On this page:
- Download the guide
- Using the Toilet Reference Design Guide
- Features of the Toilet Reference Design Guide
- Give feedback
Download the guide
Version 2.0 of the Toilet Reference Design Guide incorporates feedback received since the release of version 1.0 in August 2016, and considers the recent coroner’s report.
A summary of changes can be found in the document history of the guide.
Using the Toilet Reference Design Guide
Use the Toilet Reference Design Guide when planning to build a new, or upgrade an existing, toilet area. Project managersblock. You can instruct your project manager or design teams canteam to use these plans, or adapt them for ato your specific school site.
We strongly recommend you comply with the toilet reference design for school projects that include new toilets.
The Toilet Reference Design Guide has 3 main parts:
- The Ministry’s recommendations for items such as location, configuration, layout, and ventilation.
- Guidance for the finishes, fittings and fixtures.
- Drawings showing example layouts.
Features ofDownload the Toilet Reference Design Guide
The Toilet Reference Design Guide makes several design recommendations that depart from more traditional toilet design.
Some of the key new design features are:
- Toilets are evenly distributed around the school and located close to learning areas.
- They have internal and external access so that toilets can be accessed directly from the playground.
- During wet weather and lockdowns, toilets can be accessed without leaving the building.
- Toilets are self contained, including a hand basin. Self contained toilets create more visual and acoustic privacy.
- They also allow you to decide whether each toilet will be designated as unisex or single gender use.
- Toilet lobby areas are designed to balance privacy with passive surveillance. Passive surveillance reduces the opportunity for bullying and other antisocial behaviour. The passive surveillance features do not compromise privacy inside the cubicles.
- The entry door is glazed to allow passive surveillance from outside the building. The design allows passive surveillance from adjacent teaching spaces.
Give feedback
We are always looking to improve the content and usability of our documentation.Toilet Reference Design Guide .
You can email the Ministry at Property.Help@education.govt.nz if you have suggestions for improving the Toilet Reference Design Guide.
Features of the Toilet Reference Design Guide
The Toilet Reference Design Guide makes several design recommendations that depart from more traditional toilet blocks. Some of the key design features are:
Toilets are evenly distributed around the school and located close to learning areas.They have dual internal/external access so that toilets can be accessed directly from the playground.During wet weather and lockdowns, toilets can be accessed without leaving the building.Toilets are self contained, and each cubicle has a hand basin inside it. This allows you to decide whether each toilet will be designated as unisex or single gender use. Self contained toilets create more visual and acoustic privacy.Toilet lobby areas are designed to balance privacy with passive surveillance. Passive surveillance is based on the principle that people are less likely to use spaces for bullying and other antisocial behaviour if they think they may be watched. The passive surveillance features do not compromise privacy inside the cubicles.In the toilet reference design, the entry door is glazed to allow passive surveillance from outside. The design also indicates a possible place to install a small window at height to enable passive surveillance from adjacent teaching spaces.
Giving your feedback
We want to constantly improve the content and usability of our documentation. You can email the Ministry at Property.Help@education.govt.nz if you have suggestions for improving the Toilet Reference Design Guide. Your feedback will help us to maintain the design guidance documents as valuable resources for all of those involved in designing our schools as effective learning environments.