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Equality Act – impact upon design
How ironmongery can enhance the look of a building but crucially provide for safety and ease of use, by Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Ironmongery Direct.
T
he introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (now incorporated into the Equality Act) has been one of the most significant pieces
of legislation and has impacted upon the design of architectural ironmongery. The Act recom- mends that there be ease of access and free movement throughout the entire building, and the types of door hardware available today have been developed accordingly with the aim of alle- viating any difficulty in use. In addition, as the UK sees an increasingly
ageing population, the design and development of homes for older people to live independently in a community needs to become a priority.
The Equality Act and Approved Document M A number of specific details are recommended for architectural hardware under Approved Document M (ADM) to the Building Regulations (England and Wales). Guidance on the specification for door hardware falls into two categories: the ability to grip and operate the hardware and the ability to visually locate the hardware. Whilst no specific dimensional requirements
are stipulated under the ADM, such recommen- dations are covered in BS 8300, which provides guidance on good practice in the design of build- ings to make them suitable for use by disabled people. BS 8300 contains recommendations related to architectural hardware specification: it includes detail on door opening hardware, locks and latches and also information on the recom- mendations concerning the positioning and size of pull handles.
Door closers When choosing a fire door there are three main factors to be considered: door width, door weight and door location. Most door closers are graded with a power size, and once the weight and width of the door is selected the correct power size needs to be used. If the door is a fire door the
door closer must have a minimum power size of three. For example, fire doors in public buildings have to adhere to the Disability Discrimination Act and Part M of Buildings Regulations, which state that there has to be ease of access through- out the entire building.
Locks & latches As recommended by BS 8300, quality low friction hinges will help make sure the door moves freely. Easy action latches or strike plates with a gravity cam can help to make the door very easy to close. In turn this means that any door closer fitted can be adjusted to the minimum power required to close the door. Lower closing forces mean lower opening resistance, and this is of paramount importance to prevent a person from potentially becoming trapped in a room. Whilst ADM recognises that negotiating entrance doors can be difficult for the general public, not just disabled people, a two-phase criteria established within BS 8300 in 2005 states a maximum opening force of 30N at the initial opening stage (0˚ to 30˚), reducing to 22.5N from 30˚ to 60˚ opening angle. Locks can meet recommendations of both
ADM and BS 8300 by, for instance, a 72mm dis- tance between handle and the cylinder, which allows more room for the hand to operate and better sight of the keyway for the visually impaired.
Importance of finish and contrast Door hardware should provide a contrast with the door to assist the visually impaired. The Research Group for Inclusive Environments, Reading University, in conjunction with the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), undertook a study of a representative group of visually impaired people and their ability to identify levers. The 3D nature of the lever on the door creates shadows and reflections. This means that their location is discovered not just by its contrast but by its overall design in combination with the door surface and lighting. BS 8300 latest revision recommends a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 15 points differ- ence between door furniture and door surface. ADM recommends that external handles
should not be cold to the touch. Metal, for instance, can be uncomfortable to hold in winter time, meaning an elderly person may have diffi- culty in gripping the handle, or extreme cold might trigger painful spasms.
enq. 244
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