How to Increase Privacy in Airport Restrooms

In recent years, questions about privacy in airport restrooms have made their way into the news.  Whether or not privacy is truly lacking in many airport facilities is not the point of this article.  Rather, we wish to address the very real perception that many people have that toilet stalls in these facilities do not provide patrons with sufficient privacy to feel comfortable.  In addition to the added stress that increased security measures have added to air travel, airports certainly do not need added negatives to their public image.

The privacy issue, however, is easier to correct than many would assume.  New toilet partitions have recently emerged on the market that eliminate the disquieting gap that forms between the pilaster and the stall door.  This gap can often measure as much as a half of an inch from top to bottom.  This gap is sometimes called a “site line” by some, and it lies at the root of airport restroom privacy concerns.

The most economical solution to these concerns is to replace the existing restroom partitions with new models that eliminate this gap.  These toilet partitions, manufactured by Bradley Corporation, are branded “no-site” partition.  The design is also described as a European style design, because this particular type of partition proved very successful in transit center restrooms throughout the European continent.

This particular line of partitions is made with a few basic changes to stall pilaster design.  A doorjamb is added to pilaster.  If the door swings outward, then the doorjamb is molded to the interior of the pilaster.  If the door swings inward then the doorjamb is located on the outer edge of the pilaster.  It is this doorjamb that closes the gap between the stall and the pilaster.  The door latch itself indicates is the stall is in use or not.

Privacy in airport restrooms can be increased even further by having partitions and doors customized to measure 72 inches in length.  This extends the stalls all the way to the floor, much as you see in many shower stalls made with Bradley partitions.  Not only can toilet stalls now be designed without a site gap, but they can also be built to eliminate any gap between the wall and the bottom edge of the door or the sides of the enclosure. 

While there is an additional costs associated with customization, these costs can be offset if the partitions are mounted sentinel overhead brace.  This method of mounting partitions requires no special floor or ceiling constructions.  It is also recommended by Bradley Corporation for bathrooms in large public arenas, sports centers, and transit centers with heavy traffic.

These enhancements to airport restroom privacy can be made without compromising ADA accessibility.  All no-site European style partitions are adaptable to any ambulatory or full access wheelchair layout.  Partitions are made from Bradmar™ solid plastic and can accommodate a full range of interior designs while at the same time contributing vandal resistance, durability, and moisture resistance for added low maintenance value.