Achieving the right balance of what looks good, alongside privacy and safety in any washroom environment can be a tough challenge, but within a school we face the toughest critics of all – our children.
Interplan Panel Systems, washroom specialists discuss some of the key areas for consideration if you are specifying or updating your school washroom this summer.
Safety
First and foremost any school washroom needs to consider the safety of its students. For younger children this can include the use of anti-finger trap hinges to ensure that little fingers do not get hurt and that they can always get in and out of the cubicles safely by the use of magnetic catches. For both younger and older children, doors should always have an emergency release mechanism to ensure emergency access can be gained if required.
The Department for Education promotes a central hand-washing facility and says washtroughs are preferable to individual wash basins as they are easier to clean and can reduce potential flooding in the toilet area. Interplan’s broad range of washtroughs are ideal for such installations are also available in several bold colours to add a touch of brightness to the washroom area.
Privacy
Privacy is a key requirement in any school washroom, however with the growing trend of unisex toilets making its way into many schools this focus is highlighted further. Children need to feel safe and secure in their toilet environment or they can become reluctant to use them which can become detrimental to their general wellbeing and learning. ERIC (The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity) says schools are finding that unisex washrooms are helping to encourage a safe and neutral space for students.
A flush fronted, floor to ceiling toilet cubicle such as Interplan's Urban range offers complete privacy for it’s users and is ideal for a unisex washroom to ensure that students feel safe and secure. Where a school wants to ensure privacy but also have a ceiling level space which can deter anti-social behavior, Interplan's Splash range would be perfect. For younger children privacy needs to meet safety, here Interplan’s Tiny Tots and Tots 2 Teens ranges come into their own, offering varying door heights that enable supervision of the early year’s children, whilst still allowing them to use the toilet independently.
Colour
Colour and décor plays a huge part in our mood and there is no reason that the washroom area should be treated differently to any other area of the school. Bright, bold colours and even fun digital prints are far more likely to encourage smaller children to feel comfortable and at home in the toilet when they may perhaps not be used to using the toilet alone. For older children, many want to see a more sophisticated décor, with the portrayal of a more adult environment. Interplan’s range of standard colours, ensures that there is a shade to meet any colour scheme or even match school colours to allow continuity with other areas of the school. Interplan offers a range of both colour and material samples free of charge to allow people to see what colours will actually look like in the area.
A reliable supplier
A reliable supplier will always try to make your life as easy as possible and take away any stresses that they can. This can include offering accompanying items such as IPS Ducting, Vanities and Accessories so you can purchase all items required in one package. An adequate warranty, such as Interplan's 5 year guarantee, will give you peace of mind long after the project is complete that the washroom products will still be performing. If you are organising the washroom renovation in-house then look out for a supplier who works with their own installers, who can save you time, money and effort
To find out more on how Interplan can help with your school washroom project this summer get in touch with their friendly and experienced team today on Tel: 0141 336 4040 or speak to them via their website on LiveChat.