Manufacturers of public toilets must follow various design and layout standards to ensure that their products are accessible and safe for all users. What are the main regulations manufacturers must follow when constructing toilet blocks for public thoroughfares and for ERPs and IOPs?
Designing public toilets: accessibility and safety
When designing toilet blocks, it is essential to follow the accessibility and safety standards governing the use of toilet cabins in towns, ERPs (establishments receiving the public) and IOPs (installations open to the public). The goal is to ensure that users have the best possible experience at all times.
Recommended minimum dimensions
In order to maximise usability, PRM (persons with reduced mobility) accessible toilets must be large enough. This allows specialised equipment to be fitted inside the public toilet facility and provides sufficient manoeuvring space for U-turns.
The minimum dimensions of a PRM toilet block are the following :
- Door width 0.9 m and clear passage width 0.83 m
- Manoeuvring space inside the toilet equivalent to a circle at least 1.5 m in diameter, free of obstacles
- One or more areas measuring 0.8 x 1.3 m
Equipment required
Cubicles must be large enough to allow proper use of the various facilities required in public toilets.
The toilet block must have a toilet bowl, a grab bar, a hand-washing basin and other accessories. The positioning and dimensions of these items are also subject to accessibility standards.
The grab bar must be fixed at a height of 0.75 m above the floor, accessories between 0.9 and 1.3 m, and the toilet bowl seat must be between 0.45 and 0.5 m high. The hand-washing basin must be able to be used in the seated position and the height of its top surface must not exceed 0.85 m.
Lastly, the door must be easy to open to a 90° angle, so facilitating entry and exit. The locking and unlocking mechanism must be simple and accessible to allow all users to operate it safely.
Fire safety standards
Fire safety standards for public toilets vary depending on whether the toilet cubicle is intended for an ERP, an IOP, or for installation on a public thoroughfare.
Installation of public toilets in ERP and IOP buildings
When public toilets are integrated into ERP or IOP buildings, the floors, walls and ceilings must comply with separate fire standards.
The floor materials must have at least an M4 fire rating, which includes items such as paper, polypropylene and mixed-fibre carpets.
The walls of public toilets must be classified M2, which includes materials that are difficult to ignite, such as wall carpeting and particleboard.
Lastly, the ceilings of toilet blocks must be made of M1 fire-rated materials, i.e. non-flammable elements such as composite materials, PVC, polyester and mineral-based false ceiling tiles.
When pre-fabricated public toilets are to be integrated into ERP buildings, all elements must be classified at least M3, i.e. materials such as wood and rubber.
Installation of automated toilets on public thoroughfares
When a manufacturer of automated toilets designs products for use on public thoroughfares, the design must comply with the NF P 99-611 standard, which covers environmental and cleanliness aspects of public toilets and street furniture.
To comply with these regulations, interior materials and those used in the construction of the cubicle must be M0 or M1 fire-rated, i.e. non-flammable or even fire-proof. This is the case, for example, with public toilets made of concrete, stone, cement, steel, etc.
What is more, materials used in the construction of PRM toilet cubicles and those located outside them should be fire-rated between M0 and M3. The same applies to accessories fitted to the toilet block, with the exception of rubbish bins, which must be made of M0 or M1-rated materials.
Focus on Francioli, a manufacturer of public toilets
Francioli is a French manufacturer of concrete public toilets. We pay particular attention to the design and layout of our toilet blocks.
Our entire range of public toilets, automatic toilets and pre-fabricated toilets for outdoor use, or for integration into ERP buildings, are designed using concrete structures. This non-flammable M0-rated material also offers excellent resistance to poor weather conditions.
Rain, UV rays, hail and sudden changes in temperature cannot affect the structural concrete used to manufacture the many different types of public toilets made by Francioli. Concrete toilet blocks are also highly resistant to vandalism. Last but not least, our toilets are fully customizable and easy to blend with any type of urban architecture.
Totally safe and accessible, PRM toilets are designed to provide an optimal experience for users in ERPs, IOPs and on public thoroughfares. Both the layout and facilities in these public toilets are designed to provide space, simplicity, safety and comfort.
Would you like to install modular customizable public toilets in your community or ERP? Contact our team!
