What type of water closet installation is permissible in a medical specimen collection room?

In a medical specimen collection room, the installation of a water closet without a lavatory is permissible due to the specific functional requirements of the space. These rooms are designed primarily for the collection and handling of medical specimens, where the focus is on cleanliness and efficiency.

Typically, guidelines and codes recognize that in certain specialized environments, such as specimen collection areas, the need for a separate lavatory may not be as critical as in other healthcare facilities where more extensive hygiene practices are necessary. Instead, functionality and the specific workflows of the room take precedence, allowing for a more streamlined setup that includes only the essential fixtures—namely the water closet.

This approach helps minimize potential cross-contamination that could occur with more complex installations, thereby supporting both practical operations and patient safety within the medical environment.