Seeking Views on Public Toilet Design
Last updated 23 June 2025
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National Environment Agency - Environmental Health Department NEA
Consultation Period: 01 Nov 2012 - 01 Dec 2012
Status: Closed
Summary
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has formed a panel consisting of members from public agencies, NGOs and professional bodies, to review the design of public toilet infrastructure under the Code of Practice on Environmental Health (COPEH). The COPEH stipulates the minimum basic design criteria to address environmental health concerns in the design of buildings and premises. The panel has reviewed the changes needed to the design and infrastructure of public toilets to facilitate easier cleaning and maintenance. Prior to implementing the new requirements, NEA wishes to seek public views on the COPEH.
Detailed Description
Have your say on public toilet design
A nationwide drive to improve overall hygiene standards in public toilets is currently underway. The initiative is being driven by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Public Hygiene Council (PHC) and Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS). Surveys conducted by NEA and RAS have shown that wet and dirty floors, choked sinks, clogged toilet bowls, and urinals and floors stained with urine are the most common bugbears. Of particular concern by members of public are the cleanliness standards of public toilets in coffeeshops.
NEA, PHC and RAS are working with coffeeshop operators and other eating establishments to raise public toilet cleanliness standards. The PHC for example rolled out a campaign last year to improve user behavior at coffeeshop toilets. NEA has also stepped up the inspection frequency for dirty toilets with poor cleanliness track records and those brought to our attention via public feedback in the past one year. This is on top of the monthly inspection of toilets at coffeeshops. Poorly maintained toilets in food establishments will continue to be strictly enforced against via demerit points and fines. RAS has recently introduced a platform for users to take snapshots of both dirty and clean toilets in the hopes that this would help motivate operators to increase or sustain cleaning efforts.
NEA has also formed a panel with industry representatives to review the design of public toilet infrastructure under the Code of Practice on Environmental Health (COPEH). The COPEH stipulates the minimum basic design criteria to address environmental health concerns in the design of buildings and premises. Minimum design requirements for public toilets, e.g. provision of adequate number of sanitary fittings, basic amenities and ventilation systems are governed by the Code, which was previously reviewed in 1998 and 2005. Since the reviews, sensor-operated flush valves must be installed for every toilet cubicle in all new public toilets. The cubicle, where a squatting Water Closet (WC) pan is provided, should also be kerbed such that water does not flow out of the boundary of the cubicle.
Consisting of members from public agencies, NGOs and professional bodies, the panel has reviewed the changes needed to the design and infrastructure of public toilets to facilitate easier cleaning and maintenance.
NEA had proposed some design and infrastructural requirements to this same end. This includes doing away with the doors at the main entrances of toilets or to have maze or auto doors to reduce user contact. However, there are concerns by panel members on the feasibility of the suggestions given cost or space constraints that may be faced by operators. To avoid operators passing on the additional costs to consumers, these suggestions have not been included in the proposed revisions to the COPEH. Instead the suggestions will be put into a list of best practices recommended to the industry.
Prior to implementing the new requirements, NEA wishes to seek public views on the COPEH. Please participate in the questionnaire under the E-poll section.
A copy of the draft COPEH with the proposed revisions, annex containing picturesof various toilet designs and facilities as well as the key proposals of the COPEH are attached/appended below for viewing.
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Section 1 – Key Proposals of the COPEH
Partitions between cubicles shall hung from the wall or ceiling, where practical, without leg support for easy cleaning of the floor.
Water Closets (WCs) shall preferably be hung from the wall, without leg support, so as to facilitate cleaning.
In food retail outlets where toilet facilities are provided, wash hand basins shall be provided outside the toilet. The minimum flow rate for these taps will be stipulated to ensure that there is sufficient water pressure for effective rinsing.
Wash hand basins shall be installed such that there is sufficient gradient to allow dirt/debris to be effectively washed into the drain pipes.
Soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers or electronic hand-dryers shall be provided between every two handwash basins, subjected to a minimum of one to keep the floor dry
Stipulate the minimum size of toilet cubicles in public toilets.
COPEH (Public Toilets) with proposed revisions [PDF, 266 KB]