The concept of accessibility has been readapted over the years. The evolution of language has led us to replace the use of terms such as “crippled” or “handicapped” used in 1980 with the concept of “universal accessibility” used today.
According to the Caser Foundation, universal accessibility is “the characteristic that environments, goods, products and services must comply with, allowing all people to access, understand, use and enjoy them in a standardized, comfortable, safe and efficient manner. It is a concept absolutely opposed to that of barriers”. (see the full article HERE)
Thus, the concept of disability is extended to people with reduced mobility conditions, including overweight people, people with injuries, elderly people, etc.
Accessibility seeks to establish regulations in spaces so that people with any of the conditions described above can be as autonomous as possible, ensuring their safety and promoting a better quality of life.
Toileting and the use of bathrooms is a fundamental part of every person’s daily life, and it is for this reason that bathroom accessibility becomes one of the most important points to consider.
In this article we will review the measures to be taken to make the bathroom an accessible space.
Elements guaranteeing accessibility
First, it must be considered that bathrooms and toilets are the spaces where most falls and accidents occur. It is for this reason that it is advisable to install a rescue system such as a wireless bell that can be easily operated.
As for the elements that guarantee accessibility, we must highlight:
–Access:
A space can only be accessible if it can be reached by an accessible route. Therefore, it must be accessible from a ramp or flat surface. The entrance door must have a clear passage width of 0.80m. In addition, it is preferable for it to be sliding so as not to invade space in the bathroom and to facilitate its use by users. On the other hand, hinged doors will be placed towards the outside. They should have a minimum opening of 0.9 m, with a minimum clear width of 0.8 m. Finally, it must be considered that both latches and handles must also be easy to handle.
–Signage:
Both bathrooms and public toilets should be identified with the universal symbol of accessibility.
–The interior dimensions:
Once inside the bathroom, the dimensions must allow a person in a wheelchair to move comfortably and safely. Il must allow wheel turns without encountering any obstacle. Thus, they must ensure a circle of 1.50m in diameter, free of any type of device and outside the confluence of the door sweep.
–The pavement:
To prevent accidents, the pavement must be non-slip in both dry and wet conditions, with a coating that lacks the shine that produces reflections.
–The chromatic contrast:
Finally, any sanitary appliance or electrical mechanism should be of the pressure type (avoiding levers or turns) and should stand out chromatically with the colors of the floor and walls.
Sanitary devices for technical mobility aids
To improve accessibility inside spaces such as bathrooms or toilets, it is advisable that their elements are aligned. That is to say that the area of the shower, the toilet and the washbasin are located on the same wall.
–Shower:
It is advisable its installation instead of a bathtub since the access to the second one is much more complicated. The shower tray should be installed flush with the floor without any type of edge that would make wheelchair access impossible.
Its dimensions should be 135×135 cm or 235x235cm if it requires the intervention of third parties (in case the person with reduced mobility is unable to look after him/herself). The floor should be waterproofed with drainage slopes of approximately 2%. It is also vital to ensure that the faucet can be reached both from the outside and from a seated position. In addition, it is necessary to consider the installation of a folding seat whose depth allows the washing of the back and all areas of the body.
–Bathtub:
In case it is impossible to install a shower with the conditions described above, we will ensure its access using a bench or support seat (if possible, with rotating transfer seats or with cranes that facilitate the movement). To do this, we will make sure to remove the bulkhead to be able to properly install one of these systems. In addition, it must be considered that the edge of the bathtub should be less than 45 cm.
As with the shower tray, the bottom of the bathtub must be non-slip, or we will have to place a mat fixed to the bottom. The bathtub faucet should also be accessible from the outside or from a seated position, reachable from a radius of 60 cm and placed at the front or side wall. Fixed support bars placed vertically or diagonally, at a height of 0.70 cm to 1 m, from the floor to the bathtub, shall be installed. Finally, in case a crane is used, it shall be considered that enough free space is left under the bathtub for the crane base to fit.
–Toilet:
It should have a height of between 45 and 47 cm to facilitate the passage from the wheelchair to the toilet and vice versa. It should have at least one of the two sides (if there cannot be on both) enough free space to fit the wheelchair (at least 75cm) and to make the transfer from one device to another comfortably.
In addition, as mentioned above, it is advisable that the cistern is flushed by means of a push button. Finally, it must have two support bars on each side, as we shall see below.
–Support bars:
Two help bars should be installed on each side of the toilet firmly anchored to allow support during transfer. The bar on the side where the approach is made must be hinged. Therefore, if the approach can be made from both sides, both should be hinged. They should be placed 35 cm from the axis of the toilet and at a height of 70 or 75 cm. In addition, it is convenient that one of the bars has an accessory to place the toilet paper.
–Hand washbasin:
If possible, the washbasin should be installed on a frame that allows to regulate its use. In addition, the most advisable is to place it suspended, to facilitate the approach of the wheelchair and its front approach, leaving a minimum clear height of 70 cm lower, an upper height below 85 cm and a minimum depth of 60 cm. The faucet shall be operable by means of a pressure mechanism, a lever, with a tactile mechanism or with presence detection.
–Mirror:
The mirror shall measure at least 46 x 137 cm and its lower edge shall be 90 cm from the floor. It should have an adjustable inclination of approximately 10º and have its own lighting, to avoid reflections and annoying flashes.
–Accessories:
Bathroom accessories, such as towel racks, hair dryers, hand dryers, paper dispensers, toilet paper roll holders etc. must be installed at a maximum height of 1.20m and must not obstruct the circulation or turning of a wheelchair or its access to the toilet.
–Lighting:
General lighting should be between 100 and 300 lx and spot lighting between 200 and 500 lx.
At Simex we have a wide variety of technical mobility aids that allow you to turn your bathroom or toilet into an accessible space. From shower seats to toilet or sink sets, mirrors, grab bars, etc. we focus on offering the best quality to guarantee safety during use.
Discover our products HERE.
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