Illustration of a bathroom from the early 20th century, in which appear a bathtub, two towels, a toilet, a sink and two mirrors

A bathroom is a room in which people wash their bodies or parts thereof. It can contain one or more of the following plumbing fixtures: a shower, a bathtub, a bidet, and a sink (also known as a wash basin in the United Kingdom). A toilet is also frequently included. There are also specific toilet rooms, only containing a toilet (often accompanied by a sink). In North American English, these tend to be called "bathrooms" or "half bathrooms", "washrooms", or "powder rooms" as a euphemism. In British English, they are referred to as "the loo", "water closets" or "WC", "toilets", and occasionally "cloakrooms" – and also "lavatories" when they are public.[1][2]

Historically, bathing was often a collective activity, which took place in public baths. In some countries, the shared social aspect of cleansing the body is still important, for example with sento in Japan and, throughout the Islamic world, the hammam (often known inaccurately in the West as a "Turkish" bath).

Variations and terminology

Bathroom in France, with a bathtub and a shower - and no toilet

The term for the place used to clean the body varies around the English-speaking world, as does the design of the room itself. A full bathroom generally contains a bath or shower (or both), a toilet, and a sink (wash basin). An en suite bathroom or en suite shower room is attached to, and only accessible from, a bedroom. A family bathroom, in British estate agent terminology, is a full bathroom not attached to a bedroom, but with its door opening onto a corridor. A Jack and Jill bathroom (or connected bathroom) is situated between and usually shared by the occupants of two separate bedrooms. It may also have two wash basins.[3][4] A wetroom is a waterproof room usually equipped with a shower; it is designed to eliminate moisture damage and is compatible with underfloor heating systems.

In the U.S., there is a lack of a single definition. This commonly results in discrepancies between the advertised and actual number of baths in real estate listings. Bathrooms are generally categorized as: a "master bathroom", containing a shower and a bathtub, adjoining the largest bedroom; a "full bathroom" (or "full bath"), containing a toilet, a sink, and either a bathtub with a shower or a bathtub and a separate shower stall; "half bath" (or "powder room") containing just a toilet and a sink; or "3/4 bath" containing a toilet, a sink, and a shower.[citation needed] However, usage varies; in some U.S. markets, a toilet, sink, and shower are considered a "full bath", and outside real estate the term "bathroom" is commonly used for a room containing a toilet and a wash basin, and nothing else.

In Canada, "washroom" is the preferred term for such a room in both homes and public facilities.[5]

Design considerations

Towels

Bathrooms often have one or more towel bars or rings for hanging towels.

Furniture

A bathroom cabinet

Some bathrooms contain a bathroom cabinet for personal hygiene products and medicines, and drawers or shelves (sometimes in column form) for storing towels and other items.[citation needed]

Bidet

A modern bidet of the traditional type

Some bathrooms contain a bidet, which might be placed next to a toilet.[6]

Plumbing

The bathroom design must account for the use of hot and cold water, in significant quantities, for cleaning the body. The water is also used for moving solid and liquid human waste to a sewer or septic tank. Water may be splashed on the walls and floor, and hot humid air may cause condensation on cold surfaces. From a decorating point of view, the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall, and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials, is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. Such surfaces are often cold to the touch, however, so water-resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable. Alternatively, the floor may be heated, possibly by strategically placing resistive electric mats under the floor tile or radiant hot water tubing close to the underside of the floor surface.[citation needed]

Electricity

Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters, and heated towel rails, generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections rather than plugs and sockets. This minimizes the risk of electric shock. Ground-fault circuit interrupter electrical sockets can reduce the risk of electric shock, and are required for bathroom socket installation by electrical and building codes in the United States and Canada. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, only special sockets suitable for electric shavers and electric toothbrushes are permitted in bathrooms and are labelled as such.[7]

UK building regulations also define what type of electrical fixtures, such as light fittings (i.e. how water-/splash-proof) may be installed in the areas (zones) around and above baths, and showers.[8]

Lighting

Bathroom lighting should be uniform, and bright and must minimize glare. For all the activities like shaving, showering, grooming, etc. one must ensure equitable lighting across the entire bathroom space. The mirror area should have at least two sources of light at least 1 foot apart to eliminate any shadows on the face. Skin tones and hair color are highlighted with a tinge of yellow light. Ceiling and wall lights must be safe for use in a bathroom (electrical parts need to be splashproof) and therefore must carry appropriate certification such as IP44.[citation needed]

All forms of bathroom lighting should be IP44 rated as safe to use in the bathroom.[9][where?]

History

The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro

The first records for the use of baths date back as far as 3000 B.C. At this time water had a strong religious value, being seen as a purifying element for both body and soul. So it was not uncommon for people to be required to cleanse themselves before entering a sacred area. Baths are recorded as part of village or town life throughout this period, with a split between steam baths in Europe and America and cold baths in Asia. Communal baths were erected in a distinctly separate area from the living quarters of the village.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hitt, Christine (June 27, 2023). "How is a bathroom referred to in England?". Travel Asker.
  2. ↑ "bathroom". Marriam-Webster). Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ Hirsch, William J. (2008). Designing Your Perfect House. Dalsimer Press. pp. 94–95. ISBN 9780979882036.
  4. ↑ "The Benefits of a Jack and Jill Bathroom - Bob Vila". Bob Vila. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Washroom vs. restroom: Why do Canadians say one and Americans the other?". National Post. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Kahn, Lisa (June 13, 2024). "Why You Should Buy a Bidet". The Spruce. People Inc. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  7. ↑ "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987". Legislation UK.
  8. ↑ "Bathroom Zones and IP Ratings Explained". Bathrooms.
  9. ↑ "Lighting research center - Bathroom lighting". Article from lighting research center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY 12180 USA). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Archived from the original on September 7, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  10. ↑ Teresi, Dick; et al. (2002). Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science—from the Babylonians to the Maya. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 351–352. ISBN 0-684-83718-8.
  11. ↑ Penner, Barbara (2013). Bathroom. London: Reaktion Books. ISBN 9781780231938. OCLC 834404623.

Further reading

  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Bathroom at Wikimedia Commons
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathroom