restrooms

[bill1952]

Just toured 4 theatres in NYC. $2+b in recent construction I think all together. Interestingly all restrooms were basically open to everyone. Some elaborate signage but anyone can go where they want. Just an interesting change I thought.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

There is a movement toward making all public restrooms unisex.

As of the 2021 ICC codes, that movement has not trickled down into the codes. The IPC still requires separate toilet facilities for males and females, with certain exceptions for small occupant loads where a single, unisex toilet room is allowed.

 

[bill1952]

Well, they are labeled M and W, so I guess it complies, but signage makes it clear all are welcomed to use either. No urinals in sight.

 

[ICE]

Well, they are labeled M and W, so I guess it complies, but signage makes it clear all are welcomed to use either. No urinals in sight.

If I understand you correctly, there are restrooms with multiple water closets... no urinals, and men and women are using the same restroom? If I encountered that I think that I would pass and for sure I would have to escort my wife and daughters.

The me-too movement has created a power dynamic whereby men are at risk of ruin, solely on the spoken word of one woman. A man with any sense would not place himself in close proximity of a random woman that is in a vulnerable position. Sitting on a toilet is just such a position.

 

[bill1952]

You understand correctly. The stalls do have doors, and locks, and red/green occupancy lights. Seemed very normal.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

From the 2021 IPC:

403.2 Separate facilities. Where plumbing fixtures are
required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.

Exceptions:
1. Separate facilities shall not be required for dwelling
units and sleeping units.
2. Separate facilities shall not be required in structures
or tenant spaces with a total occupant load,
including both employees and customers, of 15 or
fewer.
3. Separate facilities shall not be required in mercantile
occupancies in which the maximum occupant
load is 100 or fewer.
4. Separate facilities shall not be required in business
occupancies in which the maximum occupant load
is 25 or fewer.
5. Separate facilities shall not be required to be
designated by sex where single-user toilet rooms
are provided in accordance with Section 403.1.2.
6. Separate facilities shall not be required where
rooms having both water closets and lavatory
fixtures are designed for use by both sexes and
privacy for water closets is provided in accordance
with Section 405.3.4. Urinals shall be located in an
area visually separated from the remainder of the
facility or each urinal that is provided shall be
located in a stall.

403.2.1 Family or assisted-use toilet facilities serving
as separate facilities. Where a building or tenant space
requires a separate toilet facility for each sex and each
toilet facility is required to have only one water closet,
two family or assisted-use toilet facilities shall be permitted
to serve as the required separate facilities. Family or
assisted-use toilet facilities shall not be required to be
identified for exclusive use by either sex as required by
Section 403.4.

My state deleted 403.2.1 when we adopted the 2021 IPC. I don't know why.

 

[ICE]

stalls do have doors, and locks, and red/green occupancy lights

When you say stalls are you talking about the typical stall with gaps where you can see under and climb over?

 

[bill1952]

When you say stalls are you talking about the typical stall with gaps where you can see under and climb over?

They were definitely on the larger - both taller and closer to the floor - and more expensive side. Using them, they seemed as private and enclosed as if the walks were floor to ceiling and a full solid core door. These were well over half billion dollar buildings.

One building was as I noted - restrooms marked M and W with signage indicating your choice; the other were just signed as toilet rooms.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Many years ago I flew to Europe and had a transfer in Stockholm. In the Stockholm airport, ALL toilet rooms were single-occupant rooms, with solid walls all around and actual doors. No gender assigned. In a genderless society, that's probably the best way to handle it. But the ICC codes haven't caught up with that, at least not as of the 2021 code cycle.