MENOMONEE FALLS, WI (March 26, 2004) - Besides a building's entrance, facility managers say restrooms have the greatest potential to negatively impact a visitor's impression of their facility. A recent survey of International Facility Management Association (IFMA) members commissioned by Bradley Corp. also reveals that durability, cleanliness and ADA-compliance are top priorities with regard to restrooms.

According to the online survey of more than 600 IFMA members, nearly three-quarters of respondents believe their restrooms are the most frequently visited common areas of the building. Given that restrooms are so frequently used and can greatly affect visitors' experiences in a facility, it makes sense that 85 percent of facility managers feel durability is the most important design attribute.

Among other key findings, facility managers say:

• Restrooms are a target for facility complaints, ranking up there with parking and temperature issues.
• Users are most concerned with restroom cleanliness.
• Hands-free/sensor technology is the most popular design trend.

Almost half (44 percent) of facility managers believe restroom users are most apt to notice and complain about restroom cleanliness than any other factor. Empty dispensers (21 percent), odor (13 percent) and broken fixtures (8 percent) were also mentioned.

While facility managers feel durability is the most important design attribute, ease of cleaning and ADA-compliance were not far behind at 84 percent and 80 percent, respectively. Low maintenance is also important for restrooms, particularly for health care and transportation-related facilities.

The findings suggest facility mangers' priorities shift significantly based on their industry. Staff at schools and universities, for example, were twice as likely as others to rank vandal-resistance as a top priority, while hotels and hospitality facilities felt color and design were more critical.

"IFMA members have confirmed what we've been saying for some time about the value of well-designed restrooms," says Jon Dommisse, director of corporate marketing for Bradley Corp." We understand the importance of providing aesthetically pleasing, functional washrooms. We are continually working to design innovative and durable products that cost-effectively meet these needs."

Looking at design trends, most facility managers believe hands-free technology is the most popular. It seems automated fixtures are also "must have" technology for the majority of facilities, and many already have them in place. Sixty-percent of those surveyed say they have automated scent dispensers and 47 percent have automatic flush valves. Nearly a third have sensored lighting and hands-free faucets in place.

IFMA is the Houston, TX-based professional association for facility management with approximately 17,300 members in 126 chapters and 55 countries. The organization offers networking opportunities through its regional chapters and councils structure, provides certification and educational programs, conducts research, spots trends, and assists facility managers in developing skills and strategies to manage the human, structural, and real estate assets of an organization. The combined purchasing power of IFMA's North American members is $81 billion (U.S.) annually. For more information, visit the Association's Web site at www.ifma.org.