One Man’s Thoughts on Women in Public Restrooms
by Anthony Shupenko , Jr., P.E.
November 21, 2008
Source: http://impressive.net/.
As I was waiting for my wife after a show recently, I gave
the “nod” to several other guys, also waiting, and wondered about the
woman experience in public restrooms
I spoke with my wife and a few other women. I never
knew, after being together for more than 25 years, that one of my wife’s
horrors in life is the road trip and the dreaded required trips to the public
rest rooms.
So, just what are some of the concerns?
*For starters, just standing in a line outside of the
room.
*Insufficient toilets.
*Lack of toilet paper.
*Lack of seat covers.
*Need to pre-flush or avoid seat contact because of lack of
consideration of a previous user.
*Keeping personal belongings from touching the floor.
*Where to put the coat and purse, especially when there are no hooks
(also a security concern – hence the men standing in the lobby holding these
items).
*Keeping the door closed because the lock is broken.
*Worrying about random flushing of sensor toilets.
What can be done to help this situation? One thing is to
increase the toilet-to-women ratio. I am not sure of what else can be done in
the area of sanitation (and upkeep), though I’m guessing that someone has some
ideas somewhere.
So guys, the next time you wait for your significant
other, give her a break and don’t complain – holding their purse is the easy
part.
Anthony Shupenko , Jr., P.E.
shupenko@optonline.net
Anthony Shupenko, Jr.,
P.E., is a professional engineer in New Jersey, as well as a licensed plumbing
and building inspector in the state. He has been the president of Shupenko
Engineering, Inc., located in Garfield, NJ, since 1984. Firm services include
commercial, industrial, and residential building inspections and evaluations;
forensic engineering; and structural and mechanical-system design. Shupenko is
also an adjunct instructor at the Stevens Institute of Technology’s engineering design laboratory. Contact him
at shupenko@optonline.net.
Comments (7)Post a Comment
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Title: Women in Public Restrooms
By: Atlanta, GA
Posted: November 25, 2008 3:15 PM
I must agree with Anthony's comment especially at this time of the year when you're shopping with your wife or significant other for the holidays. The lines are long and there's little to no cleaning in the restrooms. Men, just be a little patient and enjoy this time of year. Happy Holidays.
Title: I will...
By: Walter_E_Wallis, P.E.
Posted: November 25, 2008 4:01 PM
If I am the sole user of the men's room and, on departure see a line of women, I offer to stand guard while they use the men's, especially if they have children.
Title: I will...
By: Walter_E_Wallis, P.E.
Posted: November 25, 2008 4:02 PM
If I am the sole user of the men's room and, on departure see a line of women, I offer to stand guard while they use the men's, especially if they have children.
Title: Space planning is the issue
By: Tom T.
Posted: November 25, 2008 6:35 PM
Architects and building owners are the ones who can make this change. But the architects usually don't want to use up valuable space and building owners don't want to pay for bigger toilet rooms - just want the code minimums. I agree that bigger and better toilet rooms are needed.
Title: It's the Codes
By: Ken E.
Posted: November 26, 2008 11:02 AM
The only way this can be addressed is through the Codes. Owners and Architects have not admitted that there is an inequality in this matter.
Title: Womem om Public Restrooms
By: Fred Rolfes P.E.
Posted: December 5, 2008 12:53 PM
The first thing to do is get the "CODE"
changed!!!
1. The 2007 California Plumbing" now includes the following.
Retail or Wholesale Stores
Water Colsets
Male Female
1:1-100 1:1-25
2:101-200 2:26-100
3:201-400 4:101-200
6:201-300
8:301-400
>400 + 1 for 500m 1 for 150f
2. Next complain (BITCH) to management !
3. Complain to the PEOPLE that write
the Code !
4. Do Not give up!!!!!!!!!
Title: Minimum required plumbing fixtures
By: Dan Cole, Code Official
Posted: December 5, 2008 1:20 PM
The model plumbing codes have a listed minimum requirement of plumbing fixtures according to the use and occupancy of the building. These are the "minimum". More fixtures may be required when deemed necessary. The plumbing designer will need to determine the occupancy during "congested usage" at any given time. This may exceed the minimum requirements of the code. In determining "congested use", there are three variables to consider: 1) the total number of occupants during congested times (male and female), 2)the probability of r out of n people who will use the toilet, and 3)the time per use of each toilet. This should get you close to an adequate number of toilets.