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Posted By Diane Thomason
Dear all,
Someone has asked me this:
In a council-run sports centre, the mens' showers are directly next to the urinals, with no division of any kind between the showers and toilets/urinals. The whole area is very whiffy and the enquirer finds the showers too disgusting to use.
Question - is there anything that says the showers shouldn't be next to the urinals? I guess this is an enviro health type of issue rather than a H&S one as such - this isn't an "at work" situation, the users of the showers are customers/sports club members.
Any pointers to applicable standards etc would be welsome.
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Posted By Chris Packham
My first question would be: "Why is the area 'whiffy'?"
There is no reason for a washroom/toilet to smell if it is working correctly and properly maintained/cleaned. Given the smell I would be concerned about general use, let alone showering! I would suggest that a complaint to the management is called for.
Chris
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Posted By Edward Shyer
Diane,
Quick question do any of the staff use the showers or toilets?.
Regards
Ted
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Posted By Diane Thomason
Chris,
Apparently the smell is coming from the toilets/urinals - strong smell of stale urine.
Ted - I don't know, could suggest to my friend that he asks them.
He does intend to complain but would like something more "official" to back up his complaint.
thanks for your replies chaps.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
If a urinal is smelling it is because it has been improperly cleaned. The usual cause of such odours is uric salts build up. The use of deodorant blocks can exacerbate the problem as too many in a urinal can reduce the flow and hence the flushing of the salts away. In my time with local authority I can honestly say that the use of rigorous cleaning schedules will prevent any problems. Armed with this information you can note how often cleaning regimes are below par in public toilets.
It is now likely that you will need a plumber to physically clean out the pipework. After the clean get your cleaners to find an appropriate liquid salt remover for regular use and stop using deodorant blocks.
Bob
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Posted By Catman
Hi Diane
The same smell as posted above, can be caused by a choke in the outlet pipework due to too long/insufficiently dropped pipe runs, this can cause a partial choke (urine wax plug, very pleasant) which in turn draws out the traps on the urinals and allows the smell to come back up the grating. You need a plumber, preferably a good one to clear any choke and advise on your system.
As far as I am aware, there is no major issue with the urinals being adjacent to the showers, but my argument would be, in civilised society could we not at least provide a simple modesty partition? I would check the building regs to confirm this though.
Cheers
TW
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Posted By Diane Thomason
Thanks guys,
I don't actually have any connection with the sports centre, the person who originally had the query asked me, as it's one of those vaguely health-ish issues!
What I'm trying to establish is whether it's actually forbidden, or against guidelines, to site the showers next to the urinals - whether the latter are clean or not.
The building regs have been mentioned so I'll try to follow that up.
What the guy is trying to do is make a complaint that has a bit more power than "I don't think this is very pleasant."
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Posted By Merv Newman
It's a cleaning and/or maintenance probem. I've availed myself of two motorway service stations today. Toilets were spotless and there was no smell. This despite 24 hr 7 day use.
On "modesty screens" That wasn't the original question but every sports centre or club I have known (not so many as you would think from my current magnificent physique) has used open shower rooms : maybe a dozen shower heads with a central drain. Gents anyway. can't say what happens in the ladies.
Merv
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Posted By Red Ones
Maintenance and use of decent air freshners are pretty standard solutions to the problem. A modesty screen just makes the area FEEL better.
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Posted By Ken Taylor
Not a good design - but not illegal. I wonder how well other parts of the Centre are cleaned and maintained?
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Posted By Ali
You could do no worse than contact your local Environmental Health Dept. - even make a complaint who knows ?
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Posted By Red Ones
You COULD contact the local EHO, however, they have no powers in a Council run facility. The HSE are the enforcing authority in this case - and I am willing to bet they will not be interested.
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