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Commercial Washrooms has recently been approached by a leading holiday magazine to write a piece aimed at holiday park owners looking to develop their washroom facilities. Below are the main extracts from this piece which we felt would prove useful to our own website visitors.
What are the basics holiday parks should be offering?
There are many resources offering guidance on the regulations applicable toilets and washrooms within caravan and camping sites with most referring back to the Caravan Sites & Control of Development Act 1960 - Touring Caravan and Campsite Site Conditions. In general, the following apply and should be considered good practice, although not necessarily law:
• Separate ladies and men’s washrooms. Few people prefer unisex washrooms, particularly when showering facilities are provided.
• Working toilets
• Basins with hot and cold water
• Showers with TMV3 (Thermal Mixing Valve) temperature-controlled water
• Power and shaver points
• Disabled toilet and/or disabled shower rooms compliant with Doc M of the building regulations
• Level-entry shower suited for wheelchairs
• Baby-changing facilities, ideally within both male and female washrooms
• Chemical toilet disposal points
• Dishwashing facilities - usually external to the toilet blocks
• Drinking Water
Are there guidelines for what to offer? And what are the quota of loos, showers and other washroom essentials?
For caravans without their own water supply and water closet, conveniently located communal toilet blocks with adequate water supplies shall be provided.
The numbers of facilities provided should be 1 toilet and urinal for men and 2 toilets for women for every 30 pitches. Toilets may not be justified where sites have less than ten pitches. Their location shall be to the satisfaction of the licensing authority.
There shall be a minimum of 4 washbasins supplied with water per 30 pitches; 2 each for men and women. They shall be adjacent to the toilets – usually within the same room.
Where a site provides 70 or more pitches, provision of showers shall be on the scale of 1 shower per 25 pitches.
When considering the numbers of toilet cubicles to be included it is good practice to make allowance for 1 in 4 cubicles (in any same-sex washroom) to be classed as ambulant. This includes for grab rails and outward opening doors.
What are the health and safety regulations to observe?
Water Temperature – Because of the likelihood that children will use site facilities the basins/showers’ hot water temperature should be controlled by the use of thermal mixing valves. Thermal Mixing Valves (whether integrated within the shower/basin or as an addition to the supply pipe-work) will limit the hot water temperature to a comfortable level and offer a safeguard against scalding.
When considering a new build washroom block or refurbishing an existing facility there are many building-related health and safety issues to consider. Depending on the scale of the development the project is likely to be affected by the CDM regulations as well as local authority building control. Our advice is to appoint and work with a reputable building firm, ideally one who specialises in commercial washroom and toilet refurbishment projects.
How is best to assist families with babies and young children?
Inclusion of baby changing facilities is essential in modern-day toilet and washroom facilities. Depending on the size of the washrooms this may be as simple as a fold-down baby changer or a dedicated family room containing shower, toilet and basin as well as a considerable worktop and vanity unit space for laying the child down.
What advice would you give to holiday park owners who are looking to upgrade their facilities?
Plan the washroom project as much as possible is the best advice we can possibly offer. This should include detailed working drawings which are continually consulted as well as a robust schedule of the work. Barring any unforeseen issues arising the upgrade should then happen within time and budget.
Don’t go cheap! More expensive and durable materials will likely last longer and be a better fit for purpose.
What are the pitfalls to avoid?
Exploring the different types and qualities of materials on offer is essential. Unless the budget is particularly tight we would advise against using the cheapest materials available because of the likely use the modern-day campsite washrooms receive. For example the use of Solid Grade Laminate toilet/shower cubicles as opposed to a cheaper chipboard core laminate material. The payback over time is likely to be significantly better. Commercial Washrooms Ltd can, of course, offer advice on the different materials available within the commercial washrooms market. Read our blogs on Washroom Design.
Are there specialist design services available?
Commercial Washrooms offer a full design service – either for new build or refurbishment. This can include 2D and 3D CAD drawings and full written specification detailing the recommended materials and manufacturers. For more information or to enquire about this service please see our specific washroom design services page.
Design of a washroom should be carried out by individuals with a background and experience of this type of installation as there are many common errors which can be avoided.
As always, our team are at the end of the telephone for all your queries and questions and have a wealth of knowledge they’re happy to share with you. So if you need some guidance, or would like to talk over your options, you can give them a call on 01202 650900.
