How should a public restroom be equipped for the Christmas Season?

Designing a public restroom is not only about aesthetics, but also about functionality, durability and a pleasant experience for users.

The Christmas season means a significant increase of users in shopping areas, restaurants, stations and events. Such high traffic of users puts washroom design and equipment to the test.

 This is an opportunity to prove how a well-designed restroom can handle the demands of the season, thus guaranteeing functionality, convenience and hygiene for all users.

In this article, we will explore the keys to equipping public restrooms that can efficiently respond to high traffic, as can happen during the Christmas season.  

1. Prioritize durability

The furniture and accessories in a high-traffic public restroom should be made of materials that are resistant to constant use and vandalism. One of the most recommended materials is stainless steel. Ideal for dispensers, taps and hand dryers, thanks to their high resistance and easy cleaning. In relation to this, it is very important that the stainless steel is AISI 304, as it guarantees a much more aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as longer durability and resistance.

2. High-capacity equipment 

At Christmas time, intensive use can lead to soap and paper shortage or to equipment saturation. It is therefore essential to install bathroom accessories and equipment which have been designed for intensive and continuous use.

Paper dispensers and soap dispensers: Choose high-capacity models to minimize the need for constant refilling.

Hand dryers: Prioritize fast and efficient equipment to reduce waiting times. Within this product category, the Mediclinics eco-fast hand dryers are perfect for this, as hands will be dried in only 8-10 seconds at very low energy consumption.

Waste bins and other containers: Increase the number or capacity of containers, especially if offering paper towels.

3. Ergonomic and accessible design

Compliance with universal accessibility regulations is not optional. Make sure to include:

Taps, hand dryers and paper or soap dispensers at accessible heights, as well as cabins adapted for people with reduced mobility.

Ergonomic grab bars and other mobility aids that integrate perfectly into the design of the bathroom spaces and ensure a safe, accessible location with a modern and elegant aesthetic.

Clear signage and color contrast for the visually impaired.

Inclusive design not only ensures compliance with laws, but also the satisfaction of all users.

4. Choose efficient and sustainable solutions

The Christmas season means higher traffic, which causes an increase in resource consumption. Equip bathrooms with solutions that are efficient and promote savings and sustainability.

Consider:

Energy-efficient faucets: Automatic faucets with advanced sensors, such as those integrated into the All-in-One hand washing and drying stations, offer precise control of water, air and soap flow. This not only optimizes hand hygiene, but also reduces waste of resources, minimizes maintenance costs and lowers associated energy consumption.

Mediclinics' state-of-the-art hand dryers. Designed to optimize operating costs, they effectively replace traditional methods such as paper towels, thus eliminating the need for constant refill and significantly reducing the high maintenance costs. Also, they are more respectful with the environment.

5. Hygiene and easy maintenance

In public restrooms, the perception of hygiene is essential.  Also, the high number of users during the Christmas season makes it more necessary to keep the area spotless.

Some essential advice:

Equipment with antimicrobial additives: the incorporation of antibacterial additives like BioCote® -in equipment such as baby changing stations and hand dryers- inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms and their harmful effects, thereby improving overall hygiene levels and achieving the standards of cleanliness required by users.

Automatic systems: Taps, soap dispensers and touch-free hand dryers improve the perception of hygiene and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Minimalist designs: They make cleaning easier and prevent the accumulation of dirt. One example of this is the Behind The Mirror system. Placing bathroom accessories behind the mirror makes it possible to create minimalist spaces where objects disappear from the walls and floors.  The result is a much more diaphanous, spacious, clean and tidy bathroom.

Systems and technologies that optimize maintenance tasks:

Bathroom equipment should facilitate maintenance and reduce costs. The Machflow Plus Brushless hand dryers with brushless motors eliminate the need for maintenance and guarantee a long service life. 

In addition, the U-flow and Dualflow Plus Brushless models include a connection kit to the main drain, preventing water accumulation on the floor, which keeps the area cleaner for longer and reduces cleaning costs and time.

6. Adequate space and space optimization

The flow of people at Christmas season can be chaotic if the space is not properly designed and equipped. Some tips are:

Avoid unnecessary lines: Make sure that your bathroom has sufficient equipment and accessories. Aside from a proper functioning, they should ensure that the flow of people in the washroom space is quick and organized. For example, it is important to have eco-fast hand dryers which guarantee that hand drying takes only 10 seconds.

Optimization of the hand washing and drying area: At the same time, an integrated system such as All-in-One allows users to wash and dry their hands at one sink, making the process much faster and more convenient for them, as they do not have to move around the area.

Set up separate areas: If allowed by the space, divide hand washing and drying areas, toilets and access to improve circulation.  It is very important that these areas are well signalized.

Conclusion

Designing a high-traffic public restroom is not only a technical task, but also an opportunity to create a functional, durable and inclusive space.

Equipping a public restroom for the Christmas season involves a holistic approach that combines functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. Anticipating the needs of users and ensuring a clean and convenient space will not only enhance their experience, but also reflect positively on the restroom area.

By combining the right materials, innovative technologies and an inclusive design, you will get washrooms that not only stand the passage of time, but also are an example of proper design.

If you have a project in mind related to public restrooms with a potential high traffic of people during the Christmas season, we suggest you consider all these recommendations. Merry Christmas!

Enrique González

Mediclinics S,A.