Sanisette Control Panel

This is the control panel of a sanisette. In Paris, sanisettes are now free, so you just push the big button in the center to enter. This sanisette was idle when I photographed it. OCCUPE in orange means the toilet is occupied or cycling; LIBRE in green (seen here) means it is ready for the next customer; HORS SERVICE in red means that the sanisette is closed (in Paris they usually close during the night) or out of order. Pressing the button only opens the door if the sanisette is in the LIBRE state (idle and ready).

On pay versions of the sanisette, you insert coins in a slot (not present on the free version) and the door opens when you've paid the admission fee. Coins only work when the sanisette is in the LIBRE state. The big button on these versions functions as a coin return button, and the coin return slot at the bottom (still present on the free versions) gives you your coins back if you change your mind before paying completely.

The notice in red at the bottom of the panel says "Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied." The reason for this restriction is that the cycling mechanism is sensitive to weight on the floor of the sanisette, and small children are light enough that the sanisette might try to cycle while they are still inside if they go in alone. Supposedly a young child was once killed in this way, although I haven't been able to confirm this. I know of adults who have tried to enter the sanisette after someone else used it without letting it cycle and have been drenched with water by the cleaning mechanism, but they weren't harmed.

Also, the door opens after fifteen minutes, whether you are finished or not (to discourage people from sleeping inside or doing other inappropriate things).

Click directly on the photo to see a larger version (twice this size). Photographed on July 13, 2008.