Changing Places

Interior of Changing Places Facility at the National Galleries of Scotland

Whether it’s in a shopping centre, football stadium, or a leisure centre, we can provide completely bespoke solutions to any building that needs a Changing Place. The Changing Places campaign wants a Changing Place, complete with a ceiling track hoist, to be installed in every large public venue across the country, and we’re proud to be working towards this goal with them.

Our CAD team can create a Changing Place that meets the needs of every user, and ticks all the boxes of the BS8300:2018 regulations.

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What are Changing Places?

Standard disabled-access toilets simply do not meet the needs of the wider disabled community. This is precisely why the Changing Places campaign was started. Changing Places are facilities that offer sufficient space to manoeuvre, a good range of equipment, and a hoisting system to provide safe movement around the room.

Changing Places Requirements

A Changing Place should be at least 3m wide, 4m long, and 2.4m high to allow the user and up to two carers to move around with ease.

If you are wanting some help with specifying a Changing Place, take a look at our ‘Changing Places Building Regulations Checklist’. It’s a simple list you can work through when planning, designing, specifying and installing to make sure your facility meets all the requirements to be registered as a Changing Place. Feel free to download it – it’s free!

The following equipment should be included in a Changing Place facility:

Ceiling Track Hoist:

The overhead hoist is arguably the most essential part of a Changing Place. Again, the BS8300:2009 states that a Changing Place should have an overhead hoist that covers the entire room. This means that a X-Y system (a.k.a – H-frame) will be needed. This comprises of two fixed parallel rails at either end of the room, and a traverse rail that hangs from below them and can move freely to any area. This will facilitate transfers to and from various pieces of equipment. The hoist should be able to lift 200kg.

These are the five main components of a Changing Place, but there are other features that could be included like a privacy curtain, a shower unit, and even an alarm cord. It’s worth looking at the Changing Places website and the BS8300:2009 to get more information on what is required in a Changing Place.

Fixed Changing Bench at Ruthin Leisure Centre

Changing Bench:

A Changing Place also needs an adult-sized changing bench (we recommend a height adjustable changing bench). This is where the individual can be changed, undressed, or showered. It should be height adjustable to allow for easier sliding transfers, and to make it easier on the carers so they don’t have to stoop over a low surface. The bench should be at least 1800mm in length.

Although the Changing Places Consortium allow free standing changing benches, we believe that a wall-mounted one is much more suitable. Wall-mounted changing benches offer height adjustability and can be folded against the wall if necessary for extra space. Some even have built-in water collection trays to help with drainage after showering!

Peninsular Toilet:

This may sound a bit fancy, but it simply means that the toilet should be situated at least a metre from the walls on either side – therefore sticking out like a peninsular. This gives room at both sides for the carers to manoeuvre with ease and support the user.

A Changing Place should include a standard manual toilet; however, we suggest that a wash/dry toilet be installed instead to simplify the toileting experience. It combines all the conventional features of a standard toilet, with a bidet wash and warm air drying.

The toilet seat should be 480mm from the ground to facilitate transfers to and from a wheelchair, and there should also be wall-mounted grabrails on either side for extra support.

Basin in Changing Place at Lymm Fire Station

SINK/BASIN:

As with standard washrooms, a sink is expected in a Changing Place. The washbasin should have a good amount of knee space below for wheelchair users to sit comfortably at the sink, and it is recommended to be installed at about 720mm from the ground for optimum positioning.

The BS8300:2009 code requires a “power-assisted height-adjustable washbasin” to be installed in a Changing Place. We also believe that a height adjustable basin is the best option, as it provides flexibility in this multi-user environment. These can be installed on a horizontal tracking system if desired, meaning that they can be moved side to side to give more room for transfers, or to simply move the sink to where it’s needed.

OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES:

Why are Changing Places important?

Why Changing Places should be installed in Football Stadiums

We've previously worked on Changing Places at the following locations:

  • Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough FC)
  • Leeds First Direct Arena
  • Eureka Museum
  • St James’ Park (Newcastle United FC)
  • Leeds Kirkgate Market
  • Northallerton and the Dales Mencap Centre
  • Stadium of Light (Sunderland AFC)
  • Denbigh Leisure Centre
  • Bridlington Leisure Centre
  • Turf Moor (Burnley FC)
  • Ruthin Leisure Centre
  • Monmouth Leisure Centre

Downloads

Type Description Size Download Download Icon
pdf Portable Document Format (PDF) Changing Places Brochure 1MB Download
pdf Portable Document Format (PDF) Changing Places - Building Regulations Compliance Checklist 122KB Download
pdf Portable Document Format (PDF) The Specifier's Guide to Overhead Hoist Systems e-book 3MB Download
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