Restroom requirements for commercial buildings don’t always get the attention they deserve, but they’re as critical as energy costs, maintaining good staff morale, or attracting repeat visits. There are several important guidelines when it comes to restroom requirements for commercial buildings. Here are some of them:
The Plan
Planning your commercial restroom is crucial to the entire process. You need to know the number of employees who are going to be in the facility every day. The general rule of thumb is that 1-15 occupants must at least have one toilet per restroom.
It’s also great to consider a multiple-occupant restroom to accommodate growth in the future. Furthermore, there should be a designated ADA-compliant stall.
Occupant Privacy
Privacy is a growing concern, especially in commercial restrooms. Several businesses have opted to remove urinals to allow extra privacy in their restrooms.
A popular design includes one urinal, two toilets, and one sink. The urinal is the only thing visible from the outside of the restroom. The toilet stalls are located inside, and the two sinks are in the middle. The mirrors are placed outside the restroom on the opposite side of the door.
Having the bathroom stalls built on an angle allows the mirrors to be seen from the inside of the restroom.
Sanitation Standards
Sanitation standards are also a top concern. A commercial restroom design needs to consider the size of the restroom compared to the number of occupants. This can directly impact restroom cleaning and the amount of supplies that are needed.
A standard for sanitation for commercial restrooms is 1 square foot per occupant. This ratio applies to the entire space, including the restroom and adjacent areas.
Moreover, there should be a minimum one-inch water supply and at least one pressure balancing valve for every toilet.
Toilets with brine tanks should be provided with a backflow preventer. The urinal or urinals should be self-flushing with a flushometer valve.
Keep in mind that ADA-compliant toilets are slowly becoming the standard for restrooms in commercial buildings and private homes.
In line with that, the ADA requires every commercial restroom to have a standard accessible stall. The toilet in the accessible stall must be 18” in height, while the standard toilet must be 17” tall. In addition, it’s recommended to add grab bars on both sides of the toilet and the tank at the back of the toilet.
Comfort
It’s important to remember that private stalls aren’t the only aspect of commercial restrooms that must be comfortable. There should be enough room for people to move freely in the bathroom and have easy access to the sink, faucet, and soap dispenser.
The sink should be placed directly in front of the toilet so that the hand washing area doesn’t interfere with the toilet. It should also be placed at the correct height. This is crucial since the height of the sink needs to be right at the elbow. The elbow should be bent at a 90-degree angle when a person is washing their hands.
Conclusion
There are several regulations that you have to follow regarding your restrooms, such as where they must be located and how they must be designed. By keeping in mind some of these restroom regulations, you can ensure that your business stays in compliance with local laws and makes it easier for employees and customers to use the facilities in your commercial building.
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