The True Cost of Washroom Downtime
When a washroom is temporarily closed, it’s easy to view it as a minor inconvenience. A maintenance issue. A broken lock. A plumbing fault. A damaged cubicle. Something that will be fixed in due course. But for the people responsible for managing buildings, the reality is often very different. Behind every unavailable washroom sits a […]
Single-Sex Toilet Provision: Current UK Guidance Explained
Separate male and female washrooms are now the default expectation across most UK settings, backed by four overlapping sources: Building Regulations in England, the Equality Act 2010 as clarified by the Supreme Court, the EHRC’s statutory services Code, and long-standing workplace and school premises rules. The position has moved quickly since 2024. A new Part […]
Why Do Washroom Sightlines Matter?
Conversations about commercial washroom design usually centre on capacity, accessibility, finishes and hygiene. However, one factor that shapes safety, user confidence and compliance just as much is often left until too late: sightlines. Sightlines refer to what can and cannot be seen into, out of and within a washroom. Getting them right means balancing two […]
A Complete Guide to Washroom Layout and Space Planning for Commercial Buildings
A well-planned washroom layout in commercial premises can help you make better use of your available footprint while providing accessible, hygienic facilities for customers or employees. Considering the different elements of your washroom early in the project can help create a layout that works for your requirements now while allowing for changing needs in the […]
The Complete Guide to Comparing Washroom Cubicle Systems
When specifying washroom cubicles, it’s easy to get drawn into colour charts, finishes and headline prices. But the most successful washroom projects are rarely judged on how they look on handover day. They’re judged on how they perform years later, often across dozens of sites and thousands of daily users. Whether you’re specifying for education, […]
Common Washroom Challenges Facing the Transport Sector
Transport hubs face some of the most demanding washroom environments in the built sector. From railway stations and airports to bus interchanges, service stations and operational depots, facilities must withstand relentless usage while remaining hygienic, accessible and available around the clock. For operators, a washroom plays a significant role in passenger experience, brand perception and […]
IPS Panel Systems Explained: Pre-Framed vs Site-Framed
A commercial washroom may only be one part of a building, but the quality of its design and installation can have a significant impact on project timescales, maintenance costs and the overall user experience. One of the most effective ways to create a clean, modern washroom environment is through the use of Integrated Panel Systems […]
Equality Act Update: What the New Code of Practice Means for Your Washrooms
Toilets don’t usually make national news. But over the last year, changes to equality law have put washroom design firmly on the agenda for offices, schools, hospitals, leisure centres, retailers and public buildings, basically any building that provides toilets for public use across the UK. And everyone is trying to understand what the latest EHRC […]
The Complete Guide to Wash Troughs for Commercial Spaces
Sinks are a mainstay in washrooms, but there is another option that has quietly been growing in popularity. Wash troughs provide a practical alternative for your handwashing needs, especially in high-traffic commercial washrooms that need a streamlined, efficient solution. They are designed to support multi-user handwashing, and are increasingly specified across a wide range of […]
Accessible Toilet Facilities: A Complete Compliance Checklist for Commercial Spaces
Accessible toilet facilities play a vital role in keeping commercial environments safe, inclusive and legally compliant. Whether you are a facilities manager, contractor, specifier or responsible for ensuring your washrooms are fully accessible, a full understanding of accessible washroom design goes far beyond just meeting basic standards. They require careful planning, practical layout decisions and […]
KCSIE 2026: What New Single‑Sex Toilet Guidance Means for Schools and How to Prepare
From September 2026, schools across England will need to comply with an updated version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) that brings clearer, firmer expectations around toilet provision for pupils aged eight and over. While this change is often discussed through a policy or cultural lens, for schools it is, at heart, a safeguarding […]
Beyond Anti-Bullying: Designing Out Vaping, Vandalism and Loitering
For many years, the conversation around school washrooms has centred on anti-bullying, and rightly so. Providing safe, inclusive spaces for students has always been a priority. But the reality schools are dealing with today has evolved. Across the education sector, a more complex set of challenges is emerging. Staff are increasingly dealing with vaping taking […]
Why Good Washroom Design Is the Foundation of Good Hygiene
When hygiene is discussed, the focus is often on cleaning routines, handwashing practices and maintenance schedules. All of these play an important role in keeping washrooms safe and pleasant to use. But, long-term hygiene starts earlier than many people realise. The design of the washroom itself has a significant influence on how clean and hygienic […]
When Was the Last Time You Looked at Your School’s Washrooms?
Not during a planned refurbishment, inspection, or emergency repair but as a day‑to‑day environment used by hundreds of pupils and staff, every single day. Washrooms are among the most frequently used spaces in a school, yet they’re often one of the most overlooked. And when they stop working well, the impact can be immediate and […]
Toilet Phobia in Schools: Why Washroom Design Must Be Part of the Conversation
For many pupils, the school day is measured in lessons, friendships, and achievements. For others, it is shaped by anxiety, particularly around something most adults take for granted: using the toilet. Toilet phobia in schools is a widespread and well‑evidenced issue in the UK, with significant implications for pupil health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes. Despite […]
The Psychology of Privacy: Why Cubicle Height Matters More Than You Think
When we think about washrooms, we tend to think about durability, hygiene, and design. But there’s something far more influential that often gets overlooked: how the washroom makes people feel. Privacy isn’t just a nice to have, it’s one of the biggest drivers of comfort, confidence, and overall user experience. Whether it’s a nursery pupil […]
Why Customer Experience Starts in the Washrooms
We’ve all been there. You finally arrive at the event you’ve been looking forward to for weeks. After travelling, queuing, and rushing to get inside, there’s usually one thing people want to do first: Find the toilet. You follow the signs, only to be met with a queue that seems to stretch forever. You can’t […]
What UK Schools Should Know About Washrooms Ahead of 2026 Ofsted Inspections
As Ofsted prepares to roll out its 2026 inspection cycle, schools across the UK are reassessing the environments that shape pupils’ daily life. While classrooms, corridors and playgrounds typically get the spotlight, one area increasingly influencing inspection outcomes is the state of school washroom facilities. Washrooms play a subtle yet significant role in a school’s […]
Antibullying in Schools: How Washroom Design Can Create Safer Spaces
School washrooms play a far bigger role in student wellbeing than many people realise. When washrooms are outdated, dimly lit, or poorly maintained, students may feel anxious or unsafe, and these environments can quickly become hotspots for negative behaviour. Recent data shows that 21% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 report experiencing bullying within […]
Dunhams Washrooms Celebrates Win of Excellence in Manufacturing Award
Dunhams is proud to announce that they’ve been recognised with the Excellence in Manufacturing Award, marking an important milestone in our long-standing commitment to quality, innovation, and customer‑focused manufacturing. This achievement reflects decades of continuous investment in advanced production technologies, meticulous engineering, and a dedication to delivering washroom solutions that set industry standards. As a […]
How to Reduce Breakdowns and Vandalism in Your Washrooms
Creating a washroom that is both durable and vandal-resistant requires thoughtful design, materials, and maintenance. Here’s how we approach this challenge: 1. Design for Visibility and Supervision Open-plan layouts Position communal hand-wash areas facing external corridors which enhances visibility, making it harder for vandalism to occur undetected. Doorless or semi-enclosed designs for communal areas further discourage […]
How many toilet cubicles do you need?
When planning a washroom refurbishment or new project, it is important to understand the regulations governing the number of toilets and facilities required for any given space. There are regulations in place to cover everything from offices and places of work to schools, educational institutions and leisure facilities. These guidelines cover the minimum number of […]
Do You Know Your SGL from Your LRV?
When it comes to designing a commercial washroom, whether it’s for a high-end office building, a hotel, or a public space, the details matter. From selecting the right materials to ensuring proper compliance with regulations, washroom design involves a complex set of considerations. Added to that are numerous abbreviations and acronyms that can add even […]
Understanding Approved Document M
Approved Document M is a vital part of the UK Building Regulations, focusing on access to and use of buildings for all individuals, including those with disabilities. One of the key aspects addressed in Approved Document M is the provision of accessible toilet facilities, which play a crucial role in ensuring that public and commercial […]
Understanding Approved Document T
Introduced on 1 October 2024, Approved Document T serves as an addition to the existing building regulations in England. It provides technical guidance for the design and provision of toilet facilities in non-residential buildings, ensuring they cater to diverse user needs with a focus on accessibility, privacy, and dignity. Approved Document T responds to a […]
Understanding LRV and Its Importance in Designing Commercial Washrooms
When it comes to designing commercial washrooms, functionality and aesthetics often take centre stage. However, one factor that’s sometimes overlooked is Light Reflectance Value (LRV). Understanding LRV and its role in design can significantly impact the usability, safety, and accessibility of commercial washroom spaces. What Is LRV? LRV, is a measure of the amount of […]
Manufacturing Excellence with Our New CNC Machining Centre
At Dunhams we’re always striving to elevate the standards of craftsmanship and innovation. Today, we’re excited to share a significant milestone in our journey—a major upgrade to our production capabilities. Our Norfolk factory is now home to a state-of-the-art CNC machining centre, an advanced addition to our manufacturing lineup that promises to redefine how we […]
Dunhams Believe in a Greener Future: New Solar Panel Roof
At Dunhams, we believe in supporting a greener future for our consumers and the world around us. We have recently installed a solar panel roof at our factory which is an additional feature of our sustainability policy. The UK has pledged to meet net-zero CO2e by 2050 and we believe it is important to take […]
Thinking About Upgrading Your Washrooms? Let’s Talk Through the Common Concerns
At Dunhams, we understand that upgrading your washroom facilities is a significant decision. Whether you’re managing a school, a retail chain, a distribution centre or a corporate office, you’re likely to be balancing tight budgets, operational pressures, and high expectations. Washrooms might not always be top of the list, but they play a vital role […]
Navigating Approved Document T: Modern Washroom Design and Compliance Made Simple
Approved Document T (Part T), effective from 1 October 2024, is a cornerstone of the UK Building Regulations, reshaping the standards for toilet facilities in non-domestic buildings in England. This statutory guidance underpins Requirement T1 of Schedule 1 in the Building Regulations 2010, emphasising the provision of safe, private, and accessible toilet accommodations. There is […]
Can Your Washrooms Affect Your Brand?
When customers walk into your business, they notice the big things. But sometimes, it’s the small things that leave the biggest impression. Like your washrooms. Step into a retail space, office or any workplace, and you take in the atmosphere. The decor, the staff, the overall feeling of the place. But head to the toilet, […]
Important Company Update
We are pleased to announce that from May 2018, Dunhams is becoming a Limited Company and will trade under the name Dunhams Washroom Systems Ltd. This organisational change coincides with our 50th year of trading as we continue to build on the solid foundations established by BH Dunham & Sons in 1968. We want to reassure you that […]
Celebrating 50 Years of Manufacturing Excellence
From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted, quality brand, Dunhams Washroom Systems are celebrating five decades of industry success. The Story The company’s roots can be traced back to 1968 when founder Brian Dunham began a small joinery business from his garage in Bramerton, Norfolk. In his early career, Brian Dunham utilised his carpentry skills […]