Sanitary accommodation
Approved document F, Ventilation, suggests that ‘sanitary accommodation’ is:
‘…a space containing one or more water closets (wc) or urinals. Sanitary accommodation containing one or more cubicles counts as a single space if there is free circulation of air throughout the space.’
Similarly, Approved document G, Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency, suggests that sanitary accommodation means:
‘…a room containing a WC or urinal, whether or not it also contains other sanitary appliances. Sanitary accommodation containing one or more cubicles counts as a single space if there is free circulation of air throughout the space.
It suggests that the term ‘sanitary appliance’ means a WC, urinal, bath, shower, washbasin, sink, bidet and drinking fountain. It also includes appliances that are not connected to a water supply (such as a composting toilet) or a drain (for example waterless urinal).
The Scottish Building Standards, Part I. Technical Handbook – Domestic, Appendix A Defined Terms, defines sanitary accommodation as: ‘…bathrooms, shower rooms, washrooms and toilets.’ It defines a sanitary facility as a: '...washbasin, sink, bath, shower, urinal, or watercloset, and in dwellings only, includes a waterless closet.'
The term ‘sanitary convenience’ means water closets and urinals.
See also: Bathroom definition.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.