For the purpose of this note, junior ambulant toilets are defined as toilets in early childhood centres for children who have a mobility disability but are able to walk with or without a mobility aid.
Whereas ambulant toilets for adults are required by the National Construction Code (NCC), there is no mandatory requirement to provide ambulant toilets in children’s facilities. However, architects should consider planning for future needs at the onset of a project.
In all public buildings, access is required to and within all areas normally used by the occupants. Fit-out criteria for these spaces are not included in the NCC. Uninformed design of fit-out can render a space inaccessible, despite its compliance with the NCC access provisions. Inaccessible buildings and spaces are at risk of complaint under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Application
Provide junior ambulant toilets in early childhood centres or other facilities, where the need for such amenities is identified by the client.
Design considerations
The recommendations in this design guide are subject to future update following users’ feedback.
The recommended design solutions are applicable to selected products currently available in the Australian market, including products sourced directly from the manufacturer in Denmark.
Relevant products:
- Junior toilet pans Type A 350 mm high (three pans) and Type B 300 mm high (one pan)
- Height adjustable drop-down rails or support arms
Design criteria
To provide practical information to architects, specific brands of products have been nominated and illustrated in this Design Guide. This does not preclude the adoption of other brands when they become available in the Australian market provided they meet the design criteria.
Placement
To reduce the risk of accidental collision with the drop-down rails, the junior ambulant toilet should be located in an open cubicle with low side walls or in a corner location with a low side wall.
Fittings and fixtures
Junior toilet pan
Select toilet suites with the narrowest cistern to enable the drop-down rails to be located as close as possible to the toilet pan.
Drop-down rails or support arms
The effectiveness of the drop-down rails for the user depends on the following factors:
- Proximity to the seated user
- Suitable height to provide support when sitting down onto and getting up from the toilet pan
- In some cases, the specific needs of the user as determined by the relevant occupational therapist.
Design solution
The following products and installation have been selected to achieve the above criteria:
- Toilet suites not more than 350 mm wide to allow the support arms to be positioned at 275 mm from the centreline of the pan;
- Support arms 700 mm long (730 mm projection) with 240 mm height adjustability and installed relative to the height of the selected toilet pan, ie adjustable from 380 mm to 620 mm for 300 mm high pan, 430 mm to 670 mm for 350 mm high pan.
When the specific need of the child is not yet known, the support arms should be locked at the median height of 500 mm for the 300 mm high pan or 550 mm for the 350 mm pan. - Toilet paper holder under each support arm.
Drawings
- Option Type A1: 350 mm high junior toilet pan with exposed cistern and height-adjustable support arm.
- Option Type A2: 350 mm high junior toilet pan with concealed cistern and height-adjustable support arm.
- Option Type B: 300 mm high junior toilet pan with exposed cistern and height-adjustable support arm.
Download the drawings here.
The Australian Institute of Architects National Access Work Group kindly contributed to the content of this note.
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