What is the size of an Ambulant toilet?

Reading time: 5 minutes

As a consultant and provider of prestige commercial washroom products, we frequently get asked about ambulant toilet dimensions and what the requirements are.

Fortunately, planning a standard ambulant toilet cubicle in a commercial building is not complicated, and the requirements are simple.

Let’s take you through the minimum dimensions of an ambulant toilet as specified by:

• Document part M Building Regulations – Access to and use of buildings – Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings – Sanitary Accommodation in Buildings
• BS 8300-2:2018 – Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment – Part 2: Buildings – Code of practice
• BS 6465-2:2017 Sanitary Installations – Space recommendations. Code of practice

Standard ambulant cubicle dimensions in separate-sex washrooms

Ambulant WC door opening

The door should preferably be outward-opening and provide a minimum clear width of 700mm. Inward-opening doors should only be used in existing buildings where there is no other alternative.

Heat emitters and boxing in of pipework

The overall ambulant toilet dimensions of the WC cubicle for ambulant people exclude boxing in of pipework and heat emitters such as a radiator or a similar heating device because the room size will need to be adjusted to accommodate those cubicle fittings.

Fittings and ambulant WC dimensions

Ambulant toilet shelf height

Where there is no flat surface in the cubicle, it is good practice to provide a shelf for colostomy bags or other medical devices. A shelf should measure approximately 125 mm deep × 400 mm wide or 200 mm triangular (corner position) and fixed at 950mm above the finished floor level.

However, if the WC is a flat-topped close-coupled toilet, the screw-down cover provides the same function as a colostomy bag changing shelf, and an independent shelf surface would not be necessary.

BS 6465-2:2017 notes that the shelf may be omitted where there is likely to be persistent social misuse of the toilet.

Ambulant sanitary disposal bin size

BS 6465-2:2017 space recommendations specify that there should be a sanitary disposal bin in ambulant toilets for medical waste disposal. However, there is no specific information regarding its measurements in the Standards relating to ambulant toilet dimensions.

What we do know is, UK law requires a sanitary bin or an adequate alternative for female toilets in every business or workplace, and BS 8300-2:2018 stipulates that a sanitary bin should, where practical, be recessed into the wall for accessible washrooms.

BS 6465-2:2017 also notes that a sanitary bin within male toilets is not required if there is likely to be social misuse of the toilet cubicle.

Clothes hooks

Two clothes hooks should be provided, one fixed at a minimum of 1 050mm and the other at 1 400mm above the finished floor level. Coat hooks should be set at an accessible height.

Toilet brush

A toilet brush should be readily accessible to a person seated on the WC or when a person is standing. A wall mounted toilet brush beside the toilet is recommended for ambulant accessible cubicles.

Accessible WC compartment dimensions for people with ambulant mobility impairments

There is more to consider when planning an ambulant toilet cubicle, as each fixture and fitting within the toilet has individual dimensions to observe and apply. Ambulant toilet dimensions include the size and placement of grab rails, washroom accessories, WC pan, and even dimensions of the activity space to ensure the cubicle is safe and accommodates sufficient manoeuvring space for those with ambulant mobility impairments.

Are you designing an ambulant toilet cubicle? Why not reach out to one of Dolphin’s washroom consultants to help you make sure the ambulant toilet dimensions comply with your plan.