What Are Changing Places Toilets?
Changing Places toilets are located all around the country and allow everyone to comfortably enjoy areas such as shopping centres, restaurants, bars and large scale events.
They are different from standard accessible toilets, providing additional care equipment and facilities to meet complex care requirements.
Changing Places Toilet Requirements
Changing Places toilets have specific requirements according to The British Standards (BS 8300:2009), which are recommended to provide the right equipment, adequate space and, more importantly, a safe, clean and accessible environment.
A Changing Places toilet should provide:
- Non-slip flooring
- An emergency alarm
- A privacy curtain
- A large bin
- A paper roll
- A centrally-placed toilet
- Adequate space for a wheelchair and one or two carers (3m x 4m)
- Adult-sized changing bench which should be height adjustable
- A ceiling track hoist or mobile hoist
This specification is designed to ensure that larger buildings and complexes meet the needs of disabled people, and is recommended for implementation in large airports or railway stations, health and leisure facilities, education establishments, shopping centres and any other key building within a town or city including libraries, town halls, museums or concert venues.
How Much Does A Changing Places Toilet Cost?
The total cost of a Changing Places toilet varies from venue to venue but equipment costs tend to range from around £12,000 - £15,000. This does not include any additional venue requirements such as maintenance or security costs.
With this in mind, it is recommended that these toilets are included within initial property planning and design as there is a possibility that structural changes may be required to accommodate a sufficient Changing Places toilet area.
Are Changing Places Toilets Mandatory?
Changing Places toilets are not currently a legal requirement in the UK.
Changing Places is a nationwide campaign calling for all large public spaces to install a Changing Places toilet, in addition to existing accessible toilet facilities.
Wealden Rehab is committed to supporting the Changing Places campaign and has contributed to many Changing Places projects - there are now over 1,000 Changing Places across the UK, but we are hopeful that there can be more.
What We Do
Wealden Rehab is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of care equipment, supplying schools, hospitals, homes and occupational therapists with the facilities they need to deliver the best care. Our range of care equipment products are designed to be problem-solving and innovative, providing solutions that improve the quality of life for both equipment users and their carers.
We are able to support organisations with the implementation of Changing Places toilets with our industry-leading range of ceiling hoists, care toilets, shower benches, changing tables and more, and were recently involved in the completion of the UK’s 1000th Changing Places installation.
In addition to the supply of equipment, we support our customers through the whole process from planning through to installation and completion and can provide recommendations, advice and guidance throughout your Changing Places project.
Get in touch to find out more about Wealden Rehab care equipment products or how we can equip your Changing Place.
Case Study
Wealden Rehab was contacted by the well known shopping mall, The Bentall Center, to refurbish their existing changing facility for customers with complex disabilities.
We were given yet another fantastic opportunity to propose a design with Changing Places specifications.
The entire installation took only two days, with the addition of a ceiling hoist support. Read More.
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