ABSTRACT

This document contains

proposal design for
accessible toilet. It contains
detailed discussion of
different criteria considered
while selecting each item
and recommendation for
the design of new
accessible toilet in
Kathmandu University.
Fineco Technologies
DESIGN CONCPET Nikhil Rauniyar
Ritesh Rauniyar

Disabled Friendly Toilet

Table of Contents
Background.......................................................................................................................2
Design Consideration.........................................................................................................3
Circulation Space..........................................................................................................................3
Fittings and fixtures......................................................................................................................3
Type of Toilet...............................................................................................................................4
Baby Change Table.......................................................................................................................6
Door.............................................................................................................................................6
Flooring........................................................................................................................................6
Symbols........................................................................................................................................6
Design Summary................................................................................................................7
Cubicle Size..................................................................................................................................7
Toilet Pan & Grab Rail..................................................................................................................7
Washbasin....................................................................................................................................8
Baby Change Table.......................................................................................................................8
Soap Dispenser.............................................................................................................................9
Door.............................................................................................................................................9
Mirror.........................................................................................................................................10
Jet Spray.....................................................................................................................................10
Toilet Roll Holder (TRH)..............................................................................................................11
Cloth Hanging Device..................................................................................................................11
Flushing Controls........................................................................................................................12
Flooring......................................................................................................................................12
Emergency Alarm Button............................................................................................................13
Paint...........................................................................................................................................13
Symbols......................................................................................................................................13
Appendix A: Accessible Toilet Floor Plan...........................................................................14
Appendix B: Toilet Pan.....................................................................................................15
Appendix C: Washbasin....................................................................................................17
Appendix C: Foldable Baby Change Table.........................................................................18
Background
Kathmandu University (KU) is a established education provider in Nepal established; since
1991; the university has improved the teaching methodology, technology of Nepal, and has
raised the overall quality of education of the country. The university believes in equal
opportunity for all, where everyone gets equal opportunity for higher education and a
bright future. With that aim, it has initiated EATHEN (Equitable access to higher education
for students with disabilities and students from marginalized group in Nepal).

According to World Health Organization (WHO), “Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering

impairment, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or
structure; an activity limitation is difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task
or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in
involvement in life situation. Disability is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex
phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of person’s body and features of
society in which he or she lives.” They are widely recognized as people with accessibility
needs.

In order to provide equal opportunity of education for disabled person KU has recognized
the need of access, hence has initiated this design concept for accessible toilet. As mentally
disabled people may not be seeking higher education, we have considered only people with
physical impairment such as : visual impairment, blindness, wheelchair, deaf etc.

Introduction
In this report we will be presenting our concept design for the accessible toilet which will
ease the people with accessibility needs to access the toilet on daily basis. We have team
member who has actively worked as an accessibility consultant and has exhaustive
knowledge of accessibility needs in public buildings.

This report contains detailed in-depth discussion of different criteria considered while
selecting each item and recommendation for the design of new accessible toilet in
Kathmandu University. Each component of the toilet is designed to make it friendly for
disabled people; regardless of their disability type like blindness, visual impairment,
handicapped, wheel chair or ambulant person.
Design Consideration
Circulation Space

A person on wheelchair is the one who requires most of the circulation space as compared
to other accessibility need people such as: visually impaired or ambulant person. So, we
have carefully considered circulation space for wheelchair user while placing each fixtures
and fittings, provided ample room to make turns and maneuver around the toilet.

Figure 1 Circulation Space Requirement

Fittings and fixtures

A careful consideration has been made while the person is interacting with the different
fittings and fixtures in the toilet. We know for a fact, a person is going to on a wheelchair
while using the basin, so we have designed the basin in such a way that s/he can easily
access the operable parts of the basin, while being able to accommodate their leg below it
(without being interrupted by the drainpipes below the basin). Moreover, the basin is not
kept in the corner unlike other toilets, because if it is kept in corner the person will have to
struggle to make a turn around the basin, thus making it non-functional.

Screw taps are generally preferred in our country, but this may hinder a person
handicapped person, so we purpose taps with lever arm. Such taps can be twisted even by
the person who does not have fingers or hand. For the same reason, an automatic liquid
soap dispenser is recommended.
 Figure 2 Fittings and Fixtures Circulation Space

In South Asia, washing is preferred over wiping toilet paper, but since this is a disabled
friendly cubicle, we recommend a jet spray fitted in the toilet seat. And the switch to be
located near the TRH (Toilet Roll Holder)

Figure 3 Toilet Pan Seat

Type of Toilet

Studies have shown that only 10% the world population are left-handed, even though it is a
big number we purpose a Right-Hand Transfer (RH) Toilet; because with a little bit of
struggle even left-handed people will be able to use RH Toilet fully functionally.

In RH toilet, long grab rail is present at the right-hand side of the toilet, and it is bent at an
angle of 30 -45, to assist the person while getting up sitting down on and from the toilet
pan. We do not purpose any other fittings above and 50 mm below the grabrail. Except for
emergency alarm button, which is connected to the intercom of the building; it can be used
in case of emergency. The grab rails are of 30-40 mm in dia., as some people may prefer to
wrap their hand around the grabrail for their ease. Thus, that space must not be impeded.

The Toilet Paper roll holder is recommended at 200mm from front of the pan and 600 mm
form the finished floor level. It should not be placed in any container other than as shown in
figure 13. Any other form of container kept for aesthetical or any other purpose makes it
harder for people with accessibility needs.

The toilet pan position has been considered to accommodate enough circulation space
allowing them to make a full 90 turn.
As this toilet may be used by visually impaired person, we recommend maintaining a colour
contrast between the toilet pan and the top seat. Thus, the toilet pan should of white in
colour and seat should be in black colour. However, the top lid should be removed as show
in figure 7.

Figure 4 Typical Side Grab Rail

 Figure 5 Typical Rear Grab Rail

Baby Change Table

University is an open place and does not have any age barrier. Even women or men can to
university with a baby, so we propose the university to be a step ahead, as toilet has
become big enough while providing the circulation space for a wheelchair user a baby
change table is the perfect fit for it. This dose not only make efficient use of space, but also
sends a message that the university is inclusive, and any person can continue their
education regardless of challenge.
Even the baby change table is smartly placed, such that maximum circulation space is
allowed around the table. And the height of the table is adjusted to allow a wheelchair user
to user it efficiently, as show in Appendix C.
Door
Door is a key component of an accessible toilet, often forgotten or neglected but it is the
component, which allows an accessible person to independently use the toilet. The width of
the door is carefully considered to allow a person with the chair inside the toilet, and both
side of the door (hinge side and latch side of the doorway) is kept clear from any form of
obstruction. This allows a wheelchair person to autonomously control the door and be able
to make turns around the door.
Since this is a disabled toilet, even a person without hands or without fingers should be use
the toilet, having said that we cannot provide a toilet without any door. So, purpose a door,
which has light in weight and can be opened with one hand. In accessible term, being able
to open with one hand means, the force required to open the door is not greater than 20 N
or being able to open the door with little figure or pinky figure.
No door handles or controls are recommended on the outside of the door, while on the
inner side, a normal handle should be provided, which shall be placed at a height of 900-
1100 mm form finished floor level.
A manual door closer as shown in figure 11, which closes the door automatically in a
controlled manner is recommended. The door should have a privacy latch indicator showing
“Vacant” or “Engaged” Symbol.
A cloth hanger is recommended behind the door at a height of 1200 -1300mm from finished
floor level.
The door should be painted to maintain colour contrast for visually impaired person, we
recommend door to be painted blue in colour.
Flooring
Even though a shower closet is not present in the cubicle, we recommend the toilet floor to
made of non-slippery material such as Tiles. And in order to maintain the colour contrast for
the visually impaired person, the flooring should be of Gray/Black tiles and the wall should
be painted in white colour. No tiles are recommended on the wall of the cubicle.
Symbols
International symbol with braille tactile as shown in figure 6 on both wall of the toilet and
door are recommended. This helps guide the user to the cubicle.

Figure 6 International Symbol

Design Summary
Cubicle Size
The cubicle of 2350mm x 2705mm is proposed for accessible toilet. This size ensures
maximus circulation space, and avoids congestion are far possible. The detail plan layout can
be seen on Appendix A
Toilet Pan & Grab Rail
A white colour ceramic toilet pan with black top seat as shown in Appendix B is proposed for
the cubicle. The toilet pan is situated at 450mm from the side wall and 2 grab rails: side and
rear grab rails are provided. These grab rails are of 40 mm in diameter and ensure effective
transfer of ambulant or person on a chair to toilet seat.
 Figure 7 Toilet Pan & Seat

Note: Pan without top cover lid is to be installed as shown in figure 7

The side grab rail is bent at 150 mm from front of the pan and extends upto 700mm. While
the rear grab rail is 300mm long and termites are 450mm from the side of the pan. Both
grab rails are installed at a height of 810 mm from finished floor level. The detailed plan can
be found in Appendix B.

Washbasin
Washbasin is situated at Southwestern corner of the cubicle. Even though it is situated
across the door, it does not impede the circulation space of door or any other fittings and
fixtures situated inside the cubicle. The centreline of the basin is 425mm from the adjacent
wall as shown in the figure 8 below.
At 200 mm from the basin, clearance from drainage pipe is maintained and at 440mm from
the basin 700mm of clearance is secured allowing the wheelchair user to use the basin while
moving as close to basin as possible.
A lever is provided to control the tap instead of traditional screw tap, it allows handicapped
people to use it efficiently, and the lever should be installed at 50 mm clearance from
adjacent surface (mirror).
The dimension of the washbasin is 550mm x 440mm.
 Figure 8 Side View of Wash Basin

Baby Change Table

A foldable baby change table as shown in figure 9 is placed at Southern East corner of the
cubicle. The top of the table is installed at a height of 820mmm from finished floor level
after unfolding it.
 Figure 9 Typical Baby Change Table

Soap Dispenser
Automatic hand sensor detector soap dispenser is recommended as it allows people who
does not have hand to use it. It is situated 140mm adjacent to washbasin and at a height of
850mm form finished floor level. The detail layout of soap dispenser can be found in
Appendix C.

Figure 10 Automatic Soap Dispenser

Door
A light weight door of 900mm opening is provided at the North-western corner of the
cubicle. The door has an auto closer as shown in figure 11. No handles are provided on the
outside while the inner side of the door has a handle installed at 110mm form finished floor
level.

Figure 11 Manual Door Closer and Handle Plan along with symbols

The door has a hinge mechanism that allows it to be opened with a force smaller than 20N,
and has privacy lath indicator along with cloth hanging devices as shown in figure 15 at the
inner face of it.
Mirror
Mirror is placed throughout the width of the basin from 900 mm to 1850 mm from finished
floor level as shown in Appendix C.
Jet Spray
In order to achieve friendliness of the toilet for people with mobility issue, we recommend
using jet spray as shown in Figure 12 , to wash the back. It allows a person without hand to
wash and maintain cleanliness.

Figure 12 Type of Jet Spray

 Figure 13 Side View of Toilet Pan

Toilet Roll Holder (TRH)

TRH are placed at 300mm from front of the pan and 600 mm above the finished floor level
as shown in figure 12 above. This location make of TRH, makes it convenient for people with
accessibility needs to use the toilet roll continently. Only, TRH shown in picture below is
recommended.

Figure 14 Toilet Roll Holder (TRH)

Cloth Hanging Device

Cloth Hanging device as shown in the figure 15 below is recommended to behind the door,
at a height of 1300mm form finished floor level.
 Figure 15 Cloth Hanger

Flushing Controls
Flushing controls are proud of the surface making it easier for the person without figures to
use it. i.e., The flush button does not align flat with the flush system surface.

Figure 16 Flush Control

Flooring
Comma black mat non slippery tiles are recommended for flooring.
 Figure 17 Flooring Tiles

Emergency Alarm Button

Emergency alarm button placed adjacent to TRH as shown in Appendix B, which is
connected to the intercom of the building; it can be used in case of emergency.
Paint
We do not propose any tiling on the inner side of the cubicle wall. The inner wall is to be
painted in colour white.
Symbols
As the university is home to both international and foreign students and academic, we
recommend, internationally complaint symbols with braille tactile on both door and on the
side wall.

Figure 18 International Symbols

Appendix A: Accessible Toilet Floor Plan
Appendix B: Toilet Pan
Appendix C: Washbasin
Appendix C: Foldable Baby Change Table