03 Disabled Access Design Flashcards
What guidance is available for designers when planning for disabled access?
- Building Regulations Approved Document M
- BS 8300:2009
- BS 6465 (4 parts) - sanitary installations (space requirements, number of facilities etc.)
If you were designing a wheelchair-accessible WC, what would you consider?
- Space requirements - minimum room dimensions, wheelchair turning circle
- Layout - accommodate for both left-hand and right-hand transfer if more than one is installed within the building
- Door - outward swinging, minimum width, no door closer
- Equipment - toilet, finger-rinse basin, grab rails, mirror, emergency alarm pull-cord, signage, shelves, clothes hooks
- Dimensions of fittings - minimum/maximum heights, distances etc.
- Colour - contrasting wall and floor, wall and door frame, door and door furniture, grab rails and walls, signage and background surface
What is the difference between a wheelchair-accessible WC and a Changing Places WC?
- A Changing Places toilet provides sanitary accommodation for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants with them
- They should be provided in addition to standard accessible WCs in buildings and locations where large numbers of people may visit (e.g. major entertainment venues, transport terminals, shopping centres, educational establishments, hospitals etc.)
If you were designing a Changing Places WC, what would you consider?
- Height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bed
- Ceiling track hoist system (covering full floor area)
- Adequate space for the disabled person and up to two assistants (min. 12sqm)
- Centrally located toilet with space both sides for assistants
- Privacy screen
- Wide paper roll
- Large waste disposal bin
- Washbasin (preferably height adjustable)
- Shower facility (not required in all circumstances)
If you were designing a wheelchair-accessible shower room, what would you consider?
- Space requirements - minimum room dimensions, wheelchair turning circle
- Layout - accommodate for both left-hand and right-hand transfer if more than one is installed within the building
- Door - outward swinging, minimum width, no door closer
- Flooring - anti-slip, self-drains to floor gulley
- Equipment - shower, curtain, tip-up seat (not spring loaded), grab rails, mirror, emergency alarm pull-cord, signage, limb storage, clothes hooks
- Dimensions of fittings - minimum/maximum heights, distances etc.
- Colour - contrasting wall and floor, wall and door frame, door and door furniture, grab rails and walls, signage and background surface
If you were designing an access ramp, what would you consider?
- Gradient - shallow as possible, does not exceed guidance limits (depends on going/rise), consistent if more than one flight
- Width - min. 1500mm between upstands
- Upstands - both sides, min. 100mm high, visually contrast
- Going - none greater than 10m, slip-resistant
- Rise - none greater than 500mm
- Level landings - at foot and head of ramp, min. 1200mm long, clear of door swings, cross-gradient
- Intermediate landings - min. 1500mm long, min. 1800mm long where more than 3 flights or cannot see from one end of ramp to the other
- Handrails - both sides, two heights, continuous, extends 300mm horizontally beyond head and foot, contrasts visually, slip resistant, not cold to the touch, prevents clothes being caught, rounded edges
- Alternatives - stepped access where possible (clearly signposted), lift if rise is greater than 2m
What key characteristics would you consider to make signage compliant?
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What physical barriers may require a retail unit to automate its doors?
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What facilities might be made available to a visitor with hearing impairments in a theatre?
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What physical barriers do you think a person with visual impairments may experience between arriving at a bus stop and having an interview at a nearby office?
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