Disabled Toilets Query

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all, this isnt strictly moneysaving but I hope someone can help! My son has Crohns Disease and we have a Radar Key. We rarely use it as most of the time he can use the regular toilets, however the other day we were out and he wasnt feeling great and said he urgently needed the loo. We found some public toilets and I suggested he used the disabled toilet.

I went to sit in the car nearby with my younger son then saw a man walk up to the toilet, unlock the door with his key and walk in:eek:

Luckily my son was only washing his hands but he was really embarrassed and says he wont use a disabled toilet again. He is adamant he pulled up the handle to lock the door. Surely this should not have happened? Was the door faulty? If someone can reassure me I can set my sons mind at rest and then we know we can use the Radar Key again if we need to.

Chorlie

This has happened (once) to me, like your son I was just about to come out of the loo; but it's still a bit of a shock.

I was using an old, slighty dodgy looking Bus station Disabled Loo, so put it down to a faulty door lock. I now double check the door is locked now.

I'm in a wheelchair, so can't use any other.

Owain_Moneysaver

I'm not sure if pulling the handle up actually locks the door, or just displays the little red 'engaged' indicator.

Savvy_Sue

I wonder if they are deliberately designed that way to enable assistance to be given in a hurry, if required?

The answer might be in the guide which RADAR sell, if you don't have that it might be worth contacting them to check?

akabee

Found this

QUESTION
Many RADAR locks on public disabled toilets can be opened from the outside by another RADAR key holder, even if the toilet is engaged and locked from the inside, so I’ve been trying to get a city council to fit an alternative locking device. The council in question has agreed to fit new locks as soon as a better alternative is found. Can you suggest a good product?
Harold Walters, by email

Agnes Fletcher writes:
The RADAR lock has been around for almost 30 years. By modern standards, it is not very sophisticated and this is both an advantage and a source of criticism. The lock is designed for access and privacy. When fitted correctly, the outside indicator turns red to show that the loo is occupied. When the user pushes the handle on the inside upwards, entry is impossible for anyone else, even if they have a key. Where access is needed, for example in a medical emergency, and the door is locked in this way, a flat headed screwdriver or a penny coin can be inserted into the outside plate and turned to open the lock. This provides a good balance between privacy and safety, in the rare event that someone should need help, for example as a result of a fall or a seizure. If the lock is fitted incorrectly then, yes, the door can be opened by another keyholder, as the lock is not engaged. This could have happened because a right hand set has been fitted to a left hand door or vice versa. So can I ask you not to follow this course of action? To do so would fragment what is a very useful service that enables disabled people to use accessible loos wherever they are in the UK. Having separate locking systems in use around the country would undermine disabled people’s mobility. It is highly likely that the problems you have experienced are due to the RADAR lock being fitted incorrectly, so please ask the local authority to check this out.

pwales_2

happens in all of them some have bolts on the inside but then in an emergency no help can get in, ive been caught half a dozen times using a cath from my chair. not the best position to be caught in , i knock before opening with my key

Mupette

I was in the local shopping centre a few years back and went to use the disabled loo, ok i didnt take much notice if there was a red or green sign, and having never used one before didn't realise that even if someone is in there you can unlock from the outside (which makes sense if some one inside needs help)..

I opened the door to see someone in there on the loo, shut the door quickly saying how sorry i was, I was mortified.

If i use them now i am worried i'd be the one on the loo with the door being opened, (the scene from outnumbered with the mum on the loo springs to mind)

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks everyone thats helpful. Lesson learned, maybe I need to stand in front of the door in future.

As I said we try not to use these toilets unless its really necessary. I had one bad experience where my son went into the gents feeling ill and didnt come out for ages!! I was on my own and really didnt want to go in there after him but thankfully he was OK. At least with the disabled loos I could open the door to check on him if necessary but its not great for privacy, especially if you are physically disabled and not very mobile.

OneYorkshireLass

I always have someone stand in front of the door as I've previously found that children seem drawn to the RADAR lock and try and pick it/block it with anything they have to hand.

(Fab username btw )

CathWales

I had been wondering where to get these keys from and had looked on the net and saw the price varied greatly. I am glad i read this thread as the thought of someone opening the door while occupied hadn't occurred to me before. I see this as a good and bad idea. Having someone watch out while you are in there is a good deterrent, but difficult if you are alone. I will check out the RADAR link tho to buy a key as it is frustrating when loos are locked.