The bathroom is a room where every detail matters. When planning its design, it is important to ensure that using the bathroom is not only comfortable, but also safe. For this purpose, it is necessary to arrange the individual equipment in a well-thought-out and logical manner. How to plan the layout of furniture and sanitary devices in a public toilet to make it user-friendly and compliant with regulations? The answer to this question lies in the principles of ergonomics.
Ergonomics is a field of knowledge that deals with adapting tools, furniture, spaces, and other elements of daily life to the anatomical capabilities of humans and the environment in which they are located. The goal of ergonomics is also to prevent ailments and conditions caused by using inappropriate or poorly positioned equipment. Ergonomics in the bathroom therefore refers to the way in which individual elements of equipment should be arranged and their placement in order to maintain appropriate distances between them.
The principles of ergonomics in the bathroom determine, among other things, the size of the free space, the direction of door opening, and the height at which sanitary devices and other equipment should be placed. It is worth following these rules in order to best adapt the room to the needs of individuals with different heights, ages, genders, and health conditions. As a result, we will create a truly functional bathroom, in which individual sanitary devices will be arranged while maintaining a division into specific zones.
Creating a bathroom design that is truly comfortable to use is best done by dividing the room into approximately four zones. When determining these zones, it is important to take into account elements of the interior that cannot or will not be modified, such as water and sewage pipes, doors and windows, and electrical outlets.
Next, the bathroom should be divided into a dry area and a wet area. The dry area will include the sanitary zone with the toilet and necessary accessories, as well as a storage area. The wet area will consist of the sink and the space around it, and in some public bathrooms, a bathing area with a shower or bathtub.
Of course, this division does not have to be clearly marked on the floor plan or in an already furnished interior. Sometimes, various types of partitions or other more symbolic methods are used to separate the zones. However, the best idea is to leave enough space between them for easy movement.
To ensure optimal access to each zone, it is worth arranging them in a specific way. The sanitary area should be located as close to the entrance as possible. This way, a person wanting to use the toilet does not have to travel a long distance. At the same time, as much as possible, one should follow the principle that the toilet bowl is not the first element of the bathroom that we see when we open the door. It is important to remember the proper way to open them - always outwards.
The design of an ergonomic bathroom must also take into account the height of installation of sanitary devices. It is assumed that the optimal distance from the floor to the toilet seat and bidet is about 40-45 cm. The upper edge of the sink should be at a height of about 80-85 cm. The toilet paper holder should be placed 70-75 cm above the floor.
Of course, these values should be appropriately modified when designing a bathroom for people with disabilities or children.
In the case of a bathroom in a public utility building, the placement of sanitary devices is primarily determined by the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002 on technical conditions that buildings and their location should meet.
What significantly affects the placement of sanitary devices in a public toilet are the norms regarding the division of the room. At the same time, their layout must be adapted to the course of the most important installations, such as the water and sewage system. Even in a small bathroom, it is necessary to divide the space into two parts. According to regulations, one enters the vestibule directly from the communication corridor. The only sanitary devices that can be found there are sinks with necessary accessories (hand dryers, towel dispensers, dispensers). Electrical outlets can also be located here. This vestibule must be separated from the rest of the bathroom by full walls up to the entire height of the room, just like in the case of the partition between the women's and men's toilets.
If there is more than one stall in the bathroom, they should be located in special cabins. The doors leading to them must open outwards and have a minimum width of 80 cm (or 90 cm for a cabin for people with disabilities); their upper edge should be 200 cm above the floor. The exception are toilets for children in kindergartens and schools, where the minimum door height is 150 cm. Meanwhile, there must be a gap of about 15 cm between the floor and the bottom edge of the door. The minimum length of the cabin is 110 cm, and the width is 100 cm.
The given values must be followed regardless of the size of the interior. The distances separating individual appliances in a small bathroom must be the same as in a more spacious place. Therefore, when creating a bathroom design, it is necessary to take into account whether the room in which we plan to arrange the toilet allows for such a possibility. If it does not meet the necessary standards, it may not be allowed for use during inspections.
The exact placement of sanitary devices and distances between them are not always clearly defined in regulations. However, over the years, many recommendations have been developed based on the experiences of architects designing spaces in public buildings. In practice, however, this may depend on the type of building, target group (sanitary devices and fixtures will be arranged differently in a bathroom for adults, children, or people with disabilities), and such issues as the location of water and sewage pipes.
When designing a bathroom, it is important to consider the standard distances between individual fixtures, as well as the amount of free space in front of sanitary devices to ensure comfortable use and easy movement between them. How does this look for specific devices?
The height of the sink depends primarily on the target group of users. For a standard toilet for adults, it is recommended to install the sink at a height of about 85 cm.
It is also important to leave enough space in front of the sink to ensure freedom of movement for users. It is generally recommended to maintain a free space of approximately 100x70 cm.
When placing two sinks next to each other, it is important to remember that the distance between them should be at least 30 cm. This applies not only to suspended or freestanding devices; in the case of countertop or recessed models, the edge of the sink must also be at least 30 cm away from another one installed on the same countertop. Similarly, when placing a toilet next to a sink, a minimum distance of 20 cm should be maintained. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as sets in which the sink is placed above the toilet in such a way that the water from it goes directly into the reservoir.
The width of the sink and the distance of its edges from the wall are also very important for comfortable use. It is generally accepted that this distance should be at least 30 cm. Of course, it should be increased if we plan to install a standing faucet. However, if we want to save as much space as possible, a wall-mounted sink faucet is a much better solution.
The correct height of the toilet bowl is of great importance for its comfort of use. It should be remembered that the height of the toilet cannot be too high. The dimensions specified in the regulations are a compromise between what is most beneficial from a physiological point of view and the convenience for people who may have difficulty standing or sitting. It is assumed that in the case of bathrooms for adults, the upper edge of the toilet bowl should be at a height of about 40-45 cm. This value will be about 8 m higher in the case of a toilet bowl in a bathroom for people with disabilities.
The free space allowing comfortable use of the toilet bowl and movement should have a length of at least 60-80 cm and a width of 80 cm. This applies to both the toilet bowl placed in a separate cabin and in the open space of the bathroom.
The minimum distance between the back edge of the toilet and the wall must be 20 cm. In turn, the spaces between it and other equipment should have a width of:
A urinal is usually a smaller device than a toilet bowl or bidet. The free space in front of the urinal does not have to be as large either. A space of approximately 70x50 cm is sufficient. The placement of the urinal should be such that its distance from other fixtures is about 20 cm, regardless of their type.
The height at which a hand dryer is mounted also depends on the target group of the given hygiene room. However, an average value of about 110 cm from the bottom edge to the floor is assumed. In the case of toilets for people with disabilities, the height of the hand dryer should not exceed 95-100 cm, as well as in bathrooms for children. In bathrooms without facilities for people with disabilities, they can be placed slightly higher - 115-120 cm above the floor level.
The same dimensions apply to paper towel dispensers and soap dispensers. The height at which the latter is placed also depends on the height of the sink. Soap or disinfectant dispensers should be placed about 20 cm above its top edge.
The height at which a toilet paper holder should be placed does not depend on its type. Whether it takes the form of a container or a hook on which a standard roll is hung, it should be located at a height of about 80-90 cm from the floor.
In contrast to the height at which toilet paper is placed, there are no specific rules regarding which side it should be hung on. Containers are most often mounted on the right side to make it easier for right-handed people to pull out the paper; however, this is not necessary and does not affect the functionality of the bathroom.
Changing tables for infants are now placed in the majority of public toilets. They are also sometimes installed in a separate room designated for parents with children. The height at which the changing table is located directly affects the comfort of the parent and the safety of the infant.
The optimal height for a changing table is about 90 cm from the ground. It is also worth placing additional elements, such as a holder for a bag or a container for disposable wipes, in its immediate vicinity.
When deciding how to arrange the space in a toilet, it is important to always consider who will be using it. When designing a bathroom for children or people with disabilities, it is important to ensure that the height of the sanitary devices and the distances between them are adjusted to their specific needs.
In the case of bathrooms for elderly people, similar principles should be followed as in the most demanding rooms for people with disabilities. Seniors often have mobility issues, and the presence of solutions such as handrails or a slightly higher toilet bowl will be a great help for them.
In the case of bathrooms for children in schools, kindergartens or other similar places, the installation height of individual sanitary devices must be adjusted to the height of the users. Of course, average values for a given age group are taken into account. The older the children, the higher various equipment should be placed. For example, a toilet for preschoolers should be installed at a height of about 35 cm; if teenagers are the main users of the bathroom, the edge of the toilet should be about 40 cm from the floor. On the other hand, the optimal height of a sink for six-year-olds is about 55 cm, and for teenagers aged 12-15 - about 85 cm, similar to bathrooms for adults.
Planning the arrangement of sanitary devices for people with disabilities should start with the entrance door to the bathroom. They should be about 90 cm wide, so that it is easy to pass through them in a wheelchair. At the same time, too much width is not recommended; this results in a heavier door leaf, which can significantly hinder opening and closing.
Individual elements of equipment in bathrooms designed for the needs of people with disabilities should be placed at a slightly different height than devices in standard toilets. The toilet bowl should be placed slightly higher to facilitate transfer from a wheelchair and vice versa; it is recommended that the distance from its upper edge to the floor should be about 45-47 cm. The opposite situation applies to the height at which a sink for people with disabilities should be mounted in order to be used freely - the recommended distance from the floor is about 70-80 cm.
One should also not forget about the proper distance between individual equipment. There must be free space in the middle of the toilet to allow for easy maneuvering of a wheelchair. Its minimum dimensions are 150x150 cm; however, it should not be too large - contrary to appearances, it can make it difficult to move between zones and also increases the risk of accidents. At the same time, the distance between the toilet bowl and the sink or other sanitary devices should be at least 95 cm.
Designing an ergonomic and compliant toilet in a public place can be a real challenge. This is especially difficult when adapting existing spaces, such as in a historic building.
A great help in this situation is to equip the bathroom with fixtures and accessories designed and manufactured to meet all current standards. At the same time, at Faneco, we are well aware that strict compliance with regulations is not enough to make a bathroom truly comfortable and user-friendly. That's why when creating our fixtures, we take into account a number of best practices followed by experienced interior designers. This means that by choosing Faneco sanitary equipment, you don't have to worry not only about the results of necessary inspections, but also about the satisfaction and safety of toilet users.
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