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.
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