Ever wondered why toilets which are situated in public restrooms have spaces beneath them? The unique design previously utilised by Western countries has now been adopted by several countries across the world including Kenya.
Previously, toilet doors in public restrooms used to reach the floor but as years went by, the design shifted into a design with a brief gap underneath.
The design was adopted for several reasons. In this article, we take a look at some of the main reasons why the toilet doors in most restrooms have a gap at the bottom.
Easy Cleaning for Improved Hygiene
The modern design was adopted to allow for easy cleaning and consequently enhance hygiene.
The gap underneath allows for splash washing during which water used in cleaning the toilet reaches all the corners of the room.
According to experts, the gap also reduces the accumulation of dust particles inside the toilet.
Improved Air Flow
It is worth noting that public toilets just like any other public facility are used by multiple people thus the door is designed in a way to allow free circulation of air.
The free circulation of air inside the toilet aids in eliminating potential bad smells that could have accumulated while using the facility.
Health and Safety of the User
The gap has been placed strategically beneath the door to ensure that any case of emergency is swiftly noticed and handled.
Deter Dubious Behaviour
It is common to find people using public toilets misbehaving inside the rooms by making drawings on the walls or even taking unlawful substances among other dubious activities.
The gap at the bottom of dry bathroom stalls deters such activities as it is easy for other users to notice untoward behaviour.
It is also cost-effective due to less material as a result of the gap at the bottom. However, the main challenge with this design is reduced privacy for users.
