Yes, makes sense, thanks. This is a permit application for our local high school to convert existing washrooms to gender neutral W/Cs.The intent of the code is to develop an overall number of water closets that must be met assuming an equal division of users into each sex. You simply need to add the two numbers together to get a total water closet count of the building. If the minimum number is met, it is a code complaint design.
The building code does not implicitly or explicitly require gendered facilities. Providing gendered or gender-neutral facilities is a decision of the designer/owner.
The building code does not implicitly or explicitly require gendered facilities. Providing gendered or gender-neutral facilities is a decision of the designer/owner.
[P] 2902.2 Separate Facilities. Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.
403.2 Separate Facilities. Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.
These clauses are not replicated in the Canadian codes.Really?
IBC:
IPC:
There are several exceptions, but they are limited, not general. There is no exception for "Because we don't feel like it."
You are in the Canadian forum, not the I-Codes forum.Really?
IBC:
IPC:
There are several exceptions, but they are limited, not general. There is no exception for "Because we don't feel like it."
Metric code.....Really?
IBC:
IPC:
There are several exceptions, but they are limited, not general. There is no exception for "Because we don't feel like it."
It's important to note that the change (PCF 1750) is to the explanatory material only, which is not enforceable code. The intent statements for the base code remain unchanged, so the note clarifies the existing code intent.The Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code were updated in June 2017 to affirm the rights of all people to use a washroom that corresponds to their gender identity. Public washrooms represent one area where binary gender conformity is actively observed and managed.
UNIVERSAL WASHROOM FACILITIES - Government of Alberta
There is a proposed change to the Canadian codes
Proposed Change 1750
From: National Research Council Canada
Proposed Change 1750 - National Research Council Canada
nrc.canada.ca
This is reason for my original question. From 3.7.2.2These clauses are not replicated in the Canadian codes.
This is the explanatory note from Codes Canada to be incorporated in the next edition of the code (PCF 1750):
Although the NBC contains no implied or explicit requirements for the provision of separate gender-identified washrooms, traditional industry practice has been to provide separate washrooms. The Code only requires that certain total numbers of water closets and urinals be provided based on the expected number and demographics of building occupants.
It's important to note that the word used there is "sex", which is not to be confused with "gender". Sex refers to the biological differences between males and females, where gender is societal construct. As Inspector Gadget mentioned, there is a difference between males and females in the speed one uses the washroom based on biological differences. The only reason the code has tables for each sex, is for the occasions where we can delineate different gender use with a reasonable degree of accuracy.This is reason for my original question. From 3.7.2.2
View attachment 13003
The explanatory material is not enforceable.
This will not be my hill to die on, and there are more than the required # of WCs, so a non-issue. But I know there are very vocal people on both sides of this political/culture war gendering issue and I could see some liability from a wrong interpretation.
Thanks for your comments.
If a facility requires three washrooms, it should have three washrooms. I'll police the heck out of barrier-free. Who pees where is none of my professional concern.This will not be my hill to die on, and there are more than the required # of WCs, so a non-issue. But I know there are very vocal people on both sides of this political/culture war gendering issue and I could see some liability from a wrong interpretation.
These clauses are not replicated in the Canadian codes.
This is the explanatory note from Codes Canada to be incorporated in the next edition of the code (PCF 1750):
Although the NBC contains no implied or explicit requirements for the provision of separate gender-identified washrooms, traditional industry practice has been to provide separate washrooms. The Code only requires that certain total numbers of water closets and urinals be provided based on the expected number and demographics of building occupants.
In US but newly renovated (for over half a billion) Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center has all gender neutral restrooms. So does the new Pearlman PAC by the WTC. But, if well designed - which based on price tags I assume they are and they appear to be - they have a lot more fixtures than code minimums to make up for intermission rush. At least gender neutral solves the problem of switching men's rooms to women's for the 95% female audience matinees.
The Geffen approach sounds like what I have seen here for unisex facilities.Sorry for delay - phone died and new phone and just getting back to speed.
I don't recall any urinals at Geffen and I'd say the stalls were like you describe for Stockholm airport - "rooms" with doors. I don't recall if open near ceiling. Pearlman - based on a glance - seemed to be more conventional. They simply had a policy that anyone could use any restroom. But not sure.
Discussing urinal compartments in ICC A117.1. Never seen one I know of, but apparently a coming thing, both because of gender neutrality as well as accessibility.
It is related to multi-user gender neutral neutral restrooms.Discussing urinal compartments in ICC A117.1. Never seen one I know of, but apparently a coming thing, both because of gender neutrality as well as accessibility.
Yes, like Stockholm.How did they handle it? Are there urinals in all of the toilet rooms? Are the stalls still "stalls," or are they like the airport in Stockholm, Sweden, where all toilet compartments are actually sized like our compartments but constructed with full walls, floor to ceiling, and real doors, with locks?
403.2 Separate facilities. Where plumbing fixtures are
required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.