lighting should not be activated by motion alone, as people with a limited mobility might be unable to activate the lights after they turn off.

Taps and showers should be thermostatically controlled so that users do not burn themselves while manipulating the controls. This is especially true of those with less sensitivity who could be burned while not being aware of the temperature of the water.

Cleaning staff should be trained to make sure they are aware of the specific needs of bathrooms that are accessible. For instance, ensuring that the cistern tops, shelves or transfer points are kept clean and that the alarm pull cords must not be tied up and made unreachable within the restroom.

Toilets accessible to wheelchair users should not be assumed to serve as changing rooms for babies. It is essential that they are kept clear for their intended users and using the bathroom for two purposes can increase the amount of time it is occupied.

Grab rails in a disabled bathroom have to be set up in a particular layout that is in accordance in accordance with Document M. The option is to buy Doc M packs, which contain the rails and instructions to set up a toilet that is in compliance with Document M. They will also need to have a distinct color from the walls they’re installed on, typically the rails are dark or blue placed on white walls or white rails on walls with darker colours. This is to ensure that these rails are easily visible for people with impaired vision. Rails made of white should not be installed in bathrooms with white tiles or paint as there is not enough contrast between them. Similar guidelines are available in the case of showers for disabled people, with AEURoeDoc MaEUR packs providing a straightforward way of installing the right shower.

Furniture that isn’t needed, such as vanity units, or alterations such as the boxing-in of pipes, must be avoided since they reduce the space of a floor and make it difficult for wheelchair users to get access to wash basins. If you design your accessible toilet for use by able-bodied users as well as handicapped, you will need to add a standing height wash basin as well and expand the size of the bathroom to 2000mm x 2200mm to accommodate this.

Showers that are accessible must accommodate wheelchair access and transfer, in addition to having the required seats and grab rails that ensure this is possible for the majority of people. The accessible shower space needs to be at minimum 2200mm x 2000mm. the dimensions increasing to 2500mm x 2400mm when a corner toilet is as well. If a shower that is disabled forms part of the larger shower area or is part of a pool for public use it is crucial to offer a selection of lockers to store particular items, such as crutches.

If renovations, repairs or refurbishment is going to make an accessible toilet unusable and there are no other facilities at the same site It is essential to inform users prior to the event. These details need to include how long the people will not be able to access the toilet and where the closest alternative is, and how swiftly and easily it could be found. Due to the importance of accessible toilets to handicapped visitors, and the amount of detail their travel plans might be, an advance warning and clear advice are essential. This information can be relayed via a variety of channels such as company apps, website updates or social media posts bulletin boards and announcements on audio or video on the premises, or simply contact with a person.