The National Academies Press

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From page 8... ... 8 Planning 2.1 Drivers and Goals Over the last couple of decades, complaints to airports about restrooms have been mounting. The most frequent comments from travelers are that restrooms are filthy and look outdated, and travelers always seem to experience a long line to use the facilities. Read the entire page →
From page 9... ... Planning 9 they all reach a consistent standard. Depending on the type of space, either amenities are added to a restroom-related scope or they become a standalone project. Read the entire page →
From page 10... ... 10 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Everyone on the team should be committed to the success of the project from planning through construction and beyond. Ideally, a core group of members should meet periodically after the project's completion to assess customer service and maintenance as well as operational issues and opportunities for improvement. Read the entire page →
From page 11... ... Planning 11 the existing restroom facilities, it is suggested that maintenance data from the last 5 years be compared with customer service data, as described in the next section. 2.3.1 Customer Service Process An important means of understanding how well restrooms and amenities are operating and being received by the public is to offer travelers a way to communicate their comments. Read the entire page →
From page 12... ... 12 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Regardless of the strategy, the key to an effective maintenance program is to create a standard operating procedure (SOP) for each restroom and amenity space for all maintenance staff to reference. Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... Planning 13 it will take to pass through security, often wait to use the restroom until they are on the secure side. Likewise, inbound or arriving passengers tend to wait until they've landed to avoid the cramped aircraft restrooms. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... 14 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces airline practices at gates such as high turn frequency, and so forth. Results may even suggest a higher female-to-male ratio at some locations within the airport. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... Planning 15 Note: A general planning rule is to utilize the design aircraft for each gate. However, it is important to understand wingtip adjacency conflicts, if any. Read the entire page →
From page 16... ... 16 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Next, use the design passenger capacity to determine passenger demand: Peak 20-Minute Passenger Demand = Design Passengers × Peak 20-Minute % Note: The following peak 20-minute % values are recommended: • Concourses with hub activity = 60% • Concourses with origin and destination (O&D) activity = 50% In some cases, an O&D airport's passenger activity may exhibit peaks consistent with hub-type operations. Read the entire page →
From page 17... ... Planning 17 Finally, the number of fixtures per module (determined in Step 2) is calculated. Read the entire page →
From page 18... ... 18 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Visitor ratios are typically provided with airport survey data or are compiled by an airport or its planning consultant and should be used to calculate the total visitor demand, when available. However, if this information is unknown, an increase factor of 20% for well-wishers (WWs -- those sending off travelers) Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... Planning 19 Additional Considerations Following completion of Steps 1 and 2, fixtures per location per level should be distributed. One method is to distribute the required fixtures in direct proportion to each existing location's percentage of the total terminal fixture count (for a single-level facility) Read the entire page →
From page 20... ... 20 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces It should also be noted that concourse restrooms are typically in the same block as holdrooms. These usually range from 30 to 45 ft deep. Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... Planning 21 A clear width of 6 ft and 6 inches is a reasonable minimum; 7 ft is preferred. Avoid locating anything in the entry corridor that will cause a bottleneck such as information signs and drinking fountains. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... 22 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Locating sink stations throughout the airport would hopefully encourage more frequent handwashing and thus, from a hygiene viewpoint, would seem beneficial. However, the reality of overflowing sinks, wadded up paper towels, and so forth would increase maintenance needs as well as look unsightly. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... Planning 23 belongings with the door in any position. Also, the open position of out-swinging stall doors, which can be a few inches out from a stall, can allow travelers to readily see if a stall is occupied. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... 24 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces The prototypes show a sink node within the wheelchair-accessible stall. In the prevalent arrangement, where people must leave an accessible stall to wash and dry their hands, wheelchair users must touch their wheels and the door hardware on the way. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... Planning 25 be wide enough to wheel in a plumber's tool cart as the TSA does not permit tools to be left unsupervised in public areas. With narrow plumbing chases, additional maintenance staff is required to watch the tools while another works within the chase. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 26 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces directional signage is also important outside restrooms since travelers may lose orientation and need a reminder as they exit of which direction leads to baggage claim or their gate. This is especially the case where the restroom has exits to two concourses. Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... Planning 27 Another feature of this layout is the potential for a large "grooming" node that greets travelers as they turn into the restroom proper from the entry (see Figures 2-8 through 2-10) Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... 28 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Figure 2-10. Room prototype -- view from sink node to grooming and toilet nodes with entry node to the right. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... Planning 29 One drawback of this type of layout is that the entry point directly approaches the stalls and urinals. This condition can be remedied by eliminating two or three stalls and creating a blank wall for art or creating a grooming alcove like the room prototype. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... 30 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces maintaining the fixture/sink balance. The recommended mix is two stalls or urinals for each sink station. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... Entry Sink Area Changing Area Toilet Stall Accessible Stall Urinal Area Chase Storage Figure 2-18. Spatial nodes arrangement. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... 32 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Shelf Changing Table Grooming / Make-up Storage Shelves Figure 2-20. Locations of internal components. Read the entire page →
From page 33... ... Planning 33 Mirror Toilet Paper / Disposal Seat Paper Dispenser Paper Towels / Trash Biohazard Disposal Sanitary Products Vendor Utility Shelf / Rack Provide recessed accessories wherever possible to reduce surfaces requiring cleaning, to minimize potential corners to bump into, and to streamline restroom appearance. Figure 2-22. Read the entire page →
From page 34... ... 34 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces Lighted Panels Recessed Downlight Mirror Light Utility Light Motion Detector Wall lights provide even ambient light and minimize fixture clutter on ceilings. Side lighting at mirrors illuminates faces without shadows. Read the entire page →
From page 35... ... Planning 35 2.6 Amenity Prototypes and Considerations The essential/regulated amenity spaces are either regulated by the FAA (SARAs and areas for lactation) or deemed essential (spaces for nursing mothers and companion care and changing table restrooms) Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... 36 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces A sink node is provided and a mop sink with a fold-down seat to rinse soiled paws is recommended. The mop sink should have a sprayer head to allow for cleaning appropriate areas. Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... Planning 37 Companion Care Restroom Prototype The companion care restroom is similar in layout to the wheelchair-accessible stall except that a divider is placed between the toilet and sink. This provides privacy for the person using the toilet if traveling with a companion, children, etc. Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... 38 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces 7'-7" TOILET NODE B AB Y D IA PE R C H AN G IN G N O D E 14 -0 " Figure 2-29. Companion care restroom prototype. Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... Planning 39 accompanied by one or more children or overburdened with bags. Likewise, a companion waiting in a wheelchair appreciates an alcove to sit in out of the stream of traffic. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... 40 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces mobilities and groupings. Some cultures separate men, women, and families, following local protocol. Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... Planning 41 available in most countries except for the Americas. Ablution stations are typically located in a space separate from the toilet stalls and, ideally, adjacent to a prayer space. Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... 42 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces unfamiliar to many Westerners may bring the risk of accidents or even misuse. Their provision will require considerable evaluation by an airport's restroom and amenities team and, importantly, input from users of these spaces. Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... Planning 43 Health/Urgent Care Because an airport is like a small city, this amenity type is becoming more common, especially at larger airports that have the number of travelers and staff to justify the need. Health/urgent care centers are typically provided by a concessionaire or a local provider. Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... 44 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces plan includes locations for the amenities discussed in this guidebook. The master plan is a living document that is expected to be modified over the years, as air travel is an ever-changing industry. Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... Planning 45 with mobility or health issues may need to use a restroom frequently and may not be able to wait to get to a terminal. Travelers arriving after a long drive may need to use the restroom. Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... 46 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces TS A Se cu rit y Sc re en in g Public Sterile Area Public Sterile Area TSA Security Screening TSA Security Screening TSA Security Screening TSA Security Screening TSA Security Screening Public Sterile Area Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Pu bl ic S te ril e Ar ea Public Area 2 1 3 4 Graphic courtesy of the FAA. Figure 2-33. Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... Planning 47 to consider the travel distance for persons with limited mobility to get from any point to the outdoor SARA locations, especially in inclement weather. Distribution of Spaces for Lactation/Nursing Mothers Portable units do not provide adequate discretion, space, or accommodations for these two functions, but they are a relatively inexpensive first step. Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... 48 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces are also valued accommodations. However, it is important to locate these spaces away from noise and traffic. Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... Planning 49 of the airport away from the entrance doors. However, airports with a significant number of travelers from countries where smoking accommodations are common tend to make this amenity more of a destination. Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... 50 Planning and Design of Airport Terminal Restrooms and Ancillary Spaces throughout the day. Compared to other areas of the airport, this number is high, so this is a comparatively busy concourse. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... Planning 51 new construction is that disruptions to existing restrooms and the adjacent spaces are avoided. There is also more planning freedom, so the restrooms can meet most, if not all, of the restroom team's design criteria. Read the entire page →

From page 8...

... 8 Planning 2.1 Drivers and Goals Over the last couple of decades, complaints to airports about restrooms have been mounting. The most frequent comments from travelers are that restrooms are filthy and look outdated, and travelers always seem to experience a long line to use the facilities.