An efficient commercial washroom is more than the sum of its parts. When intelligently designed with inclusivity and safety in mind, you know that you are satisfying users, and providing them with a positive experience.
Not all washrooms live up to user expectations which can impact an organisation in its entirety. Outdated designs can sometimes fail to incorporate the needs of its user with shoddy, sub-standard mechanisms and/or design.
Building legislation is in place to ensure the health and safety of all within the building environment, so washroom compliance should be adhered to to create safe, yet appealing washrooms. The Building Regulations Act 2010 prescribes procedures that must be carried out from the start, during, and on completion of all building work, with guidelines for specific aspects of design and construction.
Though easily overlooked within building design, washrooms are no exception to the Building Regulations Act. They are as important, if not more so than the remainder of your workspace, and as an employer, it is your duty to consider the layout, design, and overall safety of the area.
Safety features can range from emergency release mechanisms to wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets. While privacy is essential, users require emergency access if necessary.
Inclusivity should be a key part of your design, so your washrooms need to accommodate users of all ages, genders, and abilities. Failure to provide accessible washrooms for all can discriminate against certain individuals and can have a profound effect on wellbeing. For example, wheelchair users should be provided with outward opening doors, ample manoeuvring space, grab rails, and lever-operated taps for ease.
To learn more about ways to improve your washroom, join our free CPD course which will specifically focus on Part M 5.4e of The Building Regulations Act, entitled ‘Emergency Access’.
The course will cover the following:
Regulations.
The purpose of the regulations is to inspire protection, inclusivity, and consistency within your washroom design. You will learn the main reasons for the regulations, and how they are applicable to you as an organisation.
Sanitary Accommodation Generally.
The course will advise you of the necessity for specific safety precautions. These include the necessary visual contrast between the door opening furniture and surfaces, the door surface and pilasters, the indicator locking bolt, and maximum opening force. You will be provided with relevant case studies.
Emergency Access
You will learn of historic challenges with emergency access such as standard cubicle locking mechanisms and flush fronts rebates on full height doors. We will introduce you to Movana – Maxwood’s unique solution to all of these problems. Movana is the first design-led washroom cubicle with safety at the forefront. You can read more about this here.
Fire Alarms
As per the guidelines, a fire alarm emits a visual and audible signal to warn applicants with hearing and visual impairments. The course will provide you with sufficient information to ensure that your fire alarm is both effective and efficient.
Wheelchair Access Cubicles
Efficient layouts will be provided including recommended locations, positioning, and unisex options. We will provide relevant case studies.
Ambulant Disabled Cubicles
You will learn the definition of ambulant disabled cubicles, their purpose and accessibility and the benefits of enlarged cubicles. You will be advised of the necessity for inclusive design and provided with recommended layouts and case studies for ambulant disabled cubicles.
At the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of the key regulations and why they have been put in place. You will know how to incorporate best practice design-led solutions in line with Part M guidelines. Our real-life case studies will provide you with ideas for improved application to get the best out of your washroom.
It could be a good time to ask yourself – how compliant is our commercial washroom?
If you think it might be time for a washroom overhaul, please join our CPD course by registering your interest here https://www.maxwoodwashrooms.com/compliant-cpd
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