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Designers & Architects - Ideas
for combating vandalism
Some of the architects and schools that
we have spoken to argue that there is no point investing in toilets
as pupils wreck them. Therefore, you might as well build as cheaply
as possible. There are pupils who vandalise toilets, but ideally
we should design for the majority of pupils who deserve decent toilets,
not the minority.
- Solid plastic panels for partitions
that are bolted together with tamper-proof fasteners
- Cubicle doors with sturdy hinges and
double bracing on both sides
- Push-button or foot-operated flushes
- Concealed plumbing systems with tamper
proof fastenings
- Automatic running taps
- Smoke alarms - wired to the school
office.
- Where toilet blocks are still used,
a toilet attendant/cleaner could supervise a set of adjoining
toilets. Or a wash room could be unisex with separate cubicle
areas for girls and boys. See case
studies.
- CCTV at the entrance to the toilet
or in the washroom area (provided it doesn't see into the cubicles
or urinals). Cameras must be fixed firmly enough so that pupils
can't turn or remove them. It is advisable to consult with pupils
on the use of CCTV as it is a contentious issue
- Entry systems which take photos of
pupils entering the toilets at the main entrance/exit when a button
is pressed. It is advisable to consult with pupils on this issue
- A ‘unisex’ toilet (in addition
to single-sex toilets) which has separate areas for boys and girls,
but mixed washrooms. An attendant can monitor the toilets better
this way.
- Individual toilets discourage pupils
from hanging around in them (and offer extra privacy).
- Toilet pods which are manufactured
in a seamless material
The advantage of using CCTV, filmed entry
systems and ‘unisex’ toilets is that pupils’ toilets
can remain open during the day. Some schools currently lock the
toilets for part of the day.
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Promoting
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