Sanitary facilities

Ablution Facilities

A minimum of 5%, but never less than one, of ablution units should be designated and accessible to people with disabilities.
A minimum of 5%, but never less than one, of ablution units should be designated Limited Mobility Ablution Units.
Electronic or sensor faucets for automatic use are recommended.
Rooms should be provided beside an accessible route and close to the main entrance.
Two horizontal grab bars, one in each side of the sink, shall be mounted at height of 700-800mm. The support length should be equal to length of the sink.
A bidet shower system, soap and paper dispenser should be mounted near to the sink. All accessories of toilets, including bidet shower, should be mounted at the height of 700-1200mm.
The approaching space should be at least 1200mm

Floor finishes within ablution spaces should be slip-resistant when wet, and should be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.
Built-in elements within ablution spaces, such as benches or seats, should be located on the same floor level as the circulation routes.
Built-in elements should have no sharp edges and incorporate pronounced colour-contrast to differentiate them from the surrounding environment.
Ablution faucets may be hand operated or electronically controlled

Changing places

The following standards are advocated by the Changing Places Consortium in the UK, a leading charity campaigning for changing places to be introduced in all public facilities including:

Shopping malls
Arts venues, such as museums, galleries and theatres
Hospitals
Transport hubs like train stations, airports and motorway service stations
Leisure and sports complexes
Sports stadiums and arenas
Entertainment venues, restaurants and cinemas
Attractions, such as theme parks and zoos

Their standards are in addition to the typical features of an accessible toilet, such as an emergency alarm and grab rails.

A height adjustable, adult sized changing bench

The changing bench should be a minimum length of 1800mm
The bench must be height-adjustable
The bench can be either free-standing or wall mounted.

A tracking hoist system

A track hoist system (either wall or ceiling mounted) is strongly preferred.
The hoist should provide access to the toilet, washbasin, changing bench and open space to transfer

Image courtesy of AMP, a directory for Changing Places installers (accessandmobilityprofessional.com/)

Adequate space in the changing area

The changing places facility should be 3m x 4m (or the equivalent floor space of 12sqm), with a minimum ceiling height of 2.4m.

A centrally placed toilet with space either side for the carers

A toilet should be placed in a peninsular arrangement, at least 1m away from the wall on either side.
The toilet should have a seat height of 480mm
The toilet can be a standard manual toilet.
A close coupled or wash-and-dry toilet could be provided, but is not a requirement.

Image courtesy of Closomat, manufacturer and supplier of accessible bathroom/ toilet equipment (closomat.co.uk)

Screen or curtain

A dignity screen/curtain should be provided to allow the disabled person and carer some privacy
Wide tear off paper roll to cover the bench

Wide tear off paper roll

Should be provided in a dispenser to the adjacent bench

Waste Bin

A large waste bin for disposable pads

A non-slip floor

Non-slip floor materials to be used

Image courtesy of PAMIS, a member of the Changing Places Consortium (pamis.org.uk)

Washbasin

Standard washbasins are acceptable.
If possible, a height adjustable model should be provided.
The washbasin should have clear knee space below the bowl.
If the washbasin is not height adjustable, the basin should be installed 720-740mm from the floor.

Shower/floor drain

Showers are not a requirement of Changing Places.
A shower/floor drain should be considered for specific relevant type of managed buildings such as leisure centres and transport hubs.

Image courtesy of OpeMed, official sponsor of the Changing Places Campaign (opemed.net)

Disabled stalls

Doors

Doors should swing outwards from toilet stall.
Inward doors allowed if clear floor space of 800mm wide and 1400mm deep
Gravity hinges should return door to closed position

Transfer space

Minimum of 900mm wide on one side of water closet
Clear from obstructions

In-stall washbasin

Washbasins should be located on the wall beside the toilet, with its closest edge 275mm from the front edge of the toilet fixture.
The depth of the washbasin should be a maximum of 400 mm.
The top of the washbasin should be no higher than 825 mm above the floor and provide a minimum of 700 mm clear knee space beneath.

Disabled washroom

A clear door width of minimum 900mm is required (850mm in renovations)
A Clear maneuvering space of 21000mm diameter must be provided
All toilet doors should have a clear width of 900m.
Door furniture should have a reflectance contrast with the walls of at least 30 points LRV
A collapsible coat hangar should be installed between 1100 – 1200mm from floor. It should not project more than 50mm from wall.

Emergency alarms

A waterproof emergency call strip-switch should be provided on the side wall adjacent to the toilet fixture.
A second waterproof emergency call strip-switch should be provided on the rear wall adjacent to the toilet fixture.
Emergency call strips should activate a bell or other signalling device that is monitored from a location within the facility.

Side Strip Dimensions

Width of strip: 1200mm minimum
Cap between wall: 150mm minimum
Height of strip: 200mm from floor

Rear Strip Dimensions

Width of strip: 750mm minimum
Height of strip: 200mm from floor

Family washroom

At least one family toilet room, in addition to accessible common-use public toilets, should be provided for each gender in all public buildings

Family Room Facilities

Accessible family toilet rooms should be located on accessible routes
Doors entering family toilet rooms should have power door operators
A clear space having a diameter not less than 2100 mm should be provided inside every accessible family toilet room.
Accessible family toilet rooms should contain a water closet and accompanying transfer space

Baby Changing Table

Where baby change tables are provided, they should be of a fold down type with the change surface a maximum of 850 mm above the floor.
No operable mechanisms of the baby change tables should be located higher than 1200mm above the floor.
The change table should be designed to carry a maximum load of
1.33 kN (300 lbs).
A shelf for a diaper bag should be provided and located to within reach requirements

Grab bars for water closet

Two grab bars should be located in each accessible toilet stall.
One grab bar should be located behind the toilet
The second grab bar should be located on the side wall closest to the toilet fixture.
The side grab bars should be of a “cranked” design or a horizontal and vertical grab bar.

Dimensions of side grab bar

Length of horizontal grab bar: 300mm minimum
Length of vertical grab bar: 300mm minimum
Height of grab bar: 800mm from floor
Gap between WC – 150mm minimum

Dimensions of rear grab bar

Width of grab bar: 600mm minimum
Gap between WC – 150mm minimum
Height of grab bar: 800mm from floor

Urinal Grab Bars

Full length urinals are preferred for all urinals. The bottom lip should be at maximum height of 425mm from floor.
Urinals minimum 350mm deep
At least one accessible urinal should be provided wherever urinals are located
For accessible urinals, a grab bar should be provided on both sides of the urinal mounted vertically with the centreline at 1000mm high. It should be between 380- 450mm from centreline.
Where privacy screens are provided between urinals, there should be clearance of 900mm.
Clear floor space of 800mm x 1400mm provided.

Wash basin accessories

Washbasins and vanity counters should have a knee space beneath
Should be a minimum 800 mm wide and 1400 mm deep clear floor space in front of accessible washbasins

Accessories

In general accessories should have operable portions between 900-1200mm above floor.

Faucets

Faucets should be electronically controlled or have a single long lever-style handle that is operable with a clenched fist.
Faucets should not self-close
Hot water and drain pipes beneath accessible washbasins should be insulated.

Dimensions

Top of washbasin: 850mm from floor
Centre line of wash basin to closest wall – 450mm minimum
Centre line of faucet to edge of wash basin: 500mm maximum
Height of dispensers and dryers: maximum 1200mm above floor
Mirror height: 1000mm maximum above floor