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Buildings

6.9 Toilets for wheelchair users (additional requirements)

Visitors and customers

Provide unisex facilities for visitors and customers who are wheelchair users with approaches separate from single sex toilets. This permits assistance by a companion of either sex. A wheelchair user should not have to travel more than one storey to reach an accessible toilet.

Staff

Toilets for staff who are wheelchair users can be either unisex or integral, i.e. one for each sex. The minimum requirement is provision for both sexes on every other floor, with a maximum horizontal distance of 40m from work-station to toilet.

In larger developments

If there are two or more wheelchair user compartments, the opportunity should be taken to provide both left and right-handed transfer layouts, e.g. to enable someone to get onto the WC from a wheelchair from either side.

Internal layout

The internal layout of the toilet cubicle is critical. See the following diagrams and checklist. If in doubt, seek specialist advice from an Access Officer or Building Control Officer. A unisex facility which complies with all the requirements in this Fact Sheet is entitled to bear the international accessibility symbol.

Facilities for hand washing and drying should be within reach from the WC, prior to transfer back onto the wheelchair. Cubicles should be fitted with an emergency alarm cord, clearly labelled, connected to visual and audible alarms and the door should allow for opening from the outside in an emergency. In addition to a position outside the cubicle, the emergency alarm signal/light must be connected to a reception point or area which is constantly staffed, where it can be acted upon immediately.

The emergency alarm or call for assistance cord should be red or colour distinguished from its background, and distinct from other controls such as light switches. The cord should be positioned to hang between the WC and wash basin and should reach almost to floor level, passing through wall mounted guides for ease of control. Two large pull handles should be attached to the cord at 950mm and 250mm above floor level, to enable assistance to be called from the seated position or from floor level if someone has fallen. An additional cord may be provided against the opposite wall to facilitate use if someone has fallen. It is recommended that the alarm reset switch be positioned inside the cubicle.

Toilets, Design criteria for wheelchair accessible WC, Diagrams for a wheelchair accessible WC, Toilets for ambulant disabled people

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