Essential equipment and signage for public toilets.

Faneco Scandi LED copper wall bathroom mirror 600 x 600 mm

Choosing bathroom equipment step by step

• Space around a single sink: min 1000 mm Public toilet sinks should be of considerable size: at least 500 mm in length and 400 mm in width. Here are the specific distances that should be maintained:
• Space from the opposite wall for a single sink: min 1000 mm
• In the situation where two sinks are next to each other:

» min 500 mm between the wall and the center of the sink

» min 800 mm between the centers of two adjacent sinks

» min 1200 mm from the opposite wall

• Sinks located at right angles to each other

Sinks should be built into bathroom countertops, with the sink bowl being recessed in the same countertop. A crucial aspect in today's times is the issue of water conservation, so electronic faucets or timed faucets should be installed. They ensure an appropriate water flow in an amount no greater than necessary. Additionally, touchless faucets eliminate contact, providing benefits in terms of hygiene and savings.

Water pressure and the position of the faucet and sink should not create the possibility of the user being sprayed when activating the water stream.

In the case of a toilet equipped with at least 2 sinks, one of them should be adapted for the height of a child. Unfortunately, installing sinks with younger users in mind is not a standard practice. Sinks are installed outside of toilet stalls for shared use.

Stainless steel sink for public toilets Faneco

Sink faucets

When choosing washbasin faucets for a public toilet, there are several factors to consider. Here are some important issues:

• Durability: Considering the high traffic in a public toilet, it is important to choose faucets with a solid construction and high durability. Choose models made of durable materials such as stainless steel or brass, which are resistant to corrosion and damage.

• Automatic operation: Washbasin faucets with automatic sensors are popular in public toilets due to their hygienic operation. With the sensor, the water turns on automatically when hands are detected, helping to save water and minimize the spread of bacteria.

• Water flow adjustment: It is also important to adjust the water flow. In public toilets, flow restrictors are usually used to help save water and reduce operating costs. You can also choose faucets with the option to adjust the flow to individual preferences.

• Easy maintenance: In the case of public toilets, ease of maintenance is crucial. Choose faucets that are easy to clean and do not require frequent servicing. It is good to choose models with easily accessible spare parts that can be easily removed and replaced if needed.

• Energy efficiency: If you care about saving energy, look for washbasin batteries with low energy consumption or powered by batteries or accumulators. It is worth choosing models with an automatic shut-off function after a specified time to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

Free-standing washbasin battery with 2x1/2" 6V photocell in black

Other necessary elements

In addition to the above-mentioned equipment, every public toilet should be equipped with other necessary amenities:

• Trash cans - in each women's and men's stall and additionally in the vicinity of washbasins
• Sanitary bins and hygiene bags - for women's toilets
• Air fresheners
• Toilet seat covers or toilet seat cleaning fluids - especially in women's restrooms
• Disinfectants - in every restroom, urinal
• Baby changing station - not present in every restroom, but undoubtedly a great convenience and makes the restroom more parent-friendly.

Soap dispensers

When choosing soap dispensers for a public restroom, several factors should be taken into consideration. First, determine the type of soap (liquid, foam, bar) with consideration for preferences and hygiene. Then, choose the appropriate type of dispenser (wall-mounted, screw-mounted, free-standing, automatic or manual), taking into account the available space and user preferences. Familiarize yourself with the dispenser's capacity to avoid frequent refills. When selecting a dispenser, pay attention to hygiene, ease of use, and maintenance. Check for compliance with regulations and hygiene standards. Compare prices, brands, and reviews from other users. Finally, consider aesthetics and style that match the restroom's decor.

Touchless liquid soap dispenser 1l HIT Faneco black

Paper towel dispensers

• When choosing paper towel dispensers for a public restroom, it is worth considering several important factors.
• Type of paper towels: Determine whether paper sheets or hand-drying rolls are preferred. Choose a dispenser suitable for the selected type of paper towels.
• Container type: There are several types of paper towel containers, such as wall-mounted, countertop-mounted, or freestanding. Choose the type that will be suitable for the available space and preferences.
• Accessibility: Make sure that the paper towel container provides easy access to the towels for users. It should be ergonomic and allow for convenient paper extraction.
• Maintenance: Choose a container that is easy to maintain. It should be durable, easy to clean, and allow for easy replacement of used towels.
• Capacity: Pay attention to the capacity of the paper towel container. Choose the appropriate capacity to avoid frequent emptying. The suitable capacity depends on the traffic and number of users in a public restroom.
• Compliance with regulations and standards: Make sure that the chosen paper towel container complies with applicable regulations and standards for hygiene in public places.

ZZ LUNA M Faneco paper towel dispenser in matte steel

Toilet paper dispensers or holders

When choosing containers or holders for toilet paper in a public restroom, there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, decide whether you prefer to use single sheets of toilet paper, toilet paper rolls, or a "jumbo roll" system. The appropriate type of container or holder depends on the chosen type of paper.

Next, pay attention to the ease of access to the toilet paper. The container or holder should provide convenient dispensing for users, as well as easy replacement of used paper.

Maintenance is also an important factor. Choose a container or holder that is easy to keep clean, resistant to moisture, and provides hygienic storage for toilet paper.

Capacity is another aspect to consider. It depends on the number of users in the public restroom and the frequency of paper replacement. Choose a container or holder with an appropriate capacity to avoid frequent emptying.

Remember to comply with regulations and hygiene standards in public places. Make sure that the chosen container or holder meets the applicable requirements.

Toilet paper dispenser 4 rolls Faneco steel white

Toilet for people with disabilities

Toilets for people with disabilities are characterized by slightly different regulations. It is extremely important already at the design or reconstruction stage to have wider entrance doors - those to the toilet for people with disabilities should be wider so that the user in a wheelchair can easily enter. This also requires providing enough space for such a toilet, allowing for wheelchair maneuvering. One of the basic requirements is to place the sink within reach from a seated position, without the need to get up from the wheelchair. Other important aspects include installing handles and handrails for people with disabilities, allowing for independent use of the toilet, and a tilting mirror.

More information about equipment for toilets for people with disabilities can be found here.

Fixed washbasin handle for people with disabilities on a 32 cm plate 60 cm Faneco matte steel

Toilet safety

When designing a public toilet, safety and comfort of users should be taken into consideration. All working pipes should be hidden, except for the final connections with the fittings. The visible pipes must be chrome-plated. All cables should also be carefully hidden. In addition, sharp edges should be avoided, and mirrors should not protrude from the wall. An additional, not required, but certainly raising the standard of a public toilet, will be the placement of decorative elements, such as easy-to-maintain plants or softly lit photos on the wall.

How to effectively maintain bathroom cleanliness?

Once we have a perfectly designed and equipped toilet, we need to take care of maintaining the proper level of cleanliness. General cleaning should be done daily. We should follow certain rules to avoid getting previously cleaned areas dirty before completing the whole process. First, we should replace all used accessories. Then we take out the trash and sweep the floor. Next, we clean and disinfect sinks, urinals, and finally toilet bowls. Once we have completed these tasks, we move on to cleaning the mirrors and polishing all shiny surfaces. Then it's time for the walls, partitions, shelves, and openings - we clean them in specific areas where necessary. Finally, we mop the floor. Then all that's left is to check if everything has been done correctly and make any necessary corrections. These tasks should be supervised. For this purpose, a cleanliness control sheet is kept, which is placed on the inside of the entrance door to the toilet.

Toilet cleaning should be scheduled during hours when we do not expect a high traffic, which would be uncomfortable for both the cleaning staff and the users. However, the more frequented the toilet is, the more intensive the cleaning needs to be. This must be done skillfully, so as not to interfere with use, but on the other hand, not to allow the room to deteriorate. We must definitely make sure that there is no shortage of toilet paper, paper towels, liquid or foam soap (definitely do not use bar soap), whether the hand dryer is working properly, and whether the floor is clean and dry to minimize the risk of slipping. It is also important to remember that individual elements, surfaces, have separate requirements for cleaning intensity, and specialized cleaning products are required for them, such as toilet cleaners or floor cleaning products. It is important to properly schedule a plan that will ensure maintaining cleanliness at the correct level. It is also worth properly training the cleaning staff.

It is clear that the above practices will be useless if we do not take care of creating a sense of responsibility for public toilets in the public opinion. We need to make users understand that these places are meant for all of us, so we must also contribute to maintaining order. If we do not respect public toilets and the work of others, we cannot expect to find the place clean.

Liquid for disinfecting the toilet seat 0.3 liters CWS boco

Summary

The solutions currently used are not yet perfect enough to not be improved. Some issues seem to be very trivial. Paper towel dispensers should be placed not as close to the sinks, but near waste bins, which will minimize the problem of littering. Toilets in schools are particularly vulnerable to unsightly graffiti, so it is worth covering the walls or partition walls with a suitable chemical substance that facilitates cleaning of such drawings. In addition to the aforementioned problem of conserving water resources, attention should be paid to minimizing electricity consumption - by providing access to as much natural light as possible, or by installing light-reflecting surfaces, which will enhance the natural lighting of the facility. Additionally, toilets can be equipped with their own source of hot water. The system can be activated only when needed and only in the required amount. As is well known, flushing water in toilets and urinals is a very serious source of spreading germs. Not everyone remembers to close the lid before flushing. To protect people from contact with bacteria, an innovative solution can be used in the form of delayed flushing. This will allow users to move away to a safe distance, where germs will not reach.

A public toilet at first glance seems to be a simple room. However, as it turns out, designing such a space requires careful consideration of many aspects in order to ensure the safety and comfort of its users. The market for hygiene products is constantly introducing innovative solutions to meet modern standards.

Marcel Apola