Shower Doors - Protecting Privacy

Shower doors have been introduced to most communal showers as privacy is protected.

Shower doors haven't always been used in schools, swimming baths and gyms. Although nowadays it's rare to find a communal shower room without shower doors. The move to install shower doors into communal shower areas is symptomatic of our society – where privacy and safety are now paramount. It's not surprising then that Eton College installed shower cubicles with shower doors back in 1999. Public schools have always struggled with their image when it comes to public showers – with stories and allegations often emerging around humiliation or unwanted attention. The move to install individual cubicles fitted with shower doors however was introduced as a result of government guidelines.

Shower Doors Recommended

Government guidelines on building standards in schools now state that shower cubicles and shower doors should be used not only to protect pupils' privacy but to respect their religious sensitivities. Schools across the country became more aware of Islamic sensitivities after receiving complaints that communal showers without shower doors breached Islamic law – which has specific rules on nakedness. Shower cubicles and shower doors take up more space, but the communal shower of the Victorian public school-era seems to be a thing of the past. Today, many children would be horrified at the prospect of communal showers as expectations have changed.

Shower Doors – Respecting Privacy

It isn't just public schools that have triggered a debate over shower doors – prisons also throw up the communal shower cliché. Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie felt so strongly about conditions for prisoners – including their showering facilities – that she spent a night behind bars after being arrested at a demonstration. Ms Leckie said that women in prisons were having their spirits crushed by the penal system and little gestures could offer them some hope, helping rehabilitation. As well as having clothes and personal items removed and replaced with generic tracksuit bottoms and shirts, Ms Leckie complained there were no locks on the shower doors or toilets, and that the shower doors only filled half the door space.

Respecting Human Rights

Having shower doors expresses basic human rights in today's culture where privacy and space is respected. For many, it isn't just a matter of respecting religious differences, but communal showers can strike fear into those who have body-issues or self esteem problems about their weight for example. For children especially, showering without shower doors could be traumatic.

Looking for Shower Doors? Speak to HeatandPlumb.com

HeatandPlumb are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plumbing goods for homes and businesses. Offering a range of leading supplies for bathrooms, kitchens and businesses at fantastic prices, HeatandPlumb.com has a sales team with over 60 years of collective experience. If you need expert advice or to find out more about the range of showers, plumbing and heating accessories on offer from HeatandPlumb.com, just call 0871 272 22 22 or fill in our online enquiry form.