What should a wheelchair-accessible bathroom be like?

Bathrooms adapted for wheelchairs are an essential element to ensure accessibility for people with reduced mobility in both public and private spaces, as they help to eliminate physical and social barriers. The accessibility of public spaces is an issue in which we are very committed from Simex, since it is very important that all people with reduced mobility who require a wheelchair to move around, can use the toilets in a comfortable and, above all, safe way. Therefore, throughout this article we will talk extensively about the features that should have a bathroom adapted for wheelchairs.

What should bathrooms for people with reduced mobility be like?

Bathrooms adapted for wheelchairs must have some concrete and specific characteristics, some of which we will detail below:

• Easy access: Bathroom doors should be wide and designed to open without having to make any effort. In addition, it is advisable that they open outwards.
• Ample space: It is essential that there is enough space for the wheelchair to maneuver without difficulty inside the bathroom. Also, the floor should be non-slip, to prevent falls.
• Grab bars: The installation of grab bars on the walls facilitates the movement of wheelchair users. Of course, they must be placed at an accessible height and in strategic locations (we leave you the link to the last post of our blog dedicated to grab bars).
• Toilet at the right height: The distance between the toilet and the walls must be sufficient to allow access to the wheelchair.
• Accessible washbasin: The washbasin must have the right height and the necessary space underneath to fit the wheelchair. On the other hand, the faucets should be easy to operate, and better if they are lever or sensor type.
• Visible signage: Adapted toilets must be well marked with clear pictograms.

How big does a handicapped restroom have to be?

The dimensions of toilets adapted for people with reduced mobility are regulated in Spain by the UNE41500 Standard and by the Technical Building Code (CTE). Despite the fact that there may be small variations due to different local regulations, in general terms, these are the minimum dimensions that must be complied with:

• General space: The bathroom must have a minimum space of 1.5 m in diameter for the wheelchair to move around.
• Doors: To facilitate access, they shall be a minimum of 90 cm wide.
• Toilet: The seat will have to be at a distance of between 45 cm and 50 cm from the floor, and a free space of at least 75 cm must be left in front of the toilet.
• Sink: It must be installed between 80 cm and 85 cm from the floor, and there will have to be at least 70 cm of height at the bottom to allow access from a wheelchair.
• Support bars: Must be installed on both sides of the toilet, at a height of between 80 cm and 85 cm.

When is it mandatory to have an adapted bathroom?

As indicated in the General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and their Social Inclusion, as well as the Technical Building Code (CTE), certain types of buildings and establishments must have a bathroom adapted for people with reduced mobility. These are the following:

• Public and public-use buildings: this group would include hospitals, shopping centers, airports, train or subway stations, administrative buildings, museums, etc.
• Hotel and restaurant premises: Restaurants and bars whose space exceeds 100 square meters must have an adapted bathroom. In addition, hotels and tourist accommodations are also required to have them.
• Sports centers and leisure facilities: All facilities open to the public, such as cinemas, theaters, gyms, soccer, basketball or other sports stadiums, etc., must have accessible toilets.
• Geriatrics: These facilities, having as users a large number of people with reduced mobility, have special regulations regarding adapted toilets. We talk about all this in detail in this article of our blog.
• Residential buildings with common areas: The common areas (swimming pools, gyms…) of newly constructed buildings must have bathrooms for people with reduced mobility.

For more details on this issue, in our blog we have published an article that talks specifically about the premises that are required to have an adapted bathroom.

Adapted bathroom furniture

In order to equip bathrooms adapted for wheelchairs, specific furniture is required, which you will be able to find at Simex. Among the products we offer for adapted bathrooms are shower chairs, reclining mirrors, washbasin sets, grab bars and toilets. In addition, here you can consult our complete catalog of technical aids.

It should be noted that all these products strictly comply with the regulations in terms of accessibility and are designed to improve the safety and quality of life of people with reduced mobility.

Contact with us

We hope this article has been of interest to you and, as always, if you want to place an order, if you have any questions or need more information about any of our products, do not hesitate to contactus, we will be happy to help you!