Toilet Cubicle Regulations: Where Should Changing Places Toilets Be?

Changing Places toilets strive to offer facilities for individuals with complex and multiple impairments, often requiring the assistance of up to two caregivers. The Changing Places Consortium is actively campaigning to expand the availability of Changing Places accessible washrooms, ensuring a dignified option is always available, particularly during recreational activities for individuals in need.

How many Changing Places toilets should I be providing?

Changing Places toilets should be provided in addition to single or gender-neutral toilets, standard accessible toilets, and baby change facilities. It’s considered best practice to include more than one Changing Places toilet if space and funding allows, especially in larger sites where distance to the facility may be substantial.

If you already have wheelchair-accessible toilets or ambulant accessible toilets, those existing toilets should not be reduced in quantity to make space for the Changing Places facility. Instead, they should be supplementary, providing additional specialist options without compromising accessibility elsewhere.

Example Locations of Changing Places toilets in recreational areas:

• Sports and leisure facilities including entertainment arenas, stadiums, large hotels, large theatres and multiplex cinemas
• Cultural centres such as museums, concert halls and art galleries
• Shopping centres, large retail developments and shopmobility centres
• Key public buildings within town centres such as town halls, civic centres and principle public libraries
• Educational establishments, including universities

How to calculate Changing Places toilet provision

The design of all new buildings and the majority of alterations to existing premises are controlled by Building Regulations. Changing Places toilets should be provided in the following places as per Building Regulations amendments which came into effect from 1^st January 2021:

(Page 15 in ‘Changing Places: The Practical Guide’ & Approved Document M: Volume 2 section 5.7e)

Your architect or project manager may be able to calculate the floor area or capacity and advise you. Alternatively, capacity can be calculated using the table D1 in Part B, 2010 building regulations

Changing Places toilets in sports and leisure centres

Changing Places facilities should be situated in close proximity to changing areas within leisure environments, ensuring direct access to sports facilities. Additionally, there should be accessible and dignified methods of transferring into swimming pools. Associated amenities, including lockers, should be conveniently located nearby and wheelchair accessible.

Changing Places toilets in schools

In schools, Changing Places toilets are commonly referred to as hygiene rooms. Accessible toilets for pupils may need to be provided in each key stage area, ensuring compliance with the travel distances outlined in Approved Document M. Users should not have to travel more than 40 metres on the same floor, or if on another floor, accessible via a lift with no more than 40 metres horizontal distance. SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools often require multiple Changing Places toilet, typically providing one for every 12 non-ambulant pupils. It’s essential that these facilities are of adequate size, having, fewer well-placed rooms of the appropriate size is more effective than an over-provision of undersized rooms.

The goal is to create accessible and inclusive environments where everyone, regardless of ability and location, can access suitable washroom facilities with dignity and convenience. Once you have understood the requirement for the location, next it is important to ensure you are providing the correct equipment and sanitaryware specification for Changing Places Toilets.