Access for people with disabilities (Building Regulations)

Making sure that all new buildings can be fully and easily used by all sections of the community is an important aspect of the Building Regulations.  Advice and encouragement is given to owners of existing buildings to improve access for disabled people.

One of the requirements of the regulations is that "reasonable provision shall be made to enable disabled people to gain access to relevant premises".  The regulations require:

Access to buildings and into buildings

Suitable access should be provided from the edge of the site or disabled car spaces should be provided close to the entrance of the building.  Ramped or level access should be provided to the main entrances.

Ramped and stepped approach

Details of suitable designs are given.

Hazards on access routes

Consideration must be given to projections that are hazardous to those with sight impairments.

Entrance doors

Requirements for doors, widths and entrance lobbies.

Internal lobbies and corridors

Suitable dimensions and design considerations are given.

Lifts and stair lifts

Details of requirements, locations, dimensions and provisions for sight impaired and hard of hearing people are illustrated.

Internal stairways

Dimensions of internal stairways suitable for the disabled people who can walk.

Hotel and motel bedrooms

Suitable layouts and dimensions are illustrated.

Aids to communication

Requirements for induction loops in booking halls, ticket offices, reception areas and auditoria.

Sanitary conveniences

Details and dimensions are given of wc compartments suitable for wheelchair users and disabled people who can walk.

Seating

Provision of audience and spectator seating for wheelchair users.

The provision of tactile surfaces

These should be provided at the head of stairs and near changes in level to provide a warning to people with sight impairment.

WC provision in dwellings

You should also be aware of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which required reasonable access and facilities to certain types of existing premises.  Visit DirectGov for more details.

Also:

• Means of access to and into dwellings
• Circulation within dwellings.
• Accessible switches and sock outlets in dwellings.
• Passenger lifts and common stairs in flats.