4 South West Building & Construction


April 2011 DISABILITY Provision of access and facilities


WHEN the new form of Building Regulations came into being in 1985 following the Building Act of 1984, Parliament was also debating improving the mobility of disabled people. The Regulations introduced in 1985 did not make any provision for building work to take account of use by disabled persons. In 1987 Regulations were introduced as a Part M of the 1st Schedule. This document had four regulations aimed at ensuring ‘reasonable provision be made for disabled persons to access and use facilities’. The guidance document consisted of 12 pages.


The requirements related to those disabled persons who used a wheelchair. These referred to access into and in the building, toilet facilities and seating in auditoriums. These requirements were later amended - again four regulations but 24 pages of guidance - and then with 32 pages of guidance. The areas of regulatory control were increasing and for the first time


dwellings were within the scope of this regulation. In 2004, the regulations were again amended but this time reference to disabled persons was removed and the regulations now required ‘reasonable provision shall be made for people to gain access to and use the building and its facilities’. This widened the scope for control and now the guidance document contains 83 pages.


The regulations apply to new


buildings, extensions, material alterations and material change of use where the new use will be a shop, hotel, public building or an institutional building. Reasonable access has to be provided from the boundary of the site to, into and through the building both horizontally and vertically. The regulations cover reception facilities, canteen and restaurant facilities, audience and spectator facilities in cinemas, theatres, lecture and conference centres and sports stadia, sanitary facilities and hotel bedrooms,


and electrical installations in addition to access and sanitary facilities on the ground floor of dwellings.


Control can now be exercised from pathways to car parking, thresholds to passageways, door furniture to sink taps and electrical switches to the colour of paint. Consideration has to be given to all forms of disability especially visual and hard of hearing.


Whilst the Building


Regulations related to new building work, there is an ongoing requirement to maintain and update these facilities through the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.


So before one puts pen to paper on an architectural drawing or moves a mouse on a CAD, it becomes important to establish a client’s policy towards employees and customers in respect of access and facilities within their buildings.


It is recognised that the guidelines of the Approved


Document are not a ‘one size fits all’ and where it can be established that reasonable access and facilities can be provided without following the Approved Document it is possible to submit an ‘Access Statement’ to the Building Control body, being either an Approved Inspector or the Local Authority setting out the reasons for the departure.


Those who use the services of Complete Building Control will be given guidance and advice on the use of Access Statements and meeting the regulatory requirements as sometimes these can conflict with the guidance given for complying with other regulatory requirements. So why not contact any of the


West Country offices of Complete Building Control? Call on 01271 814395, 01395 206250 or 01823 4002102 or freephone 0800 022 3096.


Anthony J Ley Director


Complete Building Control


First Class Independent Living COMPLETE BUILDING CONTROL


An alternative approved service to meet your building control requirements to that provided by Local Authorities.


The service includes advice in the design stage,detailed examination of construction plans inspection of building work to ensure compliance with the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010. We also give guidance and assistance on


SAP's, SBEM's, EPC's. Sound and air pressure testing, Ventilation and fire safety . A service tailored to suit clients individual requirements.


Our fees are negotiable and competitive.


A service undertaken by qualified and experienced Surveyors. Offices in the South West


Barnstaple (01271) 814395 Exeter (01395) 206250


Taunton (01823) 400102 Plymouth (07850) 710029


FREEPHONE 0800 022 3096


info@completebuildingcontrol.co.uk www.completebuildingcontrol.co.uk


For a Surveyor near you


Tel: 01626 332210 16 Rydon Industrial Estate KINGSTEIGNTON TQ12 3SJ


www.firstclassindependentliving.co.uk www.firstclasswetrooms.co.uk www.firstclassbuilders.co.uk


Specialists in adapting bathrooms & kitchens designed to suit individual needs which take into account the level of your mobility so that you remain independent.


External building work includes ramped entrances:


Ramping to access all outside areas Purpose Design Extensions & New Build


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