Building Regulations Consultation - Changing Places Toilets

The Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government are currently undertaking a public consultation regarding  ways to increase provision of Changing Places toilets in specific new, large buildings commonly used by the public, as well as those undergoing building works.

Changing places toilets meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. These toilets provide the right equipment including a height adjustable adult-sized changing table, a tracking hoist system, adequate space for a disabled person and carer, a peninsular WC with room either side and a safe and clean environment including tear off paper to cover the bench, a large waste bin and a non-slip floor.

There are over 1,300 Changing Places toilets across the UK, up from just 140 in 2007.

The changes in the consultation, if implemented as proposed, will require new ‘large buildings’ commonly used by the public or where such a building undergoes an extension, material alteration or change of use to install a changing places toilet to meet enhanced minimum standards vis-à-vis toilet provision. 

The consultation includes a number of different ‘triggers’ to require the installation of a changing places toilet in new build projects which include a range of  floor sizes (linked to specific uses), numbers of visitors, seating (350 for a cinema, 500 for a theatre) or over 100 bedrooms in the case of a hotel.

The consultation runs until 11:45pm on 21 July 2019.