NSC12 Toilets
Key principles
Accessible unisex toilets must always be available which are suitable for all
the disabled people using the building, in accordance with section one
below. Separately, any single sex facilities must provide for the ambulant
disabled person who may not actually need the full range of facilities
available in the unisex toilet, but could, if they are suitably designed, easily
make use of the single sex facilities.
Unisex facilities for disabled people should be at least located wherever
single-sex provision is provided.
There are two sections to this information sheet:
• Unisex provision
• Single sex provision
page 1 of 5
Toilets
Design criteria:
unisex provision 1
The cubicle must meet the following criteria:
• Measure at least 2.2m by 1.5m with an outward opening door.
or
• Measure at least 2.4m by
1.5 with an inward opening door.
• Have a door with a clear opening width of at least 900mm.
• Provide for transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet from the front or side.
• Handrails, soil pipes or other features in the cubicle must not obstruct a
second person assisting the disabled user of the facility.
page 2 of 5
Toilets
• The layout, handrails
and other equipment
must conform to the
layout shown in the
diagram on page x or
Figure 55 in accordance
with the British Standard
BS 8300.
• Handrails must contrast
with the background
colour scheme.
• All door locks etc should
be designed for people
with limited dexterity
making use of lever style
handles.
• The toilet flush must be
on the off-side and
located no higher than
1m from the floor.
• In addition to the alarm specified in BS8300, (see above) consideration
should be given to an alarm that consists of a cord running around the
entire internal perimeter of the cubicle. It should be located 150mm
above floor level and having a contrasting colour to the background
walls and floor.
• The hand dryer must be accessible from the toilet.
• A unisex cubicle is located as close as possible to the entrance and/or
waiting area of the building. See diagrams for full layout details.
• Alternative, additional peninsular layouts are described in BS8300,
page 118.
Design criteria: single sex provision 2
• Where the toilet accommodation is accessible to wheelchair users.
• At least one urinal must be set at a lower height of 500mm (measured
to the rim from the floor level).
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Toilets
• At least one wash hand basin must be located at a height of 700mm
where the toilet accommodation is accessible to ambulant disabled
people.
• At least one urinal must be set at a lower height of 500mm.
• In general all others wash hand basins must be located at a height of
800mm.
• In the above cases the rim of any urinal must project at least 360mm
from the wall.
• A single handrail must be provided above any urinal and a 600mm
long handrail located on either side of the urinal, with their mid-point
positioned 1100mm above the floor.
• A space at least 900mm wide by 1350mm deep must be provided in
front of any urinal.
• A space at least 1500mm by 1500mm should be provided in front of
any wash hand basin.
• At least one cubicle and thereafter one in every five must:
1 Be at least 800mm wide.
2 Have an outward opening door fitted with a horizontal bar on the
inner face to assist closing.
3 Have a clear door width of at least 750mm.
4 Have a toilet pan at least 480mm high (measured to top of seat).
5 Be provided with three handrails, 680mm high from the floor,
located on the rear wall and each of the sides of the cubicles.
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Toilets
• All door locks etc must have a lever style handles suitable for use by
people with limited dexterity.
• All controls, such as light switches etc must be in the height range of
900mm to 1200mm, including hand dryers and operable by someone
with limited dexterity.
• All controls taps and handrails must contrast with the surrounding
background, walls or facilities.
• Facilities conforming to these standards must be clearly signed.
Other issues
Access to any toilet facility must be in accordance with NSC 8 and 9.
BS8300 contains detailed guidance on provision for domestic situations.
Cross references
NSC8 Doors
NSC18 Receptions
NSC17 Design principles
NSC2 Background documents and legislation
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