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toilet

vr.tr.toilet · thing-q7857

Let an agent treat a toilet as sanitary hardware with a disposal system, water use, accessibility and hygiene requirements, while respecting users' privacy and access needs.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems PHY.PLC
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Fixture and disposal The appliance and where the waste goes.

Fixture type

Design and position.

Fixture description

The type, design and dimensions.

  1. What type of toilet is this, and what are its main dimensions? definition
  2. Which standard does it conform to? provenance

Disposal route

Sewer, septic or dry.

Disposal system

Where the waste goes and how.

  1. Where does waste from this toilet go? definition
  2. What happens if that system fails? boundary
Water and maintenance Consumption and upkeep.

Water use

Flush volume and leaks.

Water consumption

Flush volume and measured use.

  1. How much water does each flush use? measurement
  2. Is it leaking, and how would that be detected? measurement

Maintenance

Cleaning and repair.

Maintenance record

The cleaning and repair schedule.

  1. How often is this toilet cleaned and inspected? measurement
  2. Who is responsible for repairs? provenance
Access and accessibility Who can use it.

Access

Opening hours, fees and location.

Access conditions

Where it is and when and how it can be used.

  1. Where is this toilet, and when is it open? definition
  2. Is there a fee or a key required? definition

Accessibility

Provision for disabled people and families.

Accessibility features

The features present.

  1. Is it accessible to wheelchair users, and to which standard? measurement
  2. Are baby-changing and adult changing facilities available? definition
Hygiene and health Keeping it safe.

Hygiene

Cleaning standards and handwashing.

Hygiene provision

Handwashing and cleaning provision.

  1. Is handwashing provided next to it? definition
  2. Which hygiene standard applies in this setting? provenance

Safety and privacy

Personal safety and dignity.

Safety measures

Locks, lighting and alarms.

  1. Does it provide lockable privacy and an alarm where required? definition
  2. What should happen when an alarm is triggered? action

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
PHY
Domain
PHY.PLC
Other names and narrower kinds
portable toilet, public toilet, restroom trailer, close stool, potty chair, Café Achteck, gendered public toilet, Train station toilet, public toilets in Algeria, public toilets in Sudan, unisex public toilet, public toilet in Thailand

What it is Filled

A sanitary fixture used to collect and dispose of human urine and faeces, by flushing to a sewer or septic system or by a dry or chemical process.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent treat a toilet as sanitary hardware with a disposal system, water use, accessibility and hygiene requirements, while respecting users' privacy and access needs.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • A toilet collects and disposes of human waste, unlike a basin or a sink.
  • A toilet needs a sewer, septic, dry or chemical disposal route.
  • Fixtures provided for public use must meet applicable accessibility and hygiene requirements.
  • This sense covers the sanitary fixture.

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Record, photograph or observe people using a toilet.
  • Disable the only accessible toilet fixture without providing an alternative.
  • Discharge toilet waste anywhere other than the sewer, septic or approved disposal system.
  • Deny access to a toilet on grounds of disability, sex or gender contrary to the law.

Only with a human decision

  • Taking public-use toilet fixtures out of service or changing who may use them requires human authorization.

May

  • Locate available public-use and accessible toilet fixtures and report their condition.
  • Schedule cleaning and report blockages, leaks and faults.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Access to a safe, private toilet is a matter of dignity and health.
  • Lack of toilets falls hardest on disabled, elderly and homeless people.

Who is affected

  • People who need to use it
  • Disabled people
  • Cleaning and maintenance staff

Owners Filled

Steward

The owner or operator of the premises; local authorities for public toilets.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q13226383 - registry parent class

related

  • sanitary fixture - inherits plumbing and hygiene questions
  • sewer or septic tank - the disposal system decides where it can be used
  • bathroom or restroom - the room is a separate model
  • building code - installation, ventilation and accessibility rules

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.toilet
  • Wikidata: Q7857 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7857)

Direct properties required Filled

  • flush volume: 3-9 litres - dual-flush and low-flow designs use less
  • seat height: 380-480 mm - accessible toilets are at the higher end
  • outlet diameter: 90-110 mm - connection to the soil pipe

Recognition required Filled

  • A toilet has a bowl or pan with a trap or drop and a flush mechanism or dry waste collection arrangement.
  • Accessible fixtures may have adapted heights or shapes and nearby support rails.
  • Room signage alone does not identify the fixture's type or accessibility.
  • Usually a ceramic bowl with a seat and a cistern or flush valve; squat toilets are a pan set in the floor; dry and portable toilets use enclosed containers.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • use it, which depends on access, privacy and accessibility
  • install and connect it, to a sewer, a septic tank or a dry system
  • clean and maintain it, under hygiene rules in public settings
  • locate one, which matters for public toilets and accessibility

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Blockages and overflows can spread contamination.
  • Leaks can waste water continuously.
  • Lack of accessible or safe fixtures can exclude people.
  • Poor cleaning of the fixture can spread infection.

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • EN 997 and EN 33 for WC pans in Europe
  • ASME A112.19.2 and flush volume limits in North America
  • Accessibility standards such as ISO 21542 and national building codes
  • WHO guidelines on sanitation and health

Context of use required Filled

  • Disposing of human waste hygienically, protecting health and dignity.
  • by position: sitting, squatting
  • by disposal: flush to sewer, septic, composting, chemical, pit latrine
  • by setting: domestic, public, portable, on vehicles
  • by design: wall-hung, close-coupled, urinal as a related fixture

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q7857: toilet - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Toilet - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should the fixture and the room be separate entries?
  • How should accessibility of public toilets be represented so agents can answer "is there one I can use"?
  • How should non-sewered sanitation be modelled for places without sewers?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q7857/spec.json