From new build washrooms to refurbs, it’s important to make sure you’re providing the right number of toilets for all your site users, visitors and staff…
Getting the correct washroom provisions for your business or organisation is vital. While there are some vagaries surrounding existing premises, the goal here is to ensure you are doing the best you possibly can to meet the minimum requirements. That means providing the correct number of toilets and sinks for users of your site, as well as accessibility measures.
How many toilets should a restaurant have?
Your Local Authority should be contacted for exact figures, but the criteria for restaurants and food service business are usually as follows:
If seating capacity is 16 or less, then you will only need one washroom – one toilet including a sink with hot and cold running water.
16-50 covers – one male toilet and one female toilet
50-100 covers – one male toilet and a urinal, and one female toilet
100-200 covers – one male toilet and three urinals, and two female toilets
This criteria has been in place since 1984, and in many cases is seen as being severely outdated, particularly in today’s restaurants. As well as minimum requirement for customer toilets, you should also provide separate staff toilets where possible.
How many toilets does an office need?
General workplaces need to adhere to the following guidelines when planning and delivering staff washrooms:
For mixed use, or female use only
1-5 – one toilet, one washbasin
6-25 – two toilets, two washbasins
26-50 – three toilets, three wash basins
51-75 – four toilets, four wash basins
76-100 – five toilets, five wash basins
For male use only
1-15 – one toilet, one urinal
16-30 – two toilets, two urinal
31-45 – two toilets, two urinals
46-60 – three toilets, two urinals
61-75 – three toilets, three urinals
76-90 – four toilets, three urinals
91-100 – four toilets, four urinals
How many toilets should a school have?
Schools in the UK will need to meet the guidelines shown below when it comes to toilet provisions:
Pupils under 5 years of age – one toilet for every 10 pupils.
Pupils 5 years of age – one toilet for every 20 pupils.
In special schools – one toilet for every 10 pupils, regardless of age.
Where the majority of pupils are under 11 – as many basins as toilets.
Where the majority of pupils are over 11 – washrooms with one toilet must contain at least one washbasin; washrooms with two toilets must contain at least two washbasins; washrooms with three or more toilets must have at least two thirds the number of washbasins as there are toilets.
How many accessible toilets are required?
According to British Standard BS8300 you should supply one disabled washroom per floor and should comply with Document-M of Building Regulations. This means the room needs an outward opening door, a series of grab rails, a specific wash basin and tap set, as well as a disabled height toilet pan. The room will also need to meet specific dimensions. However, the wider roll-out of Changing Spaces Washrooms, means that as of 2021 disabled accessibility must be raised to the Changing Spaces criterea in all retail and public spaces. These washrooms call for the added supply of an adult changing table and enough room for carers.
If you would like further advice on the design and specification of your washrooms, as well as information on our full turn-key service, please get in touch with one of the team on 01202 650901
