how come in most households the toilet seat is a complete circle, yet in most pulic restrooms, there is a gap in the toilet seat? Just Curious if anyone knows the reasoning behind this. Thanks!
2007-07-24 08:47:35 · 12 answers · asked by ashbrew 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
What health issues does the gap prevent I dont get it? And also this has nothing to do with the fact that the seat seat is or is not enlongated they make both types of seat covers for both shapes.
2007-07-24 09:01:20 · update #1
It is plumbing code that all public restroom toilets have an open-front seat for health reasons.
2007-07-24 08:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by fish-bowl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can thank us guys for that innovation. Guys rarely if ever lift the seat in a public bathroom. Heck, we don't even do it at home most of the time. And , as you know, when a guy is done, he may drip (if he is in a hurry and doesn't take time to 'shake' properly). This generally falls in a downward angle and lands on whatever happens to be below him. So, long ago, someone had the genius idea (probably inspired by having to clean a disgusting toilet seat before having to go Number 2) that if there was no lid, there would be nothing to drip on. This way, the drips are more likely to hit the water, and, even if they hit the seat, the next guy doesn't have to sit on them.
As for the women's toilets being the same way, it's just more cost effective to have all the lids uniform rather than order 2 different kinds. Sorry, ladies. I'm housebroken myself, but I know middle aged men that still like to play "fireman" in the urinal. If ya don't believe me, just visit your local pub and hide out in the stall.....
2007-07-24 09:01:53 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fluffernet and Sensable Man are correct.
It was an OSHA regulation at come out in 1973, mandating that in order to prevent the spread of more germs that the toilet seat should be split and therefore was regulated for all commercial uses.
Not only that but it also opened a wider market for toliet seats and created more jobs and boosted the economy.
2007-07-28 08:30:15 · answer #3 · answered by david a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the answer about "gentlemen" but actually we had quite a laugh about this when OSHA regulations came out in the early 70's when it was mandated split seats for commercial buildings for safety reasons. I guess they felt some large butt people might get caught on a complete circle toilet seat?? Or someone could get their head stuck?? Who knows.
2007-07-24 08:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a health regulation. Having the open front seat lessens the chance of urine being on it. It also prevents human "parts" from touching the seat and either depositing or spreading germs and viruses.
2007-07-24 09:14:24 · answer #5 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea why "public" toilet seats have the gap in front, unlike the ones at home.
2007-07-24 09:15:37 · answer #6 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't really know the truthful answer. BUT my guess is so that men can take a P standing up and not P all over the seat.
2007-07-24 08:55:15 · answer #7 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is beacause a commercial toilet is made differently than a reg. toilet and they are not round they are oblong and you need this seat to fit it properly sometime try the reg. seat on a commercial toilet you will see.
2007-07-24 08:58:33 · answer #8 · answered by dadcat00759 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Less transfer of disease, infection in public toilets with the gap?
2007-07-24 08:57:23 · answer #9 · answered by desertflower 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some folks might not "fit" the enclosed seat.
2007-07-24 08:53:29 · answer #10 · answered by dave 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋