The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010

Toilets (wheelchair-compatible)

16.—(1) If a rail vehicle operating as a single vehicle, or a train, is fitted with one or more toilets, the toilet, or the nearest one to a wheelchair space as the case may be, must conform with the following requirements (in addition to those of paragraph 15)—

(a) the exterior of the toilet door must be marked with a sign conforming with diagram B in Schedule 2;

(b) the width of the toilet doorway must be not less than 850 millimetres;

(c) the top surface of the toilet seat when lowered must be such that at least two-thirds of it, measured from its end furthest away from the point at which the toilet is attached to the wall, is between 475 millimetres and 485 millimetres in height from the floor;

(d) the toilet cubicle must be equipped with facilities to enable a disabled person in a wheelchair to wash and dry their hands without moving from the seat of the toilet;

(e) there must be sufficient space inside the toilet cubicle for a reference wheelchair to be positioned in front of the toilet and to be positioned at one side of the toilet so that it is possible for a disabled person to move from a reference wheelchair on to the toilet seat from the front or the side of the toilet;

(f) there must be a hinged handrail beside the toilet which must—

(i) be on the same side of the toilet as the space for a reference wheelchair;

(ii) conform with the requirements of paragraph 10(4);

(iii) conform with the specifications in diagram D1 in Schedule 2; and

(iv) conform with the specifications in diagram D2 in Schedule 2 to such an extent that at least two-thirds of the top-surface of the handrail, when in the deployed position, measured from its end furthest away from the point at which it is attached to the wall, is between 745 millimetres and 755 millimetres high measured from the floor;

(g) there must be a horizontal handrail beside the toilet, on the opposite side to the space for a reference wheelchair, which conforms with the requirements of paragraph 10(4); and

(h) the toilet cubicle must be fitted with not less than two devices which—

(i) enable a disabled person in a wheelchair to communicate with a person who is in a position to take appropriate action in an emergency, to the same extent as a passenger who is not in a wheelchair can communicate with such a person by the use of an emergency alarm fitted elsewhere than in the toilet;

(ii) are placed so that one is not more than 450 millimetres above the floor, measured to the top of the device, and the other is not less than 800 millimetres and not more than 1200 millimetres above the floor, measured to the top of the device; and

(iii) are operable by the palm of the hand exerting a force not exceeding 30 newtons.

(2) The devices fitted in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) (h) may include a protective cover to prevent accidental operation, provided that such a cover does not affect compliance with the operational requirements of that sub-paragraph.

(3) The route between a wheelchair space and the nearest wheelchair-compatible toilet must not be less than 850 millimetres wide at any point.

(4) Space must be provided adjacent to, or within, the nearest wheelchair-compatible toilet to a wheelchair space for a disabled person in a reference wheelchair to turn the wheelchair round through one hundred and eighty degrees.