Urinal - Arrangement of Urinals

Arrangement of Urinals

Urinals in high-capacity men's washrooms are usually arranged in one or more rows directly opposite the door, so that users have their backs to people entering or standing outside. Those in the street may be arranged in a circle, with all men facing the center, with partitions high enough that men cannot wet each other, and usually high enough that they cannot see over. In a street urinal with an outside screen or wall, the men may stand back to back.

Trough urinals may be used by several men simultaneously. Their use has been made famous by venues such as Wrigley Field and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They do not allow for much privacy. Also care must be taken not to confuse a trough urinal with a sink.

Urinals used for high throughput capacity are part of an efficiently designed washroom architecture. Large numbers of them are usually installed along a common supply pipe and drain. There may be partitions for privacy.

Often, one or two of the urinals, typically at one end of a long row, will be mounted lower than the others; they are meant for the disabled and other males who cannot reach the regular urinals. In facilities where males of various heights are present, such as schools, urinals that extend down to floor level may be used to allow anyone of any height to use any urinal.

Urinals were once used exclusively in commercial or institutional settings, but are now available for private homes. They offer the advantage of substantial savings of water in residences with many male occupants.