Adapting a bathroom to the needs of disabled people ensures that they can use this room comfortably and safely. This is not an easy task. The arrangement should include specific devices and accessories that will help users with limited mobility perform daily hygiene activities. Learn the most important rules for arranging a bathroom for the disabled!
From the article you will learn:
- What dimensions should a bathroom for disabled people have?
- how to plan the equipment of such a bathroom,
- which tiles will be the safest choice.
Bathroom for the disabled and seniors from A to Z
The regulations regarding the adaptation of space to the needs of disabled people are regulated by the construction law of 7 July 1994. The document concerns public toilets intended for users moving in wheelchairs, but these rules should also be applied to the arrangement of private bathrooms.
The regulations specify, among other things, how big a bathroom for the disabled should be. The dimensions of the room must allow users to move freely around it in a wheelchair, which is approximately 150 x 150 cm. For this reason , at least 5-6 m2 of space should be allocated for the bathroom . Even after equipping it with a toilet bowl, sink and shower, disabled people will be able to move around it comfortably.
Attention should also be paid to the dimensions of the entrance door. It should be suitably wider and have at least 90 cm in the light of the door frame. The door leaf must be light, open outwards and equipped with a straight handrail of about 60 cm in length, mounted at a height of 85 cm.
Bathroom tiles for the disabled
One of the most important elements of a bathroom for the disabled is ceramic tiles. They must have a matte surface with anti-slip properties. It is worth choosing stoneware tiles with the R10 marking or higher. Slippery floors are a serious threat to people with limited mobility.
When discussing the rules for the floor in a disabled bathroom, you should also remember about an even surface. So avoid any thresholds, steps and landings. Various rugs will also make moving around the room difficult. In order to ensure an optimal interior temperature and quick evaporation of water from a wet floor, it is worth deciding on underfloor heating.
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Toilet bowl for disabled people
When planning a bathroom for disabled people, it is worth starting with a wall-hung bowl . It cannot be less than 70 cm long. It should be installed so that the total height of the seat with the board is 45-48 cm. The flush button should be placed approximately 80-100 cm above the floor. The toilet paper holder and toilet brush must be within reach of the person using the toilet. Models screwed to the walls will work better than standing products.
In the case of a toilet bowl, it is worth considering a model equipped with a bidet function. Washing boards are devices that, thanks to special nozzles, allow the disabled to conveniently take care of hygiene. Bidet faucets with a handset will also work great, meeting the needs of the elderly.
Sink in a barrier-free bathroom
Another key element of the bathroom equipment for disabled people is the wall-mounted washbasin. It should be located at a height of 80 cm from the floor. It should be remembered that the handrail for the disabled bathroom must be mounted on a concealed frame so that the legs of the wheelchair user fit underneath. The washbasin itself is significantly different from the models used in traditional bathrooms. It has a special cut-out that allows it to be used in a sitting position and guarantees comfortable support for the elbows. A tap with a long handle will also be necessary in this case.
Each sink is complemented by a bathroom mirror mounted above it. The variant intended for a disabled person is characterized by the possibility of adjusting the inclination. It should be located about 95 cm from the floor level.
Shower for disabled people
A bathroom without barriers is not conducive to installing a bathtub. It is better to replace it with a shower cabin measuring at least 90 x 90 cm. However, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the assortments of manufacturers offering solutions for the disabled to look for larger models. They are available in both square and rectangular versions. Any shower tray must be recessed into the floor, but it is best to decide on a walk-in shower cabin .
In a bathroom without barriers, Ravak shower enclosures are perfect. In our wholesale offer you will find all the parts and accessories needed to install this type of shower. The maneuvering space provided by walk-in walls allows most elderly and disabled people to take a shower and move around the bathroom on their own. Particular attention should be paid to the resistance of the shower enclosures, which should be made of safe tempered glass. Thanks to this, any impacts with a wheelchair will not pose a serious threat to the user.
An important element of bathroom equipment for disabled people will also be a special shower chair . Products of this type are designed in such a way that they do not retain water and guarantee users safety and comfort while bathing.
Barrier-free bathroom accessories
A bathroom for the disabled is a place where various types of handles and handrails will be necessary , making it easier to move around the room and use individual sanitary devices. They should be located in each of the zones described above: near the sink, toilet bowl and in the shower.
The handles near the sink must be installed on both sides of it at a distance of 40-45 cm from the axis. They should be at a height of 80-85 cm. They will allow some disabled people to comfortably and safely lean on them during everyday hygiene activities.
The toilet bowl requires handrails that allow disabled people to transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet seat. They should be 70-85 cm long and should not protrude more than 15 cm beyond the toilet. Wall brackets are the best choice, but if the conditions do not allow you to install them, install floor handrails 35-40 cm from the bowl axis.
In the shower area, next to the seat, handles that help the elderly and disabled maintain balance will be particularly important. The height of such handrails should be about 80 - 90 cm.
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Bathroom for the elderly and disabled - a space without architectural barriers
A bathroom adapted to the needs of a disabled person should be, above all, a place that is easy to move around using a wheelchair. In addition, all equipment in such a space must be mounted at the appropriate height and remain easily accessible. Special seats and handrails for the disabled will be crucial in this case. Products of this type, as well as high-quality walk-in showers by Ravak, can be found in the assortment of the Onninen plumbing wholesaler !
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