Standards regulating standard distances between sanitary devices allow for maintaining the functionality of the bathroom in every building. They determine the ergonomics of the room and the safety of its operation. If you deal with plumbing installations or design a bathroom in a public facility, be sure to read our comprehensive guide.
In this article you will learn:
- what does the functionality of the bathroom depend on,
- how to properly plan the layout of sanitary facilities in the bathroom,
- how to design a bathroom in a public facility.
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What principles should be followed when designing bathrooms in public buildings?
Hygiene rooms should be primarily adapted to the individual needs of their users. For example, the number of people using the bathroom every day or their height should be taken into account. A bathroom in a primary school will require a completely different design than, for example, in a social welfare home.
The biggest challenge is planning the layout of a bathroom that will be used by a diverse group of users, such as both small children and people with disabilities. The individual distances must then be averaged, while also taking into account their adaptation to the needs of people with limited mobility. In such a case, however, the best solution will be to designate a separate room intended exclusively for the disabled.
The principles of designing sanitary facilities may have different sources depending on the type of building. For example, the requirements for hotel bathrooms are specified in the "Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labor of August 19, 2004 on hotel facilities and other facilities where hotel services are provided". It describes the mandatory and additional equipment depending on the category of the facility. In all cases, public bathrooms must include, among others, washbasins with a countertop or shelf, a mirror above each washbasin (with lighting), a toilet (and a urinal in the men's). In residential parts, it is a bathtub with a tap and a shower or a shower cabin, a lighted washbasin with a countertop or shelf, and a toilet.
The regulations governing the construction and finishing of buildings in public spaces can be found in the construction law of 7 July 1994 and subsequent amendments. They provide information on the need to ensure appropriate conditions for the use of buildings for disabled people. The technical conditions of sanitary and hygienic rooms (including baths and toilets) are provided in the regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 12 April 2002 on the technical conditions that buildings and their location should meet (version in force from 25 December 2020). It is therefore important to always refer to sources that apply to a specific building.
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What distances between individual pieces of equipment should be kept in the bathroom?
In addition to the need to adapt the bathroom to the individual needs of users and the nature of the building itself, it is also necessary to follow the recommendations regarding the standard distances between individual sanitary devices. Free space should be left in front of each of them, so that their use is safe and comfortable. It is worth remembering that these areas can overlap and overlap, thanks to which the appropriate level of ergonomics can be achieved even in a very small bathroom.
Washbasin installation
The washbasin should be located at most 450 cm from the sewage stack. The sewage opening should be located 55 cm above the floor. It is usually installed at a height of 75–85 cm, but it is also worth considering the average height of its users (this is especially important, for example, in the case of a kindergarten bathroom). The wall-mounted tap should be located 25–30 cm above it. The width of the washbasin is usually over 40 cm. To use it comfortably, remember to leave 70 cm of free space in front of it. It should be at least 30 cm away from a wall or other sanitary device.
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Toilet and bidet installation
The toilet bowl should be located a maximum of 100–150 cm from the sewage stack due to the suction phenomenon. The bidet should be installed about 30 cm next to it, provided that the bathroom is large enough to accommodate both of these sanitary devices. The optimal distance from the wall is 20 cm for the toilet bowl and 30 cm for the bidet. The recommended height above the floor for both the toilet rim and the bidet is 40–45 cm. The free space in front of the first device is 80x60–80 cm, and in front of the second 100x70 cm.
Shower cabin installation
When installing a shower cabin, you should consider how the door opens. The easiest option will be to install sliding doors. In the case of hinged doors, you need to reserve additional space to open them. To use the shower comfortably, it is worth leaving about 80–100x90–100 cm of free space in front of it. The shower cabin should be 20–30 cm away from other devices. Its distance from the water and sewage riser cannot exceed 300 cm. It is also worth remembering to ensure the appropriate height of the shower faucet. It should be located 100–130 cm above the surface of the shower tray. The shower head is mounted at a height of 170–180 cm, and the rain shower – even 200 cm.
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Bathtub installation
The distance of the bathtub from the water and sewage riser should not exceed 250 cm. In front of it, however, you should leave 100–120x70–100 cm of free space. It is recommended to place other devices at least 20 cm away from it (if there is not enough space, the washbasin can even overlap the bathtub by 5 cm). The best space for the faucet is about 10–25 cm above the edge of the bathtub.
How to design a bathroom in accordance with standards?
In order for users to be able to use the bathroom freely, the installer must comply with the regulations for the type of building, take into account their individual needs, and also follow the recommendations regarding the distances between individual elements of equipment. What other tips are worth considering?
When designing a bathroom, especially in hotels or guesthouses, the division of the room into zones will be of great importance. Traditionally, a wet zone with a sink and a shower or bathtub is distinguished, and a dry zone with a toilet and storage space. The first, as a relaxation zone, should be located deep inside the interior, while the second should be closer to the entrance. The final shape of the bathroom will depend on its size and layout.
The design of the electrical installation in the bathroom also deserves special attention. Due to the use of water, the arrangement of electrical sockets and switches should be planned with the division into so-called protection zones. The PN-IEC 60364 standard divides the room into four zones, for which different safety rules are specified. Each of them is assigned, among other things, the degree of tightness that electrical devices installed in them must have.
Electrical sockets in the bathroom must be equipped with a protective contact and should also be airtight. The optimal number of sockets is usually two near the mirror (at a height of 130–140 cm from the floor) and possibly one intended for powering the washing machine.
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