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Complexities of compliance in washroom design

Designing an accessible bathroom or washroom in a hospital or other healthcare setting requires strict legislative compliance and a collaborative approach to avoid errors.

Here Pete Davis, Product and Marketing director for Geberit and Twyford in the UK and Ireland, explores the various guidance documents and legislation requiring consideration to achieve compliance, and why having a thorough understanding of these is key for Estates managers.

There are a number of guidelines and approved documents which shape the design of bathroom and washroom spaces in commercial premises to ensure accessibility and suitability for all who use them. The ultimate goal in accessible design is to make the bathroom space safe for everyone who uses it, and clearly advancements have been made to ensure this in recent years. This includes the continued development of guidance such as Part M of the Building Regulations (last updated July 2020), and BS 8300 (revised in 2018). Both of these draw on the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010, which protects people from discrimination in the workplace, and in wider society.

However, none of these documents are specific to hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Experienced healthcare estates professionals will know that there are more prescriptive requirements when it comes to designing an accessible bathroom or washroom in a hospital. Simply following the requirements of accessible design is not enough. With a greater focus on regulatory compliance across the construction industry following the Hackitt Review and other scrutiny, it is arguably more important than ever to understand the requirements. This applies to the entire specification chain, from building designers and contractors, through to the Estates managers responsible for maintenance and ongoing compliance.

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Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Health Estate Journal app from your device's App store

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