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Inclusivity And Bs8300:
The Implications And Compliance
The need for accessible / disabled toilets is either side for carers, and a screen or curtain to
clear: 1 in 6 of the UK population have limiting allow some privacy.
illness which impinges on their ability to carry A safe and clean environment; i.e. wide tear
out daily life, including going to the toilet. off paper to cover the bench, a large waste bin
Research shows 250, 000 people including and a non-slip floor.
those with profound and multiple learning Tourism for All is campaigning for proprietors
disabilities and a range of other physical to go beyond the basic legislative requirement
disabilities cannot use standard accessible (a Document M package and wheel-in shower)
(Document M compliant) toilets because and realise how enhanced facilities, such as
they need support from one or two carers, including a height adjustable basin or a wash
or need changing. and dry toilet, would enable them to maximise
obin Tuffley, Marketing Under BS8300:2009, commercial buildings, revenue potential from the disabled sector.
R
Manager at Total Hygiene, new and existing, should have an accessible Spokesperson, Tourism for All’s Brian
examines why we toilet, so if there is capacity for only one loo, Seaman; elaborates, “My experience with some
hould provide better it should be unisex and have enough space for hotels suggests that unless they are pressured
accessible toilets. someone in a wheelchair or with a carer or by disabled individuals, or have had personal
How often do you go to the loo in a day? guide dog to maneuver. experience of disability, they tend not to make
The average is up to eight times! Imagine how In multi-occupancy buildings such as hotels, too many adjustments, not appreciating how
that impacts on your daily life if you need help nursing and residential homes, the Code significant a difference it can make to
to carry out this most basic personal hygiene. recommends provision of a minimum 5 % of occupancy, and profitability, to go beyond the
Inclusivity and accessibility have been bedrooms designed accessible without a fixed basics. Some hoteliers such as Hilton,
buzzwords for a while in any building design, track hoist system, 5 % with a fixed track hoist Thistle and Intercontinental are fitting more
but they are being given new impetus: the new system or similar giving the same degree of elements, such as height adjustable equipment
BS8300:2009 - design of buildings and their convenience and safety, with a further 5 % in their refurbished accessible rooms, but it is
approaches to meet the needs of disabled being capable of future adaptation, and always still too rare.”
people - code of practice, lays down a whole have either adjacent or en-suite sanitary Merseytravel is already putting the Code
new standard for toileting provision in any facilities which include a WC. recommendations into practice, demonstrated
building visited by a lot of people, from student Further, the Standard includes a whole new at its new Pier Head ferry terminal,
accommodation and hotels to commercial and concept: Changing Places Changing Lives which includes a disabled public convenience
public environments, a code of which many (CPCL). This involves the creation of larger, which features a hoist, changing table, shower,
people are unaware. better equipped accessible toilets compared to wash and dry toilet and a vertical toilet lift.
The Standard follows on the heels of the Document M versions, which only address the Merseytravel Chief Executive Neil Scales said,
Department for Communities & Local needs of someone who can toilet unaided. “Merseytravel in its drive to be a world class
Government’s ‘Improving Public Access to Each CPCL toilet aims to meet the needs of organisation is fully committed to providing
Better Quality Toilets - a Strategic Guide’, people who need a carer to assist, and provides maximum flexibility to meet our travellers’ needs
in which a key recommendation is that local as a minimum: and providing fully inclusive facilities as far as
authorities make appropriate provision for The right equipment; i.e. a height adjustable possible. It was our view we should provide a
disabled public toilets, and establish specialist adult sized changing bench, height adjustable state of the art toilet facility for our customers, to
disabled toilets in major centres of population. wash basin, shower and shower seat, and track meet as many needs as possible, particularly as
A survey by Help the Aged further found many or mobile hoist system. research shows people will make a decision not
people make a conscious decision not to visit Enough space, to enable maneuvering for to go somewhere if they feel they cannot find
somewhere if they believe they cannot find a the disabled person and up to two carers, for and use a safe clean toilet.”
suitable public toilet. a centrally located (peninsular) toilet with room
Enquiry N
o
139
Enquire via:
Our online database Post using See inside back cover and
at www.cpbsonline.eu Enquiry Card Fax to 01435 863897
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