Toilets – are facilities in your workplace accessible?

The new toilet building standards outlined in Toilet accommodation: Approved Document T came into force on 1 October 2024 and applies to non-residential buildings.

Key requirements include:

1. Single-Sex Facilities: Most new non-domestic buildings and those changing use must provide separate single-sex toilet facilities.
2. Universal Toilets: Where space allows, universal toilets (fully enclosed rooms with a toilet, washbasin, and hand-drying facilities) can be provided in addition to single-sex facilities.
3. Accessibility: The standards also include provisions for toilets accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity.

Building standard T complements existing standards and best practice guidance, including Part M of the Building Regulations, which sets legal minimum requirements for sanitary provision and BS 8300: 2018, Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment, Part 2: Buildings — Code of practice which provides detailed design recommendations for wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets and WC cubicles for ambulant people with disabilities.

With the introduction of the new standards to enhance inclusivity, we thought it would be useful to share some common toilet-related accessibility issues that we encounter as part of our access auditing work.

Door accessibility:

Doors that are not wide enough, too heavy, or have handles that are difficult to operate can be a significant barrier. Doors to wheelchair accessible WCs should provide a minimum clearance of 800mm, open with minimal force and have handles that can be used with one hand.

WC pan and cistern height:

For ease of transfer from a wheelchair, the top surface of a WC seat should be set at a height of 480mm above finished floor level and the flush should be operated manually by a spatula type lever located between 800mm and 1000mm. We often find accessible toilets with a seat pan that is too low and a flush that is too high.

Inadequate space:

A 1500 x 1500mm turning space for wheelchairs should be provided in accessible toilet compartments. All too often we find changing tables, sanitary bins, stored items etc obstructing this space.

Improper fixture placement:

Toilet paper dispensers, hand dryers etc that are not at the correct height or positioned too close to grab rails can be hard to reach. BS 8300 includes detailed guidance for fixture placement.

Emergency assistance alarm:

A pull cord, coloured red, should be provided with two red bangles of 50mm diameter, one set at a height between 800mm and 1000 mm and the other set at 100mm above finished floor level. We often find pull cords tied up, or with missing bangles, making them inaccessible.

Lack of visual contrast:

Support rails and grab rails should contrast visually with the wall, the WC seat and cover should contrast visually with the WC pan and cistern, and sanitary fittings and accessories should contrast visually with the background against which they are seen. Toilet facilities with white sanitary ware, white grab rails and white floors and walls are a common sight, making it difficult for people who are blind or partially sighted to identify key objects.

Addressing these issues can significantly improve the accessibility and usability of toilet facilities for everyone.