Potty Parity and Squatters Rights

[Nick Grant]

Has anyone dared move away from the usual UK spec' of 'equal' facilities for men and women's toilets to allow for the fact that the throughput in mens toilets (with urinals) is significantly faster.

My partner regularly rants about the long queues outside the women's.

In US there have been Bills and legal action taken, (Google 'Potty Parity' as a start). I have not come accross a UK project where the issue has been faced although we mention it when we can.

UK examples or opinions please.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps it's only my partner who thinks its an issue???

Definitely not, it's a complete and total lunacy in public space design that allocates the same space to Ladies as Gents, I've never been able to understand it. Anyone who's been shopping with a girlfriend/wife will know that they have to queue to go to the bogs even in major department stores.

[Anonymous]

Thank heavens for that, can't believe it's going to need legislation though.

[Nick Grant]

Thanks Michelle

Your response was worth the wait, I hope BS 6465-1: 2006 was

Do you have a summary of the potty parity bit for non architects who are curious but won't be shelling out £112?

Nick

[Nick Grant]

I have just had a look at the BS as I am involved with a public loo design in Cumbria, very timely.

Applying the formula in annex B for an imaginary coach party of 50 male and 50 female all needing the loo in a 10 minute time period I get:

1 male WC and 2 urinals and 8, female WCs (actually 7.5)

The ratio comes from women needing 1.5 minutes and men 0.6.

Interesting to see how this pans out. For some reason their worked example assumes more men with a greater percentage needing the loo (??). Makes for a less dramatic result.

Nick

[Andy Mitchell]

Perhaps it allows for prostate problems?

[Anonymous]

Perhaps it allows for prostate problems?

Or beer related ones?

[Author]

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