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
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.




















