Specifying, Installing Ambulant Accessible Toilets: An Essential Guide

What Does Ambulant Mean?

Ambulant disabled toilets are toilet cubicles specifically adapted for people with disabilities who can walk. The word 'ambulant' is derived from the Latin ‘ambulare,’ which means ‘to walk.’ While ambulant toilets may seem like normal toilets with a few extra grab rails, more goes into planning these spaces than you might think.

Close-coupled ambulant concealed Doc M toilet pack

Back-to-wall exposed ambulant Doc M toilet pack

Who Uses Ambulant Toilets?

Ambulant toilets serve a wide range of people with disabilities who are not limited to a wheelchair. These individuals may have mobility impairments caused by injury or illness or may be visually impaired. Ambulant toilets provide an extra level of support, enabling disabled people to use the toilet independently.

What Makes an Ambulant Toilet Different?

Ambulant toilets have several key differences compared to non-accessible toilet cubicles – and it’s not all about grab rails. 

• Size: Ambulant toilets must have a minimum width of 800mm and more manoeuvring space than a standard cubicle or WC.
• Grab Rails: Ambulant toilets are required to have three assistive grab rails positioned according to strict regulations. One of these rails will be fitted to the inside of the cubicle door, which should open outward to maximise the useful space inside the cubicle. The door opening must be at least 650mm wide.
• Light Reflectance Values (LRV): These toilets should adhere to the LRV requirements  set out in the Doc M pack, allowing for visual differentiation between the rails and the surface they are mounted on.
• Toilet Height: Any cubicle for use by ambulant disabled people must have a WC pan that conforms to BS EN 997:2012, designed to accommodate the use of a variable height toilet seat riser. Here is an example layout showing the correct installation of a Fitzroy of London Back to Wall Ambulant Doc M Toilet Pack:
  
  
  

Why and When Do I Need to Specify an Ambulant Toilet?

Ambulant toilets are a requirement of the Doc M pack part of the Building Regulations. At least one ambulant toilet cubicle is required per separate-sex toilet accommodation. The presence of this facility helps avoid unnecessary travel to unisex toilet accommodation. Careful planning of washroom locations is pivotal for a building’s design success. If there is only one cubicle in the toilet accommodation, it must be suitable for an ambulant disabled person.

What Comes in a Fitzroy of London Ambulant Pack?

Fitzroy of London’s standard Ambulant Accessible Toilet Packs include:

• 2x 600mm grab rails per pack, usually fitted on either side of the WC Pan
• 1x 450mm grab rail, fitted to the inside of the door, used as a closing bar
• 1x Doc M pack pan
• 1x Cistern (plus WRAS approved fittings pack)
• 1x Ring only toilet seat

If necessary, you can request an additional single 600mm rail for vertical mounting. Careful installation of the pack is critical to achieving Part M (building regulations) approval, including consideration of the activity space inside the cubicle and the placement of accessories such as clothing hooks and tissue paper dispensers. Full details of the Doc M layout requirement can be seen below: