07 March 2023
Architects often find compliance with commercial washroom regulations to be a challenge due to the complexity of the regulations themselves, as well as the competing demands of design and functionality. Regulations governing commercial washrooms can be numerous, and they are subject to change over time, making it tricky to stay up to date with the latest Standards.
Architects must balance the practical considerations of the space, such as the need for adequate ventilation and accessibility, with aesthetic concerns like lighting and finishes. Achieving compliance with these regulations while also meeting design objectives can be a difficult task, and may require careful planning and coordination with contractors, specifiers, and manufacturers.
Another major commercial washroom design challenge is planning a Doc M toilet layout that is accessible to people with disabilities or mobility impairments. This includes ensuring there is enough space to move around and installing grab rails and fittings that are at the correct height.
Architects may find it challenging to match special finishes because numerous factors can affect the appearance of a finish, such as lighting, age, wear and tear, and variations in manufacturing. Special finishes and coatings can change over time due to exposure to environmental elements or due to the way they were applied to the washroom product. Even slight variations in colour or texture can be noticeable, especially in large or open spaces where finishes are more visible.
Slight variations in finishes are not acceptable to a client, especially in prestigious, high-quality commercial washrooms. It can also be challenging if a washroom supplier has a limited product range resulting in sourcing more washroom companies to bring in the remaining items. A big pool of washroom suppliers working on one project may be a problem because the variations in colours and textures in their finishes may not match other supplier products. It can be further complicated if there is an attempt to value engineer without due consideration.
Matching finishes and special coatings can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of materials and their properties. Architects must also consider the intended use of the space and the desired aesthetic, which can further complicate the selection and matching of finishes.
Ultimately, the commercial washroom design challenge of matching finishes requires expertise, experience, and attention to detail to achieve a cohesive and harmonious design with durable finishes appropriate for commercial locations and cleaning regimes.
A common oversight is those finicky details in washroom design, and architects may not necessarily know they will have a potential challenge on their hands once the plan is signed off, or worse, only realise there is a disastrous situation when everything has arrived onsite ready for installation.
Examples of commercial washroom design challenges that are generally not thought of include provision for access panels for taps and cisterns as maintenance teams will need access to the pipework and operating systems, choosing the correct right hand or left hand transfer Doc M packs (particularly shower and WC combination packs), or ensuring the tap length is suitable for the washbasin.
Dolphin Solutions came across a project in the past where a 175mm long tap, with a 50⁰ turn down spout, was installed over a 250mm washbasin. After turning the water on, it was apparent that the tap was too long because water was splashing onto the floor over the basin edge when the user was washing their hands. The only solution was to replace the spouts with a shorter length spout which is expensive and time-consuming.
This simple miscalculation that caused the disaster could have been avoided by merely:
- Handing the washroom design to an experienced third-party verifier or commercial washroom consultant to analyse any problem areas; or
- Setting up a working mock-up to test for splashing, functionality, aesthetics and ergonomics.
Commercial washrooms are generally high traffic areas, and washroom products (manual or sensor taps, soap dispensers, hand dryers etc.) must be of high quality to withstand regular use, cleaning, and exposure to moisture. Poor quality commercial washroom products present a significant challenge for businesses and organisations because if they are faulty or poorly maintained, it can lead to costly replacements, repairs, and increased maintenance time. The downtime in repairing or replacing inferior washroom products causes tenant frustration, and in the long term, constantly replacing fittings is not a sustainable solution.
Investing in high quality commercial washroom products is crucial for ensuring a positive user experience, promoting good hygiene, and reducing long term costs. If materials and finishes are not durable and resistant to water damage, you can expect a negative user experience for customers and employees, leading to complaints and potential health risks.
Architects are becoming key advocates in designing and developing buildings that will be sustainable environments to protect our planet. As commercial washrooms play a significant role in water and energy usage, it only makes sense to pay considerable attention to conserving these precious commodities and implementing sustainable solutions into the scope of planning and washroom project design.
However, the commercial washroom design challenge architects face is trying to find what more than can do to design a sustainable washroom other than opting to include the most obvious features such as sensor taps with security timeout features and high speed, low energy hand dryers, for example.
Without the knowledge or experience of washroom manufacturers and consultants who can guide architects, contractors, and specifiers in choosing sustainable washroom products and encourage the integration of cutting-edge SMART washroom technology, architects may battle with achieving the sustainable building they desire.
