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Level of provision: how many and where?

Male:female ratios

Women may use the WC more frequently than men (particularly during menstruation or during and after pregnancy) and on average take longer in a cubicle than do men at a urinal. AD M suggests that there should be at least the same number of WCs for women as there are urinals for men, and that in some building types (for example, large retail buildings, theatres, concert halls and other music venues) there should be at least twice as many. The British Toilet Association recommends the following ratio of provision:

Number of male cubicles plus number of male urinals x 2 = required number of female cubicles

WC compartments for ambulant disabled people

A WC suitable for use by ambulant disabled people (that is, people who do not use a wheelchair) should be provided within each range of WC compartments in separate-sex WC washrooms. Good practice would entail providing as many compartments as possible to this standard, rather than just one in each range.

Where there are four or more WC cubicles in separate-sex accommodation, one of these should be an enlarged cubicle for use by people who need extra space.

Download examples of WC compartments for ambulant disabled people from CAE's best practice design guidance.

Wheelchair-accessible compartments

The time taken to reach a WC – as well as actual distance – is an essential consideration when planning the location of facilities. As far as possible, disabled people should be able to find and use suitable WC accommodation as easily as non-disabled people.

  • At least one accessible unisex WC should be provided at each location in non-domestic buildings where WC accommodation is provided for the use of customers, visitors and employees.
  • In hotels and motels, unisex WC accommodation should be provided near to bedrooms designed for wheelchair users if the general sanitary arrangement for standard bedrooms is not en suite.
  • In conference centres, unisex WC accommodation should be provided near main rooms. In existing buildings where space constraints make it impossible to provide a unisex accessible WC at entrance level, and on any storey that is accessible to wheelchair users, separate-sex WC washrooms should contain an accessible cubicle and accessible facilities. Indeed, some disabled people prefer this to unisex accommodation, as they, like other users, prefer to ‘go the ladies’ or ‘go to the gents’ rather than to what they may see as a special WC for disabled people.
  • A unisex accessible WC should be located as close as possible to the entrance and/or waiting area of a building.
  • The location of WC accommodation in a multi-storey building should preferably be in a similar place on each floor, which makes provision easier for people to find. Where WC accommodation is provided in various locations throughout a building (such as in a hotel with different classes of dining facilities), accessible WCs should be provided at each location.
  • The provision of accessories in WCs for disabled people should be the same as in WC accommodation for non-disabled people, but it should not affect the ability of wheelchair users to manoeuvre or transfer to the WC. Fixtures and fittings should be of the same quality as in standard compartments.
  • WCs for disabled people should be located on accessible routes that are direct and free of obstruction. Doors from lavatory accommodation, when open, should not obstruct emergency escape routes.
  • A wheelchair user should not normally have to travel more than 40m on the same floor to a unisex WC or a separate sex WC with accessible washroom and lobby, or more than 40m combined horizontal travel distance where WC accommodation is accessible by lift on another floor of the building. A level travel distance of less than 40m is preferable. There may be situations (for example, if access routes are free of any obstructions such as doors) where a distance greater than 40m is acceptable.
  • In situations with a high volume of users, such as busy motorway service areas, it is likely to be better to provide accessible WCs for disabled people and nappy-changing facilities in separate accommodation. In a small café or similar situation, however, integrating provision for as many needs as possible in the one unisex WC may be a more practical approach.
  • Where use of the WCs tends to be concentrated at particular times (such as during the interval at performance venues, half-time at sports stadia or breaks at conference venues), extra levels of provision may be required so that disabled people have time to get to, use and return from the WC without missing important activities.

Download examples of wheelchair-accessible WCs from CAE's best practice design guidance.

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