Inasmuch as classrooms should be made conducive for learning, educational administrators or building managers should also ensure that other parts of the school are up to par. For example, restrooms must be clean and hygienic to prevent the spread of disease.

Aside from cleanliness, school restrooms should also have the right fixtures to ensure both safety and comfort. Some of the things you might want to prioritise are non-slip flooring and bright lighting, as well as easy-to-clean toilet bowls and urinals.

For urinals, in particular, your foremost considerations should be the material, the size, and the height of installation. The style or design is also important, as this will help make the restroom more appealing to use—this is crucial for teaching children toilet etiquette and hygiene.

Below are a few more things to think about when choosing a urinal:

Trough vs Bowl

Urinals come in different styles and the “right” one for your school will depend on factors such as foot traffic and the age range of those who will frequent the restroom.

That said, there are two common types of urinals: trough and bowl. Trough urinals are like long, narrow basins, designed to accommodate multiple users at a time. This makes them easier to install, not to mention more cost-effective.

Meanwhile, bowl-style urinals are designed for one user at a time. Their main advantage is that compared to trough urinals, bowls can offer more privacy. However, they can be more expensive to install because they require individual inlets and waste outlets. (Nevertheless, it’s possible to have just one cistern servicing multiple urinals to cut down costs.)

Height and Elbow Room

Speaking of installation, there is no rule that specifies a single height at which a urinal must be mounted. The main consideration here would be the age range of the primary users.

If the restroom is for mixed age groups (which most school restrooms are), trough urinals should be installed at an appropriately low height. Meanwhile, bowl urinals should be mounted at varying heights to accommodate different ages.

If there are dedicated guest washrooms, consider installing one or two bowl urinals for toddlers so that parents can accompany their children.

Meanwhile, for elbow room, not much can be done for trough urinals. You will depend on the users to impose the distance themselves. For bowl urinals, about 800 millimetres would be sufficient to both maximise space and prevent paruresis or “shy bladder syndrome.”

Eco-Friendliness

One of the best lessons a school can teach to its students is how to conserve natural resources, including, and perhaps most importantly, water. In this regard, waterless urinals are the best choice.

These restroom fixtures rely on gravity to pull liquid waste down the drain and into the sewer system. Waterless urinals are popular in large venues such as event centres and, indeed, schools, because of the huge decrease in water consumption.

The downside of using waterless urinals is that they require more frequent cleaning to prevent grime buildup and foul odours. However, when you factor in the cost savings and the “greenness” of this option, it’s still a highly viable choice.

Materials and Aesthetic

The material of the urinals you choose will affect two big aspects: the design of the restroom, and the maintenance of the urinals themselves. That said, there are two popular materials used for urinals: stainless steel and china.

Stainless steel is affordable, easy to clean, and resistant to vandalism, which is definitely a good thing for school restrooms. This material is also quite tough and resistant to corrosion. With proper care, stainless steel urinals will last for years.

Note that many urinals that use stainless steel are often in the trough style. Their aesthetic also leans towards the industrial or minimalist side, which might not suit a lot of schools’ existing decor, especially primary schools.

Meanwhile, vitreous china is essentially coated porcelain for added strength and waterproofing. This type of urinal is completely rust-proof, although it’s possible to chip, crack, or shatter the material.

Like stainless steel urinals, vitreous china urinals are easy to clean. Just make sure to use the correct cleaning products for them. Style-wise, vitreous china urinals can suit almost any design; they can also come in different colours for truly customised looks.

Extra Features

Technology is an amazing thing, transforming everything from vacuum cleaners to refrigerators into smart appliances. Even urinals have undergone a technological evolution through the years!

If you have the money to spare, consider urinals that come with added features that would be maximised in a frequently used restroom. For example, built-in deodorisers can keep a restroom smelling fresher for longer.

There are also urinals with programmable flushes or sensors that detect human presence. This type of feature delivers two key benefits: it helps conserve water and it prevents additional hand contact with a germ-riddled flush handle.

What We Recommend

Here at Crewcare, we care about the cleanliness and sanitation of your school. Thus, considering all the factors listed above, we would recommend a wall-mounted urinal model in a neutral shape to match any style of toilet.

This will ensure ease of cleaning and overall maintenance, not to mention keep a simple yet stylish aesthetic.

We hope you find the perfect urinal for your school with the help of this simple guide.