Taking Sustainable Washroom Design Beyond LEED
Capturing the Full Benefits of ‘Green’ in Washroom Partition and Accessory Materials Selections
Continuing Education
Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s Continuing Education article.
Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:
- Discuss why achieving true sustainability in a washroom requires evaluation of more than just LEED points when specifying partitions and accessories.
- Explain how the materials specified for washroom partitions and accessories can affect overall washroom sustainability.
- Talk about the characteristics of the most as common materials used, and better understand the tradeoffs in durability, aesthetics, maintenance, user safety, and total lifecycle cost.
- Understand that some widely-held perceptions and assumptions about common washroom materials are misguided.
It’s All About the Restrooms!” proclaims Tom Peters in The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence (Harper Business, 2012). Why? Peters writes, “A sparkling restroom with family photos in a small restaurant in Gill, Massachusetts, shouts ‘We care.’” Therefore, “the devil—and a culture that demands EXCELLENCE—really is in the details! It’s clean-to-sparkling…. Fresh flowers are the norm….” He continues, “To me, a clean and attractive and even imaginative loo is the best . . .”
Most people expect privacy in the bathroom. Paradoxically, most bathrooms outside of private homes are designed for multiple, simultaneous occupants (The Atlantic, April 2014). Anyone who has experienced the duress of using an overcrowded poorly maintained or uncomfortable public toilet values a thoughtful washroom design. Despite its often taboo and certainly private nature, using public washrooms is a daily reality. The impression, poor or positive, left by a washroom often colors an occupant’s perspective of his or her entire business visit, at times influencing their overarching opinion of how much the building owner cares about their customers, visitors or employees. More often than not, this opinion or assessment carries over about the building design, and by association the architect or designing firm.
The demands placed on a high-profile, high-traffic, and heavily used facility require extra care in planning from its architect. An architect must think about it in these terms: What if 100% of a building occupant’s opinion of the architect can be shaped by less than 1% of what an architect specifies?
Among the most important design criteria are public health, privacy, safety, and the welfare issues that govern these spaces. A well-crafted public washroom should be clean and dry, well ventilated, easy to maintain, have a carefully planned layout and be disability friendly. Good planning creates a safe, clean, and comfortable public environment.
What are unifying elements that resonate in public washroom design? The “10 Best Public Bathrooms,” as rated by Business Insider in 2012, received accolades because their decor evokes a certain era, they have unique and thematic design elements, or even a $40,000 hand-blown glass chandelier (Vanity Night Club, Las Vegas).
However, set the individual highlights aside, and one notes washroom designs that universally promote thorough up-keep and user accommodation. The photos reveal clean and attractive spaces. These descriptors convey the ultimate goal in washroom design. The path to realizing this vision, and for securing it for both the client and building manager, is paved by sustainability.
However, this is not simply sustainability as recognized by certifications and program worksheets, but rather it is the durable concept of sustainability as defined by maintainability and design sensibility. This entails a washroom design that is environmentally conscious, offers the longest possible lifecycle of use, employs materials that are environmentally friendly, and one that comprehends first costs in lifecycle costs.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
It is, actually, all about the washrooms. The impression left by this room makes a profound impact on the overall assessment of the building itself.
There is No Sustainability Without Maintainability or Design Sensibility
Sustainability is not just about scoring Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® points. It reaches beyond accomplishing certifications. It is about building projects that have longer lifecycles, thereby preventing products from ending up in a landfill prematurely. Longer lifecycles come from choosing the right products (not just materials however) for the right applications. Making this decision—charting a sustainable project lifetime—means anticipating all the effects of the washroom’s environment, hard use, heavy abuse, or superficial maintenance. This requires evaluating the many dimensions of partitions and accessories beyond basic LEED Criteria, including: additional green features, maintainability, durability, initial and total lifecycle cost, and aesthetics. Understanding the full range of available product options leads to better material and component selection for the client. It also has implications for the life of the building.
While there are a number of critical sustainability issues in washroom design, the concept of maintenance takes priority.
One of the least understood basics of sustainable design is maintainability. Things must be taken care of in order to enable them to provide a long, useful life. Things that aren’t taken care of, or are hard to take care of, are neglected, deteriorate, and are thrown out. The most environmentally appropriate product, placed in the wrong setting, will suffer an abbreviated lifecycle, negatively impacting the client’s bottom line and adding unnecessarily to a landfill. Even with the most vandal-resistant fixtures, an unsupervised or poorly cared for facility will eventually become sub-standard. Facility engineers and cleaners play an important role, and their efforts will result in well-maintained washrooms.
Selecting appropriate materials by gauging what practical maintenance looks like and by estimating real conditions is vital to maximizing the successful life of a product in place.
Unfortunately, maintenance is a factor not often considered as part of the design professional’s responsibility. Nevertheless, to create a truly sustainable project, cleaning maintenance and system maintenance must both be understood and communicated to the project’s owner. Maintenance should take first priority, not last. That means that they must be anticipated from the standpoint of the design itself. Design professionals must become familiar with maintenance procedures and appropriate care of materials if they are to protect their designs and create truly sustainable projects.
In a sustainable washroom, the ability to maintain products and systems must be designed into and accommodated by the layout. In this way, design sensibility and maintenance complement each other. A washroom’s design helps or hinders its sustainability. By creating facilities that are accessible, can be readily cleaned, and spaces which can withstand predicted use, a designer will not only facilitate required maintenance, but also will ensure that the project elements work together to maximize the serviceable life of the design. Making sure a space can be easily accessed and easily cleaned is a pivotal checkpoint for washroom design.
Materials and systems must be maintained to be sustainable. It is essential, therefore, to understand how to select materials and systems to ensure proper maintenance.
Carefully selected, durable materials minimize maintenance and prevent premature deterioration and misuse. The selection of appropriate products and systems will have a significant impact on the lifecycle and sustainability of the project. Material selection considerably impacts the ability to successfully maintain facilities. While sustainability involves much more than just materials, materials are a key element of sustainable design.
Each commonly used partition material has benefits and limitations when it comes to maintenance, durability, and design. Cost is often a controlling factor in material selection. Factors such as wet area suitability, ease of maintenance, warranty, style, and source area, also play a part in the final decision. Weighing costs against maintenance is particularly necessary in product selection. Long-term maintainability may mean higher initial costs, but prove the most cost-effective over the long-term. However, in a project that anticipates remodeling every 3 to 5 years, selecting a more expensive product may not make sense. Lower cost materials can be successful and sustainable if they receive consistent maintenance. Although higher cost materials can minimize certain levels of maintenance, they still need to be taken care of.
Lifecycle cost analysis is useful for guiding these decisions. By understanding the full range of materials available, the designer can better adapt the washroom design and pick aesthetic notes for maximum life and service.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
The appropriate selection of materials for the application has a definite impact on overall sustainability.
Powder Coated Steel Partitions
Powder coated steel partitions are made from galvannealed steel sheets. The powder coated finish is electrostatically applied over galvannealed steel, which protects against corrosion and provides a proper base for the finish. The finish is resistant to wear, fading, staining, scratching and scuffing. It is easily cleaned with mild soap and wiped dry.
The face sheets are held rigid and permanently in place by an interlocking strip welded at each corner. The core is cellular honeycomb which provides strong construction and maximum sound attenuation. (First Cost: Inexpensive)
Benefits
• Maximum durability. Powder coating adds to the corrosion resistant qualities of galvanized steel.
• Average resistance to vandalism. Paint could be scratched off with sharp objects. Metal could be dented or incised with force.
• Economical.
• Resists graffiti, corrosion, fading, scuffs and stain.
Application concerns
• Internal core is a honeycomb cardboard and may be damaged with sustained exposure to moisture.
• Warranty from major manufacturers is 3 years.
• Ease of maintenance: Must surface clean with a mild soap. Should not be hosed down.
Style implications
• Allows good choice of colors.
• Powder coating allows blending the partitions with the remaining color choices in a washroom.
LEED Version 3.0 Certifications
• May qualify under Recycled Materials (MR 4.1, 4.2)
• Both adhesives and paint may qualify under Absence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) etc. (EQ 4.1, 4.2, 4.4)
Stainless Steel Partitions
Stainless steel partitions are made from Type 304 stainless steel, which is mounted to a honeycomb core and finished with a satin or textured finish. Stainless steel partitions are traditionally fabricated utilizing 304 stainless steel. This grade of stainless is the standard for the washroom industry. There is a trend by some secondary manufacturers to supply lesser grades of stainless with lower nickel and chromium levels. These lower content levels directly affect the corrosion resistance of the material and will lessen the lifecycle of any partition that is supplied in this manner. It may be wise for designers or building owners to ask for certification of 304 stainless steel when choosing this material. Construction of these partitions is similar to that of powder coated products as the core is honeycomb in this application. (First Cost: Expensive)
Benefits
• Resistant to rust and corrosion.
• Vandalism resistance is high. However, metal could be dented or incised with force.
• Striking appearance that works with any color scheme.
Application concerns
• Internal core is a honeycomb cardboard and may be damaged with sustained exposure to moisture.
• Warranty from major manufacturers is 5 years.
• Ease of maintenance: Must surface clean with a mild soap. Should not be hosed down.
Style implications
• Some maintenance is necessary to achieve maximum aesthetic appeal.
• An elegant look that accentuates the design aesthetic in any application.
• Great complement when other stainless steel washroom accessories are also used.
• Adds a level of elegance no matter what other products are used in a washroom.
LEED Version 3.0 Certifications
• May qualify under Recycled Materials (MR 4.1, 4.2)
• Adhesive may qualify under Absence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) etc. (EQ 4.1, 4.2, 4.4)
Solid Plastic Partitions (HDPE)
Solid plastic partitions, sometimes referred to as High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), are made from a polymer, which is composed of extruded polymer resin. (First Cost: Moderate)
Benefits
• Variety of colors and textures to chose from.
• Medium price option.
• Ideal for heavy-use situations, such as schools, aquatic facilities, locker rooms and sports arenas.
• Impervious to water. Resists moisture and steam, making it a practical choice for shower and locker room areas.
• Hygienic.
• Easy to clean. May be washed down by machine, or cleaned with soap and water.
• Resists moisture, scratches, dents, chipping, rust, oil and bacteria.
• Vandalism resistance is high. Cannot be dented; scratches are repairable; and is resistant to graffiti.
• Never needs painting.
• Can have anti-microbial and other additives for specific applications.
• Can be made with 100% post-consumer recycled content (at a higher cost).
• Warranty ranges from major manufacturers start at 15 years.
Application concerns
• Color may not be altered once manufactured or later in the lifecycle of the building.
Style implications
• Color choices available: coloring plastic is a matter of formula, some manufacturers extrude their own sheet and may be able to match almost any color, dependent on lead time.
• Since HDPE partitions can be made with a “sandwich” of two colors this material lends itself for engraving logos and letters into the stalls.
LEED Version 3.0 Certifications
• May qualify under Recycled Materials (MR 4.1, 4.2)
Plastic Laminate Partitions
Plastic laminate partitions are made from particleboard and finished in a resistant plastic laminate. This material allows this partition board to be designed both horizontally and vertically. (First Cost: Inexpensive)
Benefits
• Low cost.
• Wide range of colors.
• Resists corrosion, rust, and penetration of dirt and grease.
• Popular choice for retail and foodservice washrooms.
Application concerns
• Water resistance is low. Core is typically made of particleboard, which could expand, warp, and delaminate over time if subjected to high humidity.
• Easy to clean, but must be surface cleaned only with mild soap and water, taking care not to soak the material.
• Vandalism resistance is low. Pilasters may have an optional steel core to help increase strength of installation.
• Overall sustainability is rated as low. Not for use in a high-traffic environment or in an area where exposure to the elements or humidity may be a factor.
Style implications
• Many laminate choices allow for a customized look.
LEED Version 3.0 Certifications
• May qualify under Recycled Materials (MR 4.2)
• Dependent on Ship To location, may qualify under Regional Materials (MR 5.1)
• Adhesive may qualify under Absence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) etc. (EQ 4.2, 4.4)
• May qualify under FSC Certified Wood (MR 7.0)
• May be GreenGuard certified, depending on manufacturer
Solid Phenolic Core Partitions
Solid phenolic core partitions, both color thru and black core, are made from many layers of decorative papers which are saturated with phenolic resin. This forms the base, which is then laminated with heat. In black core phenolic, black kraft paper is used to build the layers of the material, then two colored pieces are added to either side, giving the final partition whatever color is chosen. Color thru phenolic is constructed using the same colored paper on the inside as on the outside. In doing so, however, the color options are more limited. (First Cost: Expensive to Very Expensive)
Benefits
• Hundreds of colors to choose from.
• Used in heavy traffic areas, including schools, stadiums, and theme parks.
• Impervious to water; recommended for areas of high humidity; ideal for shower and locker rooms and aquatic facilities.
• Excellent choice for areas with a high incidence of vandalism. Very difficult to scratch; will not dent, highly impact resistant, and graffiti resistant.
• Easy to clean. May be washed down by machine, or cleaned with soap and water. Resists water, oil, stains and bacteria.
• Stands up well in high abuse environments due to its impact resistance.
• Warranty ranges from major manufacturers start at 10 years.
Application concerns
• Initial high expense for some designs and color selections.
Style implications
• Color options allow a designer to exercise imagination without sacrificing durability.
• Material serves design needs of executive washroom, yet can also accommodate the high use environment of a stadium.
LEED Version 3.0 Certifications
• Dependent on Ship To location, may qualify under Regional Materials (MR 5.1)
• May qualify under Absence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) etc. (EQ 4.4)
Less Common Partition Materials
• Stone
- Extremely heavy.
- Accessories require full penetration anchors.
- Stone requires special cleaning products.
- Very difficult to repair minor damage.
• Glass
- Extremely heavy.
- Accessories must be located prior to tempering.
- May have some perceived privacy issues.
- May not handle hard use well.
• Wood
- Wood is susceptible to damage when used around water.
- Even with high levels of maintenance, which are not sustainable, wood is very problematic in heavy-use washrooms.
• Composite
- Heavy.
- Potential for chipping if dropped.
- Lower pull strength at site of fasteners.
Analyzing Partition Assembly Types for Lifecycle Implications, Maintenance, and Application Suitability
In combination with selecting a partition material is the decision of how that material will be assembled and presented within the project. Failure of partition mountings is a common problem in washroom design. Understanding the various types of assemblies and their suitability for use is a vital element contributing to the sustainability of the overall washroom. The best and most durable material, when improperly assembled or mounted, may damage and disfigure surrounding walls and materials, and may even be discarded early, simply due to a mismatch in assembly choice. Additionally, partition assemblies can help promote maintenance by providing easy and open access to cleaning crews, or hinder it by creating narrow or unreachable spaces.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
Floor mounted-overhead braced partition assembly.
Floor Mounted-Overhead Braced
• Vandal resistance: Average to High. Overhead bracing adds structural rigidity.
• Construction requirements and limitations: Lightweight concrete or wood floors.
• Ease of maintenance: Average.
• Overall sustainability: Average to High. Stronger than average construction style leads to longer lifecycle. Great for renovation projects and new construction because it is relatively independent of floor construction.
• Relative Cost: Moderate.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
Ceiling hung partition assembly.
Ceiling Hung
• Vandal resistance: Low. Stalls may be pushed from side to side if not installed correctly with structural steel in the ceiling specified by an engineering team. If installed in ceilings that are higher than suggested, or if incorrectly installed, doors may open with sideways pressure.
• Construction requirements and limitations: Requires proper installation and attachment to the appropriate structural ceiling support. Ceiling height should not be greater than 8’. When used with Solid Plastic it must have a cross bracing between pilasters.
• Ease of maintenance: High. The floor can be easily cleaned because there are no pilasters getting in the way of mopping. Ease of cleaning and reduced operation costs.
• Overall sustainability: Low. While easy to clean, ceiling hung partitions are more prone to vandalism and accidental damage. These systems must be installed perfectly to have a long lifecycle.
• Relative Cost: High.
Photo credits: Left: Sarah Mechling/Perkins Eastman; Right: Courtesy of The ASI Group
Ceiling and floor anchored partition assembly in stainless steel.
Floor Mounted
• Vandal resistance: Better than ceiling hung applications but does not have overhead bracing like floor mounted-overhead braced construction, so not as secure.
• Construction requirements and limitations: For concrete floors only, this style requires 2” minimum penetration into floor. Cannot be used with Solid Plastic (HDPE) Partitions.
• Ease of maintenance: Average.
• Overall sustainability: Average. Without overhead bracing, this style lacks additional structural strength. Perfect for older building renovations where low ceilings are a factor.
• Relative Cost: Low.
The ability to easily adjust elements of a partition system extends the life of the system significantly. Adjustment of partition systems is not only done at installation, but over the life of the project, as wear and tear loosens the mountings. Adjustable hardware mounts may also help when floors and ceilings are not level or are uneven.
Verifying that Layouts are Appropriately Planned Prior to Construction Helps Avoid Conflicts in the Field
Washroom design schemes must be analyzed on the basis of number of users, availability of maintenance, and potential levels of abuse. Layout issues are still a significant problem in washroom design, especially in accessible washrooms.
Three-dimensional and color renderings of partition layouts provide a great tool for coordination and conflict checking. Partition layout is key to a successful and accessible washroom. When reviewing a three-dimensional rendering, look for how all the components go together to reduce conflicts in the field. Pay careful attention to materials and attachment details. Take the time to design and locate not only the partitions, but also the accessories that go with them. Verify that each partition edge is reviewed for layout and attachments, and check common problem areas, such as the shelf and partition interface. Doing a virtual walk-through highlights areas that might be difficult for maintenance to access, such as a lack of space in, or around a partition that would prevent cleaning, or a conflict between stall door openings. Are grab bars located correctly? Is adequate blocking planned for this attachment? Certain tools, like Building Information Modeling (BIM) allow a designer to plan, create, build, and manage buildings. They can also capture individual objects crucial to each design, facilitating the creation of manuals for building managers on how to care for and replace objects within the design.
At the end of the day, a project carries the professional’s name. Don’t be afraid to highlight critical details and to enforce specifications. Without enforcement, a great spec can be changed in the field, compromising both design and materials, and result in products ending up in a landfill. This is not sustainable.
By Applying Design Sensibility, the Design Professional Can Avoid Common Partition Failures
Selecting the best material for both budget and application secures upfront suitability. However, a sustainable partition system must be a combination of correct materials, appropriate assembly type, and hardware sized for the level of use in the washroom. An essential aspect of a sustainable project is the lifecycle of the various materials, elements, and systems. In reference to washroom hardware, the best design anticipates the loads the selected materials will experience and creates a support system for them via layout and appropriate hardware. Support systems, including appropriate hardware and blocking, become vitally important for certain features like grab bars.
Typical washroom partition failures include fastener pullout (blocking), material degradation due to chemicals and incorrect maintenance, physical damage due to abuse, and lack of proper maintenance.
As different design schemes are weighed, the professional should ask whether the assembly and material is suitable for its intended use, and if the installation is planned appropriately. Critically, the designer should select and note key details on drawings and enforce desired specifications. This may require a field visit or verification.
Layout and field preparation are vitally important for partition installation. Even in quiet environments, partitions and doors receive a tremendous amount of pounding, wear, and tear. Providing the right blocking, and using the correct fasteners and anchors, creates a sustainable installation and protects partition materials from unnecessary wear and repair, extending their lifecycle. Fasteners, anchors, and blocking are all pivotal to a sustainable installation.
Fasteners and partition panel hardware need to be coordinated with the substrate. Selecting the correct hardware and panel connections can determine whether an installation is sustainable or not. Review the manufacturer’s installation manuals to gain a better understanding of how partitions are detailed and how they are anchored to the substrate. Close attention to attachment details can make a huge difference in the life of a partition system.
It is vital to select materials and hardware that are suitable for the intended use.
Analyzing Partition Hardware and Components for Lifecycle Implications, Maintenance, and Application Suitability
Hardware and its installation result in the highest level of failure in partition systems. Selecting, sizing, and locating partition anchors and hardware is essential to developing a sustainable washroom. Understanding how hardware works, providing solid blocking and backing, and selecting for type of use is paramount.
Fasteners, Anchors, and Blocking are Critical to a Sustainable Installation
Fasteners and partition panel hardware need to be coordinated with the substrate.
Selecting the correct hardware and panel connections can determine whether an installation is sustainable or not. There are a wide variety of partition panel mounting types, including continuous stainless steel brackets, continuous aluminum brackets, and plastic or stainless steel shoes.
In a pilaster mounting, pilaster adjustments, with floor-mounted jack-leveling devices, are standard on floor anchored/overhead braced pilasters. Alternate types of pilaster mounting use a heavy gauge mounting, and typically can be found on ceiling hung and floor anchored pilasters.
Continuous type brackets provide the best support, but at the highest cost. Manufacturer’s literature and installation manuals are key resources for gaining a better understanding of partition systems and components.
Selecting door hinge systems should be based on partition weight, intensity of use, and hold open capabilities
Partition door hardware incurs heavy use. Furthermore, the selection of hardware must be coordinated with accessibility requirements.
Door hardware types:
• Continuous stainless steel hinges
• Integral hinges
• Vault hinge
• No sight hardware
• Pulls
Understanding the different types of hinge components is important in designing a sustainable washroom. Failure of operating parts creates other problems and major maintenance headaches.
Door hardware is typically classified based on the door’s handing and on the material of the door. Selecting door hinge systems should be based on partition weight, intensity of use, and hold open capabilities. Selecting hardware must coordinate with accessibility requirements.
The bottom door hinge can at times function as a gravity-positioning hinge. It provides safe, durable, and typically maintenance-free support. Upper door brackets can be an internal part of the door. A pin is sent through the door and bracket, offering a second point for weight bearing. Typically, this pin operates in a nylon bushing in the upper hinge bracket. Concealed latch door hardware offers emergency access and qualifies as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lever handle.
For heavy use facilities, vandal-resistant fasteners may be applicable. A special driver installs these fasteners in their application, which virtually eliminates unauthorized removal.
Making a sustainable hardware choice means selecting the appropriate system that can both support the partition material and assembly style while distributing structural loads evenly across the system.
Photo courtesy of Schluter Systems
Accessible showers that use a variety of enhancements and drains offer more flexibility in design and construction along with easier usage.
Making Sustainable Decisions for Partition Mounted Elements
Once partition material, assembly type, and hardware are specified, design focus narrows to accessory components. These may include lockers, disposal units, purse shelves, coat hooks, soap dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, and seat cover dispensers. Accessories are a critical part of a highly functioning washroom, but often create the most maintenance issues.
For those facilities using lockers, material options include powder coated steel, solid plastic polymer (HDPE), and phenolic (black core), glass and wood as well. As in partition material type, solid plastic polymer and phenolic materials and glass offer the best choices for wet or high humidity environments. Solid plastic and phenolic also offer the greatest security level against vandalism.
Often accessory choices are left to a building manager. This can lead to mismatched selections and a disruption of aesthetics in the washroom. In the end, these post-design selections can cost more than those planned for installation at the product’s inception. By carrying design through to accessories, the architect ensures that choices and material selections are complimentary. Besides partition mounted accessories, there are many other washroom accessory choices that an architect should make based on energy consumption and sustainability, such as hand dryers versus paper towels, decibel level in dryers, and moisture management (some dryers resist water from falling on the floor and hence require less facility maintenance). Other factors that should be considered in accessory selection are the gauge of steel used–it can vary from 22 gauge, which is the baseline CSI spec, to 16 gauge for high use and abuse environments. Stainless Steel accessories are traditionally fabricated utilizing 304 stainless steel. This grade of stainless is the standard for the washroom industry. Some manufacturers may use a lesser grade of stainless with lower nickel and chromium levels. These lower content levels directly affect the corrosion resistance of the material and will lessen the lifecycle of any accessory that is supplied in this manner. It may be wise for designers or building owners to ask for certification of 304 stainless steel when choosing this material.
Some accessories, such as toilet paper dispensers, are especially designed for partition mounting. Mounting accessories on partitions requires that the partitions be prepared for installation. Items such as grab bars require secure anchorages on the partitions. While this may add some cost, it provides a much more secure installation. Careful selection is key. Double-sided partition accessory mounts require particular care in coordination, so as not to impinge on interior stall clearances and sustainability. This is particularly important for handicap accessible stalls.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
Besides partition mounted accessories, there are many other washroom accessory choices that an architect should make based on energy consumption and sustainability, such as hand dryers versus paper towels, decibel level in dryers, and moisture management.
The 2010 ADA Standards Have New Implications for Design in Washrooms
The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design have added some new requirements for toilet partitions. Designing accessible partition systems requires extra care with regard to dimensions and fixture locations. In particular, the 2010 ADA Standards have clarified the sizes of accessible stalls and what can go in them. Implications include dimension requirements, door standards, and hardware specifications. These, in turn, influence materials and planning layout. At least one toilet compartment must be wheelchair accessible in all multi-user restrooms.
Accessible washrooms also must be located on an accessible route and have compliant doors, so that people with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, can enter the space. Required clearances must provide sufficient room to enter, turn around, and close and lock the door. Door maneuvering clearances need to provide room to approach and open doors and to exit the space. The maneuvering clearance required at doors is configured according to swing and approach. Some overlap of other clearances, such as water closet and lavatory, is allowed, depending on locations of the elements.
Furthermore, turning space is required within the stall. Turning space must be either a 60-inch circle or T-Shaped. Doors may not swing into turn space under any condition. Rooms with doors that swing out require less space, but a strike side clearance may be required on the push side. Where doors swing out, this may further determine the space requirements.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
By selecting accessories during the design phase, ease of management and maintenance can be integrated into the washroom.
The clear floor space requirements at water closets accommodate a variety of transfers from a wheelchair, including side transfers, which enables disabled users to have several options, depending on preference and ability. Grab bars located on the side and rear walls are critical for transfer. Flush controls must be located on the open side of the water closet. Clearances also are required at other elements, including soap dispensers, towel dispenser, and hand dryers. Likewise, faucet controls and other operable parts are governed by the 2010 Standards. The size of single user washrooms is determined by room layout, configuration of fixtures, and the swing of doors.
The compartment opening is offset from the water closet to provide space for entry and transfer. Toe clearance below one side partition and front partition provides additional maneuvering space. An additional accessible compartment is required where 6 or more compartments exist.
A 30-inch x 48-inch CLFS (clear floor space) is mandated at every fixture, accessory, and operable piece of hardware. Clear Floor Space for a sink can go all the way under the sink to the wall if there is clearance. The Clear Floor Space for accessories and sinks must adjoin the Path of Travel (POT). Generally speaking, door swings may not impinge on CLFS.
The 2010 ADA Standards have specific requirements for accessible hardware, including grab bars—both location and reinforcement, door latches, and door pulls.
Specific standards include:
• 604.8.1.2 Doors: The stall door must be on the opposite wall / diagonal from the water closet and within 4 inches maximum from the stall corner. Clear floor space, toe clearance at doors and partitions, and accessible urinals and screens are governed by this provision.
• 309.4 Operation: Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be no greater than 5 pounds maximum.
• 404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware: Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors and gates shall comply with 309.4. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Realizing a Sustainable Washroom that Lasts Through Time Takes a Marriage of Thoughtful Design and Maintenance
Washrooms can be memorable, for all the right, or wrong reasons. Frequently, they are the lynchpin that leaves a lasting impression—good or bad—on a client or customer, and color his or her assessment of a business or venue. For that reason, it is unfortunate that public washrooms are all too often relegated to the level of an undesirable necessity through poor material selection and lack of maintenance exacerbated by poor planning. Products that are well integrated, that work together, allow fulfillment from an aesthetic sense in addition to meeting the need for functionality.
Products and design that work well together result in sustainability. A great washroom exemplifies true sustainability. Reaching beyond just the certification affixed to its plaque, or the standards adhered to by its products, a sustainable washroom has a design professional behind it who thoughtfully planned a maintainable, durable design with an eye toward initial and total lifecycle cost and pleasing aesthetics. This forward thinking helps guarantee the longest possible lifecycle of use for each component in the design: from partition material, to assembly construction, to individual hardware and accessories.
Considering the lifecycle of the product means making a selection so that product doesn’t end up in a landfill. Use of appropriate materials is a significant part of developing a sustainable installation. Designing for maintainability over the life of a project is a key aspect of lifecycle cost. Despite everything we know about designing to first costs, we still find ourselves seeking to minimize the initial material costs. Having an excellent working relationship with manufacturers and suppliers offering multiple options allows a designer to have access to the very best selection for the unique project.
Photo courtesy of The ASI Group
By understanding the full range of material and product options available, a designer can select the best strategy to thorough up-keep and user accommodation, securing a sustainable, attractive washroom.
You wouldn’t wear a raincoat to go scuba diving any more than you would wear scuba gear to keep out the rain, but it is good to be able to have a choice in what you wear for different occasions.
Similarly, having a choice in washroom partitions, washroom accessories and lockers in a facility allows for a premium selection that maximizes aesthetic and durability benefits in place. Choice also means the potential to utilize more than one type of material, if applicable, in a design. Don’t be afraid to use manufacturers as reference points in both installation and care. Design professionals must become familiar with maintenance procedures and materials if they are to protect their designs and create truly sustainable projects. Maintenance should be first not last. Most product installation manuals have some minimum discussion about maintenance and use of cleaning products. Cleaning maintenance and system maintenance must be understood and communicated to the owner. This ensures that materials will not suffer from corrosion in harsh or chemical environments that greatly shorten partition life.
Maintainability. Design sensibility. Sustainability. Having a complimentary relationship between these elements: partition material, assembly type, and hardware selection, means reinforcing the durability of each. Couple that with a design that anticipates maintenance and user needs, and the design professional has the recipe for washroom sustainability.
Amanda Voss, MPP, is an author, editor, and policy analyst based in Colorado. She serves as the managing editor for Energy Design Update, has taught multiple live AIA CEU classes, and served on the board of Energy Literacy Advocates. She has a background in residential construction and custom building.
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The ASI Group, comprised of American Specialties, Inc., ASI Global Partitions, ASI Accurate Partitions, and ASI Storage Solutions, offers a single-source solution for washroom accessories, toilet partitions, lockers, and other storage products. www.asigroup.us |