Urinals for Homes, Shops and Offices: Types, Height and Spacing

A wall-mounted urinal saves water and time in any washroom used by many men. Shops, offices, schools and restaurants usually need at least one, and some independent houses in Bengaluru add one in the ground-floor or outdoor toilet. This page covers the main types, how high to fix them and how to plan the space.

Types of urinals

Flat-back urinals are the most common. The back sits flush against the tiled wall, and the bowl projects out. They suit homes, small shops and offices where space is limited.

Half-stall urinals are larger and deeper, with side wings that give a little more privacy and catch splashes better. They suit busier commercial washrooms, schools and public spaces.

Sizes vary by manufacturer, so bring your wall width and check the actual piece before planning the layout.

Flushing options

• Manual flush valve. A push button or lever on a valve above the urinal. Simple, easy to repair and fine for homes and small offices.
• Sensor flush. An infrared sensor flushes automatically after use. It keeps the urinal cleaner in busy places because no one forgets to flush, and no one has to touch the valve.
• Waterless urinals. These use a trap or cartridge that seals off smells without any flush water. They exist, but they need correct upkeep. Ask the shop whether any are available.

Plan the water inlet (for flushed models) and the waste outlet before the wall is tiled. Most urinals have their outlet at the back into the wall, so the plumber must leave the pipe at the right height.

Mounting height and spacing

These are general guidelines. Local building rules or your architect's drawing take priority.

In a school or a shared washroom, consider fixing one urinal lower than the rest. It helps children and shorter users.

Partitions

Privacy partitions between urinals are common in offices, malls and restaurants. They are usually fixed to the wall between units at a height that blocks side views. If you plan partitions, allow a little more spacing so the area does not feel cramped, and keep enough room for cleaning around each unit.

Wall and floor tiles

The wall behind and around a urinal gets splashed constantly, so it must be easy to wash.

• Tile the wall behind the urinal fully, at least to above head height. Wall tiles in glossy or satin finish wipe down quickly.
• Use epoxy grout here if possible, since it resists stains and smells better than cement grout.
• On the floor in front, use anti-skid tiles with a slight slope to a floor drain so the area can be washed down.

For more on fitting out shop and office washrooms, see commercial spaces. A compact wall-hung basin next to the urinal completes a small washroom.

Saving water

A urinal uses far less water per use than flushing a full western toilet. To save more:

• Choose a flush valve that lets you set a short flush.
• Use sensor flushing in busy places so flushes are not repeated unnecessarily.
• Fix leaking valves quickly. A dripping urinal valve wastes water all day.

Planning a washroom

Bring the washroom size and the number of users you expect, and contact the shop to ask which urinal models are in stock.