Changing Places Toilet – the definition.

  • A Changing Places toilet provides sanitary accommodation for people who cannot use a standard accessible toilet and who may have one or two assistants with them.
  • They provide additional space and equipment and are provided in addition to any other accessible
  • For the purposes of the Building Regulations a‘Changing Places Toilet’ means ‘an accessible sanitary facility with a toilet, hoist, basin, adult-sized changing bench and optional shower, with adequate space for use by persons with a range of abilities who may require assistance’.

Changing Places facilities are different to standard disabled or accessible toilets. Changing Places facilities provide a larger space and must have a minimum floor area of 12m2 (3m x 4m) with a ceiling height of 2.4m.  Changing Places include specialist equipment such as a full room coverage ceiling hoist system, a height-adjustable adult sized changing bench, centrally located toilet to allow for assistance or transfer on both sides and a privacy screen.

Changing Places Ireland Criteria – Equipment for Accessible Bathrooms

Coming into law on January 1st 2024, the latest legislation amends Part M of the Building Regulations and now includes the provision of Changing Places Toilets in certain buildings. The revised M4, requires that where sanitary facilities are provided in a building, or in a building that is to be extended, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a changing places toilet, having regard to the use and size of the building.

  • Floor Area must be a minimum of 12m2 (3m x 4m ) with a ceiling height of 2.4m
  • Full Room coverage ceiling track hoist system
  • Height-Adjustable, Adult Sized Changing Bench
  • Centrally located toilet with sufficient space both sides for assistants/ transfer
  • Privacy Screen
  • Wide Paper Roll
  • Large Waste Disposal Bin
  • Washbasin

Mobile or Modular Changing Places facilities may also be a consideration where internal adaptation may be more difficult. These quick-build modular solutions ensure the optimal space and layout is achieved and can minimise disruption to existing or older buildings. These stand alone facilities are highly visible and are suitable for temporary or long term usage.

National Building Regulations Requirements – 2022 Part M Regulations

A Changing Places toilet provides sanitary accommodation for people who cannot use a standard accessible toilet and who may have one or twoassistants with them. They provide additional space and equipment and are provided in addition to any other accessible toilets.
For the purposes of the Building Regulations a‘Changing Places Toilet’ means ‘an accessible sanitary facility with a toilet, hoist, basin, adult-sized changing bench and optional shower, with adequate space for use by persons with a range of abilities who may require’

The 2022 Part M Regulations build upon the 2018 Building Control (Amendment) Regulations and supersede the 2010 Building Regulations (Part M Amendment). These regulations introduce changes related to the provision of changing facilities in buildings, taking into account the building’s purpose and size.

When did the 2022 Part M Regulations come into effect?

The 2022 Part M Regulations became effective on January 1, 2023, with specific transitional periods in place.

What do the 2022 Part M Regulations cover?

The 2022 Part M Regulations apply to construction or alterations of buildings where there is a significant change in use, commencing on or after January 1, 2024.  (Exceptions apply – see full regulations below)

What are the requirements of the 2022 Part M Regulations?

The 2022 Part M Regulations amend the Building Regulations 1997 to 2022 to mandate the inclusion of Changing Places Facilities in buildings, considering the building’s intended use and size. The regulations introduce a new definition of a Changing Places Toilet. In buildings or works covered by these regulations, sufficient provisions and space must be made for individuals with varying abilities who may require assistance in accessing and using a changing places toilet, taking into account the building’s use and size.

These regulations apply to a newly defined category called “institutional buildings,” encompassing hospitals, nursing homes, facilities for the elderly or children, schools, or similar establishments used for housing or the treatment, care, or support of individuals with illness, mental health issues, or disabilities, where such individuals sleep on the premises.

The primary aim of the 2022 Part M Regulations is to enhance accessibility to buildings for individuals with varying abilities. Property owners, government authorities, contractors, designers, as well as project, asset, and facilities managers must give thorough attention to the design, construction, and management of buildings to adhere to these new accessibility standards.

The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022 were accompanied by a revised Technical Guidance Document M Access and Use 2022 (TGD M 2022). M4 of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations 2022 states: ‘where sanitary facilities are provided in a building, or in a building that is to be extended, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a Changing Places Toilet, having regard to the use and size of the building’. TGD M 2022 provides guidance on the minimum provisions for Changing Places Toilets to meet the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations.

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Summary of amended requirements of Part M – Access and Use – 1st January 2024

  • The revised M4, requires that where sanitary facilities are provided in a building, or in a building that is to be extended, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a changing places toilet, having regard to the use and size of the building.
  • Application of Part M
    • 6(a) – New buildings
    • 6(b)(iii) – Extensions
    • 6(d) – Material Change of Use

    where sanitary facilities are provided in a building, or part of a building, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a changing places toilet, having regard to the use and size of the building.

The provision of a Changing Places Toilet is related to the use and size of the building

  • For the purposes of the provision of a changing places toilet, the various building use classifications are termed ‘relevant building uses’.
  • The relevant building use can apply to a building, or where a building has a number of different uses, to different parts of the same
  • In some buildings there may be a number of relevant building uses that exceed the size criteria in Table Where a changing places toilet is provided in such a building, it should be suitably located having regard to the operation and use patterns of all the relevant building uses.
  • Table 1 sets out the relevant building uses and the size criteria relating to the provision of a changing places

Table 1

The building types in Table 1 include:

  • Hospital
  • Day centre, other than a crèche, a pre-school or a day nursery, used for the provision of treatment or care to persons where such persons do not stay overnight and includes a day care centre
  • Places of assembly used for social or recreational purposes
  • Sports pavilion, stadium, grandstand buildings
  • Roadside service facility that provides food hall / dining and sanitary facilities
  • School (primary, secondary or special schools)
  • Third level college, University, or other building for the provision of education
  • Terminus, station or other facility for air, rail, road or sea travel
  • Office
  • Shop
  • Shopping centre or retail park
  • Hotel
  • A public sanitary facilities building managed or controlled by a public body
  • Building that provides sanitary facilities as part of a collection of smaller buildings associated with an outdoor amenity

Other buildings that Changing Places Toilet may be in are:

  • Primary care centres,
  • Places where people socialise together like;
    • an amusement arcade,
    • concert hall,
    • theatre,
    • public library,
    • hall,
    • cinema,
    • gallery,
    • museum,
    • conference centre,
    • leisure or sports centre,
    • place of public worship,
    • public house,
    • restaurant.
  • Third level college, University, or other building for the
    provision of education,
  • Shop, shopping centre or retail park,
  • Public toilets near parks and beaches,
  • Toilet facilities in zoos, amusement parks or theme parks.

Design and Installation of Changing Places Toilets in Ireland

The design and installation of a Changing Places Toilet should meet the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations. Careful consideration and attention to detail in relation to the design, equipment and finishes specified in a Changing Places Toilet is required. In particular, the size of the equipment provided in a Changing Places Toilet can impact on the clear circulation space and subsequently the overall size of the room.

If you would like to discuss a Changing Place Toilet Installation in Ireland or want MMS Medical to carry out an on-site, free of charge appraisal please email us your information at info@mmsmedical.ie or complete the contact us page on this site. Our dedicated Changing Places customer service team is on-hand Monday to Friday to assist with your enquiries on 021  461 8000