Thursday, September 15, 2011

The ABC's of School Restroom Design

Designing a school restroom may seem simple. However, the design of a school restroom involves the consideration of many aspects. From the type of technologies to the kind of finishes chosen, the process involves a lot of forethought and planning. Keep the following building blocks in mind as a guide to smart school restroom design.

Materials and Colors

Water Dispenser

Deciding which surface materials to install is a substantial choice. One must look for material that's both durable and attractive. Durability is an obvious factor since school restrooms are high traffic zones often prone to vandalism. The material needs to be able to withstand daily wear and tear from users. Yet, attractiveness also helps play a role in durability. It is proposed that the nicer looking an area, the less abuse it will receive. A favorite for surface areas is ceramic tile, which resists moisture, scratches, and stains.

The ABC's of School Restroom Design

Zojirushi CV-DSC40 VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer, Stainless Steel Review


Zojirushi CV-DSC40 VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer, Stainless Steel Feature

  • Water boiler and warmer with a large 4-liter capacity
  • Vacuum-insulated keep warm provides maximum energy efficiency
  • Temperature settings include 175, 195, and 208 degrees F
  • Temperature-control system; 6- to 8-hour timer; auto shut-off
  • Measures 8-3/8 by 11 by 13-13/16 inches

Zojirushi CV-DSC40 VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer, Stainless Steel Overview

The Zojirushi VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer keeps water hot energy efficiently with vacuum insulation technology. This new items features super VE vacuum-electric hybrid keep warm system. New energy efficient non-electric keep warm. Micro computerized temperature control system. It displays actual water temperature at all times. It is easy to clean with a clear coated stainless steel exterior. It has easy to read large wraparound Panaroma Window water lever gauge. Cafe Drip dispensing mode for slower dispensing and a convenient timer feature (6-10 hours). This unit features a safety auto shut off, easy to hear beep indicator to alert completion of boiling process or low water level.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

Related Products

Customer Reviews




*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 15, 2011 18:00:24

On the other hand, some prefer solid surfaces that eliminate the need for grout. Grout tends to show dirt, which can make the surfaces appear dirty despite being clean. A material once widely used, but no longer recommended, is laminate. Unlike ceramic and marble, laminate tends to absorb moisture. If choosing material for stall partitions, a favorite is Solid Color Reinforced Composite (SCRC), an ultrahard material. While more costly than other options, it is incredibly durable and vandal-resistant. Cheaper alternatives, such as stainless steel and painted steel, are harder to keep clean and easier to vandalize.

Choosing colors for a school restroom can be tricky. Depending on the particular school, some colors will be more suitable than others. For instance, if vandalism is a major concern, solid colors should be avoided. In fact, black is considered one of the worst color schemes in restrooms prone to high amounts of vandalism. Eraser-writing on the black surfaces becomes a popular - and permanent - activity.

Instead, salt-and-pepper or marble surfaces are recommended. For restrooms in lower vandalism schools, the decision to go light or dark with colors depends on maintenance preference. Darker colors tend to hide dirt. However, by hiding the dirt, restroom cleanliness may diminish if routine cleanings do not occur. Therefore, lighter colors are sometimes preferred to make the surface soil easier to spot.

Layout

The layout of a restroom ultimately determines a facility's ability to be user-friendly and maintenance-friendly. Universal design is a popular ambition today. Restrooms should be designed to be accessible to each individual. This goal generally leads to restroom compliancy with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While detailed requirements and instructions are available through the ADA, some of the elements to take into account include: number of toilets, sink height, floor space, and grab bar spacing.

Yet, accessibility isn't the only consideration of user-friendliness. The layout of the restroom also influences hygiene. For example, more restrooms are being designed without doors. This eliminates the spreading of germs via door handles.

Maintenance friendly restrooms can be achieved through sensible design as well. One prevalent concern in school restrooms is vandalism. Despite its growing occurrence, simple layout choices can indirectly affect the amount of vandalism. One example is the hypothesis that larger stall units provide less temptation to potential vandals. Another popular trend is moving sinks to the hallway to allow for maximum supervision.

This doubles as a security precaution as well. However, if vandalism or normal wear and tear occurs, a restroom layout can also make repairs easier. For instance, choosing individual mirrors over wall-length mirrors facilities easier for the janitorial staff. Furthermore, smart restroom layout can prevent repairs. By placing the hand dryer or paper towel dispenser close to the sink instead of across the restroom, it will prevent floor damage from dripping water. Another example of preventive layout is using trash cans that fit into holes in the counters. Not only does it increase user convenience, it helps prevent cleanup of tipped trash cans.

Appliances

Once the materials, layout, and finishes are chosen, one must give ample attention to the restroom appliances. With numerous manufacturers, types, and options, choosing appliances can become an overwhelming process. Thankfully, there are some basic guidelines that will help direct the search. (Note that by limiting appliance types and brands, repairs and replacements will be more practical.)

Toilets

One of the first decisions is whether wall-mounted or floor-mounted toilets are desired in the school restroom. On one hand, it is easier to clean floors with wall-mounted toilets. On the other hand, wall-mounted toilets are more expensive due to the required carriers. Second, one must determine whether sensor-operated or manual-operated toilets and urinals make the most sense.

If the school is concerned with vandalism, sensor-operated flushometers are recommended. They eliminate flush controls, which are often the target of vandalism. Sensor-operated toilets and urinals are also the better choice if user hygiene or ease of usability is a concern. However, if cost is causing a dilemma, manual toilets and urinals may be preferred. Replacement parts are less expensive for manual units than automatic units. Also, if regular maintenance is unavailable, manual-operated toilets and urinals will be easier for janitorial staff to manage. Routine upkeep is required for sensor-operated units since batteries need to be constantly monitored.

Faucets

The size, placement, and type of installed faucets are important factors. Correctly sized and placed faucets are necessary to prevent countertop water damage from splashing. Splashing typically occurs when the faucet does not hang over the sink far enough. Regarding the faucet type, the standard manual-operated faucet is always an option. However, the school environment may influence an upgrade to a different faucet type. For instance, potential vandalism affects faucet type selection. If potential vandalism is high, sensor-operated faucets are recommended. This will make it harder to block and flood sinks. Metering faucets are another option. These faucets limit the amount of water dispensed and the amount of time water runs. Like a sensor-operated faucet, a metering faucet will make it more difficult to vandalize sinks.

Dispensers

Finally, one must decide on the type of dispensers to include in the school restroom. The selected dispensers will depend on which best fits maintenance and user requirements. In general, some dispensers are easier for the janitorial staff to upkeep than others. Large capacity dispensers allow for longer periods in-between replacements. Additionally, dispensers with clear fronts allow for quick monitoring of remaining product levels.

Each dispenser type has its own particular factors to consider as well:

Paper Towel Dispensers

While users often prefer paper towel dispensers, paper towels can be a hassle. Users may not throw the sheets away or choose to use them to vandalize sinks. If vandalism is expected, automatic hand dryers are considered the better choice over paper towel dispensers. Not only do automatic hand dryers eliminate the need for contact, they also remove the possibility of product waste.

Soap Dispensers

Soap dispensers call for a pick between cartridge dispensers or bulk dispensers. Cartridge soap dispensers involve replacing cartridges, and bulk dispensers involve topping off liquid soap. While bulk dispensers create a possibility of contamination, cartridge dispensers may lock a restroom into one type of soap. There is also the option of a combination soap dispenser and faucet. The combination unit simplifies installation and places the soap dispenser in the most convenient location for users.

Feminine Product Dispensers

Coin-operated feminine product dispensers are often high targets of theft, especially in high schools and colleges. If vandalism is likely, it is recommended to stick with stainless steel dispensers. However, if the dispenser is constructed of a less durable material, be proactive and secure the dispenser with locks.

Extra Touches

In a school setting, it is necessary to consider a few extra additions to meet the need of users. For example, providing hooks and shelves for coats and books is an easy way to keep the restroom clutter-free.

The ABC's of School Restroom Design

http://www.SchoolPlumbingParts.com
http://www.NoTouchBathroom.com

No comments:

Post a Comment