Dedicated Animal Bathrooms Opened Up at Brisbane Airport
Written by Justin Burns on Tuesday, 15 April 2014
A trip to Brisbane Airport has become much easier for passengers’ travelling with Guide Dogs and assistance animals after dedicated animal ‘bathrooms’ opened up.
The two facilities, which are situated airside Level 3 Departures at International Terminal and in the Level 2 Central Area at Domestic Terminal, means travellers with assistance animals are no longer required to leave the building when their animals receive the ‘call of nature’.
There introduction will mean international passengers will no longer need to go through the customs, immigration or security screening every time their dog need to be relieved, and reduce the need for assistance animals to be fasted before long flights.
Bathrooms are fully wheelchair accessible and have separate ventilation systems, contain an artificial turf area, a wash down facility for the turf, a dispenser and bin for disposal of doggy doo bags, a water bowl for the dogs, as well as a sink for people to wash their hands.
The entry door is electrically operated, with the room fitted with hearing augmentation loops, and visual emergency evacuation alarms, and once used an external light alerts cleaners that the facility requires cleaning and disinfecting.
Julieanne Alroe, BAC CEO and managing director, says Brisbane Airport was ‘proud’ to be the first airport in Australia to offer dedicated airside animal assistance bathroom facilities.
“Disability access is a key focus for BAC and we have a team dedicated to ensuring we not only meet the regulations and legislation surrounding disability access, but exceed them.
“This includes retrofitting existing buildings with facilities like we’re opening today and making sure all upgrades and new developments improve access and the overall airport experience for people with disabilities,” Alroe adds.
Source: Airport World
http://www.airport-world.com/home/general-news/item/3874-dedicated-animal-bathrooms-opened-up-at-brisbane-airport