For whatever type of establishment, bathrooms are there for both legal and practical reasons. Starting a commercial bathroom construction project is crucial no matter what kind of business you own.  Large corporations, schools, and restaurants alike have restrooms built in them. Restrooms should not only meet the basic requirements rather; their condition will directly affect the health and comfort of those who visit them frequently. This is true also when it comes to bathroom stalls. In this post, 3 things that one needs to know about bathroom stalls and partitions will be discussed.

Standard and Handicap Bathroom Stalls Dimensions

When trying to look into commercial restroom designs, upgrading or remodeling, the main factor will be the dimensions of bathroom stalls. The accurate sizes for the entire restroom will differ depending on the available space. Bathroom stalls themselves have standard sizing and dimensions that are indicated or regulated by certain groups and doorbells that are waterproof.

  • ADA Standards for Bathroom Stalls

The simplest reference to base stall dimensions with and other sizing needs is the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA. This act imposes certain dimensions for handicap bathroom stalls per law. They have a general regulation that is easily applied to other parts of the bathroom. Even though basic, these standards are good to know to ensure common dimensions keeping the customers comfortable.

  • Standard Bathroom Stalls Dimensions

For non-handicap bathroom stalls, bathroom setups have standard dimensions common for commercial use. A bathroom stall door is usually 24 inches in width and 58 inches in height. The bathroom stall itself standing at 36 inches wide and 60 inches high.

Depth can vary significantly depending on the layout of the bathroom stalls. It can be commonly between 48 to 78 inches. A key factor in determining the depth is making space for the swinging door, usually opening inward. The door should open completely without touching the toilet and so the bathroom stall should have enough room for this. If the door hits the toilet, then more depth is needed.

  • Handicap Bathroom Stalls Requirement

The one restroom area where the ADA has a legal requirement is the handicap bathroom stalls. According to law, every public restroom must have at least 1 stall compliant with the ADA standard in dimensions. The door should at least be 36 inches in width and the space should be at least 60 by 60 inches. To add to this, although not a requirement, ADA handicap bathroom stalls should generally be placed at the end of the bathroom stall row having over 100 inches of width to maintain interior space even with an out-swung door.

Bathroom Stalls Cleaning Frequency and Tips

There are some basic cleaning and maintenance tips for stainless steel restroom stalls. Stainless steel bathroom stalls have become quite popular because of their simple and easy maintenance. Although, when new with bathroom stalls made of stainless steel, there are some basics to keep in mind.

  • General Cleaning Frequency of Bathroom Stalls

How often do bathroom stalls need to be cleaned? There is no fixed answer. The rate of cleaning will depend on the frequency of use of the bathroom stalls and other factors. Generally, it is recommended to clean stainless steel bathroom stalls once a week to watch movies while you are pooping or taking a shower.

In cases when the bathroom stalls always experience high traffic, then the frequency of cleaning should be increase to at least once a day. Clean bathroom stalls are hygienic and prevent infectious contaminants to build up and spread. Maintaining cleanliness within the bathroom stalls and throughout the whole restroom will impress visitors and leave positive feedback for the entire building.

  • Bathroom Stalls Grease and Mineral Build-up

The simple, basic cleaning methods will not suffice for grease, mineral deposits, and other deep cleaning matters. For the aforementioned, it is highly recommended to an abrasive cleaner which can be excellent for mineral deposit build-up. For grease stains, solvents like kerosene may be used. This can be used in conjunction with the water and detergent solution for basic cleaning.

  • Bathroom Stall Cleaners to Do Away With

There are several cleaners and chemical agents to avoid when cleaning stainless steel bathroom stalls. These may include acidic cleaners, have bleach, and other alkali cleaners. They may harm the surfaces and corrode the steel itself.

Reasons Why Bathroom Stalls Have Gaps at the Bottom

Surely, the reason behind this is not to embarrass anyone. Here are some answers that support bathroom stalls not extending down the floor:

  • Easier to Clean – Bathroom stalls are rather easier to clean along with the rest of the restroom when they have spaces at the bottom. Because they have gaps at the bottom, hosing down water or even power-washing the restroom will be easier as the water can run somewhere even if there are no drains in individual bathroom stalls.
  • Emergency Alternative Access – It may take hours for anybody to notice someone who has lost consciousness inside a fully enclosed bathroom stall. When this happens in a bathroom stall with a gap though, most probably, someone will notice it faster. This is essentially important in situations where time spells the difference between death and life. Instead of breaking down the door, responders will only give to crawl through the gap between bathroom stalls and unlock the door to help the patient.
  • Preventive to Untoward Behaviors – Knowing the fact that people can partially peek into a bathroom stall through the bottom gap, untoward behaviors are deterred. These behaviors may include spraying paint to make graffiti on the stall wall.
  • Less Cost Incurred – Having gaps at the bottom and not extending up to the ceiling will save on materials to construct it and will make bathroom stalls considerably more affordable.
  • Improved Circulation of Air – Better air circulation can be considered as the top reason why bathroom stalls have gaps below. If it were fully enclosed, the bathroom stall smell will be even more overwhelming. So bathroom stall partition gaps may be the key to make restrooms less stinky.
  • Verifies Occupancy – The gaps below bathroom stalls partitions will allow people to queue to see if a bathroom stall is vacant or otherwise. This visibility will keep the line moving and prevent long waiting times. Since bathroom stalls are not fully enclosed, people using them will get a sense of urgency when it comes to their use.
  • Escape Course – For all sorts of reasons, a lock can jam on people inside bathroom stalls. When this happens, the gab at the bottom may very well serve as an escape exit. One can simply crawl out.
  • Sharing Toilet Paper – Another major reason for bathroom stalls to have gaps below is for sharing toilet papers in case users have run out of them. Imagine running out of toilet paper in an entirely closed bathroom stall, what awkwardness that will be having to be seen with pants down literally!

Knowing these pertinent figures and facts will take the bathroom stalls‘ construction, planning, designing, and maintaining to a whole, new level.