Have you ever been to a toilet in a shopping center or train station and wondered, « Why don’t the cubicle doors ever go all the way down to the floor? » This small, barely discreet space may seem inconvenient… and yet, it’s there for very good reasons.
This design choice, far from being accidental or simply a cost-saving measure , addresses a series of very specific needs. Here’s what this small opening, which everyone knows about… but few truly understand, actually conceals.
A matter of safety above all
Imagine this scene: someone collapses in a booth locked from the inside. If the door extended all the way to the floor, emergency services would have great difficulty responding quickly. Thanks to the opening at the bottom of the door, it’s possible to see the situation and intervene immediately .
This configuration can prove crucial in an emergency . It also allows for the early detection of any unusual situation: a fall, a sudden illness, a crisis. In crowded places, this detail can make a real difference.
An effective way to deter inappropriate behavior
Do you think the space at the bottom of the door is a nuisance? In reality, it plays a discreet but useful preventative role .
Solid doors, extending to the floor, can create an enclosed space conducive to excesses: vandalism, drug use, and inappropriate behavior . An open door reduces this feeling of total isolation. It makes the place more « public » and therefore less attractive to people looking to linger or hide there.
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