Designing public washrooms can be a much more complex process than you may have initially believed – there are certain criteria and guidelines your public facility must meet. Spectrum Interiors have years of experience in building comfortable and aesthetically pleasing public facilities and have used our experience to put together this guide to help you in designing the perfect facility for your establishment.   Basic Requirements It’s important to cover the basics first, and there are some specifications that must be met to ensure that the facilities are safe, hygienic and suitable for the public to use: Facilities for disabled persons must…

Auto-flush is a feature available for toilets, sink faucets and urinals, and is an especially useful feature for public bathroom’s as they require less maintenance than standard units. Growing in popularity, automatic bathroom features are becoming commonplace in more-developed countries. This article outlines some of the benefits of auto-flush facilities and why you should install them in your toilet cubicles. Improved sanitation Public restrooms receive much more foot traffic than a domestic toilet, meaning that more excrement and urine is deposited. A faulty or sub par flushing system could mean that odours and germs are left lingering in the facilities. This…

Whether you’re looking to build or extend a sports hall, or to update your current toilets and changing rooms, it can be difficult to assess the best layout and amount of facilities you will need. This simple breakdown will help you in your planning. Toilets Locate your toilets close to the foyer for practically and ease of use. You will need at least one unisex disabled access toilet, as well as separate male and female toilet cubicles. The British Standard of Sanitary Installations 6465: Part 1 (Code of practice for scale of provision, selection and installation of sanitary appliances) lays out…

Following on from our most recent blog posts which focus on school washroom design and office washroom guidance, this article will highlight the considerations which must be taken into account when designing medical toilets and washrooms to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and efficiency. Accessibility According to the ‘Health Building Note 00-01 – General design guidance for healthcare buildings’ official documentation released by the Department of Health, evidence shows that a very large number of falls suffered by those in domestic, resident and hospital environments occur on the journey between the bed and the bathroom/toilet, especially during the night. This…

Providing employees and clients with fully functioning washroom facilities in an office environment is essential so they feel completely comfortable using the facilities and that all their needs are taken care of. According to the HSE’s Welfare at Work guidance, employers have a duty to provide “adequate and appropriate welfare facilities” while their staff are at work, which includes: Washing Toilet Rest Changing A clean area to eat and drink during breaks This article will serve to explain the guidance offices must follow to ensure their office washrooms fulfil the necessary requirements. Toilet and washing facilities All employers are responsible for…

Following on from the first installment of our two-part guide last month, this article will discuss how your choice of cubicles, taps and IPS panels can improve the standards of performance for school toilets. Cubicles According to official guidance which details the standards of performance for school toilets, there are typically three main options when designing cubicle systems to ensure they fit with the requirements of the room: Structural soffit/ceiling hung system – this is the preferred option for schools where ease of maintenance and cleaning are priority. These products generally cost more than floor-mounted systems, so cost and the design…

In line with the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, the British government has released a detailed guide to show the standards of performance for school toilets. It’s exceptionally important that premises belonging to the education sector maintain high levels of hygiene so students, teachers and visitors feel totally comfortable using the toilet facilities. Privacy and cleanliness are of paramount importance, which is why major consideration must be taken to ensure superior quality as well as stylish design. The primary purpose of the BSF initiative was to provide every secondary school throughout England with new buildings and revolutionary ways of…

As the largest organ in our body, our skin has a plethora of functions to keep us healthy, including heat regulation, control of evaporation, absorption and water resistance. One of the main duties of our skin is to protect our body against harmful germs which can cause sickness. This bacteria can be contracted from simply touching other people or contaminated surfaces, so our skin acts as the main barrier to prevent such germs entering the body. It has been reported that 80% of common infections are spread by hands, so one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of…

Washrooms and shower units are primarily a functional space where style can be achieved through excellent use of colour and materials. Here at Spectrum Interiors we understand the importance of reflecting your company’s ethos through your choice of decor and washroom design to ensure employees and guests feel comfortable. An example of a commercial setting where hygienic washroom facilities must be provided to the public is on an aeroplane. Kitting out plane washrooms with well-fitted, fresh vanity units and panelling is an effective way of improving hygiene, balancing style with cleanliness. This article will serve to show some of the most extravagant…

The law It’s important to ensure that proper consideration is given for disabled users when designing new or refurbished toilet/cleaning facilities. UK law requires that ‘reasonable changes’ need to be made and there are numerous examples of people that have failed to comply. It may seem like the last thing a smaller business needs to take into consideration, when times are tough, is catering to a minority group, and it is easy to resent these legal impositions on your business or organisation and the threat of legal action. However, let’s focus on the pros rather than the cons. Positive reasons for…