Ryefield Primary School washrooms were in need of refurbishment, and the client also wanted to take the opportunity to rethink the use of space. We were tasked with bringing a more modern, fresh look to these Key Stage 1 & 2 school washrooms, but to incorporate a compliant accessible Doc-M toilet washroom and also a caretakers storage cupboard.

Having already completed some similar washrooms at this site last year, we were well versed with the property. We also have an extensive amount of experience in the primary school sector and can advise on all kinds of aspects of the refurbishment, as well as how best to carry out the schedule of works.

By taking a little space from both the male and female washrooms, which were exceptionally large to begin with, we created the space for a full Doc-M disabled washroom, which primary schools are not obligated to provide, as well as the storage space for Ryefield Primary’s caretaker.

This is an older school building that still had a lot of traditional exposed pipework. We were able to reroute and box in new pipework and incorporate more modern fittings throughout.

We installed a vinyl flooring system in all the school washrooms that laps up the walls by 150mm, creating a watertight tanking system which protects the floor and walls, is significantly easier to clean, and carries great anti-slip properties. An Altro Whiterock wall cladding was also installed, which has the ability to be thermo moulded around corners, reducing join lines where bacteria can build up, and making the washroom easier to clean.

The new disabled accessible Doc-M toilet is fully compliant with an outward opening door, grab rails that contrast in colour to the walls, disabled height toilet pan, and lever operated taps and flush controls.

The entire redesign of the school washrooms was conducted with young users in mind, and with our specialist knowledge in this field we were able to put forward the installation features that would be best suited to this site. Instead of traditional wash basins, a Franke Washino wash trough was used, which is ergonomically designed to allow children to get closer to the taps and delivers a more fun environment in the washroom. We partnered this with easy to operate taps that can be operated with a gentle touch and only emit water for a set period of time, which reduces the risk of taps being left on. These taps were installed with a TMV3 mixer valve, which controls the temperature of water to the tap and ensures users never get burnt or scolded.

For increased eco efficiency, we also incorporated a PIR LED lighting system, which means the lights come on automatically when someone is in the room, and generates a saving in electricity, as lights can’t accidentally be left on when not in use.

Working closely with Ryefield Primary School, we were able to help guide them through a thorough washroom specification that worked for them for both the general washrooms and the accessible Doc-M toilet room too. The full plan for the refurbishment works ensured we installation was kept to a timely and cost effective schedule.

The refurbished school washrooms have been well received by the school faculty, parents and pupils.