Dear Aneesa

With regard to numbers of accessible WCs the following provision is recommended and to meet the requirements of the current Building Regulations (for England):

§  at least one wheelchair user accessible unisex WC should be provided at each location where there standard male/female WCs are provided;

§  also at least one cubicle in the standard male and female WCs with extra space (by providing an outward opening doors) and weight bearing grab-rails, plus a lower height washbasin/drier option;

§  where there is only space for 1 WC within a building then make this an accessible unisex type but with greater width to accommodate a standing height basin in addition to the wall-hung hand wash basin;

there are other considerations such as:

§  provide an accessible WC on each floor and within 40m of any area of activity/work (if there is a lift then each alternate floor may be acceptable but only if there are no additional physical barriers en-route and within 40m);

§  if there are 4 or more standard WC cubicles in the standard male/female WCs then make one an enlarged cubicle;

§  locate at least 1 accessible WC close to the building entrance and facilities such as café/waiting area;

§  locate WCs consistently on multi-storey buildings;

§  where there is more than 1 accessible WC provide alternate transfer sides.

What you can implement will depend on whether you are referring to an existing building, alteration or a new-build; also the extent of alteration planned, permissions required (such as listed building consent) and location of services and what is reasonable/practicable to do.

For detail on layout and fittings do refer to the following or advise whoever is responsible for this (architect, builder, operations?) to do so.

§  The Building Regulations Approved Document M - Access to and Use of Buildings

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2004 edition (incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments)

www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments  

§  BS 8300:2009+A1:2010 Design of Buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people – Code of Practice. The British Standards Institution, 2010.

www.bsi-global.com/en/Standards-and-Publications/

For children the following may be useful:

§  Building Bulletin 102: Designing for disabled children and children with special educational needs

www.education.gov.uk/a0058201/children-with-special-educational-needs-sen-and-disabilities

Also consider multi-faith provision and wash facilities.

I hope this helps and do contact me if you require any clarity or further information.

Best regards

Cassie

Cassie Herschel-Shorland

call or txt: 0780 342 5526

call: 01603 626368

email: [log in to unmask]  

Access and Museum Design

www.cassiehs.com

Past in Pencil and Paint

www.facebook.com/CassieHistoricalIllustration

Hi all

I believe this question has been asked on numerous occasions, but, the links I have been looking through in the  GEM archives are now all redundant.

So, I hope someone will be able to point me to articles/ advice that may be able to tell me what is the ratio of toilets required in line with the  number of visitors at a museum. Also, what would be required in terms of accessible toilets.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Aneesa

Aneesa Riffat

Senior Curator

T: 01623 836627    F: 01623 836647

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