Problems of Taiwan public toilet along the roadPublic toilet provides users a convenient space when...

Problems of Taiwan public toilet along the road M.C. Lee (1), K.M. Chen (2), I.B. Shern (3), W.H. Lu (4), M.L. Lin (5) (1) [email protected] (2) [email protected] (4) [email protected] (1)(2)(5) National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Department of Interior Design, 129, Sec.3, Sanmin Road, Taichung , 404, Taiwan (1)(3)(4) Taiwan Toilet Association

Abstract

Public toilet provides users a convenient space when they need it, but the using comfort is usually careless. In the past Taiwanese impression, toilet was a private and personal space. Being a small space was designed for users, sufficient hardware (facility) and software (user behavior) are less consideration in public toilet design, caused dirty, odor, insufficient facility, and unfriendly design. Most people like comfort toilet in clean, ventilated, and bright, but weak maintenance causes some toilets in trouble. This study surveyed 111 recommended public toilets along circulated road in Taiwan island, and found many complains of users. This study infers four categories into comfort, health, safety, and convenience to improve the hardware and software is an urgent priority.

Keywords: Public toilet, complain, design, facility, user behavior

CIBW062 Symposium 2013

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1. Introduction

Public toilet provides users a convenient space when they need it, but the using comfort is usually careless. In the past Taiwanese impression, toilet was a private and personal space. Most public toilets along the road were using ordinary equipment and facilities, but less consideration at comfort and friendly design. Being a small space was designed for users, sufficient hardware (facility) and software (user behavior) are less considered in public toilet design, caused dirty, odor, insufficient facility, and unfriendly design. [1]

Taiwan public toilets usually get problems at moister and odor, because of less maintenance, wet floor, wet basin, bad ventilation and lots used toilet papers in the trashcan without any cover. It causes occupants health exploring in the physical and biological troubles.[2] The unfriendly design usually causes the occupants tumbling in the different floor height between toilet and path, and harms the occupants in the wrong handrail setup.

In recently, designers combined art and function into public toilets. Some public toilets were designed with cultural combination and innovation in Taiwan, as shown in Fig. 1. But the uncomfortable and unfriendly problems still present or hide in the beauty toilet, especially in wrong ventilation and insufficient facilities.

To avoid the humidity, fungus, odor, and unfriendly design is to follow the local climate, and discover the problems of public toilet via site investigation. This study collaborates with cycling activities (Cycling Team of Rotary International District 3520) around the Taiwan island to investigate and check the problems of public toilets along the road. Analyze the investigated problems to find the solution (hardware and software) for improving the public toilet design.

Fig. 1 Thematic toilet in Taiwan ChungYo Department Store[3]


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2. Methodology

This study focuses on the problems check of public toilet along the road and gas stations, and discusses the designed facilities and user behavior via the cycling activities around the Taiwan island. Cycling Team of Rotary International District 3520 separates into 6 teams with Taiwan Toilet Association Accreditation Committee members for checking the different toilets every half of the day and one day for 12 toilets. This project not only pushed the Rotary members to do some exercises, but also brought members to pay attention to the facilities of public toilet, as shown in Fig.2. [4] They started the trip from Taipei City (north Taiwan) and straight rode to the south of west Taiwan then turned back to north of East Taiwan to finish 9 days bike tour, as shown in Fig.3.

Fig.2 Cycling Team of Rotary International District 3520

Fig. 3 Cycling Team departure Taipei City for checking public toilets

This evaluation form is separated into 2 parts, one is basic information for building data


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records, the other is evaluation list. The evaluation list is developed into 3 main topics, such as Facilities (30%), Path (30%), and Maintenance (40%). These 3 main topics also included many items for details check. Five evaluated items in Facilities are Proportion of gender difference, Ventilation and lighting equipment, Faucets type, Urinals forms, and Multifunction toilet for accessibility or family. Five evaluated items in Path are Entrance design, Moving accessibility, Space size, Guidelines, and Accessible path. Four evaluated items in Maintenance are Comfort, Convenience, Security, and Cleanliness. There is a willing prize for each evaluated member to award the perfect toilet with his or her description. For easy evaluating, the form was developed a simple table to check and record the evaluation results, as shown in Table 1 (detail is shown as Table 2).

Table 1 Evaluation form outline

Basic Information

Main topic Items Details

Facilities (30%)

Proportion of gender difference Ventilation and lighting equipment Faucets type Urinals forms Multifunction toilet for accessibility or family

Path (30%)

Entrance design Moving accessibility Space size Guidelines Accessible path

Maintenance (40%)

Comfort Convenience Security Cleanliness

After 9 days check, all evaluation forms were collected to analyze the problems and organized the results into 4 parts at Comfort, Health, Safety, and Convenience. Follow these 4 parts to submit the solution to improve the public toilet design stander.


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3. Investigation

The investigation was started from Taipei city and went along all the way around the island from the northern to west central (Taichung city) and southern (Pingtung city) Taiwan then turned back to the northern Taipei city, as shown in Fig.4. 111 public toilets were checked along the road and investigated the current situation in facilities, path, maintenance, and environment. The investigation process and the problems of the toilets are summarized as follow:

Fig. 4 Investigation route of Taiwan island.

I. Facilities The public toilets along the road usually belong to the gas station, toilet space usually designed in a small and unfriendly by an assistant service space in the past concept. The concept make the saving space but the facilities are insufficient or in the old types in uncomfortable using, shown in Fig.5. Most Taiwan public toilets in gas station have reconstructed, but they still ignores the ventilation and lighting consideration, caused odor, humidity, comfort and safety problems. Many users throw the used toilet paper in to the trashcan without cover, caused bio-aerosol exploring into toilet to harm the health of users, as shown in Fig.6. Moreover, materials of floor without antiskid cause user slip in a wet toilet.

Investigation route

Taichung

Taipei

Tainan

Kaohsiung Taitung

Hualien

Pingtung


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Elderly and physically disabled users could not use by less accessibility facilities or error designed ancillary facilities in a typical toilet, as shown in Fig.7. There is just a new building code in Taiwan from 2012 to regular a separate accessible toilet or multifunction toile for these users, as shown in Fig.8. Universal toilet design concept will grow up in this coming years in Taiwan.

Fig. 5 Most faucets and flushers in traditional lever-type or button control

Fig. 6 Used toilet papers in the trashcan and lack enough ventilation and lighting

Fig. 7 Error designed ancillary facilities caused users inconvenient use


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Fig. 8 Multifunction toilets will grow up in Taiwan because of building code

II. Path

In recent years, government gives a lot of funding for renovating the public toilet and path planning. Most public toilets have been renovated by this funding, but the problems in different height between path and toilet still exist because of wrong design concepts, as shown in Fig.9. The path width for physically disabled users is at least 120cm, and the turning diameter for wheelchair is 150cm. It is easy for closing by disable user without any basin stands, as shown in Fig.10. Most public toilets do not appropriate the parking space, setting the bike parking space is necessary for bikers using toilet and taking care the bike, as shown in Fig.11.

Fig. 9 Many toilet entrances with different height but without any detour or cover


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Fig. 10 The basin stands impact the wheelchairs closing in the multifunction toilets

Fig. 11 Some toilets setting the bike parking space for biker taking care the bike

III. Maintenance

Green plants and decoration are setting up in many public toilets for good looking, and it also considers the normality maintenance and management for keeping a comfortable environment, as shown in Fig.12. Sufficient facilities, cleaning staffs check the toilet every 1 hour and the mindedness of user are the points of maintenance. But some toilets lack the sufficient facilities, clean staffs for maintenance, even the water with less funding, caused the toilets into dirty, odor, and damaged facilities, as shown in Fig.13.

Fig. 12 Green plants grown in the public toilets


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Fig. 13 Some toilets lack water and maintenance

4. Results

Organize the evaluated results, three topics in Facilities, Path, and Maintenance in each item to generalize the percentage. The statistical results present the tendency in Insufficient (I) and Shortage (S) for short of design. This analysis marks the “I” and “S”, “I” (insufficient) means the problem could be improved, and “S” (shortage) means the problem must be improved. The results are shown as follow: I. Facilities

In facilities, can be found in the Faucets type, Induction water and Provincial water mark；Multifunction toilet for accessibility or family, Emergency bell, Comfort station, Wall-mounted child seat, are must be ameliorated.

(1) Proportion of gender

difference：

(2) Ventilation and lighting

equipment：

(3) Faucets type：

(4) Urinals forms：

I


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(5) Multifunction toilet for

accessibility or family：

1. In proportion of gender difference, found 1:2 ratio of the toilets number, accounted

for 53%; does not account for 47%, means the proportion of toilets in Taiwan have been gradually learned, and improved this configuration.

2. Toilets in Taiwan basically have normal Ventilation and lighting equipment, natural ventilation in the proportion account for the majority.

3. Faucets type, lever faucet accounts for the highest proportion. But lever-style design is easy to cause bacteria remain, likely to cause infection, must be improved.

4. Wall-mounted urinal accounts for forms 70%, and wall-mounted urinal is the best type to clean the floor tiles at the bottom.

5. High proportion of public toilets in Taiwan without water saving, must be improved.

6. Multifunction toilet for accessibility or family and emergency bell are more inadequate.

II. Path

In moving accessibility, no floor height in the toilet, but 2cm height above the road, is necessary to improve.

(1) Entrance design：

(2) Moving accessibility：

I

I

I


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(3) Space size：

(4) Guidelines：

(5) Accessible path：

1. Most toilets without considering the design of the floor height, it makes disabled

and elderly people more inconvenient to use. 2. 58% have the scale of 90 cm to 140 cm. Greater than 100 cm are more comfortable

for people. If the floor spaces are large enough, recommended to choose greater than 100 cm as design considerations.

3. Most of the toilets are considered Guidelines. 4. Less pathways are placed objects.

III. Maintenance The lack of air freshener in comfort. Hand dryer settings without breakdown, one of washbasins with reduced height, and squat toilets and urinals with reduced height and handrails in convenience. Toilet with emergency bells in security. Ceramic plate and other acid-resistant are laid under the urinals in cleanliness. Washbasin surroundings must be clean and no stains. Above all are necessary to improve.

(1) Comfort：

S

I


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(2) Convenience：

(3) Security：

(4) Cleaning：

1. The smell in the toilet areas should be improved. Keep the air circulate and reduce

the use of air freshener, because air fresheners have some chemical containing inside may cause harm to the human body.

2. Handrails and hand dryers are insufficient 3. Emergency bell settings are not taken into account. In general, public toilets need

to set up the bell, if the accident occurred, could call for security in time. 4. Not many toilets have ceramic plate and other acid-resistant laid under the urinals

and washbasins without stains. Most people ignore the washbasin dryness and floor acid-resistance when designing.

Induction water, Provincial water marks, Emergency bell and flashing lights, Kids toilet, Comfort station, Wall-mounted child seat, No floor height difference, Air freshener, Hand dryer settings without breakdown, Lower height washbasin with handrails, Squat toilet with handrails, Urinal with reduced height and handrails, Emergency bell, Ceramic plate and other acid-resistant are laid under the urinals, Washbasin cleanness and no stains.

I

I

I

I

I


588

Those projects above result in non-ideal places. Among them, multifunction toilets for families and disabled, path accessibility, and convenience issues account for the majority. 5. Discussion

According to the evaluated results, the problems are organized and analyzed into four terms in comfort, health, safety, and convenience. They are organized as follow: (1) Terms of comfort：

The design of toilet without “Sufficient facilities and space”, “Fresh air”, “Acid-resistant material under the urinal”, and “Dry floor and environment” causes user uncomfortable. The problems are explained and shown in Fig.14 – Fig. 17.

Fig. 14 Small toilet space with lots

facilities Fig. 15 Natural ventilation is better

than setup the air freshener

Fig. 16 The material under the urinals should be acid-resistant for easy clean


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Fig. 17 Spill water makes toilet dirty and full with molds and bacteria

(2) Terms of healthy： Biological pollution in the toilet environment is mold and bacteria, they usually happen in the humidity and unventilated place, as shown in Fig.18. The insects and infectious diseases spread from the drainage pipes without any trap water. [6]

Because biological pollution impact the user healthy, the design of toilet without “Hand dryer”, “Faucets without touch or one-touch”, “Auto Flushers”, and “Trashcan with cover” causes user unhealthy. The problems are explained and shown in Fig.19 – Fig. 22.

Fig. 18 Humidity toilet causes molds growth

Fig. 19 Installed hand dryer can be improved the floor wet, slippery, and dirty


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Fig. 20 Bacteria usually stays on the lever faucet to cause disease spread

Fig. 21 Auto flushers help reducing ammonia odor (design changes user

behavior)

Fig. 22 Used toilet papers in the trashcan and no cover

(3) Terms of Safety： Taiwan society has become an aging society, gradually accessible persons annually in growth. The problems of assistive devices with error installation or unfriendly result accessible person in trouble. The design of toilet without “Safety accessories (handrails)”, “Emergency bell and flashing lights”, “Different height from path to toilet”, and “Wet floor” causes user unsafety. The problems are explained and shown in Fig.23 – Fig. 25.


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Fig. 23 Some safety accessories should be installed for accessibility using

Fig. 24 Some security accessories should be installed for emergency using

Fig. 25 Different height from path to toilet causes occupants stumbling

(4) Terms of Convenience：

The space and facilities should be designed for different condition users. The designers have to consider the ergonomics and functions of sanitary equipment and facilities. The design of toilet without “Family toilet”, “Diaper changer”, “Baby holder (chair)”, and “Ergonomics of washbasin, urinals and toilet” causes user inconvenient. The problems are explained and shown in Fig.26 – Fig. 30.


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Fig. 26 Child toilet should be setup in the family toilet

Fig. 27 Diaper changer should be setup in male and female toilet

Fig. 28 Baby holder (chair) should be setup for baby safety

Fig.29 Washbasins should be setup in different height for different users

Fig. 30 Urinals should be setup in different height for different users


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Analysis of public toilet problems in Taiwan, some problems need to be improved. Four improved directions of toilet design are submitted in Environment facilities, Space, Accessibility facilities, and Materials. The improved recommendations are described as follow:

(1) Environmental facilities: Good ventilation in the toilets, such as open the windows to be the natural ventilation, install exhaust blowers to be the mechanical ventilation, or mix natural and mechanical ventilation in perfect ventilation path consideration. Good lighting is also the points for the toilet in brightness, security, safety, and convenience and energy saving. Day lighting and artificial lighting are complementary to fit the illumination in the toilet. Try to keep much directly sunshine away, especially in the western side and top floor. Keep clean and dry floor, pay attention to decrease the splashed water around the wash basin or toilet, and also design some drains around the equipment. Keep the used toilet paper out of the trashcan, and set the trashcan with easy open cover.

(2) Space: Toilet size should be considered to satisfy every user, the popular size is 90cm (w) x 110cm (d) and the entrance width should be larger than 75cm in normal public toilet. Multifunction toilet has to consider the wheelchair turning diameter in 150cm inner space and the entrance width should be larger than 90cm. There is no any difference height between path and toilet and guides of toilet for easy arriving.

(3) Accessibility facilities: Handrails must be correctly setting for urinal, toilet, and washbasins. Choose the facilities with the stain-resistant and anti-slip mark. Wash basins, toilets, and urinals should setup in different height and no any obstacle to stop the user closing.

(4) Materials: Anti-slip and easy cleaning floor material should be considered, especially water using and wet space. Acid-resistant materials setup under the urinals and toilet. Anti-bacterial and anti-fouling materials were used in facilities and decoration.


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6. Conclusion

This study discusses the current situation of Taiwan public toilets via investigation by a cycling team of Rotary International District 3520 and toilet evaluated committee of Taiwan Toilet Association. 111 public toilets were investigated and 76 valid filled evaluated forms were analyzed to show the four groups of toilet using problem in comfort, healthy, safety, and convenience. For improving these four groups of using problem, this study submits four improved directions of toilet design in Environment facilities, Space, Accessibility facilities, and Materials. Wish the designers follow this improvement method and the constructer, facility supporters, and materials supporters develop the friendly, healthy, safety, and useful objects to improve the public toilet quality. 7. References

1. M.C. Lee, Public toilet culture and design in Taiwan, Conference of public toilet maintenance, Tainan Environment Protection Bureau, 2008.11, Tainan, Taiwan.

2. M.C. Lee, Health impacts via toilet environment, Taiwan Toilet Forum, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, 2011.10, Taichung, Taiwan.

3. S.C. Jan, Study on Visual Image Communication of the Space of Thematic Restrooms in ChungYo Department Store, Master Thesis, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, 2011

4. W.H. Lu, Report of 2012-Taiwan Bike Route Toilet Top5, Taiwan Toilet Newsletters, No.27, Summer, 2013, Taiwan Toilet Association.

5. T.Y. Tsai, Influences of Internal Arrangements and Ventilation Rates of Bathrooms on Odor Removal, Master Thesis, National Taipei University of Technology, 2008.

6. K. Sakaue, Historical Changes on Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings, Taiwan Toilet Newsletters, No.26, Winter, 2012, Taiwan Toilet Association.


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Table.2 Evaluation Form


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Acknowledgement The authors gratefully acknowledge the evaluation survey support from Cycling Team in Rotary International District 3520 and the Taiwan Toilet Association.


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Presentation of Authors Meng-Chieh Lee is a PhD in Architecture and an Assistant Professor at National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Department of Interior Design. His major is water plumbing system, sanitary equipment safety and new technology development, energy saving, and interior environment quality (IEQ).

Kuei-Ming Chen is the graduate student at National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Department of Interior Design.

Inh-Biau Shern is an Architecture and Chairman of Taiwan Toilet Association. He focuses on human care design and designs a lot of famous buildings in Taiwan.

Wu-Hsiun Lu chairs the toilet evaluated committee of Taiwan Toilet Association, and he also focuses on universal design and barrier free space.

Miao- Lian Lin is the graduate student at National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Department of Interior Design.


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