Resources

Find published information on toilet design. Our resource bank includes guidance, standards, regulation, toolkits, websites and research.  Resources can be filtered by type or subject area, using the keywords shown.

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Author/s:
Jo-Anne Bichard, Gail Ramster
Summary:
Based on 20 years of research and incorporating perspectives from over 500 participants, this book provides a critical overview of public toilet design in the UK and presents an urgent need to re-evaluate the accessibility of, and culture around, these essential spaces.
Web link:
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Publication date:
2025
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Keywods:
AccessibilityBuilt EnvironmentCovid-19DesignDisabilityFixturesHistoryInclusionLocationManagementPublic HealthPublic Toilets
Type:
Book

Author/s:
Sotiris Vardoulakis, Daniela A.Espinoz Oyarcea, Erica Donner
Summary:
A review focused on indoor, publicly accessible washrooms, of 38 studies in 13 countries. using environmental sampling, laboratory, and epidemiological studies on viral and bacterial infection transmission.
Web link:
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Publication date:
2021
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Keywods:
Covid-19Public HealthPublic Toilets
Type:
Academic Paper

Author/s:
Stephanie J. Dancer, Yuguo Li, Alwyn Hart, Julian W. Tang, Davey L. Jones
Summary:
This narrative review examines the evidence suggestive of transmission risk through use of public toilets and concludes that such a risk cannot be lightly disregarded. A range of mitigating actions are suggested for both users of public toilets and those that are responsible for their design, maintenance and management.
Web link:
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Publication date:
2021
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Keywods:
Covid-19DesignMaintenancePublic Health
Type:
Academic Paper

Author/s:
Welsh Government
Summary:
Guidance for the safe management of toilets used by the public during the coronavirus pandemic. It is intended to help the owners and operators of toilets for public use to plan for the safer management of toilets as the restrictions in Wales are lifted and to plan for the re-opening of toilets where they have been closed.
Web link:
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Publication date:
2020
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Keywods:
Covid-19Public HealthPublic Toilets
Type:
Standards and Guidance

Author/s:
Royal Society for Public Health
Summary:
RSPH has published a report revealing the dire state of our public conveniences and its impact on the public’s health. The findings shed light on the health burden of declining public toilet provision, which directly hampers some of the UK’s wider public health efforts.
Web link:
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Publication date:
2019
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Keywods:
Public HealthPublic Toilets
Type:
Report