A toilet is an essential part of any establishment or business. It is a way of taking care of one’s customers and hence a way of taking care of the business. After all, many will prefer to eat, shop, pay their bills, etc. in a building where they can do their bathroom activities.
However, as much as you want to bring convenience, just not all toilets will do. You are placing a toilet for your customer’s convenience, so it will be better to walk the extra mile and tailor it based on their needs. And this is where an ambulant toilet comes in.
But what is an ambulant toilet? Is it just a normal toilet or not? How does it differ from the others? Ambulant toilet meaning? If you are asking or searching for these questions, then you are in the right article. Read more below to know the answers to them.
What is an Ambulant Toilet?
Ambulant toilets may not ring a bell to you, as what you’re familiar with may be mostly the spacious accessible toilets, and may not often hear ambulant ones. An ambulant toilet is a toilet type built for people who have ambulant disabilities. Ambulant disabilities refer to those that do not require a person to ride a wheelchair regularly. Disabilities like arthritis, sensory loss, diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer belong to this category.
Ambulant Toilet Layout and Requirements
You cannot randomly state that a toilet is ambulant just because you deem it convenient and friendly to those with disabilities. Ambulant toilet follows a strict standard when it comes to their layout and dimensions.
Based on standards, an ambulant toilet must have a minimum circulation space of at least 900mm x 900mm on either side of the door and a minimum 900mm to 920mm width inside the cubicle. Moreover, a 700mm width is prescribed for the doorway.
In addition to the above-mentioned specifications, the following are also ambulant toilet requirements:
- 700mm (minimum) clear opening
- 45mm long privacy locking snib lock lever
- 610-660mm toilet pan projection from the rear to the front of the toilet pan coat hook inside the cubicle
- 460-480mm height range of the toilet pan seat above the finished floor level,
- A grab rail that could withstand a force of 1100N
- A toilet roll holder placed in a convenient location
- A washbasin outside the circulation spaces
What Is an Accessible Toilet?
The accessible toilet is a toilet common to establishments. These toilets are called accessible, as people with disabilities who need regular wheelchairs can access them. The same group will find it easier to use an accessible toilet as it provides assistance when transferring from a wheelchair to the toilet.
First, accessible toilets are built in a way that can accommodate wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility. They are accessible enough to provide enough space for wheelchair access and mobility, as well as enough space to move from the wheelchair to the toilet.
Moreover, it has features geared towards convenience for people that require wheelchair use, such as lower mirrors, washbasins, contrasting toilet seat colors, grab rails, and braille signage.
When Are Ambulant Toilets or Accessible Toilets Required?
Even though you know ambulant toilets now, it does not mean that just because you have a business or you own a building, you are immediately required to have an ambulant toilet. It is great and highly welcomed if establishments and businesses will take it upon themselves to build one. But if they refuse and don’t want to, their reason should not hit the following factors that mandate and require the inclusion of an ambulant or accessible toilet.
If your establishment or business typically serves patrons numbering 20 and above, then ambulant and accessible toilet options are mandated in addition to the standard sanitary facilities. On the other hand, if your business is not that large (having less than ten staff) and serving less than 20 patrons, you are only required to have one unisex bathroom for your staff to use.
What Are the Differences Between Accessible and Ambulant Toilets?
Ambulant and accessible toilets are both toilet types geared toward those with disability. However, they are also different in some ways.
The main difference between the two is their “orientation.” An ambulant toilet is for those that do not require a regular wheelchair. On the other hand, an accessible toilet is for those that need to use a wheelchair most of the time.
In terms of size, accessible toilet dimensions, like its clear circulation space of 2300 x 1900, is significantly higher than its counterpart, which only has a circulation space of 900mm x 900mm. However, the fact is expected as the former needs to be highly wheelchair-friendly.
Another point of difference is the features. An ambulant bathroom is required to have a 45mm long privacy locking snib lock lever, a coat hook, and a washbasin outside the circulation space of the cubicle. On the other hand, accessible bathrooms must have lower mirrors, basins, contrasting seat colors, grab rails, and braille signages.
Conclusion
Many are indifferent about bathrooms; hence they might be unfamiliar with terms like ambulant, which will move to the question, “what is an ambulant toilet?” But this should not be the case. People with disability also need the convenience of being experienced by those who are able. And one way of letting them have that convenience is by providing an ambulant toilet. Ambulant toilets may seem like another expense that does not mean so much for your business or establishment, but contrary to that, they say a lot about how much you value and respect those who patronize your place. Moreover, putting one will not hurt, especially if the one you will buy is among great products like MyHomeware’s toilet suites.
FAQ About Ambulant Toilets
Ambulant toilets are intended to be used by people with ambulant disabilities. This means that they are for people who do not need to use the wheelchair regularly, such as those with arthritis and sensory loss.
Not all toilets are ambulant. To be considered an ambulant, it should have passed the agreed standards, which include a 460-480mm height range of the toilet pan seat above the finished floor level and a clear circulation space of 900mm x 900mm and 900mm x 920mm inside the cubicle.
It depends on the number of patrons you serve and the staff you have. If your patrons are less than 20 and you have fewer than ten staff, you only need to have a unisex bathroom for your staff to use. But, if you have more than 20 or 50 patrons or more, you are not only required to have standard toilets but ambulant and accessible toilets too.
