Changing Places toilets: building standards consultation

Background

Building Regulations

The building standards system in Scotland is intended to ensure that building work on both new and existing buildings results in buildings that meet reasonable standards. The standards are set out in the building regulations, which are intended to:

• secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings,
• further the conservation of fuel and power, and
• further the achievement of sustainable development.

Current requirements for sanitary facilities

Scottish building regulations currently set out requirements for the number and type of sanitary facilities in non-domestic buildings within our Non-domestic Technical Handbook. This is addressed under standard 3.12 (sanitary facilities) and supporting guidance. Numbers are based on the maximum number of persons the building is likely to accommodate at any time, given normal use. Guidance is given on the provision of standard accessible sanitary accommodation as part of overall provision.

The provision of a Changing Places Toilets is not currently required in building regulations. However, guidance to standard 3.12 does include a basic specification for designers to follow when their client elects to provide a Changing Places Toilet. This advice was introduced in October 2013. However, five years on, there is now a drive to do more to further the provision of Changing Places Toilets and better meet the needs of our communities.

What are Changing Places Toilets?

A Changing Places Toilet (CPT) provides sanitary accommodation for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two carers. It offers adequate space for a disabled person when they are not in their wheelchair, as well as their wheelchair and one or two carers; and contains equipment to enable safe and easy use of the facilities, including an adult sized, height adjustable changing bench, a ceiling tracking or a mobile hoist and a peninsular (centrally placed) toilet.

Information on CPTs is published at http://www.changing-places.org/.