Flexible Toilet Design
In an accessible bathroom you will usually find an AS1428.1 compliant suite positioned in a corner with a L-shaped grab rail and backrest.
Locating a suite in a corner may stop some people being able to transfer independently.
Our apartments are designed to cater for a change in toilet suite without impact on the base building. This is done by utilising a P-trap toilet located along a reinforced mid-height wall / joinery of min.1.5m width and of minimum 200-300mm depth allowing for the relocation of the pan to facilitate either a corner, or central position within the 1.5m wide flexible space.
The toilet sits on the tiling allowing repositioning without damage to the floor surface or access to plumbing from the dwelling below. Lift off modular panels provide access to piping and can be re-arranged to suit the preferred toilet location. The ‘false’ nib wall behind the toilet allows for concealment of PVC plumbing pipes including additional piping should the toilet need to be relocated in the future.
Steel frame and ply sheeting in the nib wall allows for the retrofit of drop-down grab rails if required. A DGPO is provided within the nib wall to allow future installation of sensor flush and / or bidet. The half height wall also provides a shallow shelf for easy access to everyday items.
Summer Housing acknowledge Element 4 of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines require a AS1428.1 compliant suite. As our units are designed with opportunities for customisation, we request a 600mm toilet suite. AS1428.1 toilet suites are typically higher than standard toilets (440-460mm) and are often incompatible with the use of commodes, making it difficult to sit over. For many tenants at High Physical Support Specialist Disability Accommodation, they will not be transferring and will require the use of a commode as part of their personal care routines. Bidet attachments also work better with standard toilets. Therefore through experience of numerous projects we believe a supply of toilets with a lower height provide occupants with more flexibility.
Where an occupant’s needs are not known, or may change over time, the installation of a flexible toilet design can provide a best outcome solution for the occupant living in the dwelling.