An accessible toilet needs more grab rails than most people expect, and each one has a set position. Fix the layout before tiling: moving a rail afterwards means drilling finished tiles.
This guide shows which rails go where in the three rooms most projects need: a wheelchair-accessible toilet, a WC cubicle for ambulant disabled people and an accessible shower room. All figures come from Approved Document M Volume 2 (buildings other than dwellings), the guidance for England.
Doc M pack or grab rail pack?
Many products sold as a "Doc M pack" in the UK are sanitaryware packs: a WC pan, a basin, a tap and some rails. If the WC and basin are already chosen, or the client wants a specific range, what you still need are the rails and fittings, in the right quantities and finish. That is what our Doc M grab rail packs group together.
Wheelchair-accessible toilet (corner WC)
Diagram 18 shows the layout of a unisex wheelchair-accessible toilet with a corner WC. The room is at least 1500 mm wide and 2200 mm deep, with a 1500 × 1500 mm turning space. The WC centre line sits 500 mm from the side wall.
The grab rails:
- A drop-down rail on the open side, 320 mm from the WC centre line, for support when transferring from a wheelchair.
- A horizontal grab rail on the side wall beside the WC, 680 mm above the floor. Drop-down rails go at the same height as the other horizontal rails.
- Vertical grab rails on either side of the finger rinse basin, and one on the rear wall on the open side.
- A horizontal closing bar fixed to the inside face of the door.
If the horizontal rail on the side wall is fixed at the minimum distance from the wall, Approved Document M asks for a second drop-down rail on the wall side, also 320 mm from the WC centre line. If that rail is set so its centre line is 400 mm from the WC centre line, the extra drop-down rail is not needed (paragraph 5.10).
Heights from Diagram 19:
| Fitting |
Height above floor |
| WC seat |
480 mm |
| Horizontal grab rails and drop-down rails |
680 mm |
| Finger rinse basin rim |
720 to 740 mm |
| Shelf |
950 mm |
| Alarm pull cord bangles |
One at 100 mm, one at 800 to 1000 mm |
For the whole set of rails in one order, see the Doc M Toilet Rail Pack: a hinged support rail, four 600 mm rails and a 450 mm closing bar, with a layout drawing showing where each one goes. On dark or patterned walls, the white version gives better contrast.
WC cubicle for ambulant disabled people
Ambulant disabled people should be able to use a WC cubicle in any separate-sex toilet washroom (paragraph 5.11). Diagram 21 sets the cubicle at least 920 mm wide and 1465 mm deep.
- A horizontal grab rail on each side wall beside the WC, 680 mm high.
- A vertical grab rail on each side wall in front of the WC, starting 800 mm above the floor.
- A horizontal closing bar on the inside of the door, 900 mm high.
- A shelf at 780 to 800 mm, and coat hooks at 1050 mm and 1685 mm.
A building with separate men's and women's toilets needs one of these cubicles in each. The Doc M Ambulant Cubicle Pack includes the four grab rails, the closing bar, the shelf and two coat hooks.
Accessible shower room
Paragraph 5.18 asks for wall-mounted drop-down support rails and a wall-mounted, slip-resistant tip-up seat that is not spring loaded. The Doc M Shower Pack combines a tip-up seat that folds up by hand with two drop-down rails.
Visual contrast
Approved Document M asks for grab bars and sanitary fittings to contrast visually with the wall and floor behind them (paragraph 5.4). White rails on white tiles do not meet that. Check the finish against the wall colour: on dark or patterned walls, white rails give clearer contrast. If in doubt, ask your designer to check the light reflectance values.
Checklist before you order
- Count the rooms: each wheelchair-accessible toilet, plus an ambulant cubicle in each separate-sex washroom.
- Decide left-hand or right-hand transfer for each accessible toilet. On multi-storey buildings, alternate them floor by floor (paragraph 5.10).
- Check the wall behind every rail can take the fixings.
- Pick a finish that contrasts with the wall.
- Confirm the layout with your building control body before fixing.
See all Doc M grab rail packs or browse individual stainless steel grab rails. For larger projects, ask for trade pricing.
This guide summarises Approved Document M Volume 2 (2015 edition incorporating 2020 and 2024 amendments) for England. It is general information and does not replace the full document, the drawings for your project or the advice of your building control body. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own guidance.
