Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

SANITARY ACCOMMODATION IN BUILDINGS O N L I N E V E R S I O N M1/M3 OTHER THAN DWELLINGS 5.9 A unisex toilet is approached separately e. when it is the only toilet facility in the from other sanitary accommodation. It is building, the width is increased from more easily identified than a wheelchair- 1.5m to 2m and it includes a standing accessible cubicle in a separate-sex toilet height washbasin, in addition to the washroom and, provided it is used only by finger rinse basin associated with the WC; disabled people, it is more likely to be f. they are located on accessible routes available when required. This is particularly that are direct and obstruction free; important as some disabled people need to use a toilet more frequently than other users. g. doors are preferably outward opening The time needed to reach a wheelchair- and are fitted with a horizontal closing accessible toilet should therefore be kept bar fixed to the inside face; to a minimum when considering the h. any wheelchair user does not have location of unisex toilet accommodation. In to travel: addition, a unisex toilet enables one or two i. more than 40m on the same floor, assistants of either sex to assist a disabled unless a greater distance can be agreed person. Consideration should be given with the building control body on the to installing a chemical sanitary waste grounds that the circulation route is disposal unit in wheelchair-accessible WC unobstructed, e.g. by the installation accommodation. Some wheelchair users of doors with hold-open devices; find it difficult to use a standard height WC seat and, for them, it is important that the ii. more than a 40m combined WC pan can accept a variable height toilet horizontal distance where the unisex seat riser. WC pans manufactured to the toilet accommodation is on another key dimensions given in BS EN 997:2012 floor of the building, but is accessible WC pans and WC suites with integral trap by passenger lift (if a lifting platform would be acceptable. is installed, vertical travel to a unisex toilet is limited to one storey); Note: More detailed guidance on the various techniques used to transfer from a wheelchair i. the minimum overall dimensions of, to a WC, as well as appropriate sanitary and the arrangement of fittings within, and other fittings, is given in BS 8300. a wheelchair-accessible unisex toilet comply with Diagram 18; Provisions j. where the horizontal support rail on the 5.10 Wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets wall adjacent to the WC is set with the will satisfy Requirement M1 or M3 if: minimum spacing from the wall, an a. one is located as close as possible to additional drop-down rail is provided the entrance and/or waiting area of on the wall side at a distance of 320mm the building; from the centre line of the WC; b. they are not located in a way that k. where the horizontal support rail on the compromises the privacy of users; wall adjacent to the WC is set so that its centre line is 400mm from the centre c. they are located in a similar position line of the WC, there is no additional on each floor of a multi-storey building, drop-down rail; and allow for right- and left-hand transfer on alternate floors; l. the heights and arrangement of fittings in a wheelchair-accessible unisex toilet d. when more than one unisex toilet is comply with Diagram 19 and, as available in other than multi-storey appropriate, Diagram 20; buildings, a choice of layouts suitable for left-hand and right-hand transfer m. an emergency assistance alarm system is provided; is provided, complying with 5.4; Access to and use of buildings other than dwellings Approved Document M Volume 2 50 O N L I N E V E R S I O N