Types of sanitary appliances
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Building Regulations Approved Document G: Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency 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 (e.g. composting toilet) or drain (e.g. waterless urinal).’
These appliances collect and remove waste matter. They are generally grouped into two categories: soil appliances and waste water appliances.
[edit] Soil appliances
Soil appliances remove different types of solid waste material. Examples of soil appliances include:
- Toilets or other types of water closets (such as squatting, composting, washdown, siphonic or universal).
- Bidets (either pedestal or wall hung).
- Urinals (bowl type, slab, stall, squatting, syphon jet or waterless).
- Slop sinks (found in hospitals and used for emptying and washing bedpans and urine bottles).
- Bed pan sinks (again, found in hospitals).
[edit] Waste water appliances
Waste water appliances are primarily used to collect and remove water once it has been used. Examples of waste water appliances include:
- Wash basins.
- Wash troughs.
- Sinks.
- Showers.
- Bathtub.
- Drinking fountains.
These appliances should have a durable, smooth, easily cleaned and non-absorbent surface. They are typically made of non-corroding material, such as ceramic, china, porcelain, enamelled cast iron or pressed steel, stainless steel, glass or specially treated plastic.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Approved Document G.
- Bathroom definition.
- Bath.
- Bidet.
- Earth closet.
- Gas fired toilet.
- Installed level access shower.
- Lavatory.
- Macerating toilet systems.
- Sanitary accommodation.
- Sanitaryware.
- Shower.
- Sink.
- Sink v basin.
- Solid surface wash troughs.
- Types of showers.
- Urinal.
- Wall hung toilet.
- Water closet.
Featured articles and news
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.




















