school washrooms

All washrooms should aim to be safe and stylish, durable and student- friendly, though schools have different ideas on how best to use the space. STEVE DUREE, commercial director at Pland Stainless, reports.

The flow of traffic is an important consideration.

Design options for washrooms

maze entrance, enables teachers to make sure students are washing their hands properly. It also minimises time inside the facility and therefore makes more efficient use of space. Alternatively, many schools are choosing an open plan arrangement, with the facility being open to the corridor. Pland recently fitted washstations in a school in Derbyshire and one of the reasons for choosing this product was because it was integral to the layout. Having a circular design allowed the freestanding washstation to be placed in the centre of the floor, between the cubicles at the far end of the toilets and corridor, in an open plan arrangement, without compartmentalising the space.

S

Intimidating

This complemented the open plan washroom facility, reducing the likelihood of bullying. The objective was to move away from traditional enclosed toilets found in some older schools, because it was felt to be intimidating for some students. When choosing a washroom it also helps to make it as light and bright as possible. Washrooms that achieve this

OME SCHOOLS are now placing sinks for hand washing adjacent to walkways which, combined with a

effect engender reassurance in users, which can again be particularly useful in reducing bullying. Most materials are effective in this area, including white ceramic and stainless steel. It is also important to ensure that wall coverings and WC cubicles carry through this theme - using natural light where possible or high levels of interior lighting.

Mirror traffic

An issue on some of the schools Pland has been involved in has been the congregation of students around the mirrors, as a meeting place, which causes a particular problem with the flow of traffic in the washroom. This is one of the reasons why we recommend that the mirror is placed away from the sinks, with the best place being near the exit, encouraging students to check themselves in the mirror on the way out. This actually increases the flow of traffic, as well as avoiding students sitting on the sinks in front of the mirror potentially leading to them breaking away from the wall. Full length mirrors made from stainless steel provide a virtually indestructible method of achieving this effect.

www.plandstainless.co.uk

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Open plan washroom reduces the likelihood of bullying.

Accessibility

When planning washrooms for your school it is important that the design complies with Building Regulations and the DDA. Most washroom manufacturers will be able to offer guidance on meeting these requirements and some will provide a complete Part M pack.

Tip

Whilst durability is vital, it is fair to say that facilities that are aesthetically pleasing and desirable – instead of heavy-duty and prison- like – will be far more appreciated by students, leading to a more efficient and friendlier washroom. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100