It is vital that every effort be made to ensure that people are in a position to access usable bathrooms, no matter where they travel and irrespective of their physical handicaps. Since the enactment of the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act in 2014, businesses have been required to provide accessible utilities for their employees and clients. A major and crucial aspects of this is ensuring that bathrooms and toilets are available to every visitor regardless of their physical limitations. There are a variety of various requirements that accessible properties have to fulfil as well. This article is going to provide some of the new regulations for bathrooms with handicaps.
The bathroom that is accessible must be suitable for use by the majority of wheelchair users. It should also provide enough space to accommodate a caregiver in the event of need. Furthermore, it must satisfy the requirements of those who suffer from health issues that limit their bathroom usage for example, those who suffer from problems with their bladders or bowels. Grab rails and emergency alarms also are needed to ensure that the toilet is accessible to as many people as they can. Although it’s unattainable (and nearly impossible) to expect every business owner to be able to offer a bathroom that can be used to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, they must accept the obligation of making their facilities accessible to as many people as they can. There are a few requirements to be fulfilled in order to do this.
Different types of Bathroom
There are two kinds of accessible bathroom: accessible and ambulant accessible. It is important to know the distinctions between (and the requirements of) the two kinds prior to building your bathroom.
Ambulant accessible toilets are among the most popular disabled toilets and they are the easiest to set up. The toilets for ambulance accessible users are usually similar in dimensions to the normal toilets, which means they are usually installed as part of a larger public bathroom along with other toilets. They’ll have larger toilet pans, grab rails, and toilets that allow for more comfortable standing and sitting, as well as an outward opening door where possible. They do not provide accessibility for wheelchairs, or facilities for users with bags for colostomy.
True accessible toilets are more extensive conversions but are able to be used by people who have a wide range of needs. They offer the same amenities as an accessible toilet (a greater toilet pan as well as grab rails) however they also have wheelchair accessibility, shelves for colostomy and wash basins designed to accommodate people who have hands that aren’t as strong. The wash basins are equipped with lever taps, or due to the advantages in modern technologies, sensor taps that will automatically turn on when you place your hands under them. Emergency alarms, which are advisable in bathrooms with handicaps, should be fitted in bathrooms to be considered truly accessible. Doors should open to the outside and be at least 90mm wide for accessible wheelchair access. The doorways shouldn’t be higher than the standard door (900mm is also a normal width). Because they require an area for wheelchairs accessible toilet, accessible toilets require a larger flooring space (1500mm in x 2200mm). In the majority of cases, accessible toilets will be configured for right handed wheelchair transfer but in places that have more than one toilet, this will be a continuous process from toilet to toilet.
Accessible Bathroom Requirements
It is essential to follow the regulations when installing bathrooms whether they are a new construction or extension, or as a renovation. This applies even bathrooms that have been refitted to be accessible. There are other important considerations to be made when making the accessible bathroom. This list is not complete but it will outline some of the most important things to think about when building an accessible bathroom.
Alongside any disabled cubicles that are located in public male or female bathrooms, it is essential that there be an additional bathroom for women that is accessible to all without the need to walk through these dual gendered rooms. This is to ensure that handicapped users are able to be taken in the restroom by someone who is a different gender when needed.
Toilets accessible to the public must be clean and free of clutter. They shouldn’t be used for storage for cleaning products or other things due to the importance of clear access.
Door locks, taps and shower controls need to be simple to operate with no necessity to grip or clench handles, allowing those with limited dexterity to be able to remain in their own space and privacy in using the bathroom. It usually comes in the form of levers or push button designs.
Lighting shouldn’t be activated by motion alone, as those with limited mobility might be unable to activate the lights after they stop turning off the lights.
Showers and taps in a disabled bathroom need to be thermostatically controlled so that users don’t burn themselves when manipulating the controls. This is particularly true for those with less sensitivity that could get burned and not be aware of the water temperature.
Cleaning staff should be trained to be familiar with the particular needs of bathrooms that are accessible. This includes ensuring that shelves, tops of cisterns, and the transfer zone are clean and that the alarm pull cords shouldn’t be tied and made impossible to reach within the restroom.
Accessible toilets for wheelchairs should not be considered to be an area for changing babies. It is imperative that they are kept clear for their intended users and having the space perform two functions can increase the amount of time it is occupied.
Grab rails need to be installed in a specific configuration to conform with Document M. There is the option to buy Doc M packs, which will include the rails and instructions for installing a toilet that is in compliance with Document M. They will also need to have a distinct color from the walls they are fitted to, usually gray or black rails that are installed on white walls, or white rails if the walls are darker. This is to ensure that these rails can be seen by those with difficulty seeing. White rails should not be installed in bathrooms with white tiles or paint since there is not enough contrast between them. Similar advice is available in the case of showers for disabled people, with AEURoeDoc MaEUR packs providing an easy method of installing a compliant shower.
Unnecessary furniture such as vanity units or other modifications such as boxing in pipes, should be avoided since they reduce the space of a floor and make it harder for wheelchair users to get access to wash basins. If you intend to design your accessible toilet for use by people who are ablebodied as well as disabled and able-bodied users, it is essential to include a standing height wash basin in addition to make the space larger to 2000mm x 2200mm to allow for this.
Showers with accessibility requirements must provide space for wheelchair accessibility and transfer, as well as providing the necessary seating and grab rails to enable this with the greatest ease for people. The accessible shower space needs to have at least 2200mm x 2000mm. this increasing to 2500mm 2400mm when a corner toilet is also included. If a shower that is disabled forms part of the larger shower area like a pool for public use it is essential to provide a number of lockers that can hold special items such as crutches.
If maintenance, decoration or resurfacing is likely to render a toilet accessible and there is no alternative toilets in the same area it is vital to notify users ahead of time. These details need to include the length of time that people will not be able to make use of the restroom as well as where the nearest alternative is and how fast and easily it could be found. Because of the importance of accessible toilets to handicapped visitors, and the amount of detail their travel plans might be, advanced notice and clear advice are very beneficial. The information could be communicated via a variety of channels: company apps, website updates, social media posts, bulletin boards, audio or video announcements at the location or contact with a person.
