Maintaining a Changing Places Toilet is an important requirement to ensure that it is always fully accessible and usable. On-going routine monitoring and maintenance will be required. Testing of equipment needs to take place regularly. Processes and procedures should be put in place to ensure the Changing Places Toilet is clean at all times and floor is dried after use of shower. 

8.5.1 Maintaining Equipment

Testing, servicing, and maintenance of equipment (for example, servicing of the hoist) should take place on an on-going basis in line with manufacturers’ recommendations, relevant European and international standards, and the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007.

Processes should be in place to maintain the integrity of equipment by a system of ongoing monitoring. This is to ensure detection of deterioration of equipment in sufficient time to allow remedial measures to be taken. The facility management team should have a policy and procedure for regular servicing of equipment, for example a contracted service agreement with a product supplier company which includes information on the frequency of servicing. Up-to-date equipment service and inspection records should be maintained. The timing of routine tests and servicing should be carefully planned to minimise disruption to building occupants and to ensure that access to the Changing Places Toilet facility is not unnecessarily prevented. 

Procedures should be in place to facilitate the prompt repair or replacement of equipment within the Changing Places Toilet. 

It would be beneficial to seek feedback from users when new equipment is required within the Changing Places Toilet. 

8.5.2 Cleaning

As with all sanitary facilities, Changing Places Toilets should be cleaned regularly to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for everyone to use. All cleaning personnel and contractors should be aware of the key requirements to maintain within the Changing Places Toilet. Routine inspections should be carried out by the facility management team to ensure the facilities are clean.  Information about cleaning methods and materials for the Changing Places Toilet should be retained in the building manual.

To ensure that the Changing Places Toilet is kept clean, staff/contractors should be trained on the following standard operating procedures:

  • How the Changing Places Toilet and equipment should be cleaned, and demonstrations should be provided to relevant staff 
  • What cleaning agents should be used within the Changing Places Toilet (for example the cleaning agent used for cleaning the Changing Bench might be different to that of the cleaning agent for the floor)
  • The frequency of when the facility and the equipment is cleaned 
  • How to record who cleaned, what was cleaned and when (date and time) it was cleaned
  • How to report issues in cleaning or maintenance
  • What PPE to wear when cleaning the Changing Places Toilet and how to dispose of cleaning waste and PPE
  • How to dispose of different types of refuse waste within the Changing Places Toilet (for example, disposal of PPE and incontinence pads)

8.5.3    Routine Maintenance and Checks

Changing Places Toilets require regular effective maintenance to ensure they function correctly and meet the needs of the end-user. Routine maintenance checks should take place when cleaning is being undertaken and check the following:

  • The door is easy to open, and locks and handles are operational 
  • The continuous charging hoist is working
  • The changing bench is fully operational
  • The washbasin is fully operational, and taps are in working order 
  •  The WC pan has been flushed and is clean
  • The floor is dried after shower use 
  • The grabrails are firmly secured and the drop-down rails are fully operational 
  • Sufficient stock of toilet paper, paper towels, paper rolls and PPE (if supplied)
  • The storage and function of any extra equipment such as spreader bars (for the ceiling hoist) that is in place 
  • Lighting is fully operational and not flickering etc. 
  • Cleaning supplies or equipment is not stored or obstructing circulation space in the Changing Places Toilet
  • Signage and instructions– ensure all information provided is up-to date, accessible and clearly legible 
  • Assistance alarms are correctly positioned and fully operational 
  • Heating is fully operational 
  • Good ventilation is maintained throughout 
  • Fire alarms are tested regularly in line with legislative requirements and good practice