Best Practices for Choosing & Installing A Horizontal Baby Change Table
If you’ve ever been shopping or travelling with young children, you’ll know how invaluable a baby changing table in commercial restrooms can be. These change tables provide a sturdy, safe and hygienic surface where infants can be changed, and are now a widely expected feature in facilities: from shopping centres, to airports, to restaurants. So how do you go about choosing the right solution for your business or organisation?
How to choose the right baby changing table for commercial restrooms
There are several options when you go to choose a new commercial baby change table in Australia: the biggest choice being between a horizontal or vertical change table. A horizontal baby table sits wide across the wall, so that the baby has a wall on one side and yourself on the other for protection. The other advantage of a horizontal baby change table is that once it’s opened it doesn’t extend as far into the room as other models, which means more room for parents, prams and other children in the bathroom. This type is often recommended for accessible restrooms. On the other hand, a vertical model can give you a clearer view of the task at hand and typically has raised edges to avoid falls. As such, your choice will really come down to the layout of the bathroom.
In general, it’s important to look for a baby change table that is strong, stable and has no areas where tiny fingers can get trapped. Mattresses are not necessary, particularly as they can reduce the height of the edge barriers. These side barriers should be at least 100mm high. Check also that the table has a safety harness to hold baby nice and secure. Both of the change table models we provide at Davidson Washroom well and truly exceed the EN 12221-1 and EN 12221-2 standards that require baby changing stations to be able to support a 50kg static load test during one hour.
How to install a commercial baby change table in Australia
Standard AS1428.1 provides requirements for the accessible installation of change tables so that all bathroom visitors can use them comfortably. The hand grip or locking device should be placed no higher than 1100mm from the floor’s surface. The changing surface should be no higher than 820mm from the floor, and no lower than 720mm to provide knee clearance for people in wheelchairs. In addition, the centreline of
the change table should be no closer than 425mm from any side wall or obstruction in order to allow wheelchair access, with at least 100mm clearance on either side so fingers won’t get caught. It’s recommended that you install additional shelf space and soft lighting to make the changing process easier. In addition, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions for any device-specific information.
For assistance choosing and installing the right baby change table in Australia for your facilities, contact the Davidson Washroom team today.
