Sean Cate

Sean Cate

August 11, 2024

People Shocked to Learn Reason Public Toilet Doors Don’t Touch The Floor

Public bathroom design often perplexes people, especially the fact that the stall doors don’t touch the floor. While this feature might seem odd, it serves several practical purposes. This article explores the various reasons behind this design choice, as explained by experts and supported by user experiences and theories.

1. Emergency Access

emergency medical services
Credit: Pixabay

One of the primary reasons for raised toilet doors is emergency access. If someone inside the stall needs help, the gap allows others to quickly assess the situation and provide assistance.1

“If there’s ever an emergency, it would be pretty easy to see what happened and get the person some help,” says TikTok user MattypStories.

2. Easier Cleaning

cleaning a public bathroom is no small feat
Credit: Pixabay

Maintaining hygiene in public bathrooms is crucial. The gap at the bottom of the doors makes it easier for custodians to clean the floors efficiently. This design allows mops and cleaning equipment to reach under the doors without obstruction.

The open floor plan makes it easy for janitors to clean the stalls. A mop or pressure washer can easily fit into the stalls and between the doors on the floor,” states a toilet fitting company, ToiletPartitions.

3. Cost-Effective

no savings are too small
Credit: Pixabay

Cost is another significant factor. Doors that don’t reach the floor are cheaper to manufacture and install compared to full-length doors. This cost-saving measure helps in reducing the overall expense of building and maintaining public bathrooms.

“It’s a lot cheaper to buy a door that has part of it cut off than the full door itself,” explains MattypStories.

Read More: How Often You Poop Could Suggest More Than You Think, Study Finds

4. Improved Air Circulation

fresh air is the best air
Credit: Pixabay

Proper ventilation is essential in public bathrooms to keep odors at bay. The gap at the bottom of the stall doors promotes better air circulation, allowing unpleasant smells to dissipate more quickly.2

“The gap between the door and the floor provides a quick escape of the foul smell that was generated by previous users,” notes WC Portables.3

5. Prevents Misbehavior

that's some serious eye contact
Credit: Pexels

Public bathrooms can sometimes be sites of inappropriate behavior. The design of the doors acts as a deterrent by reducing privacy and making it easier for others to detect any misconduct.

“Shorter doors help ensure the toilet queue flows and people refrain from exhibiting poor behavior due to the embarrassment of being spotted,” adds WC Portables.

6. Facilitates Quick Exits

The sign is straightforward enough
Credit: Pixabay

In cases where the door lock jams or malfunctions, the gap at the bottom of the stall doors allows individuals to crawl out, ensuring they are not trapped inside.

“If the door gets stuck, you can crawl out,” a user suggested.

7. Indicates Occupancy

if you can see these under the stall, safe to assume it's being used
Credit: Pexels

The gap also helps in determining whether a stall is occupied without the need for awkward door-knocking. This small visual check can save time and reduce the embarrassment of trying to open an occupied stall.

“Rather than having to knock on the door to see if a public bathroom is available, a gap at the end of the stall helps to determine if the stall is vacant or not,” explains ToiletPartitions.

Read More: 3 Dirty Body Parts That People Forget to Wash Properly

8. Promotes Faster Turnover

If we can hear each other, we probably don't also want to see each other
Credit: Pixabay

Due to the reduced privacy, people tend to spend less time in public bathroom with raised doors. This leads to faster turnover, reducing wait times for others.

“When individuals sense others can listen to their business that easily, they are prone to wrap up quickly,” says WC Portables.

9. Access to Supplies

A public bathroom nightmare
Credit: Pixabay

Finally, the gap allows for easy assistance if someone runs out of toilet paper or needs help inside the stall. It makes passing items or communicating with someone outside the stall more manageable.

You can ask someone for toilet paper if you don’t have it,” another user noted.

Conclusion

its safe, we promise
Credit: Pexels

While the design of public toilet doors might initially seem puzzling, the reasons behind it are both practical and sensible. From ensuring safety and hygiene to cost savings and efficiency, the raised door design addresses numerous concerns in public restroom management. Next time you use a public bathroom, you’ll understand the thoughtful considerations that went into its design.

Read More: If Your Dog Always Follows You to the Bathroom, This Is What He’s Secretly Saying

Sources

  1. Is THIS why public toilet doors don’t touch the floor? TikToker claims he’s solved mystery puzzling US tourists.” Daily Mail. Jessica Hamilton. September 16, 2023.
  2. Why Doors in Public Bathrooms Don’t Reach the Floor.” Bright Side
  3. The reason public bathroom doors don’t touch the ground.” Lad Bible. Jess Hardiman. February 9, 2023.