Equipping Restrooms for PRM: How to Create an Accessible Space That Meets Building Codes

Equipping Restrooms for PRM: How to Create an Accessible Space That Meets Building Codes

For a person in a wheelchair, an elderly person, or a parent with a baby carriage, a restroom often becomes the greatest challenge in any public building. According to experts, this is where regulatory requirement violations are most often recorded, making safe and independent use of the premises impossible. An inclusive restroom is not just a “large toilet,” but a whole system of interconnected parameters: dimensions, equipment, floor covering, lighting, alarm systems. The absence of any single element ruins the entire accessibility concept.

Why Equipping Restrooms for PRM Is a Mandatory Requirement, Not a Recommendation

In accordance with DBN V.2.2-40:2018 “Inclusivity of Buildings and Structures,” accessibility requirements are mandatory for all legal entities and individuals in Ukraine. These standards ensure equal rights to use residential buildings and public facilities for various segments of the population, including people with reduced mobility (PRM). The philosophy of inclusivity is to provide an individual with the opportunity to use sanitary equipment independently, without external assistance. Support systems have ceased to be “optional accessories” and have become basic engineering elements, without which an object will not pass expert review and will not receive a certificate of readiness for operation. Today, inspectors verify every centimeter of projection and every degree of structural incline, including the level of visual contrast of the equipment.

Key Requirements for Inclusive Restroom Equipment

The design of sanitary and hygienic facilities for PRM must consider a number of strict technical parameters: Entrance group and maneuvering area:

1. For a restroom intended for persons in wheelchairs, a free maneuvering area with a diameter of at least 1.5 m is mandatory — it must be free from furniture, projections, or engineering elements.
2. The minimum size of a PRM restroom is at least 1.65 × 1.80 m.
3. Door width — not less than 90 cm, opening outwards, with a convenient handle and the ability to open from the outside in case of an emergency.

Toilet:

1. Seat height: 45–50 cm above floor level.
2. Distance from the wall to the toilet axis: 40 cm.
3. There must be enough space on one side for wheelchair access.
4. A free zone at least 800 mm wide must be provided on one side of the toilet for wheelchair access.

Handrails:

1. Horizontal and vertical handrails near the toilet are mandatory.
2. Horizontal handrail height: 70–75 cm.
3. One of the handrails must be foldable.
4. Surface — non-slip, contrasting with the wall.
5. Distance from the center of the toilet to the handrail: 250–350 mm.

Washbasin:

1. Installation height: 80–85 cm.
2. There must be free space under the washbasin for wheelchair access.
3. Faucet — lever type, easy to use.
4. The mirror should be installed at an incline or at a height accessible to a seated person.

Auxiliary elements:

1. A toilet paper holder must be within reach.
2. Assistance call button — at a height of 90 cm, next to the toilet.
3. The control panel or call buttons for such devices should be located 1.2 m from floor level.
4. Floor covering — non-slip, with high-contrast marking for level changes.

How Equipping a PRM Restroom Works: Work Stages

1. Accessibility audit — specialists conduct a comprehensive check of the premises for compliance with DBN requirements.
2. Design — an individual solution is developed taking into account all technical parameters (dimensions, equipment installation height, maneuvering areas).
3. Premises preparation — construction work is performed: leveling the floor, widening the door opening, routing utilities.
4. Equipment installation — installing the toilet, washbasin, handrails, call button, mirror, and other elements according to the project.
5. Verification and commissioning — testing all systems, verifying compliance with standards, and completing necessary documentation.

GlobalBud Ukraine provides a full range of services for building construction inclusivity, including technical audits for DBN compliance, project documentation development, and support during object commissioning.

Consequences of Non-Compliance with Inclusivity Requirements

• refusal to issue a certificate of readiness for operation;
• imposition of fines by regulatory authorities;
• lawsuits regarding inclusivity;
• obligation to remediate violations at one’s own expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum size of a PRM restroom?

The minimum size of a PRM restroom is at least 1.65 × 1.80 m. Additionally, a free maneuvering area with a diameter of at least 1.5 m is mandatory.

Which handrails are mandatory in an inclusive restroom?

Horizontal and vertical handrails near the toilet are mandatory. One of the handrails must be foldable. Handrail installation height — 70–75 cm. It is important that the surface is non-slip and contrasting to the wall.

Is an assistance call button mandatory in a PRM restroom?

Yes, an assistance call button is a mandatory element of an inclusive restroom. It must be located at a height of 90 cm, next to the toilet. The control panel or call buttons for such devices should be located 1.2 m from floor level.