Accessible bathroom: compliant standards and dimensions

🚿 Compliant PRM Bathroom

Persons with Reduced Mobility – housing / public access buildings as applicable

⚠️ The dimensions below are the most commonly required (PRM decrees).
They may vary slightly depending on private housing/public access buildings, but this basis is technically and legally sound.

✨ Examples of PRM Bathroom Finishes

These visuals allow you to envision a finished layout. The dimensioned diagrams presented afterwards remain essential for verifying the project's implementation and sizing.

Example of a finished PRM bathroom with an accessible shower, toilet, and wall-mounted sink
Overall view of a functional and uncluttered PRM layout.
Example of a finished wall-mounted PRM toilet with grab bars and an accessible sink
Example of a finish for a PRM toilet area.

Mood visuals for example purposes only. Dimensions must be adapted to the actual configuration and applicable project rules.

Illustrative diagram of the principles of layout and accessibility for a PRM toilet. Dimensions may vary depending on the housing configuration and existing technical constraints.

📐 1️⃣ General Room Dimensions

🔹 Wheelchair turning space

  • Ø 1.50 m clear (turning circle)
  • Without obstacles (furniture, toilet, sink)

👉 This is the key point:
If the turning circle is not respected, the bathroom is not PRM compliant.

🚽 2️⃣ PRM Toilet – Standards and Dimensions

🔧 PRM toilet: layout, clearances and essential accessories

Illustrative diagram of the principles of layout and accessibility for a PRM toilet. Dimensions may vary depending on the housing configuration and existing technical constraints.

The layout of a PRM toilet must allow for independent or assisted use, in complete safety.
As shown in the diagram above, several elements are essential:

  • A sufficient maneuvering space allowing a U-turn or transfer from a wheelchair
  • A lateral and frontal use space to facilitate approach
  • An adapted toilet bowl height for transfers
  • Grab bars positioned at the correct height, fixed or foldable
  • An accessible and operable flush mechanism
  • Equipment (hand wash basin, dispensers, handles) installed at ergonomic heights

In renovation, these principles must be adapted to existing constraints (drainage, load-bearing walls, available dimensions).
A technical diagnosis is therefore essential before any material choice or definitive layout.

🔹 Seat height

  • Between 45 and 50 cm (finished floor → top of seat)
  • 👉 Very important for toilet selection

🔹 Lateral transfer space

  • 80 cm minimum clear on one side
  • Allows wheelchair → toilet transfer

🔹 Wall / toilet axis distance

  • Toilet axis at 40 cm from the side wall

🔹 Grab bars

  • Horizontal or foldable bar
  • Height: 70 to 80 cm
  • Resistant ≥ 120 kg

🔹 Drainage

  • Often horizontal wall-mounted
  • Height and slope to be anticipated before choosing the toilet

👉 The PRM toilet is chosen based on the existing drainage, never the other way around.

🚿 3️⃣ PRM Shower (walk-in or extra-flat tray)

🔹 Minimum dimensions

  • 90 × 120 cm minimum
  • Ideal: 120 × 120 cm

🔹 Threshold

  • 0 cm (level access)
  • Max tolerance: 2 cm with chamfer

🔹 Slope

  • 1 to 2 %
  • Evenly distributed towards the drain

🔹 Shower seat

  • Fixed or foldable
  • Seat height: 45 to 50 cm
  • Load ≥ 150 kg

🔹 Grab bars

  • Vertical + horizontal
  • Positioned according to actual access

👉 In renovation, the extra-flat PRM shower tray is often more reliable than a tiled walk-in shower.

🚰 4️⃣ PRM Washbasin

🔹 Height

  • Upper edge ≤ 85 cm
  • Clearance under basin ≥ 70 cm

🔹 Depth

  • Max 60 cm
  • Allows wheelchair approach

🔹 Faucet

  • Long lever mixer tap
  • Or infrared detection

👉 No cabinet under the basin unless it's a specific PRM model.

🚪 5️⃣ Access and Circulation

🔹 Door

  • Passage width ≥ 83 cm
  • Outward opening (recommended)

🔹 Floor

  • Non-slip
  • Adapted PN rating

🧠 6️⃣ Field Vigilance Points

👉 What field experience teaches us:

  • ⚠️ WC drainage height often incompatible → mandatory rework
  • ⚠️ Poor shower trap choice → stagnant water
  • ⚠️ Bars installed too late → poor fixing
  • ⚠️ Aesthetics prioritized to the detriment of actual use

👉 A PRM bathroom should be designed for use, not for show.

✅ Example of a consistent PRM configuration

  • Room: 2.20 m × 2.40 m
  • Shower: 120 × 120 cm, extra-flat tray
  • WC: height 48 cm, foldable bar
  • Washbasin: suspended PRM
  • Turning circle: Ø 1.50 m respected
  • Fittings: long lever
  • Floor: non-slip

👉 Functional, compliant, durable.

🤝 Our PRM support

At BDS Hydro Tech, we support PRM bathroom projects taking into account current standards, but above all the real constraints of existing buildings.

Each project undergoes a preliminary technical analysis, to guarantee a compliant, functional and durable installation, without unpleasant surprises during construction.

Our support includes:

  • ✓ Analysis of existing building constraints
  • ✓ Verification of PRM compliance
  • ✓ Selection of suitable equipment
  • ✓ Technical validation before work begins
  • ✓ Avoiding costly reworks

👉 Request a quote for your PRM bathroom

♿ Equip your PRM bathroom with the right products: GROHE Thermostatic mixers → | GROHE Guide →

The information presented is for guidance only. Each project must be subject to a personalized technical study to comply with current standards.