| Designing a school restroom may seem simple. | | | | overwhelming process. Thankfully, there are some |
| However, the design of a school restroom involves | | | | basic guidelines that will help direct the search. (Note |
| the consideration of many aspects. From the type of | | | | that by limiting appliance types and brands, repairs |
| technologies to the kind of finishes chosen, the | | | | and replacements will be more practical.) |
| process involves a lot of forethought and planning. | | | | Toilets |
| Keep the following building blocks in mind as a guide | | | | One of the first decisions is whether wall-mounted or |
| to smart school restroom design. | | | | floor-mounted toilets are desired in the school |
| Materials and Colors | | | | restroom. On one hand, it is easier to clean floors |
| Deciding which surface materials to install is a | | | | with wall-mounted toilets. On the other hand, |
| substantial choice. One must look for material that's | | | | wall-mounted toilets are more expensive due to the |
| both durable and attractive. Durability is an obvious | | | | required carriers. Second, one must determine |
| factor since school restrooms are high traffic zones | | | | whether sensor-operated or manual-operated toilets |
| often prone to vandalism. The material needs to be | | | | and urinals make the most sense. |
| able to withstand daily wear and tear from users. | | | | If the school is concerned with vandalism, |
| Yet, attractiveness also helps play a role in durability. | | | | sensor-operated flushometers are recommended. |
| It is proposed that the nicer looking an area, the less | | | | They eliminate flush controls, which are often the |
| abuse it will receive. A favorite for surface areas is | | | | target of vandalism. Sensor-operated toilets and |
| ceramic tile, which resists moisture, scratches, and | | | | urinals are also the better choice if user hygiene or |
| stains. | | | | ease of usability is a concern. However, if cost is |
| On the other hand, some prefer solid surfaces that | | | | causing a dilemma, manual toilets and urinals may be |
| eliminate the need for grout. Grout tends to show | | | | preferred. Replacement parts are less expensive for |
| dirt, which can make the surfaces appear dirty | | | | manual units than automatic units. Also, if regular |
| despite being clean. A material once widely used, but | | | | maintenance is unavailable, manual-operated toilets |
| no longer recommended, is laminate. Unlike ceramic | | | | and urinals will be easier for janitorial staff to manage. |
| and marble, laminate tends to absorb moisture. If | | | | Routine upkeep is required for sensor-operated units |
| choosing material for stall partitions, a favorite is Solid | | | | since batteries need to be constantly monitored. |
| Color Reinforced Composite (SCRC), an ultrahard | | | | Faucets |
| material. While more costly than other options, it is | | | | The size, placement, and type of installed faucets are |
| incredibly durable and vandal-resistant. Cheaper | | | | important factors. Correctly sized and placed faucets |
| alternatives, such as stainless steel and painted steel, | | | | are necessary to prevent countertop water damage |
| are harder to keep clean and easier to vandalize. | | | | from splashing. Splashing typically occurs when the |
| Choosing colors for a school restroom can be tricky. | | | | faucet does not hang over the sink far enough. |
| Depending on the particular school, some colors will | | | | Regarding the faucet type, the standard |
| be more suitable than others. For instance, if | | | | manual-operated faucet is always an option. |
| vandalism is a major concern, solid colors should be | | | | However, the school environment may influence an |
| avoided. In fact, black is considered one of the worst | | | | upgrade to a different faucet type. For instance, |
| color schemes in restrooms prone to high amounts of | | | | potential vandalism affects faucet type selection. If |
| vandalism. Eraser-writing on the black surfaces | | | | potential vandalism is high, sensor-operated faucets |
| becomes a popular - and permanent - activity. | | | | are recommended. This will make it harder to block |
| Instead, salt-and-pepper or marble surfaces are | | | | and flood sinks. Metering faucets are another option. |
| recommended. For restrooms in lower vandalism | | | | These faucets limit the amount of water dispensed |
| schools, the decision to go light or dark with colors | | | | and the amount of time water runs. Like a |
| depends on maintenance preference. Darker colors | | | | sensor-operated faucet, a metering faucet will make |
| tend to hide dirt. However, by hiding the dirt, | | | | it more difficult to vandalize sinks. |
| restroom cleanliness may diminish if routine cleanings | | | | Dispensers |
| do not occur. Therefore, lighter colors are sometimes | | | | Finally, one must decide on the type of dispensers to |
| preferred to make the surface soil easier to spot. | | | | include in the school restroom. The selected |
| Layout | | | | dispensers will depend on which best fits maintenance |
| The layout of a restroom ultimately determines a | | | | and user requirements. In general, some dispensers |
| facility's ability to be user-friendly and | | | | are easier for the janitorial staff to upkeep than |
| maintenance-friendly. Universal design is a popular | | | | others. Large capacity dispensers allow for longer |
| ambition today. Restrooms should be designed to be | | | | periods in-between replacements. Additionally, |
| accessible to each individual. This goal generally leads | | | | dispensers with clear fronts allow for quick monitoring |
| to restroom compliancy with the Americans with | | | | of remaining product levels. |
| Disabilities Act (ADA). While detailed requirements and | | | | Each dispenser type has its own particular factors to |
| instructions are available through the ADA, some of | | | | consider as well: |
| the elements to take into account include: number of | | | | Paper Towel Dispensers |
| toilets, sink height, floor space, and grab bar spacing. | | | | While users often prefer paper towel dispensers, |
| Yet, accessibility isn't the only consideration of | | | | paper towels can be a hassle. Users may not throw |
| user-friendliness. The layout of the restroom also | | | | the sheets away or choose to use them to vandalize |
| influences hygiene. For example, more restrooms are | | | | sinks. If vandalism is expected, automatic hand dryers |
| being designed without doors. This eliminates the | | | | are considered the better choice over paper towel |
| spreading of germs via door handles. | | | | dispensers. Not only do automatic hand dryers |
| Maintenance friendly restrooms can be achieved | | | | eliminate the need for contact, they also remove the |
| through sensible design as well. One prevalent | | | | possibility of product waste. |
| concern in school restrooms is vandalism. Despite its | | | | Soap Dispensers |
| growing occurrence, simple layout choices can | | | | Soap dispensers call for a pick between cartridge |
| indirectly affect the amount of vandalism. One | | | | dispensers or bulk dispensers. Cartridge soap |
| example is the hypothesis that larger stall units | | | | dispensers involve replacing cartridges, and bulk |
| provide less temptation to potential vandals. Another | | | | dispensers involve topping off liquid soap. While bulk |
| popular trend is moving sinks to the hallway to allow | | | | dispensers create a possibility of contamination, |
| for maximum supervision. | | | | cartridge dispensers may lock a restroom into one |
| This doubles as a security precaution as well. | | | | type of soap. There is also the option of a |
| However, if vandalism or normal wear and tear | | | | combination soap dispenser and faucet. The |
| occurs, a restroom layout can also make repairs | | | | combination unit simplifies installation and places the |
| easier. For instance, choosing individual mirrors over | | | | soap dispenser in the most convenient location for |
| wall-length mirrors facilities easier for the janitorial | | | | users. |
| staff. Furthermore, smart restroom layout can | | | | Feminine Product Dispensers |
| prevent repairs. By placing the hand dryer or paper | | | | Coin-operated feminine product dispensers are often |
| towel dispenser close to the sink instead of across | | | | high targets of theft, especially in high schools and |
| the restroom, it will prevent floor damage from | | | | colleges. If vandalism is likely, it is recommended to |
| dripping water. Another example of preventive layout | | | | stick with stainless steel dispensers. However, if the |
| is using trash cans that fit into holes in the counters. | | | | dispenser is constructed of a less durable material, be |
| Not only does it increase user convenience, it helps | | | | proactive and secure the dispenser with locks. |
| prevent cleanup of tipped trash cans. | | | | Extra Touches |
| Appliances | | | | In a school setting, it is necessary to consider a few |
| Once the materials, layout, and finishes are chosen, | | | | extra additions to meet the need of users. For |
| one must give ample attention to the restroom | | | | example, providing hooks and shelves for coats and |
| appliances. With numerous manufacturers, types, and | | | | books is an easy way to keep the restroom |
| options, choosing appliances can become an | | | | clutter-free. |