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, […]
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 […]
Designing washrooms for volume, vandalism and maintenance
Every washroom is designed for someone. The question is whether it’s designed for occasional use, or for the demands of every day use for the next twenty years. Most washroom failures don’t start with bad materials. They start with an assumption made at the design stage that never gets tested against real conditions. A specification […]
Reducing Risk Throughout a Washroom Project
Washrooms rarely make the headlines on a project. But ask any project manager where the late-stage problems tend to surface, and washrooms come up more often than their size on the drawings would suggest. Tight service spaces, multiple trades converging in a small footprint, and a specification that has to satisfy compliance, durability, and design […]
Designing Safe and Inclusive School Washrooms: Best Practices for 2026
The Department for Education holds schools to specific standards for school washroom design so that the needs of all students are met. Pupils should have ready access to suitable toilet and washing facilities, with accessibility considered according to their needs and the applicable requirements. The appropriate approach will vary according to pupils’ ages and needs, […]
Toilet Cubicle Configurations Explained: Layouts, Types and Best Uses
There’s a lot to think about when specifying a new washroom. How should it look? Who is it for? Is it easy to clean and maintain? One of these considerations is getting the right toilet cubicle configuration for your space and needs. Getting your commercial washroom layout wrong will have a significant impact on privacy, […]
Equality Act FAQs
What has actually changed? Following the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers — which confirmed that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex — the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. This is […]
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 […]
DfE Early Years Design Guidance 2026: What it means for School Based Nurseries
The Department for Education’s new Early Years Design Guidance (July 2026) provides an important insight into how nursery environments within schools may be designed in the future. However, before considering its implications, it is important to understand the scope of the document. This guidance has been developed specifically as a design primer for school-based nurseries […]
Reducing Refurbishment Cycles: Why Lifecycle Performance is a Key Driver in Washroom Specification
In high-traffic environments, washrooms are one of the most heavily used, and most frequently refurbished, areas of any building. Yet the market is shifting. Increasingly, specifiers and clients are prioritising durability and lifecycle performance over short-term cost savings. For organisations looking to reduce disruption, improve sustainability, and control long-term budgets, the goal is clear: extend […]
How to Specify School Toilet Cubicles in the UK: A Complete Guide for Facilities Managers and Specifiers
School washrooms are among the most heavily used spaces within any educational building. From primary schools to sixth form colleges, toilet facilities must withstand intensive daily use while supporting hygiene, accessibility, safeguarding, and student wellbeing. Specifying school toilet cubicles involves far more than selecting colours and finishes. Decisions made during the specification stage directly affect […]
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 […]
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 […]
Washroom Panel Guide
This panel guide gives a quick, easy breakdown of the main parts that make up a washroom system. Each label points to a specific component so you can immediately see what’s what, ideal if you’re not familiar with terms like duct panels, pilasters, or duct shadows (shadow gaps). For example, duct panels hide the pipework, […]
Shaping the Future of School Washrooms – What The New Standards Mean
School washrooms are no longer simply functional spaces tucked away at the edge of the estate. Today, they play a crucial role in safeguarding, wellbeing, accessibility, hygiene, and the overall learning environment. As regulations evolve and expectations rise, schools and multi‑academy trusts are under increasing pressure to ensure their washrooms are safe, compliant, durable, and […]
5 Washroom Design Trends Shaping 2026 and Why They Matter for Modern Commercial Spaces
Commercial washrooms have changed more in the last few years than in the previous decade. They are no longer simply functional spaces but are seen as a direct extension of brand experience. As buildings evolve to support wellbeing, sustainability, hybrid working and stronger brand storytelling, washrooms are becoming a critical part of the overall experience. […]
What You Need to Know to Choose the Right Shelving for Your Commercial Washroom
There is no single piece of UK legislation that explicitly states that all commercial washrooms must contain shelving. However, several standards and regulations either indirectly require it or strongly recommend it, particularly where accessibility, medical needs (e.g. Colostomy Bag Shelf), or family use are concerned. Depending on the type of washroom, shelving moves from being […]
Buy Cheap, Buy Twice: Why Cutting Corners on Washroom Systems Costs More in the Long Run
When it comes to managing budgets, every business faces tough decisions. Facilities managers, architects, and contractors often look for ways to reduce costs without compromising quality. But when it comes to washroom systems, choosing the cheapest option is rarely the smartest move. In fact, it can lead to higher costs, more headaches, and even reputational […]
How Lighting and Colour Can Help Children Feel at Ease in Washrooms
When we think about toilet facilities and washrooms in nurseries or early years settings, our minds often jump straight to hygiene, durability, and safety. And while those are all absolutely vital, there’s another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: how lighting and colour make children feel. For little ones, the toilet isn’t just […]
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 […]
Essential Guidelines for Secondary School Toilets
Toilet facilities in secondary schools play a crucial role in students’ health, hygiene, and overall well-being. Proper design ensures compliance with regulations, enhances privacy, reduces bullying, and promotes cleanliness. Here are the key considerations when designing toilets for secondary schools in the UK. 1. Regulatory Compliance & Minimum Requirements 2. Privacy & Inclusivity 3. Safety […]
Essential Guidelines for Primary School Toilets
When designing toilets for primary schools, the focus should be on safety, accessibility, hygiene, and ease of supervision while maintaining children’s privacy and dignity. Here are the essential aspects to consider: 1. Regulatory Compliance & Minimum Ratios 2. Accessibility & Inclusion 3. Safety & Supervision 4. Hygiene & Maintenance 5. Privacy & Comfort 6. Materials […]
Washroom Design for Primary vs Secondary Schools: What’s the Difference?
Designing school washrooms is not just about ensuring functionality. A well-planned washroom contributes to student health, behaviour, and safety. At Dunhams, we specialise in designing and installing high-quality washroom facilities for educational environments. Whether for early years or teenagers, the design must reflect the specific needs of students at different stages. So what are the […]
Biophilic Design in School Washrooms
In today’s evolving educational environments, well-being is no longer confined to the classroom. From collaborative spaces to outdoor learning areas, schools are reimagining how every part of the environment supports student health and development. One often-overlooked area for innovation is the school washroom, and at Dunhams, we believe biophilic design can transform it into a […]
EYFS 2025 Update: Balancing Privacy and Safeguarding in Early Years Toileting
From September 2025, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework will introduce important updates focusing on nappy changing and toileting in early years settings. These changes emphasise a balanced approach to safeguarding, child privacy, and hygiene standards. At Dunhams, we specialise in creating safe, hygienic and child-friendly washroom environments that meet the highest standards of […]
Meeting Ofsted’s Expectations for School Toilets: What Inspectors Look For
School washrooms are more than just functional spaces, they play a critical role in student wellbeing, safety, and the overall school environment. For schools in England, meeting the standards set by Ofsted is essential to ensure compliance and create a positive learning environment. When it comes to school toilets, Ofsted inspectors focus on several key […]
A Lookback At Our Previous School Washroom Projects
Summer 2021 is approaching fast, and we know a lot of education facilities are planning to undergo renovations and refurbishments in the summer when the students are on holiday. So we decided it was time to have a quick lookback at our previous school washroom projects. Take a look at these case studies to get […]
Designing Toilet Facilities for Nurseries: Balancing Privacy, Safety, and Hygiene
Creating a safe, comfortable, and functional toilet environment for young children is a top priority for nursery schools. With the latest changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, there is now an even greater emphasis on ensuring children’s privacy, safeguarding, and the maintenance of hygienic, appropriately supervised nappy changing and toileting areas. Balancing […]
Ofsted Requirements for School Toilets: Ensuring Compliance and Student Well-being
Ensuring that school washrooms meet Ofsted requirements is crucial for maintaining a safe, hygienic, and supportive environment for students. Ofsted inspections assess various aspects of school facilities, including the adequacy and condition of toilet and washing provisions. Below are some key considerations to ensure compliance with Ofsted standards: 1. Hygiene and Maintenance 2. Privacy and […]
Promoting Anti-Bullying Through School Toilet Design
Bullying remains an important issue within schools, and according to The Annual Bullying Survey 2018, 22% of all young people experienced some form of bullying in the preceding year. Modern washroom design is playing an increasing role in helping schools address bullying and anti-social behaviour in toilet facilities, through innovation in anti-bullying toilet and washroom […]