Universal Washrooms in Commercial Buildings: A BC Guide
A universal washroom is a single, self-contained washroom that anyone can use, regardless of gender or physical ability. They are increasingly common in offices, restaurants, stores, clinics and other public spaces, and the 2024 BC Building Code added new requirements for them in new commercial buildings. This guide explains what changed and how to plan one. For the construction side, see our commercial washrooms and accessibility upgrades pages.
Understanding Universal Washrooms
A universal washroom is designed so a person using a wheelchair or other mobility aid, or someone with a caregiver, can enter, close the door and use the room comfortably. Because it is a single room, it also gives privacy to anyone who wants it, which is why many businesses choose them for staff and customers alike.
What the 2024 BC Building Code changed
According to the Province of BC’s accessibility requirements page, since March 8, 2024 new commercial and public buildings and their common spaces must have:
- Power-operated doors on all building and accessible washroom entrances
- An elevator in large two and three-storey buildings
- Full-sized changing space in universal washrooms
Inside the City of Vancouver, buildings are regulated by the Vancouver Building By-law rather than the BC Building Code, so the designer confirms which version applies to your project.
Exact dimensions come from the code, not a blog post
Clearances, fixture heights, grab bar positions and door widths are set by the code that applies to your building and by your designer’s drawings. They are checked during the permit review and inspections, so we don’t publish a one-size-fits-all checklist. Ask your designer for the accessible washroom details for your project before fixtures are ordered.
Planning and Design Considerations
- Start with the floor plan. A universal washroom needs more space than a standard stall, so it affects the layout of a small unit early.
- Check plumbing and drainage. Where the drains and water lines are decides where a new washroom can go and how much it costs.
- Plan the door. Door swing, hardware and, in new buildings, power operation need to be coordinated with the rest of the space.
- Think about ventilation and finishes. Commercial washrooms need ventilation and durable, cleanable surfaces.
- Confirm the permit path. New or relocated washrooms usually need permits and inspections. See our commercial permits page.
Adding a universal washroom to your space
QUAY builds commercial washrooms as part of tenant improvements and renovations for offices, stores, restaurants and clinics. We coordinate the plumbing, ventilation, door hardware, fixtures and finishes with your designer’s approved drawings, and you get a detailed fixed-price proposal before construction starts and our 365-day workmanship warranty after. See commercial washrooms and tenant improvements.
Hiring a Commercial Renovation Contractor
As you have probably learnt so far in this post, it’s going to be essential to hire a contractor who has experience in universal washroom construction. The nuances and regulations, sourcing appropriate materials and products and the careful planning and design can all be handled by an experienced professional. This isn’t to say you won’t have a say in the construction of your universal washroom, by having an open dialogue with the design team, they can help come up with a result that reflects your unique requirements and is also functional and compliant.
Finding a qualified contractor for your job means looking for experience and a willingness to consult on the design with you to get the most out of your project. Look for companies who also offer design services and will see the project through from beginning to end.
Any good construction contractor is willing to offer their time to discuss a project, offer a quote and give advice on the length of the project, and the limitations that your space may have. This service should take place before they are contracted to do the work. They should have a detailed history of previous jobs and be able to point you to successful completed projects, user reviews and have insight only gained from having done similar previous work.
Once you have decided that your commercial contractor and you have a good understanding and will work well together, it’s time to begin the design phase, it’s important to maintain open communication, express exactly what you want, what your budgetary limitations are and make any requests, particularly emphasizing the things you are flexible on and those that you simply cannot go without. Your contractor will work with you on these items and discuss the practicalities of any changes or any tweaking to the plans to come up with the best end result.
Material Selection and Finishes
If your universal washroom is going to open to the public then you are going to want to invest in materials and finishes that will stand the test of time, be durable and also compatible with the facilities’ needs.
Let’s start with flooring. Having floors that are easy to clean, water resistant and non slip are essential. Some preferred flooring materials include:
– Exposed sealed concrete with a graffiti resistant finish to make it non-slip
– Ceramic or porcelain tile
These are by far the most popular options when it comes to flooring, as they combine durability, water-resistance, and safety which are essential for high-traffic, public, and accessible spaces. It’s important to remember that millions of people slip and fall in the bathroom each year. As such, it’s extremely important to ensure you’re using a non-slip flooring option for your commercial bathroom to reduce risks to those visiting or working as a part of your team.
It’s recommended to install tiles or a similar waterproof option on the walls as well (at least 4′ or 5′) to aid with maintaining and cleaning the washroom facilities over time. The ability to wash the walls goes a long way in terms of creating longevity for these spaces. However, if you are planning to make washing a part of your maintenance protocol, you also need to ensure that there’s sufficient floor drainage installed throughout the space and the floors are sloped to drain.
Fixtures such as toilets, grab bars, faucets, vanities, and stall (if prefabricated) must all be ADA approved. Other items such as countertops, must be selected with longevity in mind. Typical options include laminate countertops, which are great for those on a budget, or quartz countertops for more of a high-end look and feel. For both options, we recommend rounded edges to avoid any risk of injury.
Fixtures and Accessories for Accessibility
Easy to use faucets with larger handles and simple motions are preferred and are placed within reach of someone in a wheelchair. Back support, and enough room to access the toilet from the front are considerations that need to be made.
Grab bars are an essential part of any universal washroom, they provide support for people as they lower themselves and also allow for them to pull themselves back up again. A grab bar should be placed directly behind the toilet on the wall and an L shaped grab bar on the wall beside the toilet. To ensure a grab bar is properly secured to the wall an experienced professional contractor should perform this installation.
In order to make the universal washroom accessible and functional, all features should be within reach of someone in a wheelchair. This includes easy-to-reach soap dispensers, paper towel holders or hand dryers. If a mirror is placed above a certain height then it should be angled toward the ground so it is viewable at a lower height, there are also adjustable mirrors that can be moved to suit the user.
Proximity to the rest of the space, easy access and finishing faucets and plumbing are all important aspects of the job.
Signage is an important part of any universal washroom design, ensuring everyone knows that the washroom facilities are universal plays an important role in maintaining privacy and choice. At City of Vancouver universal washroom sites, signage features include a toilet, a disability sign and a baby sign, with the words “Trans People Welcome”, there are no signs indicating gender.
For facilities with locker/changing rooms such as gyms, building a curb-less shower is a great idea. A curb-less shower is one where the floor tiles flow evenly through into the shower and allows easy access for a wheelchair. A curb-less shower will also help avoid painful toe stubbing or tripping hazards.
Lighting
There are some lighting considerations that must be made for a universal washroom. Vandal resistant LED lighting is recommended, there are shatterproof versions to ensure your washroom remains safe for the next user.
Sensor lights are a great idea and eliminate the need for the lighting to be switch operated, making it easier for all users. To remain energy efficient lighting should turn off when there has been no movement inside for a prolonged period of time, 15 minutes or so.
Ensuring that all areas of the washroom are lit keeps it safe no matter what the occupant is doing, strategic placement above the vanity and the toilet will ensure there are no dark spots or shadows. LED lighting is extremely energy efficient and rarely needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
Universal washroom construction is an extremely important consideration for anyone looking to build a new business or planning a major renovation. In addition to providing an inclusive, accessible space, universal washrooms save space, future-proof your business and move our community forward in the right direction. On this blog post we have covered why universal washrooms are popular, how you can go about designing and building one and how it can influence the perception of your business in the public eye.
If you’d like to learn more about universal washrooms and how you can go about building or converting your existing bathroom facilities to one, you can book a free, no obligation consultation appointment with us online on our website.
www.quayconstruction.ca
info@quayconstruction.ca
(778) 697-9924