BIGLOO 

Accessibility Rating

Physical  

Five out of five 

Sensory 

Five out of five 

Office Location: Lone Tree Depot
Whimsey Industrial Estate
Steam Mills
Cinderford
Gloucestershire
GL14 3JA

Contact details:
01594 821008
info@bigloo.co.uk
www.bigloo.co.uk

BIGLOO is a large portable accessible toilet inspired by Changing Places. It can be hired for long and short periods of time and can be operated without the need for a member of staff.

Entrance

Access is gained to BIGLOO via a ramp measuring 1500mm in width. On visiting, this ramp had a gradient of 1:22 on a flat surface making it very comfortable and easy to use. The ramp is black with contrasting yellow at the start and on the handrails, this makes it easy to identify for people who are partially sighted. There is an outside light on the wall to ensure it is safe and visible during the night.

The doorway is 1000mm wide and opens outwards. There is a large international symbol for access on the door, making it clear from a distance that this is an accessible toilet. This is positive as it is important that toilets can be found easily and quickly when they are required. The door uses a RADAR key system and is easy to open with a copper pull handle containing antibacterial agent. The doorway has a finger guard to prevent somebody getting their fingers trapped in the door.

There is a full-length mirror on the inside of the door with a horizontal to aid opening and large easy-lock system.

Inside

The inside measures 3447mm by 2480mm and has been decorated so that it doesn’t feel like a standard toilet. The moveable partitioning wall and ceiling have a fun design on them providing children with something to keep them occupied while they are on the changing bench or toilet. This is a great addition to BIGLOO.

There is a peninsular toilet with drop-down and fixed vertical handrails on either side. The drop-down handrails are easy to use and a contrasting colour to the walls. The toilet seat measures 490mm from the ground and also contrasts so it can be easily identified by people who have a sight impaired.

The lighting is warm and does not flicker and the extractor fan is silent so there are no distracting noises, meaning it is safe for people with epilepsy or sensory impairments. There is also an emergency light, so there is no risk of it going completely dark.

The flooring is slip resistant with underfloor insulation and the windows are double glazed, this retains the heat from the radiator and makes the temperature easily adjustable to suit differing needs.

There are 2 emergency pull cords next to the toilet and door with the ring pulls at the correct height. The alarm rings out loudly outside BIGLOO and a light also flashes so attention will be gained immediately.

The sink is lowered and has a vertical handrail on either side of it, and there are also handles on the sink itself – a great addition to give people multiple options to hold onto for support. There is a lowered electric hand dryer on the adjacent wall.

There is a comfortable changing bench measuring 1860mm x 700mm and wide tear off paper mounted to the wall adjacent to the bench.

A ceiling mounted tracking hoist system is installed with access to the bench, toilet and sink. It is a significant achievement to have this in a portable toilet.

BIGLOO is smaller than a Changing Places, so cannot be classed as one, but it contains the same components in an appropriate layout providing a good amount of space. The smaller size allows BIGLOO to be portable, providing more people and events with the opportunity to access a fully functional accessible toilet with hoist, which they may not have been able to access before.

www.bigloo.co.uk