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
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
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?






















