The new ‘best practice’ guidelines, regarding bedroom and bathroom accessibility in multi-occupancy buildings, have been published. To help hotel, residential and care home operators and communal/supported housing providers to comply with the guidelines, Closomat, Britain’s leading provider of disabled toilet solutions, has announced a unique package.

The BS8300:2018 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment extends the remit of compliance covered under its predecessor BS8300:2009. This latest version applies to all building types that require permanent sleeping accommodation for disabled people, as it is not specific to new build projects.

Due to the fact that some disabilities are not visible but still require urgent access to sanitary facilities, under the new guidelines, more bathrooms will be refurbished to accommodate people suffering from bladder or bowel continence for example.

Moreover, up to 5% of bedrooms should have a wheelchair accessible en-suite shower room, if en-suite facilities are available elsewhere in the building; a further 1% should have a fixed track hoist system, a further 5% maximum should have an en-suite for ambulant disabled people, with an overall total of 15% of bedrooms large enough to enable easy adaptation if required in the future.

“Accessibility is a growing consideration in building design,” explained Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager. “Whether designing a new build or refurbishing, it makes sense to future-proof it to accommodate the growing numbers of people with impairments who need help who will stay somewhere, whether short, medium or long term.”

Closomat offers a range of contemporary ceiling track hoist systems tailored to individual needs, as well as grab rails, height-adjustable or fixed washbasins that enable a quick and easy adaptation to individual needs. Its range of wash & dry toilets take accessibility into higher realms of inclusion and intimate hygiene, with contemporary styled floor – standing, wall-mounted and height adjustable variants.

Closomat’s website is the ‘go to’ resource to help take the first steps towards efficient accessibility provision, including design guidance, white papers, CAD blocks, NBS specification clauses and case studies.