Handedness in Doc M
Only 10% of people are left-handed, so when there's a single accessible toilet, it will usually be right-handed. If multiple accessible toilets are available, it's best practice to cater to both right- and left-handed preferences. There is often confusion around the labelling of left-handed (LH) and right-handed (RH) facilities. This guide aims to help you select the right Doc M pack.
First Things First
- Doc M grab rail packs are not handed; it’s their configuration that determines whether a space is left or right-handed.
- Sanitaryware elements, such as basins and toilet cisterns, are often handed, with holes for taps or flush levers on the left or right.
- Room layouts can be influenced by factors such as room size and shape, door placement, and the location of mains water and drainage.
If you only have one accessible toilet on-premises, offer a right-handed option. If there are multiple, provide both right and left-handed options, ensuring all products adhere to Doc M regulations.
Transfer Versus Layout
Manufacturers refer to Doc M packs differently, which can cause confusion. Some label their packs by room layout, while others label by transfer.
- A left-hand layout means the toilet and basin are positioned in the left-hand corner of the room, with the fixed grab rail on the right of the user when seated, also called a right-hand transfer.
- A right-hand layout places the toilet and basin in the right-hand corner, with the grab rail on the left of the user when seated, also called a left-hand transfer.
How Fitzroy of London Define Left- and Right-Hand Rooms
At Fitzroy of London, we define a handed room by transfer type. Think of how a wheelchair user transfers to the toilet:
- Left-hand transfer: The user moves to the left to transfer from their wheelchair to the toilet.
- Right-hand transfer: The user moves to the right to transfer from their wheelchair to the toilet.
Illustrations of Doc M Packs
Right-hand Doc M Pack
- The user moves to the right to transfer from their wheelchair to the toilet.
- The basin is installed on the right-hand side of the user.
- The tap and flush lever are positioned on the right side.
Left-hand Doc M Pack
- The user moves to the left to transfer from their wheelchair to the toilet.
- The basin is installed on the left-hand side of the user.
- The tap and flush lever are positioned on the left side.
Basins & Taps
Regardless of the pack type, the tap must always be closest to the user to reduce the need for reaching. Customers can choose a left-hand or right-hand pack, but products like the pan, hinged rail, and grab rails remain the same. The differentiation lies in the type of basin, which may have a tap hole on the right or left.
- Universal Doc M packs contain a two-tap hole basin, suitable for both left and right-hand layouts. The tap should be mounted nearest the toilet, with a blanking cap covering the unused tap hole.
- Left-handed or right-handed room packs contain single-tap hole basins specific to each layout.
