Changing Places Toilet Door Access

Changing Places Toilet Door

According to the Government’s Changing Places Toilets Consultation Paper, a Changing Places facility should provide “a door with a minimum clear opening width of 1m” to accommodate the facilities users and carers.

An outward opening door, to enable those with limited mobility or impaired balance is most beneficial and is in line with BS8300 regulations.

Changing Places Access

With Changing Places, there are different types of facilities:

• Fully managed e.g. open 24/7 in a hospital.
• Partially managed e.g. open during business hours in a zoo, with access and the alarm manned during that time.
• Unmanaged e.g. a facility in a park, that is not routinely checked.

Along with that comes a variety of access options:

• ‘Pro access’ refers to RADAR lock access only or otherwise unlocked 24/7
• ‘Pro security’ refers to an access option such as a single key being held at the reception of the establishment which is administered upon request

It’s important to acknowledge that there is also a wide range of door access options in between.

Toilet Door Access

The Changing Places Consortium, lean more towards the ‘pro access’ side of the argument, because of the reasons discussed earlier in this blog. However, at RISE we understand the needs of the business and aim to tailor toilet door access to what is most beneficial for the organisation and the facilities’ users.

We have explored many toilet door access options with our clients in the past, below are a few examples.

Having an access pad with a code installed on the door. Although ideal for some businesses there is pros and cons to this option – it may discriminate against people who don’t have good hand-eye coordination or have poor eyesight. This option also requires a commitment from staff to be on hand to provide the code. An access pad system in an unmanaged facility can cause difficulty if the code is not easy to obtain.

Some businesses have opted to have a key system for their toilet. A key can be specific to your location or can be used to access other CP toilets in the area – the latter is usually arranged in liaison with your Local Authority and in effect becomes a miniature RADAR system, applicable to your area. However, there may be delays in guests obtaining the key, which restricts them from using facilities until the key arrives.

The purpose of Changing Places is to provide accessible facilities for all those who need them. Having to cross certain boundaries to use the facilities means it doesn’t allow for spontaneity and likely discriminates against people. The process of applying for a specific area key or onsite key must be efficient and available to all those who may benefit from Changing Places.

However you decide to provide access, don’t forget to install clear signage on how customers can gain that access.