A complete checklist for accessible toilet facilities in commercial spaces

Accessible toilet facilities are essential in commercial spaces to support inclusivity and to meet legal requirements. For many people, accessible toilets are a necessity rather than a convenience, enabling them to use public and workplace facilities safely, independently and with dignity.

Despite this, accessibility is often overlooked or delayed, with some businesses assuming that upgrades will be costly or disruptive. However, many improvements can be planned strategically and delivered without full refurbishment.

This checklist covers the key features required to create fully compliant, practical and user-friendly accessible toilet facilities in commercial environments.

What are the legal requirements for accessible toilets in commercial spaces?

In the UK, accessible toilets in commercial buildings are governed by a combination of legislation and building standards designed to ensure equal access.

The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage when using facilities. This applies to offices, retail spaces, leisure centres, education settings and other public-facing buildings.

Building Regulations Part M, including the 2024 amendments, and BS 8300 set out how accessible toilets should be designed. This includes layout, space requirements and fittings as well as guidance on single-sex and gender neutral toilets, which should be considered early in washroom planning.

BS 6465 also covers the scale and provision of sanitary facilities across different types of buildings.

Key legal and design requirements include:

• Adequate space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre
• Clearly defined transfer space beside the WC
• Emergency assistance alarms that are easy to reach
• Doors that open outward and are easy to operate

Ensuring these requirements are met helps businesses remain compliant while delivering accessible facilities.

Layout and space considerations

Space and layout are fundamental to accessible toilet design. Even well-specified fittings will fail if the room layout restricts movement or independence.

Accessible toilets must provide sufficient clear floor space to allow wheelchair users to enter, turn and position themselves comfortably. Obstructions such as poorly placed bins, sanitary units or cleaning equipment should be avoided at all times.

In many commercial washrooms, accessibility also includes ambulant disabled and enlarged cubicles, each with specific layout and fitting requirements set out in Part M.

Key layout considerations include:

• Minimum clear floor space for wheelchair manoeuvring
• Unobstructed access to the WC, basin and alarm pull cords
• Logical placement of grab rails and controls
• A clear, uncluttered layout supports both usability and safety

Essential fixtures and fittings

Accessible toilet facilities rely on fixtures and fittings that support a wide range of user needs.

Accessible cubicles should include wider doors, appropriate clearances and a WC positioned to allow lateral or frontal transfer. Support rails must be securely fixed and positioned at the correct heights to assist users safely.

Emergency assistance alarms are a critical requirement. These should be reachable from the WC and from floor level, ensuring help can be called for in the event of a fall.

Wash basins or washtroughs must be positioned at accessible heights, with sufficient knee clearance underneath with easy-to-use taps.

Key fixtures to include are:

• Outward-opening accessible cubicle doors
• Horizontal and vertical grab rails
• Emergency pull-cord alarms
• Basins or wash troughs installed at compliant heights
• Easy-to-use taps

Maintenance and staff training

Accessibility does not end once the toilet is installed. Ongoing maintenance and staff awareness are essential to ensure facilities remain safe and usable.

Regular checks should be carried out to confirm that alarms are functioning, grab rails are secure and doors and locks operate correctly. Faults should be addressed promptly to avoid facilities becoming unusable.

Staff training is equally important. Employees should understand the purpose of accessible toilets, how to respond to emergency alarms and why these spaces must not be used for storage.

Hygiene and safety considerations

Hygiene and safety play a vital role in accessible toilet design, particularly as users may rely on surfaces for support and stability.

Non-slip flooring reduces the risk of slips and falls, especially in wet areas. Flooring materials should be easy to clean while maintaining good slip resistance.

Hygienic wall panelling, such as Vepps, Venesta’s IPS panelling systems, and other plain IPS alternatives, help create sealed, easy-clean surfaces that reduce bacteria build-up and support high cleaning standards. These systems also allow for easy access to services behind the panels for maintenance.

Good lighting is also essential, ensuring the space feels safe, clear and easy to navigate for all users.

Ensuring fully accessible washrooms

Creating accessible toilet facilities in commercial spaces is about more than meeting minimum standards. It is about delivering safe, dignified and inclusive washrooms that work for everyone.

By following this checklist, businesses can ensure their accessible toilets meet both regulatory requirements and user needs.

Explore Venesta’s accessible washroom solutions to create compliant, durable facilities designed to support inclusivity in commercial washrooms.