WASHROOMS
FOREVEREVOLVING
As society changes, so too do the demands placed on washroom facilities. Designers and FMs must now consider a range of factors, from accessibility and inclusion to shifting expectations around hygiene products. Tina Bowden, Sales Manager from Dudley Industries, examines how these changes are impacting washroom design and provision.
Washrooms serve an obvious and essential function in buildings of all kinds but, increasingly, designers have to take account of important societal changes as well as well-established regulatory demands.
In settings where washrooms will see significant traffic – retail premises, offices, public buildings, universities etc. – designers have long had to address various legal requirements and safety issues, including those defined in The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Additionally, of course, there have always been practical constraints to consider, such as space and budget.
Besides these factors, however, designers also have to meet the changing demands and expectations of washroom users. These have evolved considerably over the years, particularly with respect to meeting individual needs. This article considers some of those expectations, and how washrooms can be equipped to satisfy them.
User experience The UK has witnessed a decades-long movement in the direction of greater inclusion; the conscious adaptation of environments to improve accessibility and the user experience.
The most obvious example is perhaps the prevalence of accessible washrooms. However, other examples include fitting wudu wash stations in multi-faith environments, and high-contrast, colour-coded dispensers to assist people living with dementia. Providing such facilities can greatly enhance the user experience and promote a sense of openness. It sends a clear signal that the host organisation is willing to invest in making its facilities available to everyone.
The availability of free hygiene products aligns well with this shift in expectations. Like the provision of accessible washrooms and baby-changing facilities, installing free sanitary dispensers represents another progressive step towards broad social inclusion. It conveys the same message: that an organisation values its visitors, customers and employees, that it respects their needs and dignity, and that it is happy to invest in meeting their needs.
Gender-neutral provision For brands and washroom designers, it is important to recognise that sanitary products are not only required in female bathrooms.
26 | TOMORROW’S FM
The NHS reports that over two million British males experience urinary incontinence, adding that the figure could actually be much higher as the condition tends to be under-reported. Moreover, the problem is closely associated with prostate cancer – the most common form of cancer amongst men – and with an ageing population, its incidence is likely to increase. Consequently, the provision of incontinence pads and appropriate facilities for disposal could, for many males, be an important and greatly beneficial change.
Brand reputation There is, of course, a clear argument for investing in the comfort and wellbeing of one’s service-users and workforce. These are important stakeholder groups that even the most cost-conscious organisations will want to keep happy.
That commitment can be shown by maintaining high standards of hygiene and washroom repair, and being wholly compliant with regulatory demands. However, those brands that demonstrably go beyond their formal obligations will tend to send the strongest message. Providing free sanitary product dispensers is one way of doing so. In time, they may well become commonplace and expected, but for now, they give early adopters a chance to stand out.
Cash and vending Another social change has been a decline in the use of cash. Fewer people routinely carry it and, consequently, many users may struggle with coin-operated vending machines. The use of free sanitary dispensers prevents this from becoming an obstacle to those in need.
Dispensers Sanitary dispensers afford a convenient means of storing, organising and dispensing free hygiene products. Importantly, they also make it obvious that such products are available, particularly when accompanied by clear explanatory labels. Controlled ‘one-at-a-time’ dispensing mechanisms will act to deter theft or waste, and a sturdy enclosure will help to keep the contents clean and well protected.
www.dudleyindustries.com
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