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 toilet cubicles, urinals and wash basins that are required per person.
- Office and workplace guidelines are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- School and education facilities are covered by the Standard for School Premises Regulations.
We have put together a guide to help you understand the relevant guidelines for your sector.
Nursery (Age 3 – 5 Years)
| Sanitary Appliance | Number of Sanitary Appliances |
 WC |
1 per 10 pupils, minimum 4 |
 Washbasin |
1 per WC |
 Deep sink, bath, shower |
1 per 40 pupils |
Primary (age 4 – 11 years)
| Sanitary Appliance | Number of Sanitary Appliances | Extra Notes |
| WC |
1 per 10 pupils under 5 years; and 1 per 15 pupils over 5 years | Not more than 2/3rds of boys’ appliances to be urinals |
| Washbasin |
1 per WC / urinal | Every WC / urinal to be close to a washbasin |
| Deep sink, bath, shower |
1 per 10 males/females |
Secondary (age 11+ years)
| Sanitary Appliance | Number of Sanitary Appliances | Extra Notes |
| Boys’ WC and urinal |
1 per 20 pupils | Not more than 2/3rds of appliances to be urinals |
| Girls’ WC |
1 per 20 pupils | |
| Washbasin |
1 per WC / urinal where there are up to 3 appliances; 2 per 3 WC / urinal where there are more than 3 appliances | Every WC / urinal to be close to a washbasin |
| Shower (where physical education provided) |
1 per 10 males/females | Easily accessible from all places where physical education takes place |
Additional Points
- For staff facilities, there should be separate washrooms in accordance with the ‘office washrooms’ guidelines below. With the exception of facilities for disabled staff where the washroom facilities provided can be shared with disabled pupils.
- For children over the age of 8, changing rooms and sanitary facilities for PE staff should be in addition to and separate from sanitary facilities for pupils.
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Guidelines for Offices
The washrooms in an office building are an important part of an employees experience within the workplace. These guidelines are meant for workplaces based on employed staff, not the whole workplace capacity. Learn more about office washrooms here.
Female Washrooms
| Number of People | Number of WC’s | Number of Washbasins |
| 1-5 | 1 | 1 |
| 6-25 | 2 | 2 |
| 26-50 | 3 | 3 |
| 51-75 | 4 | 4 |
| 75-100 | 5 | 5 |
| 101+ | 5+1 p/25 people | 5+1 p/25 people |
Male Washrooms
| Number of People | Number of WC’s | Number of Urinals | Number of Washbasins |
| 1-15 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 16-30 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 31-45 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 46-60 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 61-75 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 76-90 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 91-100 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 101+ | 4+1 p/50 Males | 4+1 p/50 Males | 4+1 p/50 Males |
Retail Guidelines
| Sanitary appliance | Male customers | Female customers |
| WC |
1 per 500 males; plus 1 per every additional 1,000 males. Where urinals are not used, WC numbers to be half of those used for females | 1 per 100 females up to 500, plus 1 per every additional 200 females |
| Urinal | 2 for up to 500 males, plus 1 for every additional 500 males | N/A |
| Washbasin |
1 per WC, plus 1 per 5 urinals | 1, plus 1 per 2 WCs |
These provisions are meant for establishments where washroom use is used to a concentrated demand during intervals e.g. theatres, stadiums, cinemas etc.
| Sanitary appliance | Male customers | Female customers |
| WC |
2 for up to 250 males; plus 1 for every additional 250 males | 2 for up to 20 females; plus 1 for every additional 20 females up to 500 females; and 1 per 25 females |
| Urinal | 2 for up to 50 males; plus 1 for every additional 50 males | N/A |
| Washbasin |
1 per WC and in addition, 1 per 5 urinals | 1, plus 1 per 2 WCs |
These provisions are meant for establishments where washroom use is not used to a concentrated demand during intervals e.g. libraries, museums and other buildings similar.
| Sanitary appliance | Male customers | Female customers |
| WC |
1 per 250 males; plus 1 for every additional 500 males. Male WC provision should be half female WC provision where urinals are not used |
2 for up to 40 females; 3 for up to 70 females; 4 for up to 100 females; plus 1 for every additional 50 females |
| Urinal | 1 per 50 males up to 100 males; plus 1 for every additional 100 males | N/A |
| Washbasin |
1 per WC and in addition, 1 per 5 urinals | 1, plus 1 per 2 WCs |
