Washroom and toilet cubicle glossary
Definitions of the terms you will meet when specifying commercial toilet cubicles and washrooms, from compact laminate and pilasters to IPS, Doc M packs and universal toilets.
- Ambulant cubicle
- A WC cubicle slightly wider than standard, with grab rails and an outward-opening door, for people who can walk but need support.
- Anti-ligature
- Design that reduces points where a ligature could be attached, using sloped tops, continuous hinges and flush fittings.
- Changing village
- A shared changing area made of private lockable cubicles instead of separate open male and female changing rooms.
- Compact laminate
- A solid board made entirely of high-pressure laminate layers, waterproof all the way through. Also called solid grade laminate (SGL) or compact HPL.
- Concealed cistern
- A WC cistern hidden behind IPS panelling or a wall, flushed by a button or lever on the panel.
- Continuous hinge
- A hinge running the full height of a door, used on anti-ligature and heavy-duty cubicles.
- Doc M pack
- A set of sanitaryware and grab rails laid out to Approved Document M for an accessible toilet.
- Duct panel
- A removable panel in an IPS system that hides pipework and cisterns while allowing maintenance access.
- Enlarged cubicle
- A wider WC cubicle, about 1200mm, recommended where a washroom has four or more cubicles.
- Floor gap
- The space left under standard-height cubicle panels, usually around 150mm, for cleaning and air flow.
- Flush-fronted cubicle
- A cubicle system whose doors and front panels sit in the same plane, giving a smooth wall-like front.
- Full-height cubicle
- A cubicle whose walls and door run from floor to ceiling with no gaps.
- Headrail
- The horizontal rail along the top of a run of cubicles that ties the pilasters together and stiffens the system.
- HPL
- High-pressure laminate: layers of paper and resin pressed under heat and pressure into a hard, decorative sheet.
- Hygienic wall cladding
- Seamless PVC or compact panels fixed to walls to give a wipe-clean surface without grout lines.
- Indicator lock
- A cubicle lock with a visible vacant or engaged indicator, which can be opened from outside in an emergency.
- IPS
- Integrated plumbing system: a framework with removable panels that hides cisterns and pipework behind WCs, urinals and basins.
- MFC
- Melamine faced chipboard: chipboard faced with a decorative melamine layer. Economical, but not suited to wet areas.
- Modesty screen
- A privacy panel fixed between urinals. Also called a urinal screen.
- Pilaster
- The upright front post of a cubicle that the door hangs from, standing on an adjustable leg.
- Rising-butt hinge
- A hinge that lifts the door slightly as it opens so it closes by gravity.
- Self-contained toilet
- A fully enclosed room with its own WC, washbasin and hand drying, as described for universal toilets in Approved Document T.
- SGL
- Solid grade laminate, another name for compact laminate.
- Solid surface
- A non-porous acrylic or polyester material used for seamless vanity tops with moulded basins.
- Universal toilet
- In Approved Document T, a fully enclosed toilet room that can be used by anyone, with its own WC, basin and hand drying.
- Vanity unit
- A countertop with basins and a front panel that hides the plumbing, usually with taps, mirrors and dispensers above.
- Wet area
- A space where floors and surfaces are regularly wet, such as showers and pool changing, where only waterproof boards should be used.
- Workplace Regulations
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which set minimum toilet and washing provision for employees.
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