Posted By Safetynut Accessible toilets help many people with disabilities, not just wheelchair users. The minimum recomended clear floor size is 1500 by 2200mm. (Some toilets may be to the older Part M recommendations of being 1500mm by 2000mm). At these sizes, the door should open outwards. Door handles and locks should be operable by someone with dexterity impairments. There should be a horizontal rail on the back (inside) of the door, to help wheelchair users to close the door behind them. The centre of the wc pan should be 500mm from the nearest side wall. The front of the wc pan should be 750mm in front of the rear wall and there should not be obstructions on the rear wall (such as drainage pipes) that reduce this clear distance. The wc seat should be 480mm above the floor. There should be a horizontal rail at a height of 680mm on the side wall nearest to the pan. There should be a drop down rail on the other side of the pan at 680mm high in its lowered position. The wash hand basin should be a cantilevered type, not with a pedestal. Its rim should be between 720mm and 740mm high. Its edge should be between 140mm and 160mm in front of the wc pan. A shelf could be provided near the basin for items such as colostemy bags to be changed. There should be a mirror running at least from 600mm to 1600mm high, so that wheelchair users and shorter people can check themselves in it. Hand driers should be at a suitable height for wheelchair users. There should be a red alarm cord hanging down to the floor which activates an audible and visual alarm where it will be noticed. The alarm should be audible and visible, both inside and outside the compartment. There should be a reset button, with instructions on its use, within reach at the side of the wc pan. The red alarm cord should hang down to within 100mm of the floor and should have a pull tag at the bottom and another at between 800mm and 1000mm high. These are the basic essentials. Other rails and fittings in the toilets should be in accordance with the size, layout and details set out in Part M of the Building Regulations. i hope this helps

Posted By Ken Taylor Or you can download a free copy of Approved Document M from : http://www.planningporta...ls/en/1115314110382.html