Wash Troughs

Wash troughs are the preferred hand-washing solution for service station toilets, offering a centralised point of use that helps reduce water spillage and improves functionality for high-traffic environments. Integrated taps and soap dispensers should be installed at a minimum of 700mm centres to allow adequate space for each user.

Sensor-operated fittings are recommended for all hand-washing and drying fixtures in separate-sex toilets. Hand dryers should be positioned above the wash troughs, recessed into a vanity unit and spaced at a minimum of 700mm centres. This layout ensures that excess water drains directly into the trough, helping to keep floor surfaces dry and safe.

The standard rim height for a wash trough should be 850mm above the finished floor level. Alternative heights may be specified depending on site needs and user demographics. All product dimensions provided are indicative and should be used for general space planning purposes.

Where possible, foam soap systems should be considered over traditional liquid soap. Foam dispensers release a controlled amount of product, supporting efficiency and cleanliness. These systems require integrated pumps and power sources, typically built into the tap or trough unit.

In female toilet areas, and where space permits, a separate vanity zone should be included. This space can feature shelving and mirrors for grooming, ensuring that the wash trough area remains accessible for handwashing. To discourage misuse, such as drug-related activity, these vanity areas should be placed in clearly visible locations covered by CCTV.

To ensure wash troughs are usable by a broad range of customers, including those with specific mobility needs, installations may need to be provided at varied heights. The recommended rim heights above finished floor level are as follows:

680–700mm: for wheelchair users, where a wheelchair-accessible urinal is also provided

720–750mm: for children and individuals of shorter stature

780–800mm: for people with ambulant mobility impairments

Where it is not feasible to install wash troughs at more than two heights, the lower height required should be provided alongside a standard unit at 850mm. All corresponding vanity units and hand dryers must be installed to match the height of the adjacent wash trough to ensure functional alignment and ease of use.

Designers must carefully consider the interface between wash troughs of differing heights. In some cases, a dedicated transition zone or additional joinery detailing may be required to manage the junction between vanity areas at varying levels.

Where space permits, wash troughs at different heights should be grouped separately—ideally in distinct runs or divided by a wall—to clearly signal their intended user group and prevent congestion.

Wash troughs designated for wheelchair users or people with ambulant impairments must provide an unobstructed activity space of at least 800mm wide by 1100mm deep to ensure comfortable and barrier-free access.