Know more about the general bathroom and toilet building requirements, common bathroom codes, rules and design features of baths.
Desirable Bathrooms and Locality Rules
To keep up with changing style statements, to make a small space larger or appear larger, or to just add new fixtures, remodelling a bathroom can be simply inevitable. Staying crouched in a dark cramped bath space can wear you out completely, compelling you to plan out remodelling work for your bathroom. A well executed plan, efficient and functional hi-tech gadgets and accessories, and following locality rules are all it takes to get a visually appealing and functional bathroom space. Yes, you read it absolutely right, there are rules governing the layout, placement and design of the bathroom space and its fixtures. This promotes safety, efficiency and better functionality. Decide on what ideas you can use after going through the designs of desirable bathrooms and locality rules, regulations, codes and the guidelines mentioned below.
- One of the most basic bathroom or locality rule states that the entry door should open inward in order to avoid any accidents or accidental peeks. The opening space for the doorways should extend to at least thirty-two inches and the movement of the doorways should be smooth and safe.
- In order to prevent accidents in bathrooms it is advisable to get non-skid flooring. However, getting non-skid flooring may not be enough; it is advisable to also have smooth and rounded edges for the countertops, bathtubs and sinks.
- You should also provide handles and bars for hand towels. These bars can also help old people get additional support to climb out of the tub. Few other required conveniences for the bathroom include low whirlpool decks and steps for kids, vanities with double bowls, natural light or subdued special light effects, separate tub and shower units, good ventilation and partitions between sinks, tub and toilets.
- An ideal bathroom should have a minimum floor to ceiling height of eighty inches over the fixtures and the front area of the same. Another thing to keep in mind is that a shower tub along with a shower head should be eighty inches away from the floor.
- Another basic rule to keep in mind for a desirable bathroom is that there should be at least thirty inches of space maintained from the front edge of all fixtures to any bath fixture, wall or obstacle on the opposite side. You should provide twenty-one inches of space in front of a commode, bidet and tub and a minimum space of twenty-four inches in front of the entry to the shower.
- Make it a point to ensure that the shower and tub controls are accessible from both the inside and outside of the shower spray. The controls should be located between thirty-eight to forty-eight inches above the floor.
- The wall area above the tub and/or a shower pan should be covered in waterproof material. This waterproof covering should be at least seventy-two inches above the finished floor. It is important that you reinforce the tub or shower walls at the time of construction. The glass that you will be using for the partition or as shower and tub enclosure should be tempered permanently.
- Do not forget to design the closets in the bathroom with ample storage space for toiletries, linens, grooming and general bathroom supplies. The supplies should be placed adequately at points of use. Also place a mirror above or near the closet with grooming and general bathroom supplies. Accessories such as towel holders, soap dishes etc should be placed near all the bath fixtures.
- Remember not to install switch boards in wet locations of the bathroom. For example, do not install switch boards near the tub or the shower space. You must also provide task lighting along with general lighting for functional areas like grooming and shower areas.
- There are plumbing and wiring rules, codes and building requirements to safeguard you from accidental hazards that should be adhered to. This may include avoiding the use of plastic pipes, arranging for required inspections, submitting your plans and obtaining permits, using only GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected receptacles, having at least one light fixture with a switch at bathroom door, an exhaust fan and a pressure-balancing mixing valves for the shower.