Until recently, urinals were mainly associated with public toilet facilities, but nowadays, they are increasingly appearing in domestic bathrooms alongside the standard toilet bowl.
In this article, we will advise what to consider before installing such sanitary devices, and at what height a urinal should be mounted.
Optimal height for installing a urinal
Before installing a urinal, it is important to consider significant factors such as building regulations and sanitary standards – this is especially important when installing a urinal in public places (schools, offices, etc.). It is necessary to check how the distances of the urinal from the wall and other sanitary devices are specified, as this is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning and convenience in the toilet.
At what height should a urinal be - regulations
First and foremost, the height of the urinal should be adjusted to the average height of residents in a given country. Therefore, the recommended height from the floor to the edge of the urinal bowl (the front of the device) is approximately 70-75 cm - allowing for comfortable use by adults.
Worth knowing!
In Ireland, regulations specified in regulations of the Minister of Infrastructure regarding the technical conditions that buildings and their equipment should meet apply. According to these regulations, the height of urinal installations should be tailored to the needs of people of different heights and comply with ergonomic principles.
The recommended height for installing a urinal in toilets for people with disabilities should not be lower than 70 cm from the floor surface and not higher than 65 cm. For toilets used by children aged 6 to 12, the recommended height for urinal installation is 35 cm.
Distance of the urinal from the wall
The recommended distance of the urinal from the wall is 40 to 60 cm.
In terms of urinal sizes, there are also standards that specify the minimum and maximum sizes. This ensures adequate space and comfortable toilet use for users. Regulations also define in detail what sanitary facilities should be present in public toilets, specifying the number of urinals (at least 1 urinal per 30 men) and toilet cubicles as well as washbasins.
Regarding the distance of the urinal from the wall, there are no clear guidelines. The standard urinal installation height is specified as 70 cm from the floor to the top edge of the urinal.
The distance between washbasins and urinals must be at least 2 meters. The same distance must be maintained between urinals and toilet cubicle doors. Maintaining appropriate distances is crucial for the comfortable use of the urinal as well as other bathroom equipment.
What distances should be maintained in a home bathroom?
When deciding to install a urinal in a private bathroom, you don't have to adhere to as strict construction regulations as in public utility buildings. However, it is important to ensure that the sanitary device installed in the bathroom, such as a urinal, does not impede convenient use of the room.
You should leave at least 60 cm of functional space in front of the urinal. It is also important to maintain minimum distances between the urinal and other bathroom equipment. The recommended distance between the urinal and the washbasin, bathtub, or shower tray should be at least 30-40 cm.
If you plan to install a urinal opposite to the toilet bowl, it is recommended to maintain at least 90 cm between these devices. If you want to hang the urinal on the same wall as the toilet bowl, then 50 cm must be left between the centerline of the WC flush and the urinal centerline.
Urinal installation and type of drainage
When determining the distances of urinals from walls and other bathroom equipment, the type of drainage present in the room should also be considered.
In the case of urinals with vertical drainage, the drain pipe runs downward towards the floor. To ensure proper wastewater disposal, both the appropriate height and slope of the drain pipe should be considered.
A urinal with horizontal drainage is equipped with a drain pipe running along the wall. When installing this type of device, it is important to maintain adequate distance from the wall, which allows for proper connection of the drain pipe to the sewage system. This information is often found on the packaging or in the installation manual included with the urinal.
Nowadays, most urinals are models mounted on frames, so paying much attention to these distances is unnecessary. All installation elements will be located behind the wall, with only the urinal bowl hanging on it.
Key factors to consider before installing a urinal
The urinal is an integral part of the toilet equipment in offices, shopping centers, and schools. Such solutions are also increasingly appearing in private apartments, especially when there is more than one bathroom in the house. However, before deciding to install a urinal, consider whether you have enough free space in the bathroom.
Selecting urinals, it is essential to pay attention to the fact that they not only have the appropriate dimensions but also match the style of your bathroom equipment. Nowadays, more and more manufacturers produce matching toilet bowls, bidets, and the aforementioned urinals. Thanks to this, you can arrange the bathroom space in an elegant and stylish way.
On mexen.ie, you can choose from many series, which means you can easily select all the bathroom equipment elements.
Choosing the right urinal: functionality, aesthetics, and regulatory compliance
Urinal installations typically use concealed frames, occupying little space and allowing for installation even in a small bathroom. The frame allows optimal use of available space - corner models can also be installed on it, enabling all necessary bathroom equipment elements to be placed while maintaining full functionality.
Various types of urinals are available on the market, such as traditional ones operated with a flush, touchless, urinals with a lid, and even waterless ones that significantly save water. The latter type involves urinals containing a special biodegradable insert that allows waste to pass into the drain while preventing unpleasant odors from escaping.
The installation height of a urinal in private homes depends on the individual requirements of its future users. Installing on a frame facilitates selecting the optimal height, tailored, for example, to the non-standard height of household members - this is especially important if children will be using the urinal.
The ultimate choice of the appropriate urinal model depends on individual preferences and room conditions - bathroom size and connection to the water-sewage network.
Where to hang a urinal and at what height – summary
More and more people are deciding to install a urinal in private homes. It is a convenient solution, especially when residents have both a bathroom and a toilet at their disposal. The urinal is most often mounted on the wall or on a concealed frame, though free-standing models are also available. The urinal needs to be connected to water and sewage systems, similar to a traditional toilet or bidet.
The height where the urinal is hung on the bathroom wall depends mainly on the user's preference. It is most often 70 cm - this height allows for convenient use by men of varied heights.
The dimensions of a standard urinal mean that it can easily fit even in a small toilet. However, it is essential to remember ensuring proper distances between it and other toilet equipment while installing a urinal.