Importance of Changing Places Toilets

Over a 1/4 million people need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.

Grab-rails for Changing Places Toilets

Grab-rails are a small but very vital element of the Changing Places scheme. They provide vial assistance to the less able, meaning they can perform toileting and washing functions independently. There are a number of options available, read on to discover how to provide the perfect grab-rail solution for your Changing Places room.

Grab-rail requirements

The Changing Places standard requires a total of 5 straight grab-rails, and 2 drop down grab-rails. These are located in the following positions:

• 2 x Drop down rails – One either side of the toilet.
• 2 x Standard 600 mm rails vertically positioned either side of the basin
• 2 x Standard 600 mm rails vertically positioned either side of the toilet
• 1 Standard 600 mm rail on the back of the door.

Straight grab-rail options

When considering the options for straight grab-rails, the following questions may help:

1. Colour – To help visually impaired users a strong colour that stands out against the background is of benefit, for example dark blue rails.
2. Material – Grab-rails are available in metal or plastic. The advantages of plastic are that it does not rust and is warmer to the touch.
3. Fixing – It is also important to consider the material of the wall that the grab-rails will be fixed to, a strong fixing is absolutely essential.

Drop down grab-rails

Considerations for the options for drop down grab-rails include:

1. Colour – To keep the colour scheme consistent is best if the colour of the drop down rails matches the straight rails.
2. Height adjustable – Height adjustable by 240 mm giving great flexibility.
3. Sideways adjustment – The grab-rail can be adjusted sideways on a wall rail.
4. Ergonomic – ergonomically shaped to provide a clear sense of where the support arm ends.
5. Materials: Arms are constructed of 10-micrometre anodized aluminium, with a non-slip gripping surface made of soft SEBS incorporating a glass-reinforced nylon core.

Our Experience with Changing Places

We have extensive experience in installing Changing Places and can offer professional support and advice on any project. We are also proud to have completed multiple Changing Places including one at the iconic Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre in London. We offer complete turn-key solutions including the installation and equipment that meets all the regulatory requirements.  Click on the links to see our Blogs on latest installations:   Gloucester University  / Southbank Centre / Changing Places in pre-fabricated buildings.

Contact us today

Call us today on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected]