R&R 8954 52 Nov '15 cc

Washrooms & Kitchens |
Changing places for equality
Architects and designers could be
exposing their clients to risk of breaking
the law if they do not include a specific
type of accessible toilet in new build or
refurbishment projects.
Under the Equality Act, which replaced the
Disability Discrimination Act, service providers
(including shops, tourist attractions, restaurants)
are required to make reasonable changes –
including to the built environment– where a
disabled customer or potential customer would
otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage. The
Government’s own easy reference guide further
states: “You should not wait until a disabled
person experiences difficulties using a service.”
For hundreds of thousands of the UK’s 11 million
registered disabled, those who need a carer to
help with personal care, conventional
wheelchair-accessible toilets are unsuitable.
“That means either having to lie on a toilet floor,
often with the door open so anyone else can
see you, or to go home, or not go out at all,”
says Margaret Clough. “That puts my family, with
my daughter Julie, at a substantial disadvantage,
to use the Government’s terminology, as Julie is
a severely disabled adult, in a wheelchair. Surely
making one toilet bigger, and including a couple
more pieces of equipment, is a reasonable
change?”
Margaret, her family and other similar families
are petitioning venues as diverse as motorway
services, hospitals, and tourist attractions to
install Changing Places toilets. With more space
than current wheelchair-accessible toilets, these
also include as standard a hoist, adult-sized
height adjustable changing table, and privacy
screen.
“You wouldn’t today expect to have to change a
baby on the toilet floor, so why a child or
adult?” asks Margaret. “There are over 8000
public toilets in the UK, excluding ones we use
in cafes, bars, at hospitals, tourist attractions.
Yet there are fewer than 800 Changing Places
toilets. There are at least 1.5million wheelchair
users in the UK. One in 10 people suffers from
bladder or bowel incontinence: There is clearly a
need, and we would maintain adding these
toilets on top of existing accessible facilities is a
reasonable alteration.
“Beyond the moral obligation, it has financial
benefits too: 20% of the average business’
customer base is disabled. Disabled people
: For hundreds of
thousands of the UK’s
11 million registered
disabled, those who
need a carer to help
with personal care,
conventional
wheelchair-accessible
toilets are unsuitable.
spend some £80billion a year! Research shows
people choose NOT to use somewhere they
believe does not have suitable toilets.”
To help architects and facilities managers get
their accessible toilets right, and meet Changing
Places campaigners needs, leading disabled
toilet solutions company Clos-o-Mat has
developed the most comprehensive and a
unique ‘one-stop shop’ solution.
In-house, the company can provide design
advice, then supply all the equipment, if
necessary install and commission it, and
subsequently service & maintain it. Full project
management can also be provided. This is
reinforced with support services including CAD
blocks, and sector-specific advisory white
papers available for free on its website
www.clos-o-mat.com
Exciting New Wet Zones from GEC Anderson
48
LEADING stainless steel specialist, GEC
Anderson limited, have released details of an
exciting new ‘wet zone’ concept.
Available now, the new wet zone option
enables specifiers to include a pressed recess
anywhere within the stainless steel worktop
area. Typically, the recess would be formed
around sink bowl(s) but it can also be used to
create lowered areas for other applications.
For example, to locate chopping boards or to
act as a general catchment area.
The pressed recess detail is 3mm deep and can
be formed in any size and position. It has a
variable corner radius with a minimum radius
of 10mm.
refurb| RENEW November2O15 issue 8954
Managing Director of GEC Anderson
Limited, Martin Tye, comments: “This is an
exciting new development that enables
customers to specify wet zones, of any
shape and size. Wet zones provide a real
practical advantage and they look really
neat as well. Because the recess can be
formed to any pattern, it really does open
the door to a lot of new creative
opportunities for our customers.”
GEC Anderson offer a number of different wet
zone options of which the pressed recess is
one. Tye continues “The pressed recess is also
extremely cost effective. It is formed early in
the production process, with a high level of
automation. This makes it possible to contain
the basic price to just under £150 and brings
the wet zone concept within reach of many
more of our customers.”
Full details and information are available
online at: www.gecanderson.co.uk
or you can always call
GEC Anderson on 01442 826999.