All About Changing Places Building Regulations

RISE believes in access for all. Safe and clean public facilities should be available and accessible for those with disabilities.

Former Minister Of Care, Helen Whately, said that compulsory Changing Places are major steps in giving future generations independence. They reduce the health inequalities faced by many individuals across the country.

The range of modular Changing Places facilities we offer at RISE are designed to make life easier for you.

So, what are the building regulations for Changing Places facilities?

What Are Changing Places?

Changing Places facilities are public toilets that are larger and more accessible to those who are extremely disabled. You may find curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and hoists in these rooms.

They are designed meticulously so that they are spacious for people and equipment, as well as fully accessible. It is required that they are an additional facility, separate from the other toilets available.

Problems of Having No Changing Places Facility

There are many people who need that bit of extra support with daily tasks and Changing Places provides the privacy and comfortability to do that. But when there’s no such facility, it can be frustrating and unpleasant.

For example, here’s some of the problems faced by the disabled individual:

• Limited liquid intake to avoid needing the toilet, risking dehydration and infection.
• Staying in dirtied clothing until reaching an appropriate facility or home.
• Changing on the toilet floor, which is unsanitary.
• Reducing time outside to avoid complications – ultimately hurting the person’s social life.

That’s why the government has particular requirements and regulations in place when building these services.

What Are Building Regulations?

Building regulations are there to ensure that any property – domestic, commercial, industrial – is a safe and healthy area for people to be in.

Your property will already meet the standards held so the regulations only need to be used when planning new builds, conversions, and extensions. And also when performing any extreme renovations – we’re not talking just wallpaper changes. We’re talking additions and removals.

For any project, approval is needed. They’re not necessarily legal requirements but it does mean that your building is expected to be an appropriate standard.

Our Changing Places facilities provide both the required space and specialist equipment to register as Changing Places toilets.

Planning & Construction

If the modular building is intended to be there for longer than 28 days, then planning permission is more than likely required.

Planning permission focuses on how the building will affect the exterior and surrounding environment.

As the amenities are modular buildings, they are constructed off-site. For bathroom pods this is a common method of construction. The building components will typically be constructed off-site and then transported to the site to be built.

Because components are assembled off-site, sideloaders may be used at the building location to help lift sections.