Hong Kong Toilet Installation for Disabled

Recently I was in Hong Kong and Kowloon China and observed several installations for disabled people. The photo on the right is of a toilet in a public toilet room. There are several differences observed from what we do in the US. Can you spot them?

First, notice the grab bar on the left of the toilet. This is a mechanical installation that can be raised or lowered as required. In fact, this bar locks into position in both the up and down positions. See the photo below where the bar is in the down position.

Also, look at the grab bar on the right side of the toilet. Notice how it slopes down. Grab bars in the US are installed level.

Now go back up to the first photo above and notice where the toilet paper dispenser is located high and adjacent to the toilet. In the US it is located slightly in front of the toilet. In both photos look for the flush switch. It’s the black switch with the blue outline, an indication of water, that is above and to the right of the toilet. See the photo below for a closeup.

In the US this switch is installed on the open side, or left side for this installation, so people don’t have to reach over the toilet to activate the switch. Also read the placard for the flush switch in the photo above. It says, “Please press the button for at least 5 seconds to flush.” This requirement probably would not be allowed in the US.

Last, look to the right in the first and second photos above for the switch between the toilet and sink. This is the switch for the Emergency Call/Stop feature. See the photo below for a closeup.

This switch activates an emergency signal generator on the outside of the toilet room, in case of an emergency inside the toilet room.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

Please call me at 615-752-0060 should you have any questions. Thank you.