How to Specify a Children's Step Stool in a Public Washroom
The cheapest time to give children access to a public sink is on the plans, not after the building opens. A loose step stool added later slides on the floor and becomes a liability. Written into the washroom design and the tender, a retractable step stool integrates with the millwork and the finish schedule from day one. Here is how to specify one.
Why specify a step stool at the design stage
Once the design is frozen and the washroom is built, adding child access usually means a loose stool under the sink. Called out on the plans, the step is anchored, folds away and matches the finish. Public owners increasingly write child access into building programs, so specifying it early also keeps the project aligned with the brief.
What to include in the specification
Mechanism: a foot operated, retractable step that folds away after each use
Mounting: floor anchored, a permanent fixture (the K01 and K02); the step leaves no loose object on the floor
Use and capacity: built for 500 plus users a day, for ages 2 to 12 and shorter adults
Surface: a slip resistant platform, easy to clean, with an antimicrobial finish
Finish: Light Grey RAL 7047 or a custom RAL to match the millwork
Clearance: confirm the retracted step preserves the washroom clearances your code requires
Documents: request the specification sheet, the installation guide and the certifications
Where to call it out on the plans
Place the step at the sink, and where space allows in change rooms and family washrooms. In a multi stall washroom, note which stalls get a step and confirm the door swing and turning space stay clear when the step is folded away.
Choosing the model for the spec
The K01, the Klimbo, suits premium builds where a clean finish matters. The K02, the Klimbo Step, fits schools, daycares and municipal buildings. The K03, the Klimbo Stair, is modular for a phased rollout. Pick one per washroom type and keep one intention per drawing.
Writing it into a public tender
For a public tender, describe the function and the performance, not just a brand: a foot operated, floor anchored, retractable children's step stool for public washroom sinks, built for high traffic, with a slip resistant platform and a finish to match the millwork. Klimbo provides spec sheets and a one page devis section you can drop straight into your washroom documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a step stool required by the building code?
Not always, and you should confirm your local code. But child access at the sink is increasingly written into public building programs, and it is much cheaper to specify than to retrofit.
Can it be written into a public tender?
Yes. Describe the function and performance so several products can qualify, and reference a spec sheet for the detail. Klimbo can provide a one page section to include.
Does it affect washroom clearances?
No, when it is folded away. The K01 and K02 retract after use, so the clear floor space and turning space stay open.
What documents do specifiers need?
A specification sheet, an installation guide and the compliance certifications. Klimbo provides all three.
Get the one page spec section
Want a one page spec section to drop into your washroom documents? Ask us for it and we will send the spec sheet and a recommendation for your project within one business day.
