NCC 2016 Volume One
Search the National Construction Code editions
Filter
Part F2 Sanitary and Other Facilities (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions)
F2.0 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
(a)
Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements to are satisfied by complying with—
(ii)
for public transport buildings, Part H2; and
(iii)
for farm sheds, Part H3.
(b)
Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A0.7.
F2.1 Facilities in residential buildings
Sanitary and other facilities for Class 2, 3 and 9c buildings and for Class 4 parts of buildings must be provided in accordance with Table F2.1.
Table F2.1 PROVISION OF SANITARY AND OTHER FACILITIES IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
| Class 2 |
Within each sole-occupancy unit, provide—
If the building contains more than 10 sole-occupancy units, or a group of Class 2 buildings on the one allotment contains, in total, more than 10 sole-occupancy units — provide a closet pan and washbasin in a compartment or room at or near ground level and accessible to employees without entering a sole-occupancy unit. Note: A reference to "employees" includes owners, managers, workers and contractors. |
| Class 3 (other than Class 3 residential aged care buildings) |
|
Facilities for residents— For each building or group of buildings, provide—
Facilities for employees — see F2.3. Note: These facilities need not be situated within the building. |
| Class 3 (residential aged care buildings) |
|
Facilities for residents— For each building or group of buildings, provide—
|
| Class 4 |
For each sole-occupancy unit, provide—
|
| Class 9c |
|
Facilities for residents— For each building or group of buildings, provide—
|
Intent
To specify the minimum acceptable sanitary, bathing, laundry and cooking facilities required in Class 2 buildings, Class 3 buildings (for residents only), Class 9c buildings (for residents only) and Class 4 parts of a building.
and lists the type and number of facilities required in Class 2 buildings, Class 3 buildings (for residents only), Class 9c buildings (for residents only) and Class 4 parts of a building. The reason that aged care buildings are included is that they are regarded as residential buildings because they are the residents' home. All the listed facilities are to be provided separately.
For laundry facilities—Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts of a building must be provided with a means to wash clothes. In Class 2 buildings, laundry facilities must be provided as follows:
- within each sole-occupancy unit:
- at least one washtub; and
- at least one space for a washing machine; or
- as a separate group for each four (or less) sole-occupancy units:
- a washtub; and
- at least one washing machine.
Example
Example
In a Class 2 building or Class 4 part of a building, a washbasin and a washtub are required. Although the placing of laundry facilities in a bathroom is permitted, a separate washbasin and washtub are still required.
Class 4 parts of a building must be provided with at least one washtub and at least one space for a washing machine.
A washtub provided to a Class 2 building or Class 4 part of a building provides the necessary means to dispose of waste water as required by FP2.2.
For drying clothes—Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts of a building must be provided with some means to dry clothes. In Class 2 buildings, clothes-drying facilities must be provided as follows:
- within each sole-occupancy unit:
- at least 7.5 metres of drying line; or
- at least one space for a drying cabinet or appliance; or
- as a separate group for each four (or less) sole-occupancy units:
- at least 7.5 metres of drying line; or
- at least one drying cabinet or appliance.
Class 4 parts of a building must be provided with at least one clothesline or hoist; or at least one space for a drying cabinet or appliance.
For food—in Class 2 buildings (in each sole-occupancy unit) and Class 4 parts of a building, the following must be provided:
- at least one kitchen sink; and
- facilities for the preparation and cooking of food (see FP2.3).
For bathing and toiletry in residences—at least either one bath or shower, and at least one closet pan and one washbasin must be provided:
- in each sole-occupancy unit in Class 2 buildings;
- for each 10 residents (or less) in a Class 3 building or group of buildings for whom private facilities are not provided (note the concession where urinal facilities are provided); and
- in each Class 4 part of a building.
For staff toilets—eleven or more Class 2 sole-occupancy units in either one building, or several buildings, on an allotment must have a toilet and handbasin for use by employees (caretakers and building managers) and other workers such as visiting contractors undertaking building and ground maintenance who, when working on the allotment, may not have access to a toilet within a specific unit.
The limit of 11 or more units recognises that, in smaller complexes, permanent on-site staff are unlikely to be employed. The size of any common area is also likely to be small and if someone is employed or contracted to tend such an area they will only be on-site for a limited time and therefore will be less likely to have a need for a sanitary facility.
It should be noted that a staff toilet may also need to be an accessible unisex sanitary compartment (see F2.4).
For Class 3 building facilities—the patrons' facilities may be grouped together and do not need to be in the building where sleeping accommodation is provided.
Example
Example
An example of grouped facilities could be sanitary facilities located in a freestanding ablution block that services several accommodation units.
The facilities for a Class 3 building contained in are those for the residential portion of the building only. Facilities for employees in Class 3 buildings are contained in .
For aged care buildings—the facilities listed in items (a) to (c) of apply to the residential portion of Class 9c buildings only. The kitchen and laundry facilities listed in items (d) and (e) of need not be located in the resident use area. The clinical hand washing basin listed in item (f) of is intended for use by staff, etc. and therefore would be best placed in the resident use area. Sanitary facilities for employees in aged care buildings are contained in the general part of . They can be utilised by the occupants when required.
F2.2 Calculation of number of occupants and facilities
(a)
The number of persons accommodated must be calculated according to D1.13 if it cannot be more accurately determined by other means.
(b)
Unless the premises are used predominantly by one sex, sanitary facilities must be provided on the basis of equal numbers of males and females.
(c)
(d)
For the purposes of this Part, a unisex facility comprises one closet pan, one washbasin and means for the disposal of sanitary towels.
Intent
To provide a method for calculating the number of occupants and facilities for the purposes of .
If the number of people who will occupy a building is known, it should be used. However, in the absence of more accurate information, must be used. is used in several Parts of the BCA, such as in calculating minimum exit widths, as well as the number of sanitary and other facilities. does not restrict the number of occupants using a building, or enforce any building use or licensing requirements. Refer also to comments on .
As specified in , if the building is an assembly building or room, its fixed seating provisions give an indication of capacity.
Any other suitable means, as specified in , may include a statement from the building owner as to the number of occupants where there is limited public access.
Example
Example
An alternative means of assessing the number of occupants may be appropriate in the following case.
A specific restaurant may have fixed tables, booths, dining alcoves and architectural features which occupy a significant proportion of the floor space, so the actual number of patrons able to be accommodated may be much less than the number calculated using the one person for every square metre of floor area in .
In such a case, it may be appropriate to count the number of seats available for use by patrons or some other method. However, due allowance would need to be made for the employees, as well as the potential for alternative seating layouts which could then increase the number of people in the restaurant.
For consideration of gender—the number of sanitary facilities should be calculated on the basis that the population of males and females in a building will usually be about equal. Where a building will be occupied predominantly by one sex, the proportion of toilets can be adjusted accordingly.
Examples
Examples
It may be appropriate to vary the proportion of female and male toilets in:
- a gymnasium which has appropriate permission to cater for a single sex;
- a single-sex sports facility, such as either an all-male football club or an all-female netball club;
- all-male or all-female prisons; and
- medical or hospital facilities that cater for a specific sex, such as prostate-cancer specialists, gynaecological clinics and maternity hospitals.
For unisex facilities—under , a unisex facility for people with disabilities can be counted as a facility for both a male and a female. defines the meaning of ‘unisex facility’ for the purposes of Part F2. These provisions aim to encourage the installation of toilets for people with a disability.
Examples
Examples
If there is a requirement for a toilet block to contain 10 toilets for males and 10 toilets for females (a total of 20 toilets), they may be provided as a total of 19 toilets, i.e.:
- 9 male;
- 9 female; and
- 1 unisex toilet for people with a disability.
In another case where there is a requirement for 1 toilet for males and 1 toilet for females, providing a single unisex facility may satisfy this requirement. However, if a urinal is also required it cannot be in the unisex facility.
F2.3 Facilities in Class 3 to 9 buildings
(a)
Except where permitted by (b), (c), (f), F2.4(a) and F2.4(b), separate sanitary facilities for males and females must be provided for Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 buildings in accordance with Table F2.3.
(b)
If not more than 10 people are employed, a unisex facility may be provided instead of separate facilities for each sex.
(c)
If the majority of employees are of one sex, not more than 2 employees of the other sex may share toilet facilities if the facilities are separated by means of walls, partitions and doors to afford privacy.
(d)
Employees and the public may share the same facilities in a Class 6 and 9b building (other than a school or early childhood centre) provided the number of facilities provided is not less than the total number of facilities required for employees plus those required for the public.
(e)
Adequate means of disposal of sanitary towels must be provided in sanitary facilities for use by females.
(f)
Separate sanitary facilities for males and females need not be provided for patients in a ward area of a Class 9a building.
(g)
A Class 9a health-care building must be provided with—
(i)
one kitchen or other adequate facility for the preparation and cooking or reheating of food including a kitchen sink and washbasin; and
(ii)
laundry facilities for the cleansing and drying of linen and clothing or adequate facilities for holding and dispatch or treatment of soiled linen and clothing, sanitary towels and the like and the receipt and storage of clean linen; and
(iii)
one shower for each 8 patients or part thereof; and
Vic F2.3(g) and (ga)
(h)
A Class 9b early childhood centre must be provided with—
(i)
a kitchen or food preparation area with a kitchen sink, separate hand washing facilities, space for a refrigerator and space for cooking facilities, with—
(A)
the facilities protected by a door or gate with child proof latches to prevent unsupervised access to the facilities by children younger than 5 years old; and
(B)
the ability to facilitate supervision of children from the facilities if the early childhood centre accommodates children younger than 2 years old; and
(ii)
one bath, shower or shower-bath; and
(iii)
if the centre accommodates children younger than 3 years old—
(A)
a laundry facility comprising a washtub and space in the same room for a washing machine; and
(B)
a bench type baby bath, which is within 1 m of the nappy change bench; and
(C)
a nappy changing bench which—
(aa)
is within 1 m of separate adult hand washing facilities and bench type baby bath; and
(bb)
must be not less than 0.9 m2 in area and at a height of not less than 850 mm, but not more than 900 mm above the finished floor level; and
(cc)
must have a space not less than 800 mm high, 500 mm wide and 800 mm deep for the storage of steps; and
(dd)
is positioned to permit a staff member changing a nappy to have visibility of the play area at all times.
(i)
Class 9b theatres and sporting venues must be provided with one shower for each 10 participants or part thereof.
(j)
Not less than one washbasin must be provided where closet pans or urinals are provided.
Table F2.3 SANITARY FACILITIES IN CLASS 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 OR 9 BUILDINGS
| User Group | Closet Pans | Urinals | Washbasins | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design Occupancy | Number | Design Occupancy | Number | Design Occupancy | Number | |
| Class 3, 5, 6 and 9 other than schools | ||||||
| Male employees | 1 — 20 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 0 | 1 — 30 | 1 |
| > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | 11 — 25 | 1 | > 30 | Add 1 per 30 | |
| 26 —50 | 2 | |||||
| >50 | Add 1 per 50 | |||||
| Female employees | 1 — 15 | 1 | 1 — 30 | 1 | ||
| > 15 | Add 1 per 15 | > 30 | Add 1 per 30 | |||
| Class 7 and 8 | ||||||
| Male employees | 1 — 20 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 0 | 1 — 20 | 1 |
| > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | 11 — 25 | 1 | > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | |
| 26 —50 | 2 | |||||
| >50 | Add 1 per 50 | |||||
| Female employees | 1 — 15 | 1 | 1 — 20 | 1 | ||
| > 15 | Add 1 per 15 | > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | |||
| Note: Sanitary facilities need not be provided for a Class 8 electricity network substation | ||||||
| Class 6 — department stores, shopping centres | ||||||
| Male patrons | 1 — 1200 | 1 | 1 — 600 | 1 | 1 — 600 | 1 |
| > 1200 | Add 1 per 1200 | >600 | Add 1 per 1200 | >600 | Add 1 per 1200 | |
| Female patrons | 1 — 300 | 1 | 1 — 600 | 1 | ||
| 301 — 600 | 2 | 601 — 1200 | 2 | |||
| >600 | Add 1 per 1200 | >1200 | Add 1 per 1200 | |||
| Note: Sanitary facilities need not be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is not more than 600. | ||||||
| Class 6 — restaurants, cafes, bars | ||||||
| Male patrons | 1 — 100 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 |
| 101 — 300 | 2 | 51 — 100 | 2 | 51 — 200 | 2 | |
| >300 | Add 1 per 200 | 101 — 150 | 3 | >200 | Add 1 per 200 | |
| 151 — 200 | 4 | |||||
| 201 — 250 | 5 | |||||
| >250 | Add 1 per 100 | |||||
| Female patrons | 1 — 25 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 | ||
| 26 — 50 | 2 | 51 — 150 | 2 | |||
| 51 — 100 | 3 | >150 | Add 1 per 200 | |||
| 101 — 150 | 4 | |||||
| 151 — 200 | 5 | |||||
| 201 — 250 | 6 | |||||
| >250 | Add 1 per 100 | |||||
| Note: Sanitary facilities need not be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is not more than 20. | ||||||
| Class 9a — health-care buildings | ||||||
| Male patients | 1 — 16 | 2 | 1 — 8 | 1 | ||
| >16 | Add 1 per 8 | > 8 | Add 1 per 8 | |||
| Female patients | 1 — 16 | 2 | 1 — 8 | 1 | ||
| >16 | Add 1 per 8 | > 8 | Add 1 per 8 | |||
| Class 9b — schools | ||||||
| Male employees | 1 — 20 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 0 | 1 — 30 | 1 |
| > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | 11 — 20 | 1 | > 30 | Add 1 per 30 | |
| 21 — 45 | 2 | |||||
| >45 | Add 1 per 30 | |||||
| Female employees | 1 — 5 | 1 | 1 — 30 | 1 | ||
| >5 | Add 1 per 15 | > 30 | Add 1 per 30 | |||
| Male students | 1 — 25 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 |
| 26 — 75 | 2 | 51 — 100 | 2 | 11 — 50 | 2 | |
| 76 — 150 | 3 | >100 | Add 1 per 100 | 51 — 100 | 3 | |
| 151 — 200 | 4 | > 100 | Add 1 per 75 | |||
| > 200 | Add 1 per 100 | |||||
| Female students | 1 —10 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 | ||
| 11 — 25 | 2 | 11 — 50 | 2 | |||
| 26 — 100 | Add 1 per 25 | 51 — 100 | 3 | |||
| > 100 | Add 1 per 50 | > 100 | Add 1 per 75 | |||
| Class 9b — early childhood centres | ||||||
| Children | 1 — 30 | 2 | 1 — 30 | 2 | ||
| > 30 | Add 1 per 15 | > 30 | Add 1 per 15 | |||
|
Note: Facilities for use by children must be—
|
||||||
| Class 9b — theatres and cinemas with multiple auditoria, art galleries or the like | ||||||
| Male participants | 1 — 20 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 |
| > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | |
| Female participants | 1 — 10 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 | ||
| > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | |||
| Male spectators or patrons | 1 — 250 | 1 | 1 — 100 | 1 | 1 — 150 | 1 |
| 251 — 500 | 2 | >100 | Add 1 per 100 | >150 | Add 1 per 150 | |
| >500 | Add 1 per 500 | |||||
| Female spectators or patrons | 1 — 10 | 1 | 1 — 80 | 1 | ||
| 11 — 50 | 2 | 81 — 250 | 2 | |||
| >51 | Add 1 per 60 | 251 — 430 | 3 | |||
| > 430 | Add 1 per 200 | |||||
| Class 9b —single auditorium theatres and cinemas | ||||||
| Male patrons | 1 — 50 | 0 | 1 — 50 | 0 | 1 — 50 | 0 |
| 51 — 250 | 1 | 51 — 100 | 1 | 51 — 150 | 1 | |
| 251 — 500 | 2 | >100 | Add 1 per 100 | >150 | Add 1 per 150 | |
| >500 | Add 1 per 500 | |||||
| Female patrons | 1 — 50 | 0 | 1 — 50 | 0 | ||
| 51 — 110 | 3 | 51 — 150 | 1 | |||
| 111 — 170 | 4 | >150 | Add 1 per 150 | |||
| 171 — 230 | 5 | |||||
| 231 — 250 | 6 | |||||
| >250 | Add 1 per 80 | |||||
| Class 9b — sports venues or the like | ||||||
| Male participants | 1 — 20 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 |
| > 20 | Add 1 per 20 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | |
| Female participants | 1 — 10 | 1 | 1 — 10 | 1 | ||
| > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | > 10 | Add 1 per 10 | |||
| Male spectators or patrons | 1 — 250 | 1 | 1 — 100 | 1 | 1 — 150 | 1 |
| 251 — 500 | 2 | > 100 | Add 1 per 100 | > 150 | Add 1 per 150 | |
| > 500 | Add 1 per 500 | |||||
| Female spectators or patrons | 1 — 15 | 1 | 1 — 60 | 1 | ||
| 16 — 60 | 2 | 61 — 200 | 2 | |||
| 61 — 120 | 3 | 201 — 350 | 3 | |||
| > 120 | Add 1 per 70 | > 350 | Add 1 per 150 | |||
| Class 9b — churches, chapels or the like | ||||||
| Male patrons | 1 — 300 | 1 | 1 — 200 | 1 | 1 — 250 | 1 |
| >300 | Add 1 per 500 | > 200 | Add 1 per 200 | > 250 | Add 1 per 250 | |
| Female patrons | 1 — 150 | 1 | 1 — 250 | 1 | ||
| > 150 | Add 1 per 150 | > 250 | Add 1 per 250 | |||
| Class 9b — public halls, function rooms or the like | ||||||
| Male patrons | 1 — 100 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 |
| >100 | Add 1 per 200 | 51 — 100 | 2 | 51 — 200 | 2 | |
| 101 — 150 | 3 | >200 | Add 1 per 200 | |||
| 151 — 200 | 4 | |||||
| 201 — 250 | 5 | |||||
| >250 | Add 1 per 100 | |||||
| Female patrons | 1 — 25 | 1 | 1 — 50 | 1 | ||
| 26 — 50 | 2 | 51 — 150 | 2 | |||
| 51 — 100 | 3 | >150 | Add 1 per 200 | |||
| 101 — 150 | 4 | |||||
| 151 — 200 | 5 | |||||
| 201 — 250 | 6 | |||||
| >250 | Add 1 per 100 | |||||
| Note: Sanitary facilities need not be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is not more than 20. | ||||||
|
Notes:
|
||||||
Intent
To specify the minimum acceptable sanitary, bathing, laundry and cooking facilities required in Class 3 buildings (for employees only) and in Class 5-9 buildings.
and contain the requirements for the type and number of facilities required. They are based on the preface that a higher ratio of sanitary facilities is required in buildings where occupants spend a long time.
Example
Example
A higher ratio of sanitary facilities is required in a Class 7 or Class 8 workplace (where employees could spend all day) than in a Class 6 department store (where customers could be expected to spend less time).
requires the separation of male and female toilets. , and provide specific exemptions permitting unisex and combined facilities in some circumstances.
Except in schools and early-childhood centres, separation of facilities for employees and the public is not required (see ). Separation is required in schools to maintain the teacher/student relationship, while in early-childhood centres it is required because of the:
- provision of junior toilets;
- use of the toilets as training facilities; and
- need to keep the children under observation.
Sanitary facilities for females must be provided with a means of disposal of sanitary napkins etc (see ). This might include an incinerator, or a bin and disposal service. This provision also applies to unisex or male/female shared toilets permitted by and .
provides an exemption to for ward areas in a Class 9a building. This allows for unisex facilities for operational requirements such as flexible bed allocations.
For health-care buildings—in addition to , requires facilities for meals and laundering because the patients live in the building.
therefore requires:
- a kitchen or other facilities for the preparation and cooking or reheating of food;
- a kitchen sink for the washing of plates, cutlery, cooking utensils, and the like; and
- a washbasin for kitchen staff to wash their hands.
Because of the amount of linen and clothes requiring laundering in these buildings, requires laundry facilities; or places for the holding and dispatching soiled linen, clothing, and the like; and the receipt and storage of clean linen.
For early childhood centres— requires a kitchen because young children may require food, possibly in the form of special diets. The kitchen must comprise:
- facilities for the preparation and cooking of food for infants;
- a kitchen sink;
- separate hand washing facilities;
- space for a refrigerator;
- child proof latches attached to any access door or gate to the kitchen facilities to prevent unsupervised entry to the kitchen by children younger than 5 years old; and
- facilities to allow continual supervision of children from the kitchen facilities if the centre accommodates children younger that 2 years old.
requires a kitchen to be provided with certain facilities and, if the centre accommodates children younger than 2, the kitchen must be designed and constructed to facilitate supervision. In some circumstances, such as in a large early childhood centre, supervision requirements may not be achievable. In these situations a Performance Solution may be required. For example, the solution may provide an option to be able to supervise the activities of children younger than 2 while also engaging in the heating of baby bottles, an option which may not be possible with the main kitchen.
If the building accommodates children younger than three-years old, there may also be a need to carry out washing of nappies and other clothing. therefore requires the installation of laundry facilities (but not drying facilities) in these buildings comprising:
- a washtub; and
- space in the same room for a washing machine.
Other requirements for centres accommodating children younger than 3 years of age are also provided under and .
requires a bench-type bath to be provided within 1 m of a nappy changing bench.
specifies the requirements for a nappy changing bench. The requirements in sub-clauses to require the nappy changing bench to be:
- within 1 m of a separate adult hand washing facility;
- not less than 0.9 m2 in surface area for the top of the bench;
- not less than 850 mm and not more than 900 mm from the finished floor level to the top of the bench. This height range is specified for ergonomic and safety reasons;
- provided with a means of storing access steps by a space of not less than 800 mm high x 800 mm deep x 500 mm wide; and
- provided in a location so that the play area is visible at all times, to allow adequate supervision of other children whilst changing a child.
For a department store, the number of facilities for employees is calculated at a different rate to that for customers. For employees it is consistent with other buildings containing employees, while for customers it is considerably less. Therefore, when calculating the number of toilets in a department store, the number required for staff must be added to the number required for customers. The BCA does not require facilities for staff to be in an area separate from customers (except as required by ), but a separation may be needed under some other regulations, such as workplace or health regulations, so should be checked.
Sanitary facilities are not required for Class 8 electricity network substations. These buildings are usually unoccupied, with infrequent visits for normal routine activities.
Experience has shown that there can be excessive delays and queueing at female toilets at certain theatres or cinemas. therefore requires additional facilities for females in single auditorium theatres and cinemas. For the purposes of , a single auditorium theatre or cinema is considered to be one that contains only one auditorium and the performance results in peak use of toilets before a performance and at intermission. When a theatre or cinema contains two or more auditoriums and the start and intermissions are at different times, less delays and queueing occur.
A concession is provided to permit the provision of fewer facilities for the public where the people accommodated are under certain numbers. Facilities must still be provided for employees, and, if necessary, members of the public can share these facilities (see ).
Notes to are provided and the Table should be read in conjunction with the notes.
For Class 6 buildings and Class 9b public halls, function rooms or the like, a note clarifies that sanitary facilities need not be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is not more than a given number of persons. In this context reference to 'the total number of persons accommodated' includes patrons and employees.
Note 3—Any reference to employees in should be read in the wider context of all who work in the building. This includes those who may not technically be employed, such as owners and, if there is any doubt regarding their status, managers.
In addition to , Occupational Health and Safety legislation may require supplementary facilities. This can include showers and change rooms in some work places, depending on the nature of the work and working conditions of the employees.
F2.4 Accessible sanitary facilities
In a building required to be accessible—
(a)
accessible unisex sanitary compartments must be provided in accessible parts of the building in accordance with Table F2.4(a); and
(b)
accessible unisex showers must be provided in accordance with Table F2.4(b); and
(c)
at each bank of toilets where there is one or more toilets in addition to an accessible unisex sanitary compartment at that bank of toilets, a sanitary compartment suitable for a person with an ambulant disability in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided for use by males and females; and
(d)
an accessible unisex sanitary compartment must contain a closet pan, washbasin, shelf or bench top and adequate means of disposal of sanitary towels; and
(e)
the circulation spaces, fixtures and fittings of all accessible sanitary facilities provided in accordance with Table F2.4(a) and Table F2.4(b) must comply with the requirements of AS 1428.1; and
(f)
an accessible unisex sanitary facility must be located so that it can be entered without crossing an area reserved for one sex only; and
(g)
where two or more of each type of accessible unisex sanitary facility are provided, the number of left and right handed mirror image facilities must be provided as evenly as possible; and
(h)
where male sanitary facilities are provided at a separate location to female sanitary facilities, accessible unisex sanitary facilities are only required at one of those locations; and
(i)
an accessible unisex sanitary compartment or an accessible unisex shower need not be provided on a storey or level that is not required by D3.3(f) to be provided with a passenger lift or ramp complying with AS 1428.1.
Table F2.4(a) ACCESSIBLE UNISEX SANITARY COMPARTMENTS
| Class of building | Minimum accessible unisex sanitary compartments to be provided |
|---|---|
| Class 1b |
|
| Class 2 | Where sanitary compartments are provided in common areas, not less than 1. |
| Class 3 and Class 9c |
|
| Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 — except for within a ward area of a Class 9a health-care building |
Where F2.3 requires closet pans—
|
|
Class 10a except—
|
At each bank of containing male and female , not less than 1. |
Table F2.4(b) ACCESSIBLE UNISEX SHOWERS
| Class of building | Minimum accessible unisex showers to be provided |
|---|---|
| Class 1b |
|
| Class 2 | Where showers are provided in common areas, not less than 1 |
| Class 3 and Class 9c |
|
| Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 — except for within a ward area of a Class 9a health-care building |
Where F2.3 requires 1 or more showers, not less than 1 for every 10 showers or part thereof. |
|
Class 10a except—
|
Where showers are provided, 1 for every 10 showers or part thereof. |
Intent
To specify the minimum acceptable sanitary and bathing facilities required for people with a disability in Class 1b, Class 2, Class 3, Class 5-9 and Class 10a buildings.
requires equitable and dignified access to buildings and the services they provide. and are also intended to apply inclusively to people with a disability (see FP2.1). Not only must people with a disability be able to access a building's toilet and bathing facilities, those facilities must be usable by them.
refers to and to determine the numbers of accessible sanitary facilities, and AS 1428.1 for details of the construction of accessible facilities. Facilities such as washbasins, a shelf or bench top and adequate means of disposing of sanitary towels must be inside the unisex toilet compartment and not outside in a public area. also requires sanitary compartments suitable for use by a person with an ambulant disability to be provided in certain circumstances, in addition to compartments for use by a person using a wheelchair. Where two or more of each type of unisex accessible sanitary facilities are provided in a building, the number of left and right handed mirror image facilities must be provided as evenly as possible. This is required because some people transfer from their wheelchairs from the right hand side and some from the left.
provides minimum requirements for the provision of accessible unisex sanitary compartments, commonly referred to as unisex accessible toilets. Unisex accessible sanitary compartments are required on each storey where sanitary compartments are provided. If the male or female toilets are located separately and not in a single bank then the unisex accessible toilet is only required at one of those banks. However, clear directional information about the location of the closest unisex accessible toilet must be provided. If there are multiple banks containing male and female sanitary compartments on a storey, there must be a unisex accessible sanitary compartment at not less than 50% of those banks.
provides minimum requirements for the provision of accessible unisex shower facilities in buildings where showers are required (by the BCA) to be provided.
requires that facilities be constructed in accordance with AS 1428.1. It is important to note that AS 1428.1 contains provisions for both wheelchair accessible facilities and those for people with an ambulant disability. These provisions include:
- grabrails;
- circulation space;
- access door width and swing;
- height of fixtures;
- lever handles for taps; and
- space under the front of basins.
A toilet that is suitable for a person with an ambulant disability is not intended for use by a person using a wheelchair. An accessible path of travel need not be provided to such a toilet.
F2.5 Construction of sanitary compartments
(a)
Other than in an early childhood centre, sanitary compartments must have doors and partitions that separate adjacent compartments and extend—
(i)
from floor level to the ceiling in the case of a unisex facility; or
(ii)
to a height of not less than 1.5 m above the floor if primary school children are the principal users; or
(iii)
1.8 m above the floor in all other cases.
(b)
The door to a fully enclosed sanitary compartment must—
(i)
open outwards; or
(ii)
slide; or
(iii)
be readily removable from the outside of the sanitary compartment,
unless there is a clear space of at least 1.2 m, measured in accordance with Figure F2.5, between the closet pan within the sanitary compartment and the doorway.
(c)
In an early childhood centre, facilities for use by children must have each sanitary compartment screened by a partition which, except for the doorway, is opaque for a height of at least 900 mm but not more than 1200 mm above the floor level.
|
Figure F2.5 CONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY COMPARTMENTS |
|---|
 |
Intent
To specify the construction expected to provide an acceptable level of privacy in toilets while facilitating assistance in an emergency.
Privacy in toilets is considered to be an amenity issue. There is a high level of privacy expected in unisex toilets while there are lower levels expected in early-childhood centres and facilities used by primary school children. There is also an intermediate level expected between compartments in single-sex toilets.
permits early-childhood centres sanitary compartment to be constructed without doors because it is necessary for staff to keep the children under regular observation. Under F2.5(a)(ii), a concession is also provided on the height of partitions for facilities used by primary school children. These concessions in should not be applied to staff facilities.
requires means of removing an unconscious occupant from a fully enclosed sanitary compartment. If the enclosure has gaps that are large enough to allow access for a person into the sanitary compartment, the compartment is not intended to be considered enclosed for the purposes of this clause.
The exception to is where there is a clear space of at least 1.2 m between the closet pan and the doorway, as measured in accordance with Figure F2.5 in the BCA.
Requirements for partitions between sanitary compartments for early-childhood centres is covered by F2.5(c). A partition must be opaque for a height of at least 900 mm but not more than 1200 mm high above the floor level, while the section above the partition may be open or clear glazed.
F2.6 Interpretation: Urinals and washbasins
(a)
A urinal may be—
(i)
an individual stall or wall-hung urinal; or
(ii)
each 600 mm length of a continuous urinal trough; or
(iii)
a closet pan used in place of a urinal.
(b)
A washbasin may be—
(i)
an individual basin; or
(ii)
a part of a hand washing trough served by a single water tap.
Intent
To clarify what is meant by the expressions ‘urinal’ and ‘washbasin’.
Urinals and hand-washing facilities are often not constructed as single units, but as a length of trough. and clarify that the words ‘urinal’ and ‘washbasin’ apply to individual facilities, or to a length of trough, in the case of a urinal; and a specific part of a hand-washing trough.
allows a closet pan (also called a ‘toilet pan’ or ‘closet fixture’) to be used in place of a urinal. Such a closet pan must be additional to the required number of closet pans, and so must not be counted once as a urinal and once as a pan when calculating the total number of facilities.
F2.7 Microbial (legionella) control
Hot water, warm water and cooling water systems in a building other than a system serving only a single sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part of a building must be installed in accordance with AS/NZS 3666.1.
Intent
To make sure that hot water, warm water and cooling water systems in certain facilities minimises the risk of a major disease outbreak.
Legionella and other dangerous bacteria may multiply in hot water, warm water and cooling water systems to numbers that can cause serious outbreaks. AS/NZS 3666.1, referenced by , contains measures for designing, installing and commissioning hot water, warm water and cooling water systems, aimed at minimising the risk of a major disease outbreak.
This provision applies to all buildings except systems that only serve a single sole-occupancy unit in Class 2 or 3 building or Class 4 part. This limitation is consistent with the intent of AS/NZS 3666.1 and the limitation of FP2.6.
F2.8 Waste management
(a)
In a Class 9a health-care building, at least one slop-hopper or other device, other than a water closet pan or urinal, must be provided—
(i)
on any storey containing ward areas or bedrooms to facilitate emptying of containers of sewage or dirty water; and
(ii)
with a flushing apparatus, tap and grating.
(b)
In a Class 9c building, the following facilities must be provided for every 60 beds or part thereof on each storey containing resident use areas—
(i)
one slop-hopper or other device other than a water closet pan or urinal for the safe handling and disposal of liquid and solid wastes with a flushing apparatus, tap and grating; and
(ii)
an appliance for the disinfection of pans or an adequate means to dispose of receptacles.
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
Explanatory information: Cross-volume considerations
NCC Volume Three contains a number of plumbing and drainage provisions which are relevant to facilities. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:
Heated water temperature control for facilities used for personal hygiene
Intent
To require adequate devices in Class 9a and 9c buildings containing ward areas or bedrooms for the emptying of containers of sewage and dirty water.
Class 9a buildings, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are likely to be occupied by people who can only carry out their toilet and bathing functions in commode chairs or into containers. To minimise disease, requires slop-hoppers. These are special fixtures with a grate, flushing apparatus and tap which are used for emptying bedpans and the like.
Aged care buildings are likely to be occupied by people with similar difficulties to those occupying Class 9a buildings. To minimise disease, requires the installation of slop-hoppers and appliances for either disinfecting pans or an adequate means for disposal of receptacles in Class 9c buildings. If one device can undertake all tasks required by , then it may be utilised.