guidelines for differently-abled friendly · this guideline for engineers, ... requirements are...

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY

CONSTRUCTION

Published by:

The Engineering Services Division

Department of Engineering Services

Ministry of Works and Human Settlement

www.mowhs.gov.bt

PO Box 791, Thimphu Bhutan

Tel: +975-2-327998/332218

©Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Bhutan

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION

Foreword Over the years Bhutan has noted the importance of creating awareness on

differently-abled people and building barrier-free environment for all. This cause is

being recognized and supported by the Government and various Non-

Governmental Organizations in the country. Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen is the Royal

Patron of the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS), one such organization which provides

multidisciplinary services to children with moderate to severe disabilities. The

Ministry of Works and Human Settlement strongly felt the need to address the

importance of barrier-free construction and therefore, it is my pleasure to endorse

this guideline for engineers, architects, urban planners and developers. With this

guideline, the Department of Engineering Services aims to bring about more

awareness on the issues faced by the physically challenged or anyone facing

temporary mobility problems while using public buildings and spaces. It is very

important to acknowledge that the access to public areas is not only a matter of

dignity but also a fundamental right of every person in our country. We as a

technical agency should take up this responsibility of addressing these issues and

demonstrate the benefits of a barrier-free environment through our design and

construction of infrastructure. I sincerely urge the engineers, architects, urban

planners and developers to use and advocate the simple designs and concepts

illustrated in this guideline to make our cities a place which is accessible and safe

for all. The Department and Ministry will work towards ensuring that accessibility

requirements are integrated into our design process and continue our support to the

cause. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by all

those involved and contributed in developing this guideline.

Tashi Delek.

Dorji Choden Minister Ministry of Works and Human Settlement


Preface Disability is not a phenomenon but is a phase. Everyone at one point or the other

passes through such phases. The elderly, ill, pregnant, obese, children, persons

with fracture or with luggage could all be described as passing through a phase of

disability. Even during such phases each one has the right to live in dignity.

Accessibility, therefore, cannot be an aspect of sympathy but is very much the right

of every individual. Barrier-free design, therefore, is a professional obligation as well

as a societal commitment of design professionals.

The country is now seeing an increase in the population of individuals with

moderate to severe disabilities with growing awareness and an increase in services

available to them. Opportunities for differently abled persons to transit into and

function in Bhutanese society are vital for an inclusive community. The government

has taken this conscious step to compile a comprehensive reference document that

stipulates necessary provisions for universal designs. Through this guideline, we

sincerely call upon the Architects, Engineers, Urban planners and Developers to

understand, advocate and use these simple design strategies, as illustrated in this

guideline, to make our buildings and public places barrier free and safe for all.

While numerous references are available, they tend to be assorted and not entirely

compatible with the Bhutanese conditions. The Engineering Services Division under

the Department of Engineering Services (DES), Ministry of Works and Human

Settlement (MoWHS) has initiated to develop this comprehensive document to

serve as a guideline in designing and constructing built environment for Differently

abled person.

Phuntsho Wangdi

Secretary

Ministry of Works and Human Settlement


Acknowledgement

We express our gratitude to the officials of the Early Childhood Care &

Development, Special Education Need, School Planning & Building Division of

Ministry of Education, Public Health Engineering Division of Ministry of Health,

UNICEF Bhutan, Thimphu Thromde, Ability Bhutan Society, Disabled Persons

Association of Bhutan and Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children

and Youth for all their support.

Special thanks to the Persons with Disabilities for sharing experiences and giving

valuable feedbacks.


Table of Contents

1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 8

1.1 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 9

1.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 10

1.3 Scope and Limitation ....................................................................................................... 10

2 CHAPTER TWO: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES ........ 11

2.1.1 Signage ...................................................................................................................... 12

2.1.2 Street Furniture ......................................................................................................... 14

2.1.3 Footpath ..................................................................................................................... 16

2.1.4 Steps .......................................................................................................................... 18

2.1.5 Ramp .......................................................................................................................... 19

2.1.6 Kerb Ramps .............................................................................................................. 20

2.1.7 Pedestrian Crossing ................................................................................................. 22

2.2 Parking ............................................................................................................................... 23

2.3 Obstruction ........................................................................................................................ 25

2.4 Open Spaces .................................................................................................................... 28

2.4.1 Parks and Playgrounds ........................................................................................... 29

2.4.2 Public Square ............................................................................................................ 29

2.4.3 Transportation ........................................................................................................... 30

3 CHAPTER THREE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDOOR SPACES ........ 32

3.1 Entrance ............................................................................................................................. 33

3.2 Access ................................................................................................................................ 34

3.2.1 Ramps ........................................................................................................................ 34

3.2.2 Staircase .................................................................................................................... 36

3.2.3 Mechanical Access (lifts, conveyors, escalators) ................................................ 37

3.3 Railings .............................................................................................................................. 38

3.4 Openings ........................................................................................................................... 41

3.4.1 Doors .......................................................................................................................... 41

3.4.2 Windows .................................................................................................................... 42

3.5 Corridors ............................................................................................................................ 43


3.6 Spaces ............................................................................................................................... 44

3.6.1 Toilet Design ............................................................................................................. 45

3.6.2 Bathroom Design ...................................................................................................... 49

3.6.3 Kitchen Design .......................................................................................................... 50

3.6.4 Verandah Design ...................................................................................................... 51

3.7 Flooring .............................................................................................................................. 52

3.8 Building Services .............................................................................................................. 54

3.8.1 Lighting and Illumination .......................................................................................... 54

3.8.2 Air Conditioning and Ventilation ............................................................................. 55

3.8.3 Acoustics ................................................................................................................... 55

3.8.4 Plumbing Fixtures ..................................................................................................... 56

3.9 Furnishing .......................................................................................................................... 58

3.9.1 Furniture and Equipment ......................................................................................... 58

3.9.2 Closet ......................................................................................................................... 59

3.9.3 Public Counters ........................................................................................................ 60

3.9.4 Lockers and Storage ................................................................................................ 61

3.9.5 Platform ...................................................................................................................... 61

3.10 Communication Elements and Features ...................................................................... 62

3.11 Controls .............................................................................................................................. 63

4 CHAPTER FOUR: MAINTENANCE ....................................................................... 65

5 CHAPTER FIVE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING .... 67

TYPES .......................................................................................................................... 67

6 CHAPTER SIX: CHECKLIST ................................................................................. 93

APPENDIX A: DEFINITION ........................................................................................ 105

APPENDIX B: CRITICAL REVIEW OF EXISTING POLICY DOCUMENTS .............. 115

APPENDIX C: ANTHROPOMETRY ........................................................................... 119

On Wheelchair ............................................................................................................................ 119

On Crutches ................................................................................................................................ 122

On Walker .................................................................................................................................... 122

On Walking Stick/White Cane .................................................................................................. 122

APPENDIX D: MATERIALS ....................................................................................... 124


Flooring Material ......................................................................................................................... 124

Railings ........................................................................................................................................ 126

APPENDIX E: CASE STUDY ..................................................................................... 127

Case study of SEN facility at Changangkha School, Thimphu ........................................... 127

Case Study 2 (Block of the JDWNRH, Thimphu) .................................................................. 138

APPENDIX F: REFERENCES .................................................................................... 151

I. Accessibility for the Disabled - A Design Manual for a Barrier Free Environment, retrieved from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm ....................................... 151

APPENDIX G: LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLE ........................................................ 152


1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION


1.1 Aims and Objectives The guideline has been formulated to support the government’s aspiration to cater

to the needs of the Differently abled person in the society. It facilitates the adoption

of obstruction-free, accessible, and usable spaces in the built environment. It

provides basic criterion and checklist that any structure or component of a structure

should comply to declare it as accessible for Differently abled person. Overall, the

objective of the guideline is to prepare a comprehensive guideline to use as a basis

for designing new facilities and provide a guide on retrofit options available to

remodel existing structures to enable use by disabled persons.

The following are the objectives of the guideline:

a. Guide planners, architects, engineers, developers, and individuals to design

and construct the built environment facilities and structures incorporating the

needs of the Differently abled person in the society.

b. Help relevant organizations to construct barrier free infrastructure.

c. Create awareness on the various considerations in construction practices for

an equity based society.

d. To support the existing rules and regulation.

e. To guide in the formulation of new policies, rules, and regulations.


1.2 Methodology In the absence of any guideline/policies for differently abled persons, it was

important to collect data from relevant organizations, which were associated with

differently abled persons. Hence, the primary source of information was taken

through key informant interviews with United Nations International Children’s

Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE),

Thimphu Thromde, and the Disabled Persons Organizations such as the Disabled

Persons Association of Bhutan, Ability Bhutan Society, and Draktsho.

Literature review of guidelines and standards adopted in other countries was also

source of information in the formulation of this guideline. Additionally, information

collected through joint stakeholder’s meetings and individuals living with disability

while formulating the guideline in context of Bhutan.

1.3 Scope and Limitation The guideline will help in preparing policies and rules to facilitate inclusive

participation from all sectors of the population. As an introductory guideline, it will

serve as a starting point to support relevant agencies to design accessible and

usable structures, while providing opportunities for more research in future. The

guideline relates to requirement of additional materials and design in construction

and outline specifications that will have direct implications on the design and cost.

The guideline is not meant to be prescriptive as the barriers are dependent on many

other factors and it is based on the reality and acceptance that each project is

unique and it will have its own challenges to overcome.


2 CHAPTER TWO: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES


Outdoor spaces should be planned to ensure that Differently abled person have

access to use the facilities that are in place. Outdoor spaces refer to all elements

that are signage, street furniture, footpath, steps, ramps, and pedestrian crossings.

Therefore, the following design considerations shall be incorporated during the

preparation and implementation of any Human Settlement Plans and retrofitting of

existing infrastructure.

2.1.1 Signage Signage is a graphic display of information to communicate a message. Signage

plays an important role in providing guidance on direction, warnings, and notice

boards (refer figure 2.1.1-a). As important as it is to provide signage it should also

be in conformity to obstruction free path of travel.

Signage can be wall mounted, overhung, and free standing. It is important to use

internationally accepted signage for clarity and ease of understanding.

The international symbol of accessibility is the wheelchair figure in white on a blue

backdrop (refer figure 2.1.1-b).


A. New Construction The following parameters should be considered:

a. The surface should prevent glare and the colour commonly used are white,

black, yellow, red, and blue. The combination of colours should be clear and

distinct to avoid confusion.

b. Maps and information panel should be placed at a height between 900mm

and 1,800mm.

c. The width to height ratio of the character should be between 1:1 and 3:5 and

the character stroke width to height ratio should be between 1:5 and 1:10

(refer figure 2.1.1-c).

d. The size of the letters should be proportional to the distance (refer figure

2.1.1-c).

e. Internationally accepted signage should be used (refer figure 2.1.1-d).

The internationally accepted signage for Differently abled person is given in figure

2.1.1-d.


B. Retrofit Existing signage should comply with internationally accepted colour codes, and

standards. Additional signage if required should be placed in public spaces.

2.1.2 Street Furniture Street furniture comprises of all physical elements that are present in a built

environment. It includes bus stops, fixed benches, lamp posts, planting tubs,

garbage bins, and others.

Figure 2.1.1-d, Source: Public Information Signs Collections 2, Disabilities, Barry Barnes



a. The street furniture should be located to allow free movement or have

textural changes to help identify those in the path of movement.

b. Resting facilities should be provided at every 100m to 200m.The minimum

adjoining space between two benches should be 1015mm.

c. Height of public benches should be 405mm to 460mm high from floor level

and the backrest should be 700mm from the floor level (refer figure 2.1.2-a).

d. The height of table should be 750mm to 900mm from floor level with

minimum 600mm for knee clearance for a wheelchair user (refer figure 2.1.2-

a).

e. The lamp posts, planting tubs, and garbage bins should be easily identified

(refer figure 2.1.2-b).

f. There has to be a provision for pathway that leads to street furniture such as

bus stops, fixed benches, and others.

B. Retrofit Existing street furniture should be made accessible and designated for differently

abled persons with clear signage. Fixed benches at parks should be checked for

conformity and modified wherever necessary.


2.1.3 Footpath Footpaths include paved and unpaved paths to be used only by pedestrian and not

other form of traffic. They must be safe and accessible for all users, particularly for

Differently abled people.


a. The maximum slope of footpath shall be 1:20. For slopes that exceeds 1:20,

refer ramps. (Section 2.1.5)

b. The minimum width of the footpath should be 1,500mm with clear

unobstructed passage of 900mm (refer figure 2.1.3-a).

c. Guided strip should be used to identify routes and laid parallel to the line of

movement. (refer figure 2.1.3-a).

d. Tactile tiling should be installed in places where there is direction change,

pedestrian crossing, and in the presence of any obstruction in the pathway.

e. If grating is present, it should not exceed slot size of 13mm. The grating

should be laid perpendicular to the line of movement (refer figure 2.1.3-a).

f. Drains and manhole covers should be flushed with the pathway level and

any hole in such cover or between should not exceed 20mm.

g. The surface should be made smooth and even using nonslip materials l with

butt-joint not greater than 6mm between paver blocks (refer figure 2.1.3-b).

h. Provide guards of 150mm if the level difference between the footpath and the

surrounding is greater than 130mm (refer figure 2.1.3-c).

i. The edges of the pathway should be beveled if the level difference of 6mm to

13mm exists between the footpath and the surrounding.

j. Provide handrails of 600mm to 950mm height if the level difference between

the footpath and the surrounding is greater than 450mm. The height of the

handrail should be determined for the user it is designed (refer figure 2.1.3-

c).


B. Retrofit Existing footpaths should be provided with upstand wall railings depending on the

site conditions. Footpaths should be repaired and made free of potholes and loose

flooring materials. All drain covers with slots exceeding 13mm width should be

replaced, while the layout of the grating should be perpendicular to the direction of

movement.


2.1.4 Steps Steps are provided on a footpath to accommodate level differences. Steps with

proper design and features should help Differently abled person to overcome

obstacles in transition of spaces.

A. New Construction The following parameter should be considered:

a. The external steps should be of 300mm (minimum) for tread and 150mm

(maximum) for riser (refer figure 2.1.4-a).

b. The external steps should be between 3 steps in a flight and not exceeding

10 steps in a flight.

c. The steps should be uniform in size along its flight.

d. The nosing should be clearly marked and should not exceed 35mm (refer

figure 2.1.4-a).

e. The steps should be complimented with a ramp alongside (refer figure 2.1.4-

b).


B. Retrofit Existing steps should be made uniform and non-slippery with nosing clearly

marked.

2.1.5 Ramp Ramp is a sloped surface designed to connect two spaces at different height and

are often constructed either instead of, or in addition to stairs/steps to make the

spaces accessible.


a. Recommended slope of ramp is 1:20. Steeper slopes may be allowed in

special cases depending on the length to be covered (refer figure 2.1.5-a).

b. 1,800mm is the preferred width of ramp. 1,500mm is the minimum to be

provided with an unobstructed path of minimum 900mm.


c. Landing of size of equal or greater than width should be provided after every

14m of horizontal run for a 5% slope. For other slopes, table 1 should apply.

The same is shown in figure 2.1.5-b.

B. Retrofit Existing ramps should be checked for conformity and modified using permissible

slopes, width, even surfaces, non-slip flooring material and good drainage.

2.1.6 Kerb Ramps Kerb ramps can include a small ramp built into the footpath to ease passage to the

street. These are especially helpful for differently abled people.

Table 1: Relationship between slope of ramp and running length of the landing Maximum slope Maximum running length (m) 1:20 or 5% - 1:16 or 6% 8 1:14 or 7% 5 1:12 or 8% 2

1:10 or 10% 1.25 1:08 or 12% 0.5


Well-designed kerb ramps enable people to deal with the level changes between

pathways and streets or building entrance with minimal disruptions.


a. A minimum of 1200mm of kerb transition should be provided and a maximum

slope of 1:12 should be allowed (figure 2.1.6-a).

b. Kerb ramps should be finished at the lower edge with a cane detectable

rounded edge of 13mm in height and should be in a contrasting colour to the

road surface wherever possible. It should be of a different textured material

to allow easy identification with a clearance of at least 800mm long at the

back of the footway.

c. Non-slip Tactile material should be used at the top and bottom transition

locations of nominal width of 600mm.

d. Tactile warning strip at 300mm from the vehicular areas should be provided.

e. An upstand wall of 150mm or handrail should be placed on either side of the

ramp if a kerb ramp is not provided.


B. Retrofit

Ramps must be constructed in all transition spaces. All ramps must be either

provided with an upstand kerb or railing. Bollards may be used in place of kerb

ramp to help the Differently abled person to clearly identify the obstruction.

2.1.7 Pedestrian Crossing Pedestrian crossings facilitate safe and independent crossing of roads with other

traffic calming measures.


a. Guided strips should be provided to indicate position of pedestrian crossing.

b. Road hump should be incorporated and road level should be raised 6mm to

13mm and connected to the same level as the pathway with the use of

additional ramp (refer figure 2.1.7-a).

c. The road surface should be non-slip, well drained, and free of construction

joint.


d. Traffic island of minimum width 1500mm should be constructed for roads

spanning over 20m or over 3 lanes.

e. A pedestrian crossing must be equipped with proper signage.

B. Retrofit Pedestrian crossings should be modified and made accessible with ramps

connecting the footpath to the road level. It should be equipped with proper signage

and road humps.

2.2 Parking Parking lots are defined spaces in a built environment to park vehicles along the

roads or in spaces designated for Differently abled people with space consideration

and proper signage.



a. Outdoor parking should be maximum 50m away from accessible building

entrance and indoor must be next to the accessible elevators or exit.

b. If the parking space provided exceeds 50 parking bays, provide one

accessible parking space for every additional 50 parking spaces.

c. Provide minimum of 3,600mm parking width for Differently abled person

(refer figure 2.2-a).

d. Designate 1,200mm wide space between two ordinary parking spaces at

every 50m running length of parking space or close to any entry or exit. Use

ramps to link accessible parking space to accessible pathway (refer figure

2.2-a).

e. Drop-off areas should be located no less than 30m from the accessible

building entrance.

f. Provide at least 3,200mm wide drop-off zone with aisle of 1,500mm for ease

of maneuvering.

g. Use tactile flooring of at least 600mm wide at the edge of the pathway to

warn pedestrians of the transition to vehicular space.

h. Use proper signage for drop-off zone and parking for clarity and information.

i. Do not locate parking space at the entrance to a building or a facility (refer

figure 2.2-a).


B. Retrofit Bollards can be used to designate proper parking spaces with signage in place.

2.3 Obstruction Obstructions in built environment can include movable or immovable structures that

impede the movement of pedestrian along a pathway.

Obstruction is one of the key built environment elements that need to be addressed

for barrier free path. Obstruction can be classified into two broad types:

I. Obstruction on path of movement

II. Obstruction on the pathway surface


A. New Construction I. Obstructions on the path of movement include traffic signs, shop awnings,

street furniture, garbage bins, and spaces below stairs, ramps, and others.

The following parameters should be considered:

Allow a minimum unobstructed clear path of travel of 900mm and minimum clear

height of 2,000mm.

a. Fixed objects such as bamboo posts, fixed benches, steps, and others are to

be clearly identifiable with contrasting durable colour marking strips. The

marking strips should be at least 300mm in length placed at a height of

1,400mm to 1,600mm (refer figure 2.3-a).

b. Spaces below ramps and staircases to be completely blocked by rails or

raised kerb or marked with tactile surface (refer figure 2.3-b).

c. Protruding obstacles that are not detectable and below 2000mm should be

extended beyond 100mm from the vertical surface.

d. Use bollards and yellow tape to warn pedestrians of temporary obstruction

on the path.


II. Obstructions on the pathway surface include plantations, fountains, and

others.


a. These should arise in straight shape from the pathway (refer figure 2.3-c).

b. Be raised at least 100mm on a platform.

c. Have tactile warning flooring around the obstruction over a width of at least

600mm outside and around the projected base (refer figure 2.3-d).


B. Retrofit Existing obstructions that cannot be shifted such as a streetlight should be clearly

marked with industrial yellow strip. The tactile flooring on the base or a raised

surface of 100mm should be constructed around it to help the Differently abled

person easily identify the obstacles. However, if the unobstructed path is lower than

900mm wide, then, allow the obstacle only on one side of the pathway.

Obstructions projecting beyond 100mm and below 2,000mm in height should be

either repositioned or made identifiable with industrial yellow tape. Traffic signs

lower than 2,000mm from the footpath should be raised. Construction sites should

be clearly marked with bollards and yellow tapes with proper signage to warn all

pedestrians.

2.4 Open Spaces Open spaces include parks, playgrounds, public squares, and other undeveloped

spaces. Open spaces generally do not comply with universal design principles

although increasing recognition and resources are being given to building and

equipping them to maximize accessibility. General considerations for open spaces

are elaborated below:


2.4.1 Parks and Playgrounds Parks and playgrounds should be easily accessible from the parking areas with

proper gateway and footpath. Signage’s and information board should be placed to

easily locate the facilities.


a. The gate should have provision to allow entry/exit of persons using a

wheelchair with threshold limited to 13mm.

b. The footpath should connect to spaces and be in conformity to requirement

under footpath.

c. Depending on site condition, ramps and steps should be designed to enable

universal access. The steps and ramps should be built adjacent to each

other.

d. Street furniture, dustbins and drinking fountains should be available and

accessible.

e. Obstructions should be easily identifiable.

f. Tactile flooring should be used to caution and provide sense of direction.

g. Provide primary and secondary exits from the open spaces.

B. Retrofit Existing parks can be redeveloped by providing ramps, signage’s, drinking fountain

and street furniture’s.

2.4.2 Public Square Open space designed for public gathering and events. It must be easily accessible,

safe, and usable. Signage’s and information boards should be placed to easily

locate these facilities.



a. It should be accessible from the parking area with connecting footpath.

b. It should be obstruction free and equipped with street furniture.

c. Depending on the site condition, ramps and steps should be designed to

enable universal access. The steps and ramps should be built adjacent to

the other for inclusiveness.

d. Tactile flooring should be used extensively to caution and provide sense of

direction.

e. If grating is present, it should not exceed slot size of 13mm. The grating

should be laid perpendicular to the line of movement.

f. All drain covers with slots exceeding 13mm width should be replaced, while

the layout of the grating should be perpendicular to the direction of

movement.

g. The surface should be made with slip-resistant material with butt-joint not

greater than 6mm between paver blocks.

B. Retrofit Existing public squares should ensure that the access is present with ramps and

staircases.

The entrance to the existing public squares should be provided with ramps and

staircases to facilitate easy access. The steps must be uniform in size. It should be

maintained with special consideration to street furniture, dustbins, and built seating.

The flooring material must be non-slip with proper gradient.

2.4.3 Transportation Transport infrastructure and mean of transport that exclude differently abled person

limit educational opportunities, participation in the labour market and access to

health and other social services. Design consideration should be given to

pedestrian crossing, bus stops and other public transport.


A. New Construction


a. Provide adequate drop-off zones as indicated under parking.

b. If a lay-by space is provided, it should be 3050mm wide and 7925mm in

length with 2000mm wide sidewalk space for side entry ramp or platform

lift.

c. Provide accessible, prioritize seats for passengers for differently abled

people.

d. Install comfortable handgrips and rails (generally 25 mm to 50 mm in

diameter), painted in bright contrasting colours to all steps and floors.

e. Provide retractable first step manual ramp or movable stool at bus

entrance.

B. Retrofit Pedestrian crossing, bus stops and other public transport facilities should be

checked for conformity to the standards and modified accordingly.


3 CHAPTER THREE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDOOR SPACES


Differently abled person would require all public interior circulation routes, whether

horizontal or vertical, to be wide enough to accommodate various mobility aids. And

need safe routes throughout buildings, with no expected level changes or

obstructions that are potentially hazardous to them.

Indoor spaces refer to all elements such as entrance, corridors, bathroom, and

toilets. Design consideration should be made especially for doors and entrance

areas. The indoor space design parameters are elaborated below:

3.1 Entrance All interior routes from accessible entrances to accessible exits should be safe and

easy to use by differently abled persons. Such routes should be clearly identifiable

and logical in layout.


a. The main entrance should be clearly identifiable and obstruction free (refer

figure 3.1-a).

b. The footpath should lead from the drop-off zones or parking lot to the

entrance to the building.

c. The entrance to the building should be provided with tactile flooring.

d. Both stairs and ramps should be provided to enter the building with handrails

on both sides.

e. Proper signage to the entrance should be provided (refer figure 3.1-a).

f. The main door should be greater than 1,000mm for residence and greater

than 1,500mm for other building types.


B. Retrofit Entrances should be checked for conformity to the standards and modified

accordingly. Importance should be given to design of doors and signage.

3.2 Access All infrastructures should have provision to allow easy access to Differently abled

person and buildings should have barrier-free access on the ground floor. Those

that have accommodation, office, or any other space catering to needs of Differently

abled person on the upper floors should be accessible to ramps, staircases, and

mechanical access.

3.2.1 Ramps Ramp can provide barrier free access into the buildings and between the floors.

Compared with the option of installing a lift internal and external ramps between

floors can be inexpensive. The location of the ramp should be immediately adjacent

to the entrance of the building.


a. The maximum allowable slope is 1:12.

b. The minimum width should be 1,500mm with a minimum unobstructed width

of 900mm.


c. Provide landing at every 9m of horizontal run. The landing should be at least

1,500mm long of wideness equal to the width of the ramp (refer figure 3.2.1-

a).

d. Protective handrail should be placed on either side.

e. The surface should be non-slip, hard, and should not be carpeted.

f. Provide tactile flooring strip of minimum 600mm width at the start and end of

the ramp, and at landings (refer figure 3.2.1-a).

g. Curved or helical ramps are not allowed. A ramp can have straight run, 90-

turn or 180-turn configuration (refer figure 3.2.1-b).

B. Retrofit Ramps should be checked for conformity to the standards and modified

accordingly. Ramps should be provided with tactile flooring and with railings on both

sides of appropriate dimension.


3.2.2 Staircase

Staircase in all the routes and paths of travel should be safely usable by differently abled persons. This is particularly important for those with low vision and blindness as well as those with mobility disability. The key standard inclusions for staircase design should be steps, width, handrails, tactile marking, and lighting.


a. Indoor stairs should have 150mm to 180mm riser and 280mm to 300mm as

tread. All steps should be uniform (refer figure 3.2.2-a).

b. Tread nosing should be clearly marked with brightly stripped non-slip finish

and should be flushed and rounded with projection no greater than 35mm.

c. Provide handrails of 600mm to 900mm from the floor level on both sides and

project at least 300mm from beyond the top and bottom while turning it down

or curving into the adjacent wall. It is preferable to have continuous handrails

on the staircase.

d. The handrail should be of 30mm to 40mm diameter and turned down to finish

or against the wall.

e. It should have proper signage in place and should be easily accessible.

f. Use tactile marking on the floor at every landing level, at start, and at the end

of stairs.

g. The landing depth should be equal to or greater than the width of the stair

hall (refer figure 3.2.2-a).

h. The minimum unobstructed width of the stair should be 900mm for

residential building and 1,500mm for others.


B. Retrofit

Steps with tactile flooring and railings on appropriate dimensions should be

provided on the stairs. The visually contrasting strip should be added to the top of

the nosing.

3.2.3 Mechanical Access (lifts, conveyors, escalators) Where needed, mechanical access such as elevators and passenger platform lifts

should be designed to be useable independently by and accessible to differently

abled persons.

A. New Construction The following parameters should be considered-

a. Proper signage should be placed.

b. Lift cars should have handrails on at least two sides.

c. Maintain minimum lighting level of 100 lux.

d. The control should be in Braille and with tactile marking of 15mm wide on the

left side.

e. Provide tactile flooring of 600mm width of at least 60mm distance before the

door opening, start, and end of the escalators or conveyors.

f. The angle of inclination of the escalator should not exceed 30 degrees.


g. For escalator and passenger conveyor, clear signal and indication for going

up and down, and moving forward should be provided on both ends. E.g.,

Consistent clear sound or signals.

B. Retrofit Information on braille should be provided in lifts. Tactile flooring material should be

placed at appropriate locations. Clear signal with movement indications should be

incorporated and proper signage should be put in place.

3.3 Railings A railing should be designed and allocated at an appropriate location depending on

the use. It should be ensured that it meets the required standards of safety and

usability.


a. Safety guards or railings should be installed around hazardous areas, stairs,

ramps, accessible roofs, mezzanines, galleries, balconies, and raised

platforms of more than 400mm height.

b. Railings should be provided on staircase and windows with sill height less

than 1000mm from the landings.

c. Handrails and supports should be installed to assist Differently abled person

in bathrooms and toilets.

d. Handrails should be mounted between 850mm to 950mm above the finished

floor level (refer figure 3.3-a).

e. For wheelchair users, a second handrail should be mounted between

700mm to 750mm from the floor (refer figure 3.3-a).

f. To facilitate use by children, a third handrail should be mounted at a height of

600mm (refer figure 3.3-a).

g. To guide visually impaired using a long cane, a railing should be mounted at

a height between 100mm to 150mm or a low kerb should be installed at a


height between 50mm to 75mm. Low kerb acts as wheel stop (refer figure

3.3-a).

h. Railings should be securely attached to the wall or to a supporting structure

to withstand heavy loads.

i. Circular cross-sections with a diameter of 40mm are preferable, while sharp

edges should be avoided.

j. Handrails should continue uninterrupted (except for doorways) on both sides

and around the landing.

k. Handrails should extend horizontally for a distance between 300mm to

450mm at the top and bottom of stairs and ramps, except in places where

extensions could obstruct the pedestrian flow (refer figure 3.3-b).

l. Handrails on the inside curve of stairs and ramps should not extend more

than 100mm.

m. The space between the handrail and the wall should be between 40mm to

50mm for smooth walls and 60mm for rough textured walls (refer figure 3.3-

c).

n. A contrasting colour is recommended for handrails to alert visually impaired

persons.

o. Handrail ends should terminate either by turning down or by going into the

wall as an aid to persons who have visual limitations.

p. Handrails inside buildings should be 30mm to 40mm in diameter.


B. Retrofit Existing handrails should be coloured in contrast to the surrounding. In areas where

the wall finish is rough and the required distance of 60mm is not maintained, the

wall should be plastered smoothly. Towel bars should be clearly identified and a


separate handrail for differently abled person should be in designated toilet.

Railings should be provided on staircase and windows with sill height less than

1000mm from the landings.

3.4 Openings Openings refer to doors, windows, and ventilators. In buildings with operable

openings, the opening sections should be easy to reach and operate by differently

abled people.

3.4.1 Doors Door should be easily accessible to Differently abled people with enough width to

allow free movement.


a. Minimum clear width of 800mm should be maintained for all types of door

opening. However, sliding arrangement is preferred.

b. Provide handrail with minimum clearance of 300mm between guard and

opened door.

c. Provide lever action door hardware (with end of handle towards the plane of

the door) fixed at an optimum height of 900mm to 1,000mm from the floor

level (refer figure 3.4.1-a).

d. Provide a 300mm clear approach space to open a door at an enclosed space

allowing adequate clearances between door swings.

e. Ensure doors visually contrast with their immediate surroundings (at least

30% luminance contrast to immediate background) (refer figure 3.4.1-a).

f. Door handle should be of 100mm to120mm in length to allow better grasp

(refer figure 3.4.1-b).

g. Provide see-through glass on the doorframe to allow the user to open/close

the door considering the traffic. The bottom edge of the glazed panel should

not exceed 900mm distance from the floor (refer figure 3.4.1-c).


h. Provide tactile flooring of 600mm width of at least 60mm distance from the

door opening.

B. Retrofit Door entrances and exits should be modified with tactile flooring and the door

handles should be replaced with lever type handles from other type.

3.4.2 Windows It is an opening that connects the user to the outside of a building besides door.

Windows provide all or part of the required ventilation and should be easily operable

and safe to use.


a. Provide lever action window hardware (with end of handle returned towards

the plane of the door) fixed at an optimum height of 900mm to 1,000mm from

the floor level.

b. Maintain sill level between 750mm to 900mm (refer figure 3.4.2-a).

c. Ensure that the height of the control for drapes/louvers are within reach.

d. Provide safety rods at window openings as per requirement.


B. Retrofit

The window hardware should be changed to lever action type of appropriate

dimension. The safety bars should be provided in residential facilities.

3.5 Corridors It is a common passage or a circulation space, including a common entrance hall,

the provisions of the corridor should be in conjunction with the existing Bhutan

Building Rules (BBR) 2002.


a. The minimum width of the corridor for residential houses should be 900mm.

b. Corridors for other building types should be no less than 1,500mm wide.

c. Obstructions should not be placed on the passage.

d. Corridors should be provided at every 30m interval and at dead ends.

e. Inside corner should be splayed or rounded to at least 300mm at right angle

turn (refer figure 3.5-a).


B. Retrofit Corridor should be checked for conformity to the standards and modified

accordingly.

3.6 Spaces Living spaces should be designed and furnished for maximum comfort and ease of

use. Spaces consists of rooms, toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens


a. In designing living spaces for Differently abled person, an additional of 1.8m2

is required to enable maneuvering of a wheelchair.

b. . Minimum seating space of 750 mm should be provided for wheelchair user

at the dining table.

c. Classrooms and waiting areas should have minimum obstruction in the

layout of the furniture with an un-obstructive aisle space of 900mm.


3.6.1 Toilet Design The following parameters should be considered:

a. The ease of transferring from a wheelchair to a toilet seat or bidet depends

on the approach. In general, there are four different approaches (refer figure

3.6-a). The four approaches are:

i. The parallel approach, the easiest,

ii. The diagonal approach, the difficult,

iii. The perpendicular approach, the difficult and,

iv. The frontal approach, which is the most difficult and need

particular care.

b. At least one toilet accessible with a wheelchair for one user in institutional

buildings or one toilet for every hundred users, should be allocated.

c. It should be clearly marked with appropriate signage.

d. The preferred side grab bar is the reversed “L” shaped type.

e. Provide outward swing door with minimum 800mm clear width (sliding door is

preferred) (refer figure 3.6-a).

f. The door should have lever action bar and a grab rail at 900mm from the

finish floor level (refer figure 3.6-b).

g. Anti-skid tiles should be used in flooring.

h. The maximum threshold height should be 20mm.

i. The height of the toilet seat should be between 430mm and 460mm from the

finished floor level (refer figure 3.6-c).

j. The distance between the centerline of the toilet seat and the adjacent wall, if

provided with a grab bar should be between 450mm and 500mm (refer figure

3.6-d).

k. Grab bars should be mounted on the wall behind the water closet, if it is of

the tank-less type. Provide grab bar on the sidewall closest to the water

closet, or mount on the floor at the edge of the seat, if the tank is exposed on

the surface.

l. Grab bars should be mounted at a height between 700mm to 850mm from

the floor (refer figure 3.6-c).


m. Flushing arrangements and toilet paper should be placed within reach at a

height between 500mm to 1,000mm.

n. The height of a washbasin should be between 800mm to 850mm above the

finished floor level (refer figure 3.6-e).

o. The distance between the centerline of the washbasin and the adjacent

sidewall should be at least 450mm.

p. No shelves should be located above the washbasin.

q. Washroom accessories such as paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers,

waste bins, and others should have all controls, operating or dispensing

components mounted no higher than 1,200mm from the floor.

r. Grab bars should be mounted at a height between 700mm to 850mm from

the floor on the side and below the mirror as appropriate (refer figure 3.6-e).

s. Mirrors should be suitable for use by both standing and seated persons. Low

mirrors or downward tilted mirrors can be used.

t. The bottom edge of mirrors should be located at a maximum height of

1,100mm from the finished floor level (refer figure 3.6-e).

u. At least one accessible urinal should be provided in public restrooms.

v. Urinals should have a clear space on both sides.

w. A full-length urinal is the most accessible.

x. Urinals with a protruding lip should be mounted at a height of 450mm from

the finished floor level (refer figure 3.6-f).

y. Flushing arrangements should be within reach at a height of 1,000mm from

finished floor level 3.


3.6.2 Bathroom Design The following parameters should be considered:

a. It is recommended that a shower seat be provided in a bathroom. It can be

either hinged, pull down or removable but not spring loaded.

b. A grab bar should be placed on the wall opposite the seat and around the

back wall, mounted at a height between 700mm to 850mm (refer figure 3.6-

h).

c. The floor of the shower stall should not be more than 13mm below the level

of the surrounding floor area.

d. Grading of the floor should ensure no water remain spilled on the floor.

e. If a bathtub is considered, it should be minimum of 700mm by 1,600mm with

set height of 450mm to 500mm from finished floor level with toe recess. An

in-tub seat or a seat should be provided at the head side of the tub (refer

figure 3.6-g).


3.6.3 Kitchen Design The following parameters should be considered-

a. Provide 1,500mm turning radius and knee clearance in counters (refer figure

3.6-i).

b. Provide minimum 300mm wide clear counter space (refer figure 3.6-i).

c. Allocate 1,200mm aisle space between counters (refer figure 3.6-j).

d. Worktops, sinks, and cooking area should be at the same level at a height of

780mm to 800mm high from the floor (refer figure 3.6-k).

e. A knee room of 700mm high should be provided under the sink (refer figure

3.6-k).

f. Base cabinets are most usable with drawers of various depths.

g. Maximum height of shelves over worktop is 1,200mm (refer figure 3.6-k).

h. A minimum gap of 400mm should be provided between the edge of worktop

and top shelves. Side reach for low shelf height should be 300mm (refer

figure 3.6-k).

i. Provide toe recess of at least 100mm where side reach counters are

provided (refer figure 3.6-k).


3.6.4 Verandah Design The following parameters should be considered:

a. It should be accessible from interior spaces with thresholds no higher than

20mm.

b. Balcony should be of firm non-slip flooring materials, laid at fall slope not

greater than 5% to ensure rapid removal of water or melting snow.


c. Handrails should be securely laid and designed to allow clear vision below

the rails for persons seated in wheelchairs wherever possible.

d. A minimum width of 1,800mm is required.

B. Retrofit If the minimum circulation space is in place, the balcony space should be

remodeled with proper flooring and handrails.

3.7 Flooring The choice of flooring type and material is important for both

outdoor and indoor spaces. It is recommended to have a

continuous floor level. However, properly designed ramps

and steps can be used to transit spaces at two levels.

Provide Tactile flooring to assist the visually impaired for

sense of direction and warning.


a. Flooring should be slip-resistant, firm, and stable.

Cushioned carpeting is not recommended.

b. Where floor tiles, bricks or pavers are used, joints

should be no wider than 6mm and placed on a

uniform level to prevent potential tripping hazards.

c. External flooring material should be un-glazed,

uniformly laid, durable and designed to drain off water

from the surface.

d. Texture should be used at ramps, steps and obstructions.

e. All textured surfaces used as warning devices should be cane detectable

and clearly differentiated from surrounding paving surfaces.

f. Ceramic tile used in wet areas should have non-slip and non-glare finishes.


g. Texture changes in the flooring should be used to help the visually impaired

in access and mobility.

h. The maximum threshold between flooring finish should be within 20mm.

i. Tactile flooring minimum 600mm wide and 900mm in length should be

placed at least 300mm from any obstruction.

Three kinds of tactile tiles/blocks are commonly used in constructing a tactile guide

path:

i. Directional Tile/Block

This has parallel raised bars for guiding the users along an intended safe

path.

ii. Hazard Warning Tile/Block

This has extruded big dots (35mm in diameter) arranged in square grid

parallel to the sides of the slab for indication of potential hazards ahead. This

type of tile/block could be used alone to form tactile warning strips at the top

and bottom ends of staircase or ramps, and at dropped kerb.

iii. Positional Tile/Block

This has small extruded dots (23mm in diameter) placed in staggered

positions for indication of possible change in walking directions.

B. Retrofit All open spaces should have non-slip flooring material, carpet may be

provided but should be rigid and not cushioned. The ramps should be

textured to warn pedestrian of transitional changes. Warning tactile flooring

should be provided at all areas as specified earlier in the document. If there

is level difference of more than 20mm from one space to the other, ramps or

steps should be placed.


3.8 Building Services The buildings should be made conducive, functional, efficient, and safe for

differently abled people using services like lighting and illumination, air condition

and ventilation, plumbing fixtures, and acoustics. These services should conform to

standards as stated below:

3.8.1 Lighting and Illumination Buildings should be adequately lit for visibility and ensure that the light sources are

not suspended with an angle of incidence equal to 90 degree. Signage should be

clearly visible and made from material with matt finish and should not be placed in

front of glass.


a. The Differently abled person requires a higher lux level than the

recommended standards. LED light is ideal as it consumes less power with

higher lumen/watt.

b. Generally, offices, retail outlets, shops, and bank counters are required to

have a minimum lux level of 500.

c. Provide proper lighting over public walkways, steps, and ramps, and in public

parks.

d. Light sources and fixtures should be selected to minimize direct or indirect

glare from nearby reflective surfaces or informational signage at public

telephones, informational/service counters, automated teller machines, or

other keypad operations. The light source should not be less than 200 lux.

e. Wherever possible, natural light should be utilized to assist in lighting

entrances, corridors, and major workspaces. Lighting levels in elevator

lobbies are recommended to be no less than 100 lux.

f. Signage should have illumination level on the sign surface of not less than

120 lux.


B. Retrofit Lighting and illumination fixtures should conform to the standards. LED lights can

be used to replace conventional lighting sources to reduce energy consumption and

glare.

3.8.2 Air Conditioning and Ventilation Air conditioning is the artificial or natural process of treating indoor air to meet the

set requirement for the inhabitants.

It is important to ensure the temperature and humidity levels are controlled in a

room for a better indoor environment.


a. The room temperature should be maintained between 21ºC and 26ºC.

b. The humidity should be maintained between 30% and 40%.

c. Provide ventilators below windowsills and above window lintels to create

natural ventilation.

B. Retrofit The existing buildings should be modified to maintain required temperature and

humidity. Provide adequate ventilators to create natural ventilation.

3.8.3 Acoustics The room acoustic is related to the quality of sound e.g. concrete hall acoustic,

while building acoustic is more related to unwanted sound. Consequently, the

sound level in the room will be reduced by using absorbing materials.



a. Attention to acoustic design will ensure that the environment is suitable for

good verbal communication with low background noise, low reverberation

and high quality amplification as appropriate.

b. Floor finish, wall surfaces, and ceilings should be selected so that occasional

noise is not unduly amplified.

c. The emergency alarm shall produce a sound that exceeds the prevailing

equivalent sound level in the room or space by at least 15dbA or exceed any

maximum sound level with a duration of 60 seconds by 5dbA whichever is

louder.

B. Retrofit The existing buildings should be modified to ensure clarity of speech and the alarms

are installed in the corridor for emergency evacuation.

3.8.4 Plumbing Fixtures The type of plumbing fixtures in a toilet, bathroom, kitchen, or any other wet areas is

an important consideration while designing facilities for the Differently abled person.


a. The plumbing fixtures should be mounted at a height easily accessible and

the hardware should be easy to operate.

b. As a standard rule the hot waterline should be on the left side and the cold

waterline should be on the right side.

c. The preferred faucet type is the automatic or the lever handled type, set on

the center of the washbasin at 205mm (refer figure 3.8.4-a).

d. The distance from the edge of the vanity or basin to the faucet should not

exceed 400mm for persons using mobility aids (refer figure 3.8.4-b).


e. Controls for bathtubs should ensure that the hot water temperature in the

showerhead or faucet does not exceed 49ºC to minimize accidental scalding.

f. Drinking fountain spouts should be located at an approximate height of

900mm (refer figure 3.8.4-b).

g. The maximum flow rate calculated at 3 bars should be 6 litres per minute

(LPM) for taps and faucet, while 10LPM for showerhead and hand held

spray.

h. Single-lever mixing-type faucets, which are easily operated by hand or

elbow, are recommended.

i. The clearance between the grip of the tap and any adjacent vertical surface

should not be less than 35mm (refer figure 3.8.4-b).

j. The space between two taps should not be less than 200mm.

k. The left tap should be connected to the hot water supply.

B. Retrofit Change faucet to lever or sensor based type. Install low-flow tap and shower-heads

to conform to the flow rate. Ensure that the hot water line and cold water line are

clearly distinguishable.


3.9 Furnishing The choice of furniture type and room arrangement is essential to support differently

abled persons. Furniture and equipments should be well designed and well built in

to conform to the standards as stated below.

3.9.1 Furniture and Equipment a. Loose seating, chairs or benches should have seat height between 405mm

to 460mm.

b. Tables and desks should generally be selected with a working surface no

higher than 785mm and clear knee space of 700mm high, by at least 760mm

wide between supports (refer figure 3.9.1-a).

c. Locate legs so they are not offset from chairs, stools, and tabletops,

particularly important for supporting children with poor control of motion,

balance or coordination skills.

d. Avoid furniture with wheels such as those used on trolleys that are

dangerous.

e. Select furniture with rounded edges to prevent injuries.

f. Select tables at least 900mm wide and 500mm deep for classrooms.

g. The bedroom layout should be such that the bed should not be in a corner of

a wall. At least, 900mm should be provided for a wheelchair from the side of

the wall for an access and should have a large enough space to transfer by a

wheelchair user, or for a helper to assist the person to transfer (refer figure

3.9.1-b).

h. The bed should be at a height from the ground that permits wheelchair

turning under the bed.

i. A minimum of 900mm width should be kept in front of bedroom closet and

any other furniture.


3.9.2 Closet Closets are required at households and at dormitories to contain clothes.


a. Clothes hanger rod should be at a height between 1,050mm to 1,200mm.

The maximum and minimum height of shelf should be 300mm to 1,400mm,

and the recommended is from 450mm to 1,200mm (refer figure 3.9.2-a).

b. At least one fixed shelf should be provided in accessible sections of coat

closets mounted no higher than 1,400mm.

Note: No base or lower shelf should be installed in accessible closets.

c. Clear door openings for closets or coat racks should be at least 810mm wide

to allow a frontal approach by persons using mobility aids.


3.9.3 Public Counters Public information/service counters, wherever provided, should be accessible and

easily identifiable from a building entrance with assistive listening system.


a. To make a counter easily accessible for a wheel chair user, allow a space

about 700mm high and 350mm deep under the counter (refer figure 3.9.3-a).

b. Counters should be located away from the entrance, if it is anticipated to be

disturbed from an outdoor noise.


3.9.4 Lockers and Storage Lockers and storage are important furnishings in hospitals, schools, and offices.


a. Storage or baggage lockers should have the bottom shelf of the

compartment no higher than 1,200mm and no lower than 450mm from the

floor (refer figure 3.9.4-a).

b. Locks for accessible storage lockers should be mounted at 900mm, but not

higher than 1,065mm (refer figure 3.9.4-a).

c. Provide frontal access spaces in front of lockers, baggage compartments

and carousels of a minimum 810mm.

d. All cupboards, cabinets and pantries in kitchen should be accessible to

persons using mobility aids, with upper shelves no higher than 1,200mm

from the floor (refer figure 3.9.4-a).

3.9.5 Platform Platforms are used in classrooms, lecture halls, and conference halls and should be

easily accessible.

a. Permanent or temporary ramps should be available for persons with mobility

limitations and should be located so as not to constitute a tripping hazard for

persons who have visual limitations.


b. The surface of ramps should be non-slip (e.g. glued down carpet) and the

junction with the floor should be not greater than a 20mm rise.

3.10 Communication Elements and Features It is important that a building is equipped with all necessary communication

elements such as visual communication and emergency system to assist anyone to

easily relate to the building environment and use the facility independently.

A. New Construction I. Visual Communication

Visual communication relates to the use of signage and lighting standards.

Assistive technology can help adults with learning difficulties to communicate and

share information across environments.

II. Emergency system.

The buildings should be equipped with emergency systems as stated below:

a. There should be provision to include alarms, emergency call bells in toilet,

lifts, and corridors. These should be easily accessible and usable (refer

controls for details).

b. Buildings should be equipped with smoke detector, water sprinkler, and

others that are appropriate and applicable from time to time.

c. The evacuation should be assisted with voice messages and lighting design

indicating exit areas or safe refuge areas.

d. All public buildings with floors above or below ground level should develop a

fire-safety and emergency plan, indicating in detail the preferred “evacuation”

or “holding” area strategies.

e. Such strategies may include separating certain areas of the building to allow

“horizontal exiting” to a safe area on the same floor or the creation of “safe

holding areas” in the same general area. Such areas should have a minimum

of an hour protective enclosure.


f. It is important to consider the inclusion of a two-way call system or other

suitable emergency call system linked to a central location (e.g., office or

switchboard) from any accessible unisex washrooms in larger public

buildings such as hospitals, schools or recreation facilities, for persons who

may require assistance.

g. Meet fire safety requirements and standards as per the existing BBR 2002.

B. Retrofit An emergency alarm and exit system should be placed in all buildings with clear

voice, signage’s, and lighting system to enable exit during emergencies.

3.11 Controls Controls include switches, chords, buttons, handles, and points that operate various

building utilities and services. The controls are directly related to the anthropometry

of the user and the type of mobility devices.

A. New Construction The following parameters are to be considered:

a. Controls/buttons should be easy to reach, push, and be raised to require

minimal strength to activate.

b. Braille has to be integrated in the Controls /buttons at appropriate locations.

c. Push buttons or card access controls used to open doors should be located

away from the door swing and they should be mounted on walls or posts, at

a height between 900mm to 1,100mm measured to the centre of the control

(refer figure 3.11-a).

d. Hardware for closet doors, drawer pulls and others should be of the simple

‘D’ type of 100mm to 200mm long or lever type.

e. Window blinds, drapes or louvers should have operators, controls, pull cords,

and others that are accessible to persons using mobility aids mounted in

range of 900mm to 1,200mm from the finished floor level.


f. Controls and operating mechanisms should be clearly visible and identifiable

by a distinct colour or tone compared to the background colour. The colour

brightness or contrast should be 70% or greater for best visibility for persons

with visual limitations (refer figure 3.11-a).

g. Controls should be placed not less than 400mm from room to corners (refer

figure 3.11-a).

h. All the power and electric points should be placed 450mm to 1,200mm above

the floor level and should not project outside the walls (refer figure 3.11-a).

i. Flushing control should be mounted at a height of 600mm to 1,100mm above

the finished floor level and should be hand-operated or automatic.

j. All lift control buttons should have a minimum dimension of 20mm.

B. Retrofit

Ensure that the controls are clearly identifiable and integrate braille, wherever

necessary.


4 CHAPTER FOUR: MAINTENANCE


Proper maintenance is important to ensure that the built environment continue to be

safe, accessible, and convenient for use.

There are three categories of maintenance:

• Corrective maintenance: Work necessary to bring a building/infrastructure to

an acceptable.

• Emergency maintenance: work that must be done immediately for health,

safety, or security reasons or that may result in rapid deterioration of the

building or infrastructure.

• Planned maintenance: Work to prevent problems which can happen

predicatively within the life of the building/infrastructure.

Infrastructures should be periodically assessed and maintained.

Maintenance work should be carried out by skilled/trained personnel.

Special consideration should be given to the maintenance of ramps, signage’s,

fixtures, and flooring in the public areas.


5 CHAPTER FIVE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING TYPES


The building type definition has been derived from the existing BBR 2002. The

requirement must be made in conjunction to the chapter 2, 3, and 4 of this

guideline.

Table 2. Design considerations for different building types Sl. No.

Types of Building

Mandatory requirement

1 Assembly It means a

building or part

thereof where

groups of people

congregate or

gather for

amusement,

recreation,

social, religious,

patriotic, civil,

travel, and

similar purposes.

Assembly

buildings should

include theatres

for drama and

cinema, city

halls, town halls,

auditoria,

exhibition halls,

museums,

"marriage halls”,

1.1 Outdoor Spaces Planning Signage should be put in place as per given standards.

If street furniture is present, it should not be an obstruction,

and should conform to the given standards.

Footpath conforming to minimum width, slope, and finish as

given should be provided to access the facility. Handrails

and upstand walls should be provided depending on the site

condition. These should have warning tactile flooring at

designated locations.

Steps should be uniform in size and with tread and rise as

given. It is preferable to have tactile flooring at designated

locations as given.

The steps should be complimented with a ramp alongside of

width, slope, and finish as given.

Kerb ramp may be provided or substituted with low railing

as given depending on use and location.

The facilities should be accessible with pedestrian crossing

and connecting footpath with ramp and steps from the

designated parking space or from the drop off zones.

At least one parking for Differently abled person should be

provided with connecting aisle space as given. Additional

space should be allotted as per the requirement of the

building.


Sl. No.

Types of Building


“skating rinks”,

gymnasia, stadia,

restaurants,

eating or

boarding houses,

places of

worship, dance

halls, clubs, road,

air, or other

public

transportation

stations.

All obstruction should be clearly identifiable and detectable.

Open Spaces The open spaces adjoining the building should be

accessible by footpath with ramps and steps depending on

site condition. These open spaces should have seating

facilities, while all obstructions should be identifiable if not

omitted.

1.2 Indoor Space Entrance The entrance should be clearly identifiable and connected

from the parking with footpath, ramps, and steps as per the

site condition.

Access The ground floor should be accessible by Differently abled

person with necessary ramps and steps.

The above floors should be made accessible with ramp and

steps as per given standards in terms of width, tread riser,

landing and handrail. It is desirable to have tactile flooring as

per given standards. It is recommended that the steps and

the ramps be allotted alongside.

For building above the ground that necessitates use in

above or below floor from ground level, a mechanical form

of access is must. The lifts should have handrails built into,

while the minimum size should be adhered to.

The ramps should be eliminated if the lifts of appropriate

capacity and inadequate numbers is built in.

Railing All railings should conform to the standards given in terms

of type, diameter, strength, colour coding, and positioning.


Sl. No.

Types of Building


Opening

The openings such as doors and windows should conform

to the standards given with a minimum of 800mm clear

opening for all doors. The main door should be minimum

1,500mm wide. The handle that provide good grasp should

be selected.

Corridor The corridors should be minimum 1,500mm wide and be

provided at dead ends and at every 30m.

Spaces

Provide an additional space for Differently abled person

based on need assessment of the facility.

At least one toilet in each floor hall conform to the standards

given. If toilets are not provided in each floor, then,

depending on the strength of the user, the number of toilets

for Differently abled person should be decided.

Verandah, if provided should be 1,800mm wide with anti-

skid flooring, and it should have a railing securely laid.

Flooring The flooring material should be slip-resistant. If carpeted,

the carpet should be securely laid. All wet areas should

have anti-skid floor tiles. It is preferable to have tactile

flooring in place at locations required.

Building Services The building should be well illuminated and plumbing

fixtures should be provided, that are easy to operate. It

should follow the best practices for services for green

building. The building should perform well in terms of


Sl. No.

Types of Building


acoustics too.

Furnishing The main reception/public counter should be designed to

accommodate the need of the Differently abled person.

Allot furnishings like tables that are compliant to the needs

of Differently abled person.

If lockers are provided, it should be designed as standard

given considering the maximum and minimum reach.

Conference halls with raised stage should conform to the

standard given.

Communication Elements and Features It should be an emergency response plan equipped with

visual communication and alarms for use in emergencies. It

should meet all specifications under fire safety as

prescribed in existing BBR 2002. All floors should have floor

plans indicating exit route in case of emergency. Building

should be equipped with fire detector, smoke detector,

water sprinkler, and others as appropriate.

Should be equipped with holding areas in case of fire and

this should be easily locatable.

All controls should be accessible to Differently abled person

as given.

1.3 Maintenance There should be a scheduled maintenance in place.


Sl. No.

Types of Building


2 Commercial Is a building or

part thereof

primarily used for

commercial

purposes such

as shops, stores,

departmental

stores or

markets. It is

used for display

and sale of

goods or

merchandise,

including office,

storage and

service facilities

incidental thereto

located in the

same building.

Mixed use

buildings with

commercial

areas on the

ground floor and

residential above

should be

2.1 Outdoor Spaces

Planning Signage should be put in place as per given standards.

If street furniture is present, it should not act as an

obstruction, and should conform to given standards.






Steps should be uniform in size with tread and rise as given.

It is preferable to have tactile flooring at designated

locations as given.







designated parking space or from the drop-off zones.


provided with connecting aisle space as given.






Sl. No.

Types of Building


construed as

commercial

building for the

purposes of this

document.

facilities as given and all obstructions should be identifiable

if not omitted.



site condition.



The above floors should be connected by mechanical

access. If lifts are provided for Differently abled person, it

should conform to the minimum requirement of space and

safety with push buttons and railings in place.

Railing Wherever the access for Differently abled person is

provided, railings should be as given.

Opening The openings such as doors and windows should conform


opening for all doors. The main door should be minimum of

1,500mm wide. The handle that provides good grasp should

be selected.


provided at dead ends at every 30m.

Spaces Provide an additional space for Differently abled person

based on need assessment of the facility. For example, if a


Sl. No.

Types of Building


hotel is designed to accommodate Differently abled person,

then, it should conform to an additional space of 1.8m2 per

person.

Toilets construction as per the guidelines should be

designed at the ground floor of the block and in every other

floor for which access for Differently abled person is made.


skid flooring and securely laid railing. Flooring The flooring material should be slip-resistant. If carpeted,




Building Services

The building should be well illuminated and plumbing

fixtures that are easy to operate be provided. It should

follow the best practices for services for green building.

Furnishing All those units that have access to Differently abled person

should have counters designed to accommodate their

needs.

If lockers are provided, it should be designed as given

considering the maximum and minimum reach.






Sl. No.

Types of Building






as given.


3 Educational It means a

building

exclusively used

for a school or

college,

recognized by

the appropriate

board or

university, or any

other

implementing

authority

involving

assembly for

instruction,

education or

recreation

incidental to

educational use,

and including a

3.1 Outdoor Spaces



obstruction, and should conform to the given standards.






Steps should be uniform in size with tread and rise of given

standards. It should have tactile flooring at designated

locations as given.


width, slope, and finish as given. Appropriate landing should

be provided irrespective of terrain. Handrail should be

provided on both sides irrespective of the level difference.

Kerb ramp should be provided or substituted with low railing





Sl. No.

Types of Building


building for such

other uses

incidental thereto

such as a library,

laboratory, fine

arts facility, or a

research

institution.

It should include

quarters for

essential staff

required to reside

in the premises,

and buildings

used as hostels

and boarding

solely captive to

an educational

institution

whether situated

in its campus or

not.

designated parking space or from the drop-off zones. It is

desirable to have parking facilities for Differently abled

person within the education facility at the closest vicinity

from the classes.





facilities as given, while all obstructions should be

identifiable if not omitted. 3.2 Indoor Space Entrance The entrance should be clearly identifiable and connected

from the parking with footpaths, ramps, and steps as per the

site condition.



The above floors should be made accessible by ramp and

steps as per given standards in terms of width, tread riser,

landing and handrail. It is desirable to have tactile flooring

as per the given standards. It is recommended that the

steps and the ramps be allotted alongside.

The ramps should be eliminated if the lift of appropriate

capacity and inadequate numbers is built in. The lift should

conform to the requirement given.


Sl. No.

Types of Building




Based on the age group of the facility it caters to, the

railings should be designed ensuring that it is usable to the

specific group.

Opening The opening doors and windows should conform to the

standards given with a minimum of 800mm clear opening

for all doors. The main door should be minimum 1,500mm

wide. The handle should be as given or equivalent to

provide good grasp.



Spaces Provide an additional space for Differently abled person

based on need assessment of the facility.

The toilet for Differently abled person should be determined

by the strength and it should be designed in the context of

the facility designed. For example, for a blind school the

perpendicular approach, which requires the least space

unlike for a school that caters to need of students on

wheelchair, can apply.


skid flooring, and railing securely laid.


Sl. No.

Types of Building









building. The building should perform well in terms of

acoustics too.



The furniture should be designed for the group it addresses.



Conference halls and classrooms with raised stage should

conform to the standard given.








It should be equipped with holding areas in case of fire and


Sl. No.

Types of Building


this should be easily locatable.


as given.

3.3 Maintenance

There should be a scheduled maintenance in place. 4

Industrial Is a building or

part thereof

wherein products

or materials are

fabricated,

assembled or

processed, such

as assembly

plants,

laboratories,

power plants,

refineries, gas

plants, mills,

dairies, and

factories.

4.1 Outdoor Spaces











locations as given. The steps should be complimented with a ramp alongside of

width, slope and finish as given.




Sl. No.

Types of Building


The facilities should be accessible with pedestrian crossings

and connecting footpaths with ramps and steps from the





Open Spaces

The open spaces adjoining the building should be




identifiable if not omitted.



site condition.

Access The access to the ground floor should be made accessible

for Differently abled person, while the remaining floors

should be left to the discretion of the business owner.


capacity and inadequate numbers is built in.




Sl. No.

Types of Building


Opening

The openings such as doors and windows should conform

to all the standards given with a minimum of 800mm clear


1,500mm wide. The handle should be as given or equivalent

to provide good grasp.



Spaces At least one toilet should be provided conforming to the

standards given for toilets for Differently abled person. Flooring The flooring material should be slip-resistant. If carpeted,







building.






Sl. No.

Types of Building










as given.

4.3. Maintenance There should be a scheduled maintenance in place.

5 Institutional

should mean a

building

constructed by

the government,

semi-government

organizations,

and public sector

undertakings,

registered

Charitable

Trusts, for their

public activities

such as

administration,

5.1 Outdoor Spaces




Footpath conform to minimum width, slope, and finish as







locations as given.




Sl. No.

Types of Building


education,

medical,

recreational and

cultural. It can be

used as hostel,

an auditorium,

and complex. It

can be used for

as hospice,

orphans care, or

for abandoned

women, children

and infants,

convalescents,

destitute or aged

persons and for

penal or

correctional

detention with

restricted liberty

of the inmates

ordinarily

providing

sleeping

accommodation.

It includes

dharamshalas,

hospitals,

Kerb ramp should be provided or substituted with low railing


The facilities should be accessible with pedestrian crossings

and connecting footpaths with ramps and steps from the






accessible by footpaths with ramps and steps depending on






site condition.

Access All the floors should be accessible by ramp and steps as per

the given standards in terms of width, tread riser, landing

and handrail. It is desirable to have tactile flooring as per

given standards. It is recommended that the steps and the

ramps be allotted alongside.

For buildings above 3 storied, a mechanical form of access

is a must. The lifts should have handrails built into while the


Sl. No.

Types of Building


sanatoria,

custodian and

penal institutions

such as jails,

prisons, mental

hospitals, houses

of correction,

detention and

reformatories,

clubs, golf

course, sports

stadium,

buildings. It is

also constructed

by the

government to

promote tourism

such as inns,

resorts, and

lodges, etc.

minimum size should be adhered.


capacity and inadequate numbers is built in. Railing All railings should conform to the standards given in terms


Opening The openings such as doors and windows should conform



1,500mm wide. The handle should be as given or equivalent

to provide good grasp.


provided at dead ends and at every 30m.

Spaces At least, one toilet in each floor hall conform to the

standards given. If toilets are not provided in each floor then

depending on the strength of the user, the number of toilets

for Differently abled person should be decided.


skid flooring and railing securely laid. Flooring The flooring material should be slip-resistant. If carpeted,





Sl. No.

Types of Building



fixtures be provided that are easy to operate. It should

follow the best practices for services for green building.





Conference halls with raised stage should conform to the

standard given.









as given.



6

Residential is a building that

provides sleeping

accommodation

for normal

residential

purposes, with or

without cooking

or dining

facilities. It

includes one or

more families’

dwellings,

lodging or

boarding houses,

hostels,

dormitories,

apartment

houses, flats and

private garages

of such buildings.

6.1 Outdoor Spaces Planning Signage should be put in place as per given standards.


obstruction, and should conform to given standards.





designated locations. Steps should be uniform in size and with tread and rise as


locations as given. The steps should be complimented with a ramp alongside of

width, slope, and finish as given. Kerb ramp should be provided or substituted with low railing

as given depending on use and location. The facilities should be accessible with pedestrian crossing



Depending on the scale of the residential structures and the

population it caters to, parking for Differently abled person

may be provided with connecting aisle space as given.

Standard parking otherwise should be converted to parking

for Differently abled person and demarcated with bollards

with aisle connecting till the entrance of the structure.









from the parking with footpath, ramps and steps as per the

site condition. Access The ground floor should be accessible by Differently abled


For buildings above 4 storeys, a mechanical form of access

is a must. The lifts should have handrails built into while the

minimum size should be adhered. For buildings, lower than

four floors with accommodation for Differently abled person

in above or below floors, should have lift or a ramp for

access in addition to the staircase must also be provided.



Opening The openings doors and windows should conform to the

standards given with a minimum of 800mm clear opening

for all doors. The main door should be minimum 1,000mm

wide. The handle should be as given or equivalent to

provide good grasp.


Corridor The corridors should be minimum 900mm wide and be

provided at dead ends and at every 30m. Spaces Provide an additional space for Differently abled person

based on need assessment of the facility. For those units designed for Differently abled person, the

rooms, toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens should be designed

as per the guideline.


skid flooring and railing securely laid.




flooring in place at locations required. Building Services The building should be well illuminated, conditioned and

plumbing fixtures should be provided that are easy to

operate. It should follow the best practices for services for

green building.

Furnishing The furniture should be designed to accommodate the need

of the Differently abled person.

The closets should conform to the standard given.






prescribed in BBR 2002. All floors should have floor plans


indicating exit route in case of emergency. Building should

be equipped with fire detector, smoke detector, water

sprinkler, and others as appropriate.


as given. 6.3 Maintenance There should be a scheduled maintenance in place.


Historical Buildings

The historical buildings are discussed separately given the rich architectural value it

is to exhibit and as a symbolic entity, which allows very little opportunities in new

construction and remodeling the existing buildings to being compliant to the need of

the Differently abled person. It must be borne in mind that any suggestion that will

contradict to the architectural heritage that apply to these buildings will not be

considered. However, there are opportunities that can be applied to the outdoor

spaces that can improve the accessibility to such sites.

In general, the new construction of historical buildings can be made accessible for

Differently abled person. For conservation and retrofit, the Department of Culture

(DoC) under the Ministry of Home and Culture Affairs (MoHCA) must be

approached to arrive at any changes to incorporate the standards for universal

accessibility.

Generally, providing access (exterior and interior) for disabled persons in ways that

preserve the character of the historic property is a challenge and requires creativity

and collaboration among the project team members. Compliance is required in

these areas but the accessibility standards need to be flexible, which can provide

alternative solutions when applied to historic buildings that allow retention of original

historic fabric.

The primary areas related to accessibility design requiring special care are as

follows:

Signage I. Signage should be integrated into the historic building fabric in ways that

preserve the historic character.

II. Avoid altering, removing, and damaging historic signs and finishes.

III. Installation of signage should be carefully executed to avoid damage to

finishes. Avoid penetrating historic material. Free-standing signage is often

an acceptable alternative to mounting signs on historic fabric.


Accessible Routes and Clearances I. Preserve the intended entry experience of historic sites and buildings for

everyone.

II. Wherever possible, design solutions that use on-grade entrances or low

slope ramps integrated into the site to avoid the requirement for railings at

abrupt level changes. As an alternative, consider on-grade entrances or

down-grade sloping ramps that connect to interior elevators. This should

require locating an accessible entrance elsewhere.

III. Exterior accessibility should be accommodated by providing wheelchair-

accessible-path from a safe and accessible parking to the building, historic

landscapes, or informational exhibits.

IV. Accessible routes do not have to be altered, if they provide adequate turning

radius at intervals.

V. Construct new ramps and railings of compatible materials and design.

VI. Preserve visual symmetry, where applicable.

Doors and Hardware I. Provide access without removing character-defining elements such as doors

and hardware. Modifications limiting impact on the historic character of a

building that still meets the code is preferable.

II. Avoid replacing historic hardware, wherever possible. Alternative solutions to

hardware replacement include techniques such as keeping the door open

during normal business hours and electric door openers.

III. Avoid widening door openings and look for alternative routes. Where it is

unavoidable, design new doors and openings to be compatible with the

materials and detailing of nearby historic doors.


Interior Public Spaces I. Preserve the hierarchy and historic character of significant spaces, including

entrances, lobbies, atria, primary corridors, and stairs.

II. Preserve character defining features and spatial qualities of ceremonial

lobbies.

III. Maintain historic primary entrance.

IV. Avoid detrimental modifications to primary entrance in seeking to meet

security and accessibility solutions.

Restroom I. When restrooms are part of the character of the historic building and cannot

be readily modified, consider adding accessible unisex restrooms. This will

eliminate the need to modify existing bathroom.


6 CHAPTER SIX: CHECKLIST


A checklist is prepared to help in auditing a built environment for Conformity Check

against the needs of the Differently abled person. For every “NO,” the guideline

should be referred to seek possible solutions to it.

Table 3: Checklist

YES NO

OUTDOOR SPACES 1 Planning

1.1 Signage 1 Are appropriate signage placed at various locations? 2 Are signage following the colour combination?

3 Are the maps or information boards between 900mm to 1,800mm height?

4 Are the character widths to height ratio maintained at 1:1 and 3:5?

5 Are the stroke width maintained at 1:5 or 1:10? 1.2 Street Furniture 1 Are they not acting as an obstruction?

2 Are resting facilities provided at every 100m to 200m interval?

3 Is 1,015mm space allowed between benches? 4 Are the benches 405mm to 460mm from the ground? 5 Do the benches have backrest till 700mm from the ground?

6 Are the tables 750mm to 900mm high with 600mm clear knee space?

7 Are street furniture such as lamp posts, dustbins, and others clearly identifiable?

8 Are street furniture accessible for use? 1.3 Footpath 1 Are guided strips provided? 2 Are there any holes or grating along the pathway? 3 Are the gratings slots exceeding 20mm width?

4 Are the holes greater than 20mm wide? If YES, are these flushed?

5 Is the surface slip-resistant?

6 Are adequate guards provided where the difference in level from footpath and surrounding is more than 130mm?

7 Are the guards of minimum 150mm in height? 8 Is the level difference limited to 20mm?


YES NO

9 Are the surface beveled at level difference?

10 Are handrails provided, where the difference in level from footpath and surrounding is more than 450mm?

1.4

Steps

1 Are external stairs having maximum 150mm riser and minimum 300mm as tread?

2 Are the steps with a minimum 3 rows in a flight? 3 Are the steps uniform in size? 4 Is the material non-slip? 5 Is the nosing clearly marked? 1.5 Ramps 1 Is minimum width of 1,500mm maintained? 2 Is the slope maintained at 1:20? 3 If No, is the standard as per table no.1 followed? 4 Are landing provided at every 14m of horizontal run? 1.6 Kerb Ramps 1 Is minimum width of 1,200mm maintained? 2 Is the slope maintained at 1:12? 3 Are the kerb ramps detectable and with contrasting colour? 4 Is tactile flooring available?

5 Are tactile flooring provided at least 300mm from vehicular traffic at end of the kerb?

6 Are upstand wall kerb provided? 7 If YES, is it at least 150mm high? 1.7 Pedestrian Crossing 1 Are pedestrian crossings equipped with traffic signals? 2 Are proper-guided strips provided? 3 Are the road humps and the pathways at the same level? 4 Is a traffic island required? 5 If YES, is the traffic island of 1,500mm wide provided?

6 Are there pedestrian crossings at every 100m, at drop-off zones, and next to an important building?

2 Parking 1 Is the car park not blocking the entrance to the building? 2 Is the parking for the Differently abled person provided? 3 If YES, is the parking width a minimum of 3,600mm wide?

4

If YES, is the minimum space of 1,200mm between bays allowed within the parking space for movement of the Differently abled person?


YES NO

5 If YES, is there proper tactile flooring in place?

6 Is the distance between the outdoor car park and the building entrance within 50m?

7 If drop zones are provided, is the distance within 30m till the building entrance?

8 Have bollards been used to designate parking spaces for the Differently abled person?

9 Is there a proper signage? 3 Obstruction 1 Is minimum unobstructed path of 900mm provided? 2 Is minimum clear height of 2,000mm provided? 3 If NO, are the protruding obstacles limited to 100mm? 4 Are fixed objects clearly identifiable? 5 Are marking strips provided?

6 Are the marking strips 300mm in length and at 1,400mm to 1,600mm in height?

7 Are spaces below ramps and staircase made inaccessible? 8 Are the obstruction placed in a linear arrangement? 9 Are the obstruction raised over 100mm from pathway?

10 Are there tactile flooring around the obstruction of 600mm wide at the base of the obstruction?

11 Are temporary obstruction clearly marked with cautionary signage, guarded with bollards and industrial yellow tape?

4 Open Spaces 4.1 Parks and Playground

1 Is the facility accessible with proper footpath from designated parking?

2 Does the gate have provision to allow entry/exit of person using a wheelchair with threshold limited to 13mm?

3 Is it obstruction free or clearly identifiable?

4 Does it conform to requirements under footpath, steps, ramp and kerb ramp?

5 Are street furniture, dustbins and drinking fountain as per the standard?

4.2 Public Square

1 Is the facility accessible with proper footpath from the designated parking?

2 Is it obstruction free or clearly identifiable?

3 Does it conform to requirements under footpath, steps, ramp and kerb ramp?

4.3 Transportation


YES NO

1 Does it conform to parking standards for Differently abled person?

2 Is there proper signage? 3 Are drop-off zones provided?

4 Is there a lay-by spaces of 3,050mm by 7,925mm and 2,000mm width provided?

5 Are there communication facilities to provide all services related to incoming bus, destination and others?

6 Is there a proper footpath connecting to such transportation facilities conforming to footpath requirements?

7 Is there street furniture provided conforming to standards under street furniture? INDOOR SPACES

1 Entrance 1 Is the entrance clearly identifiable? 2 Is the entrance free of obstructions?

3 Is a footpath provided from the parking or drop-off zones for pedestrian movement till the entrance?

4 Are tactile flooring provided at the required areas? 5 Is the entrance accessible with ramp and steps? 6 Are handrails provided at the required areas? 7 Are proper signage in place to lead to the entrance?

8 Is the main door opening greater than 1,000mm for residential and greater than 1,200mm for others?

2 Access 2.1 Ramps 1 Do the ramp conform to 1:12 slope? 2 Is the minimum width of 900mm maintained?

3 Is a landing provided at every 9m horizontal run and at every turn?

4 Are the landings at a minimum 1,200m in length? 5 Do the handrail conform to standards under handrail? 6 Is the surface non-slip?

7

What is the configuration of the ramp? a. Straight run b. 90 degree turn c. 180 degree turn d

8 Are tactile marking on floor at every level, landing level and start and end of ramps 600mm wide?

2.2 Stairs


YES NO

1 Are indoor stairs 150mm to 180mm riser and 280mm to 300mm as tread?

2 Is there a landing provided at an interval as specified in existing DCR and BBR 2002?

3 Is the landing depth equal or greater to the width of the stair width?

4 Are the treads nosing clearly marked?

5 Are the treads nosing rounded and projection less than 35mm?

6 Are the handrails at 600mm to 900mm in height? 7 Are the handrails provided on both the sides? 8 Do the handrail conform to standards under handrail?

9 Are the handrail continuous 300mm to 450mm projected from the end and the start?

10 Are the projected handrails smooth and turned down to finish/ against wall?

11 Are tactile marking on floor at every level, landing level and start and end of the stairs 600mm wide?

12 Is the clear width of 900m for residential and 1,500mm for others maintained?

2.3 Lifts/Escalator 1 Are there proper signage? 2 Are controls accessible? 3 Have handrails been provided? 4 Is adequate lighting level of 100 lux maintained? 5 Does the control have Braille? 6 Is tactile flooring provided at door opening 600mm wide? 7 Is the slope of escalator less than 30 degrees? 8 Are clear signal of movement indicated on the escalator? 3 Railing

1 Are railings provided at all hazardous areas such as ramps, staircase, bathroom, toilets, verandahs and others?

2 Are railing provided against windows on staircase below 1,000mm?

3 Are railing provided within 600mm to 950mm to cater to different age groups?

4 Is the handrail 40mm to 50mm in diameter?

5 Is the structural strength of the grab bar able to withstand force greater than 1,100 Newton?


YES NO

6

Is the space between the handrail and the wall between 40mm and 50mm for smooth walls and 60mm for rough textured walls maintained?

7 Are the handrails on the inside curve of stairs or ramps extending more than 100mm?

8 Is the handrail contrasting in colour?

9 Are the continuous handrails provided on both sides of steps, ramp or corridor with exception to locations of the doors?

10 Are the handrails terminating by turning down or against wall?

11 Does the handrail have Braille inscription? (recommended) 4 Openings 4.1 Doors 1 Is minimum clear width of 800mm maintained?

2 Is a handrail of minimum 300mm clear provided between opened door and door guard?

3 Is lever action hardware used in door (100mm to 120mm length)?

4 Is the lever fixed between 900mm to 1,000mm?

5 Is approach space of minimum 300mm provided to open a door?

6 Do the doors visually contrast to the immediate surrounding?

7 Is a see-through glass provided at the doorframe? (recommended)

8 If YES, is the bottom edge less than 900mm from the floor? 9 Is tactile flooring provided at door opening 600mm wide? 4.2 Windows

1 Is lever action hardware used in the door (100mm to 120mm length)?

2 Is the lever at fixed between 900mm to 1,000mm? 3 Is control provided for the drapes at appropriate locations? 4 Are safety bars provided? 5 Corridor

1 Is a minimum of 900mm clear widths for residential and 1,500mm for others provided?

2 Is it free of obstruction along the minimum clear width?

3 Are corridors provided at every 30m interval and at dead ends?

4 Are inside of corridor splayed or rounded to 300mm right angle turn?


YES NO

6 Spaces 6.1 General 1 Is an additional 1.8m2 provided for Differently abled person?

2 Do classrooms have minimum obstruction in the layout of the furniture with an un-obstructive aisle space of 900mm?

6.2 Toilets and Bathrooms and Urinals

1 Is the toilet easily accessible with appropriate corridor width leading to it?

2

Is there an egress space of 1,520mm by 1,520mm prior to entry to a toilet? (applicable for all buildings except residential)

3 The following approach is applied: a. Parallel b. Diagonal c. Perpendicular d. Frontal 4 Is there proper signage? 5 Are toilet seats within 430mm to 460mm height?

6 Are grab bars provided between 450mm to 1,500 mm depending on use and type of rail?

7 Are horizontal grab bars placed between 700mm to 950mm? 8 Is an outward swing door provided? 9 Is the width of the door minimum 800mm wide?

10 Does the door have proper lever action grab bar at 900mm to 1,000mm height?

11 Are the flooring anti-skid tiles? 12 Is the threshold limited to less than 13mm?

13 Is the centerline of the toilet seat to the adjacent wall between 450mm to 500mm?

14 Are the flushing arrangement and toilet roll placed within 1.1m and 0.5m?

15 Are urinals provided?

16 If the urinal has protruding lip, is it within 450mm height from finished floor level?

17 Is the washbasin placed between 800mm to 850mm from finished floor level?

18 Is the centerline of the basin to the adjacent wall minimum 450mm?

19 Is the washbasin placed adjacent to the water closet? (recommended)

20 Are there shelves above the washbasin?


YES NO

21 If mirrors are provided, is the bottom height below 1,100mm from finished floor level?

22 Is the faucet type accessible and easily usable? 23 Is the hot water and cold water line clearly marked? 24 Is there a shower cubicle? 25 Are seats provided? 26 Are the seats foldable or removable types?

27 Is the seat for above provided at 430mm to 460mm from finished floor level?

28 Does the shower stall have a beveled threshold not more than 13mm above the finished floor level?

29 What is the slope maintained in the bath? 30 Is the minimum dimension followed as given under rooms?

31 Is a turning radius of 1,500mm provided inside a bathroom? (recommended)

32 Is the height of the bathtub between 450mm to 500mm from the finished floor level?

33 Does the tub have toes access? (recommended) 6.3 Kitchen 1 Is a turning radius of 1,500mm provided? 2 Are knee clearances of 700mm provided? 3 Are minimum 300mm wide counter space provided? 4 Is aisle space of 1,200mm provided between counters? 5 Are doors conforming to door requirement above?

6 Are worktops/sinks and others between 780mm to 800mm height from the finished floor level?

7 Is the maximum height of shelves over worktop within 1,220mm?

8 Is a minimum gap of 400mm provided between the edge of worktop and top shelves?

9 Is the side reach for low shelf height at 300mm? 6.4 Verandah

1 Are terraces accessible with beveled threshold not more than 13mm above the finished floor level?

2 Is non-slip firm material used in flooring?

3 Is the verandah at least 1,800mm wide including allowable projection as specified by the BBR 2002 and DCR?

4 Are the handrails securely laid? 7 Flooring 1 Are tactile flooring used as warning, positional or directional? 2 Is the flooring slip-resistant, firm, stable and unglazed?


YES NO

3 Are the joints between blocks less than 6mm and uniformly laid?

4 Is the flooring designed to drain the water from the surface?

5 Have textured flooring been used at ramps, steps and obstruction?

6 Are the textures canes detectable? 7 Is the threshold between flooring finishes limited to 13mm?

8

Are ceramics used in wet areas or non-slip and non-glare finished?

8 Building Services 8.1 Lighting and Illumination 1 Is the maximum lux level limited to 500 lux? 2 Does the light source provide glare? 3 Is natural lighting optimized?

4 Does it comply with the requirement given in the existing BBR 2002?

8.2 Air Conditioning and Ventilation

1 Is the operating temperature within 21ºC and 26ºC all the time of the year?

2 Is the operating humidity within 30% to 40% all the time of the year?

3 Is the airflow directed to the person under it?

4 Does it comply with the requirement given in the existing BBR 2002?

8.3 Acoustics

1 Are floor finishes, wall surfaces, and ceilings selected so that occasional noise is not unduly amplified?

8.4 Plumbing Fixtures 1 Are automatic or single lever type faucets provided? 2 Is the faucet set at 205mm on the centre of the basin?

3 Is the hot temperature restricted to 49 degrees in hot water line?

4 Are drinking fountains located at 900mm from finished floor level?

5

Is the maximum flow rate at 3 bars, 6 liters per minute (LPM) for taps and faucet while 10 LPM for showerhead and hand held spray?

9 Furnishing 9.1 General Equipment and Furniture 1 Are seats between 405mm to 460mm height?


YES NO

2 Are working tables less than 785mm and with 700mm knee space?

3 Are the furniture rounded at edges?

4 Are tables 900mm wide and 500mm deep for classrooms?

9.2 Closet 1 Are the rod hanger between 1,050mm and 1,200mm?

2 Is the maximum height of shelf between 1,400mm and 300mm?

3 Is there space of 810mm for frontal access to open the closet?

9.3 Public Counters 1 Are these 700mm high and 350mm deep under the counter? 2 Are the counters located away from the entrance?

3 Is information board provided in with adequate letter sizes (refer signage) and with Braille?

9.4 Lockers and Storage

1 Is the maximum height of shelf between 300mm to 1,400mm?

2 Is a 1,200mm wide aisle space provided? 9.5 Platform and Daises 1 Is the surface non-slip? 2 Is the surface glued down?

3 Is it accessible with beveled threshold not more than 13mm, above the finished floor level?

10 Communication Elements and Features 10.1 Visual Communication

1 Are lighting levels, colour, tone, and contrast conforming to minimum standards?

10.2 Emergency System

1 Is an ERP in place with distinct and clearly marked exit plans at every floor?

2 Are exits equipped with proper signage?

3 Does it have audio message system for general information and warnings?

4

Does it have provisions to enable early evacuation of building leading to exit with systems as beeps and lighting to serve as way-finding in case of emergency?

5 Is the building equipped with smoke detector, water sprinkler and others?

6 Is a refuge area provided in case of fire?


YES NO

7 Does it conform to the standards as stated in the existing BBR 2002, under fire safety?

11 Controls

1 Are the push buttons located from 900mm to 1,100mm from finished floor level?

2 Are the hardware easily operable preferably lever type or D type of 100mm to 200mm?

3 Is the door hardware located between 900mm to 1,100mm from the floor level?

4 Are the controls distinctly identifiable with 70% or greater contrast or brightness?

5 Are the controls placed at greater than 400mm from the adjacent wall?

6 Is the lift call buttons within 1,000mm to 1,200 mm?

7 Are the lift control buttons at least 20mm with a centre to center spacing of 62mm (maximum)?

8

Are the powers and electric points placed 450mm to 1,200mm above the floor level and not projecting outside the walls?

9 Are the flushing controls between 600mm to 1,100mm from finished floor level?

10 Do the lift control buttons have a minimum dimension of 20mm?

MAINTENANCE 1 Is there schedule maintenance?


APPENDIX A: DEFINITION The terms and expressions not defined in these regulations should have the same

meaning as in the Bhutan Municipal Act 1999; and the rules framed thereunder or

as mentioned in the BBR 2002; and the Building Code of Bhutan (BCB) 2003; as

the case may be, unless the context otherwise requires.

ADVERTISING SIGN/HOARDING Any surface or a structure with characters, letters, and illustrations applied or

displayed outdoor in any manner to disseminate information to attract. It may attract

people to a place, a cause, to a person, a public performance, article or

merchandise. It is attached, connected, fixed to forms (and structures) such as

buildings, trees, grounds, poles, screens, and hoardings. It is also displayed in a

space or displayed over a water body included in the limits of the notified area of

the implementing authority.

AIR-CONDITIONING The process of treating air to control (simultaneously or singly) its temperature,

humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the requirement of an enclosed

space.

AMENITIES Facilities such as roads, streets, open spaces, parks, recreational grounds,

playgrounds, gardens, water supply, electric supply, street lighting, drainage,

sewerage, public works and other utilities, communication network, etc. for the

citizens’ use and convenience.

ARCHITECT A person with a degree or diploma in architecture from an institute, college or

university accredited by the respective country’s accreditation board to impart

professional degrees in architecture.


BUILDING Structure constructed using any material for any purpose, whether used as human

habitation or not, that has foundations, plinths, walls, columns, floors, roofs,

chimneys, plumbing and building services, fixed platforms, verandas, balconies,

cornices or projections, part of a building or anything affixed thereto. However,

structures of a temporary nature like tents, hutments, etc. erected for temporary

purposes or for ceremonial occasions, with the permission of the implementing

authority, should not be considered as "buildings."

(A) "Assembly building" is a building or a part of a building, where groups of

people congregate or gather for amusement, recreation, social, religious, patriotic,

civil, travel, and similar purposes. Assembly buildings should include theatres for

drama and cinema, city halls, town halls, auditoria, exhibition halls, museums,

"marriage halls,” “skating rinks,” gymnasia, stadia, restaurants, eating or boarding

houses, places of worship, dance halls, clubs, road, air, or other public

transportation stations.

(B) "Educational building" means a building exclusively used for a school or

college, recognized by the appropriate board or university, or any other

implementing authority involving assembly for instruction, education or recreation

incidental to educational use, and including a building for such other uses incidental

thereto such as a library, laboratory, fine arts facility, or a research institution. It

should also include quarters for essential staff required to reside in the premises,

and buildings used as hostels and boarding solely captive to an educational

institution whether situated in its campus or not.

(C) “Industrial building" is a building or part thereof wherein products or materials

are fabricated, assembled or processed, such as assembly plants, laboratories,

power plants, refineries, gas plants, mills, dairies, and factories.

(D) "Institutional or Public building" should mean a building constructed by the

government, semi-government organisations, and public sector undertakings,


registered Charitable Trusts, for their public activities such as administration,

education, medical, recreational, and cultural. It can be used as hostel, an

auditorium, and complex. It can be used for as hospice, orphans care, or for

abandoned women, children and infants, convalescents, destitute or aged persons

and for penal or correctional detention with restricted liberty of the inmates ordinarily

providing sleeping accommodation. It includes dharamshalas, hospitals, sanatoria,

custodian and penal institutions such as jails, prisons, mental hospitals, houses of

correction, detention and reformatories, clubs, golf course, sports stadium,

buildings. It is also constructed by the government to promote tourism such as inns,

resorts, and lodges, etc.

(E) "Commercial or Mercantile building" is a building or part thereof primarily

used for commercial purposes such as shops, stores, departmental stores or

markets. It is used for display and sale of goods or merchandise, including office,

storage and service facilities incidental thereto located in the same building. Mixed

use buildings with commercial areas on the ground floor and residential above

should be construed as commercial building for the purposes of this document.

(F) "Residential building" is a building that provides sleeping accommodation for

normal residential purposes, with or without cooking or dining facilities. It includes

one or more families’ dwellings, lodging or boarding houses, hostels, dormitories,

apartment houses, flats and private garages of such buildings.

(G) “Heritage building” includes:

(i) Any Dzong, temple, and other religious structure, palace, and Dratshang;

(ii) Vernacular house of cultural heritage value; or

(iii) Other built structure such as bridge, watermill, water canal and wall of

cultural heritage value.


BUILDING SERVICES It means a HVAC plant, power generator, underground sumps, pumps, boilers, sub-

station, lift pits and related services, chutes, storages, laundry and other services

related to building maintenance.

BUILT-UP FOOTPATH Footpath built adjacent to the carriageway.

CORRIDOR It is a common passage or circulation space including a common entrance hall.

CONTROLS It means all mechanical, automatic, and manual systems to operate services.

DEVELOPER It means the person, who is legally empowered to construct or to execute work on a

plot of land, building unit, building or structure. The owner of a building unit, a

building or structure in the case where nobody is empowered.

ENCLOSED STAIRCASE A staircase separated by walls and doors from the rest of the building.

ENGINEER A person with a degree or diploma in civil and/or structural engineering from any

recognized institute, college, or university of engineering accredited by the

respective country’s accreditation board to impart professional degrees in

engineering.


EXIT It is a passage, channel of means of egress from any building, storey or floor area

to a street or other open space of safety; horizontal exit, outside exit and vertical

exit having meanings at (i), (ii) and (iii) respectively as under:

i. "HORIZONTAL EXIT”: - an exit which is a protected opening through or

around at firewall or bridge connecting two or more buildings.

ii. "OUTSIDE EXIT”: - an exit from a building to a public way, to an open area

leading to a public way, or to an enclosed fire resistant passage leading to a

public way.

iii. "VERTICAL EXIT”: - an exit used for ascending or descending between two

or more levels, including stairways, smoke-proof towers, ramps, escalators,

and fire escapes.

EXISTING BUILDING A building or a structure existing before the commencement of these regulations.

EXISTING USE It should mean use of a plot of land, a building, or a structure existing before the

commencement of these regulations.

FIRE AND/OR EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM Arrangement of call points or detectors, sensors, sounders, and other equipment for

the transmission and indication of alarm signals working automatically or manually

in the event of fire.

FIRE PROOF DOOR A door or shutter fitted to a wall opening constructed and erected with the

requirement to check the transmission of heat and fire for a specified period.

Fireproof doors for various purposes should conform to the specifications and

performance standards as laid out in the BCB 2003 (BTS-015-2003, Part 2 Section

6 Fire Protection).


FIRE SEPARATION The distance in meters measured from any other building on the site or from

another site, or from the opposite side of a street or other public space to the

building.

FLOOR Lower surface in a storey on which one normally walks in a building. It does not

include a mezzanine floor. The floor at ground level with a direct access to a street

or open ground/ land should be called the ground floor; the ground floor should also

be counted as a floor in defining the number of floors (in the estimation of floors, the

actual areas or extent of the floors should have no consideration). The

nomenclature of the other floors should be as follows: the floor above the ground

floor should be termed as I floor, with the next higher floor being termed as II floor,

and so on upwards.

GROUND LEVEL It should mean the lowest ground level within the plot.

HERITAGE SITE The following are regarded as heritage sites:

(i) Heritage Building;

(ii) Cultural Site; and

(iii) Archaeological Site.

KERB RAMP Kerb ramp is a solid ramp graded down from the top surface of a side walk to the

surface of an adjoining street.


LAY-BY SPACES Place at the side of the road where a vehicle can stop for a short time without

interrupting other traffic.

LAYOUT It means laying out a parcel of land or lands into smaller plots for building on, with

laying of roads/streets, including formation, leveling, metalling or blacktopping or

paving of the roads and footpaths, etc. including laying of the services and

amenities such as water supply, drainage, street lighting, open spaces, etc.

LIFT A mechanically guided car, platform or transport for persons and materials between

two or more levels in a vertical or substantially vertical direction.

LOCAL BUILDING MATERIAL Building materials available or produced in a particular locality. In a broader sense

they also refer to building materials produced within the country.

NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE AND CIVIC CENTRE Activity place such as community shopping centre, market, office building, cinema,

small hospital, playground, swimming pool, town hall, open air theatre, civic and

cultural facilities, library, higher secondary school, parking plots, public utility and

service buildings such as post office, fire station, police station, religious building

and building of public uses.

OFF-ROAD FOOTPATH Footpath built independent of the road cross-section or segregated from the

vehicular system.


OPEN SPACE It is an area forming an integral part of the plot or an independent plot, left

permanently open to sky.

OWNER A person in whose name the land or property is registered as per the land records

with the TMC. The owner is one who receives rent for the use of the land or building

or would be entitled to do so if it were let.

PARKING SPACE It is an area, enclosed or unenclosed, covered or uncovered, sufficient in size to

park vehicles with space for movement. Parking space should connect with a

driveway to link to streets or allies and permit vehicular movements both ways.

PLOT It is a piece of land enclosed by definite boundaries fixed by the implementing

authority.

RAMP Ramp is a sloped surface designed to connect two spaces at different height.

RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES It should mean an area primarily intended for active and passive recreational

purposes.

RETROFIT Any change in an existing authorised building or approved plans of a building. A

change from one use to another use. A structural change such as additions to the

area or height, removal of part of a building, a change to the structure such as the

construction or cutting into or removal of any wall or part of a wall, partition, column,

beam, joist, or re-roofing, or re-construction of any kind, alterations to a floor,


including a mezzanine floor, or any support, or a change to, or closing of any

required means of ingress, or egress, or a change to fixtures, equipment, as

provided in these regulations

ROAD/STREET Any public expressway, highway, boulevard, street, lane, pathway, alley, stairway,

passageway, carriageway, footway, square place or bridge. Whether a thoroughfare

or not, public should have a way of passage or access or have passed and had

access uninterruptedly for a specified period, whether existing or proposed in any

scheme. It may be all bunds, channels, ditches, storm-water drains, culverts,

sidewalks, traffic islands, road-side trees and, hedges retaining walls, fences,

barriers, and railings within the street lines.

SITE DEVELOPMENT It means the carrying out of engineering, mining, and other operations on land or in

water. It means the making of any material or structural change, including

demolition of building, reclamation of land, change in use of the premises, and

includes redevelopment and layout and subdivision of any land.

TACTILE MATERIAL It is a textured surface material to assist the blind or the visually impaired to move

around spaces and support way-finding.

TRADITIONAL MATERIAL Earth, stone, timber and bamboo, and earth-and-wood based paints traditionally

used in vernacular architecture.

TRAVEL DISTANCE It should mean the distance from the remotest point of a building to a place of

safety, be it a vertical exit or a horizontal exit or an outside exit, measured along the

line of travel.


URBAN PLANNER/DESIGNER A person with degree or diploma in Urban Planning/Designing from an institute,

college or university accredited by the respective country’s accreditation board to

impart professional degrees in Urban Planning/Designing.

VENTILATOR It should mean an appliance or an aperture, which is usually used for the purpose of

ventilating a room or space.

WATER CLOSET (WC) It should mean a privy with an arrangement for flushing the pan with water, but does

not include a bathroom. It should not be smaller in floor area than one square

meter.

WINDOW It is an opening, other than a door, to the outside of a building, which provides all or

part of the required ventilation.


APPENDIX B: CRITICAL REVIEW OF EXISTING POLICY DOCUMENTS The guideline, standard, and rules listed below were referred to understand and

include the needs of Differently abled person in preparing this guideline.

i. Bhutan Building Rules (BBR) 2002

ii. Traditional Architectural Guidelines

iii. Thimphu Municipal Development Control Regulations 2004

iv. Thimphu City Development Strategy 2008

v. Local Area Plans

vi. Urban Structure Plans

vii. Urban Roads Standards 2002

viii. National Human Settlement Policy 2015

A. The only document that has a direct mention to address the need of the

Differently abled person is the BBR 2002, under Chapter 8, titled Disabled

access.

The following are covered:

- The ground floor to be made accessible for all institutional buildings.

- Information on ramp slope at 1:12 with handrail on any one side with

landing at 9,500mm horizontal interval. The landing to be 1,800mm by

1,800mm if door swings on to it.

- Depending on use and capacity of building, the number of toilets to be

made accessible to Differently abled person.

- The toilets to be minimum 1,520mm by 1,520mm with 1,000mm door

opening inwards.

- Mounted handrail to be provided for support.


GAP Analysis A. This document includes the fundamentals necessary to guide a professional to

enable access given the period it was prepared on and the development that

has taken place. The information available is obsolete in the present context.

The chapter does not cover all design considerations to be mindful in designing

built environment for Differently abled person. It is limited to basic elements

under entrance, access, toilet, and handrail. The same has been reviewed

below:

The slope of the ramp is specified but the landing size is not appropriate, as the

running length for turning the wheelchair is not considered, in any other

conditions except, when a door is provided at the landing. The requirement of

the handrail is compromised, while the sizing of the handrails is not specified.

The door opening of 1,000mm can be substituted to 800mm for the toilets, while

the door has to be opened outside and not inside as specified.

The toilet size is specified but the space between the fixtures and in relationship

to the grab bar has not been specified. The toilet size is arrived without

considering the various approaches possible (refer figure 3.6.a).

The details of the handrail have not been specified with respect to fixtures, use

and the load it has to withstand.

B. The other document that has a mention on the needs of Differently abled person

is the National Human Settlement Policy 2015 (draft), under Chapter 7, titled

“Infrastructure Services,” a policy statement states:

Policy statement 7.1.2: Provide appropriate levels of infrastructure services

for any human settlement project considering the needs of vulnerable

groups, including those with special needs.

This would mean that all future infrastructures should have provisions to comply

with the above clause.


C. The Urban Roads Standards 2002 does not specifically have any considerations

for Differently abled person. However, the standards do entail design aspects

that will determine how Differently abled person can access and use the

footpaths.

The following are covered:

- Minimum width of 1,200mm and 15% maximum gradient for footpath.

- Maximum gradient of 8% for ramp with landing at every 9,000mm.

- The maximum height of riser to be 162.5mm and the tread at 275mm

with landing at every 1,800mm.

- The handrail to be at 900mm height.

- The minimum slope of 1% to be maintained for good drainage for all

exterior surfaces.

- Ramps and path to be finished with material that are non-slip, surface

free of irregularities with minimal joints.

- 50mm, 60mm, and 65mm diameter GI pipe rail as handrail as various

components.

- All footpaths designed to be raised 200mm from the surrounding.


GAP Analysis The gradient for the footpath is too steep at 15%..Different slope should follow

different running length. This will help address the terrain we have in Bhutan. Thus,

a realistic approach is possible.

The slope of the ramp given is lower than that of footpath, which is not correct. Here

again, the standard applicable for indoor spaces for ramps has been considered

instead of what should apply to outdoor spaces. Though the standard specifies the

finish material be free of irregularities with minimal joint, it does not specify the joint

dimension that is critical to having an even surface. The document does not relate

the height of the footpath to the site condition, terrain, and use. Thus, a

standardized height of 200mm from surrounding is indicated. The height of the

footpath should relate to the context it is being used.

In the absence of any guideline prepared specifically to address the needs of the

Differently abled person, the facilities and infrastructure could not incorporate the

requirement in the design and construction of the built environment. This guideline

is to lessen the gap and suggest possibilities for improvement.


APPENDIX C: ANTHROPOMETRY This chapter deals with dimensional data of the Differently abled person. The

standard height of a human individual is considered here. While designing facilities

for a specific group care should be given to relate the infrastructure, its services and

amenities should be given to the target group.

On Wheelchair Persons on a wheelchair require most space because the space that needs to be

used should have provisions for turning, while the height, length, and width of the

wheelchair have implications on the space being provided. It is also important to

consider the type of wheelchair and the wheel dimension. In designing facilities for

Differently abled person, it is the wheelchair user whose needs have to be

addressed to enable a universal design approach.


Fontal reach for person on wheelchair

Dimension of a wheelchair


Image showing sideway reach of person using wheelchair

Dimension of a wheelchair


The above figures are sourced from Time Savers Standards.

On Crutches People on crutches require much lesser area for moving around.

On Walker Similar to cructhes, people using walker do not require as much area for movement

as compared to those using a wheelchair. 750mm of space is adequate for an

independent person using a walker.

On Walking Stick/White Cane Persons using walking stick and white cane require more space than

those using crutches and walker but lesser than those using

wheelchair. Persons using white cane require clear unobstructed

pathway.

Space requirement under different conditions


All the images under this chapter are sourced from Time Savers Standards.


APPENDIX D: MATERIALS

Material selection is an important consideration to enable Differently abled person

to use services and facilities designed for universal use.

The material can be locally sourced or

purchased from international market.

Irrespective of where the materials are

sourced, it is important that it conforms

to the properties necessary to ensure it

is complete and safe use.

Materials for flooring and railings are

discussed here.

Flooring Material The flooring material can be divided into indoor and outdoor material. The

properties under each are as follows:

Indoor Material Properties-

1. Slip-resistant

2. Fairly smooth

3. Matte finish

4. Preferably commercially graded

Source: www.coolanz.com

Source: www.directindustry.it

Source: www.cauchoscarot.es


Outdoor Material Properties-

1. Non-slip

2. Unglazed

3. Firmly laid

4. Uniformly laid

5. Textured at slopes

6. Low maintenance

7. Durable

8. Designed to drain off water from surface

Tactile Material

Tactile surface finish Application Blister For application in place for kerb upstand

wall.

Corduroy As warning of a hazard on footpaths,

steps, and ramps. Central delineator strip To indicate separation between

pedestrian and bicycle lane. Guidance path To be used to guide pedestrian and the

visually impaired.

To serve as way-finding strategy and in

transport facilities.

Tactile material can be purchased from open market, locally or custom-made as the

basic requirement is to meet the dimension and the arrangement of the tactile.

Source: http://archsd.gov.hk/archsd/html/ua/07-Chapter7.pdf/page 143


http://archsd.gov.hk/archsd/html/ua/07-Chapter7.pdf/page



Railings Railings are provided in all hazardous areas and

in special areas for support. The specification of

railing is different for indoor and for outdoor use.

Outdoor Use Properties-

1. Firmly laid on floor

2. 40mm to 50mm diameter

3. Preferable circular and free of sharp edges

4. Be continuous

5. Extending 300mm to 450mm from finish

and turned down to finish

6. Anticorrosive

7. Heavy duty and durable

Indoor Use Properties-

1. Firmly laid on floor/wall depending on

location

2. 30mm to 40mm diameter

3. Preferable circular and free of sharp edges

4. Smooth finish with proper spacing from wall

5. Be continuous but limiting to 100mm on inside of steps, ramps, and landings

6. Extending 300mm to 450mm from finish and turned down to finish or against

wall

7. Medium duty and durable

8. Contrasting in colour to surrounding

Source: http://www.couturierironcraft.com/

Source: www.steelway.co.uk


http://www.steelway.co.uk/steelway/product/steel-handrails

APPENDIX E: CASE STUDY Consultants carried case study at the Special Education Need (SEN) facility of

Changangkha School in Thimphu and a part of the old block of the Jigme Dorji

Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH). Photographs of the premises

are discussed along with the observation and recommendation to suggest

improvement on the same.

Case study of SEN facility at Changangkha School, Thimphu The SEN facilities of Changangkha School are designed to address the needs of

the children with disabilities. It comprises of two blocks of single storied structures

accessed with ramps mainly from lower gate. However, there are ramps connecting

the structures from the upper gate as well.

Particular Photo Observation Recommendation Outdoor Spaces Footpath

1,500mm wide

footpaths are

provided to access

the facilities within

the school area.

The footpath is

sloped at less than

5%.

Bamboo fencing is

provided on one

side, while the

other side is open

with upstand wall

kerb of 30mm.

Proper handrails are to

be provided on both

sides of the footpath

with an additional

upstand wall kerb or low

height rail of 150mm

height from the footpath

level.

The footpath should be

sloped at 1% to the

sides for better

drainage.

Maintenance of the

footpath is necessary

and all broken areas


Some of the paver

blocks are broken.

should be flushed

immediately.

Ramps

Ramps of 1,000mm

have been provided

at slope less than

5%.

Some of the paver

blocks are broken.

Proper handrails are to

be provided on both the

sides of the ramps with

an additional upstand

wall kerb or low height

rail of 15mm height from

the footpath level.

The ramp width should

be increased to

1,500mm.

Warning tactile flooring

material to be added at

the start and end of the

ramps.

The drop in level at the

finish of the ramp must

be reduced to no more

than 20mm by beveling

the edges.

Maintenance is

required.


Steps

The step is used to

connect the level

differences within

the site.

The steps should be

made of even sizes and

conforming to 150mm

as riser and 300mm as

tread width.

Handrails to be

provided on both sides.

Clear width of 1,500mm

to be maintained for all

steps.

Obstruction

The plants along

the pathways have

outgrown. Thus, it

limits the use of the

handrail in place.

The tree has its

branches extending

to the space

allotted for footpath

at height below

1.5m.

Trim the outgrown

plants and ensure the

plant species are

selected and do not

have thorns. Ensure

foliage cover is less.

The trees have to be

pruned and ensured

that no obstructions are

within 2m (vertically)

from the footpath.


Indoor Spaces Entrance

The entrance is

prominent.

The entrance has a

stepped entry.

The step should be

replaced by a ramp or

beveled to allow easy

access for students

using wheelchair.

The railings provided

alongside the entrance

should be retrofitted.

Ramp

Indoor ramp is not

provided but

accessibility ramp

is constructed that

connects the SEN

facilities to the main

academic block

above.

The width of the ramp

has to be minimum of

1,500mm.

Railings should be

provided on both sides

of the ramp.


Stairs

The steps are

uniform in size with

tread of 280mm

and riser of

150mm.

It is provided with

handrail on one

side.

Provide handrails that

allow easy grasp.

Provide handrails on

both the sides.

It is preferable to have

the tread nosing clearly

marked.

Railings

The railing is

provided at steps of

880mm height.

The railing provided

in the classroom is

at 600mm from the

finished floor level.

Provide railings on both

sides.

The railings should be

in contrasting colour to

the surrounding.

The railing should finish

down or against the

wall.

Railings should be

30mm to 40mm

diameters to allow

better grasp.


Doors

Both sliding door

and hinged door

opening outside is

provided.

The door handles

are D type.

The minimum door

width is maintained

at 800mm.

It is preferable to have a

see-through provision in

the door.

Window

Windows is

provided

750mm from the

finished floor level

with insert latches.

It is preferable to have a

D or lever type

hardware to operate the

window at height that is

accessible by children

of the age group the

school caters too.

Corridors

The corridors are

well lit with ample

of space.

No comments.


Classrooms

The classrooms

have enough space

to accommodate

the students, while

the furniture layout

ensures minimum

aisle space for

moving around.

No comments.

Toilet

A water closet and

washbasin with

mirror is provided in

a toilet.

The toilet is 2.95m

by 2.55m allowing

easy turning of the

wheelchair.

An outward swing

door is provided.

The mirror is

provided at a height

of 1m, while the

basin top is at

0.75m.

Only one toilet is

Proper grab bar for the

water closet.

Washbasin has to be

provided.

The towel rod should be

substituted with a grab

bar or removed from the

place.

Preferably, the inside of

the toilet door should

have a handrail at

750mm to 900mm to

allow easy opening of

the door.

Additional toilet will

have to be provided


provided. depending on the

strength of the SEN

facility.

Flooring

Classrooms are

carpeted, while rest

of the floors,

including the toilet

is finished with

mosaic flooring.

The ramps are built

mostly with paver

blocks, except for

one, which is

finished with plain

cement concrete.

The broken tiles on the

ramps have to be

maintained.

Preferably, the toilet

should have anti-skid

tile flooring.


tactile flooring at various

locations depending on

the use.

Building Services

The rooms are well

lit with natural

lighting.

Natural ventilation

is optimized with

cross ventilation.

The plumbing

fixtures are knob

type.

The plumbing fixtures

should be replaced by

lever type or automatic.


Furnishing

All furnishings

provided are within

standards for the

specific group it

caters too.

No comments.

Communication Elements and Features

There is a defunct

emergency call bell

in the toilet.

There is no visual

communication or

emergency system

in place.

Communication

elements and features

should be integrated to

allow emergency exit

during emergencies.

The emergency call bell

in the toilet should be

made functional.


Controls

Door handles

present are

mounted between

900mm to

1,000mm.

The controls are

distinctly

identifiable with

70% or greater

contrast or

brightness.

The power and

electric points are

placed 450mm to

1,200mm above

the floor level and

not projecting

outside the walls.

All controls, except for

the handrails in the

classes, are easily

identifiable and within

reach.

Maintenance

The lack of

maintenance has

resulted in some

services being

defunct and difficult

to use.

Periodic maintenance

should be made part of

the overall

administration.


Summary Given the context of providing access to education for the Children with Disabilities

(CwD), the facility has considered most of the design aspects. However, towards

providing safer and more comfortable built environment, the recommendations are

made.

It is important the school have parking facility within the campus for the CwD in

close proximity to the existing footpath. Signage is another aspect to be taken care

of. The obstruction should be easily identifiable and is recommended to use the

industrial yellow to ensure the same.


Case Study 2 (Block of the JDWNRH, Thimphu) In consultation with the Public Relations Officer, the old block of the JDWNRH is

studied. The area from the upper parking of the old hospital site, leading to the

pediatrician consultation area till the ground floor of the old building is considered

for this study.

Particular Photo Observation Recommendation Outdoor Spaces Street Furniture

Most of the

street furniture

such as lamp

posts, garbage

bins, and flora

are placed in a

linear

arrangement.

Outdoor seating

facilities should be

provided for Differently

abled person.

The street furniture

should be easily

identifiable.

Footpath

There is

designated

footpath in place.

The aisle space

between the car

parks may be

identified as a

provision.

Proper footpath should

be in place to connect

the persons from the

vehicle to the entrance.

Steps Given the site

profile and the

absence of

No comments.


footpath itself,

this cannot be

discussed.

Ramp Similar to steps No comments.

Kerb Ramp

Similar to steps.

No comments.

Pedestrian Crossing

No pedestrian

crossing is

provided.

Provide proper

pedestrian crossing.

Parking

There is total of

79 car parking

spaces.

Parking for

Differently abled

person is not

provided.

Provide parking for

Differently abled person

as per the given

guideline with bollards,

as an immediate

measure.

Allot parking space for

the Differently abled

person with aisle space

connected to the

footpath until the

entrance to the building

as a long term measure.

The parking needs

should be assessed in

arriving at the numbers.


Obstruction

The obstructions

are not

identifiable.

Provide industrial yellow

to allow easy

identification of

obstruction.

Open Spaces There is

transportation

facility in the

vicinity of the

hospital.

The drop-off zones

should be linked with

footpath to access the

building.

Indoor Spaces Entrance

The entrance is

accessible by a

gentle sloping

ramp.

There is a

handrail on one

side of the ramp.

The ramp should have

handrail on both sides.

The drains should be

covered to avoid

hazard.

There should be a clear

signage in place.


Ramps

The ramp is

made

inaccessible at

the pediatric

consultation.

The ramp that

connects the

corridor to the

main building is

steep at 14%

slope and is

carpeted.

The obstruction (door

frame) to the ramp has

to be removed for the

one connecting to the

pediatric consultation.

The carpet has to

extend till the edges or

the flooring for the ramp

to be replaced by a slip-

resistant one.

Handrails have to be

provided on both sides,

additionally with

upstand wall kerb or a

low railing.

It is preferable to

redesign the ramp

maintaining the slope at

maximum of 8%.

The drop in the start of

the ramp should be

reduced with beveling of

the surface or others as

appropriate.


Steps

The main indoor

stairs have

150mm riser and

300mm as tread.

A clear width of

1,800mm and

more is

maintained for

the staircases

with 2.3mX1.8m

clear landings.

Handrails of

770mm in height

are provided on

one side from

the end to the

start.

The handrails should be

provided on both sides.

The height of the railing

should be increased to

950mm for safety

reasons.


the tread nosing clearly

marked and to have

tactile flooring at



Lifts

The lift has a

clear opening of

800mm.

Railings should be

provided inside the lift.


tactile flooring at the

entrance to the lift.

Railing

Railings are

provided at the

steps only.

The height of the railing

has to be increased to

950mm.

Railings should be

provided at all hazard

areas.

Doors

All doors have D

type hardware

mounted at

1,200mm from

the floor level.

A minimum

800mm clear

door opening is

maintained for all

The door hardware

should be positioned

between 900mm to

1,000mm for universal

access.


doors, while the

main doors are

more than

1,500mm wide.

Windows The windows are

placed to allow

light to enter and

most of these

are not operable.

No comments.

Corridors

1,900mm wide

corridors are

provided with

free of any

obstruction.


railing or grab bars

along the corridors

based on the use.

Rooms Not in context. No comments.

Toilets The toilet is wide

enough to

accommodate

the needs of

Differently abled

person but the

door width and

All considerations for

toilet design will have to

be incorporated,

including water closet,

washbasins and urinals.


the immediate

corridor.

The washbasin

is at proper

height but it is

out of reach for

someone on a

wheelchair due

to inadequate

counter depth.

Flooring

The flooring is

slightly slippery

especially at the

ramps.

The flooring should be

replaced with unglazed

slip-resistant floor.


Building Service

The spaces are

well lit with

natural light,

except at the

ramp connecting

the old building

with the

pedestrian block.

The wet areas

have knob type

plumbing

fixtures.

Artificial lights to be put

at the ramp area.

The plumbing fixtures in

the wet areas to be

replaced with automatic

or lever type.

Furnishing

The space

between the

adjacent seating

is 900mm.

The existing

counters are too

The unused counter to

be set up in the main

reception.

Similar counter to be set

up at the pharmacy

area too.


high at 1,300mm

from the finished

floor level and

inaccessible.

A counter that

has been

designed to take

care of the

Differently abled

person has been

left unused.


Communication Elements and Features

There is no

communication

element in place.

The signage are

provided giving

direction of exit.

The lift is not

built in with audio

systems.

There are fire

extinguishers

placed at the

corridors.

Communication

elements and features

should be integrated to

allow emergency exit

during emergencies.

Every floor should have

a floor plan clearly

indicating the exit

locations.

Controls

The lift buttons

are located at

1,350mm from

the floor level on

the outside, and

1,100mm on the

inside.

The plumbing

fixtures are not

The lift buttons should

be repositioned within

1,200mm.

The counter depth and

the height of flushing

arrangement in the toilet

have to be remodeled.


positioned within

reach.

The power points

and switches are

of the same

colour as the

surrounding.

The power points

should contrast to the

surrounding by at least

70%.

Maintenance The hospital

does have a

maintenance

team, but lacks

implementation.

Periodic maintenance

schedule to be put into

practice.


Summary Given the type of building, it is important that each of the recommendations be

carefully studied and implemented.


APPENDIX F: REFERENCES I. Accessibility for the Disabled - A Design Manual for a Barrier Free

Environment, retrieved from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm II. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2003). Accessibility and

Development: environmental accessibility and its implications for inclusive, sustainable and equitable development for all. Retrieved from www.un.org/disabilities/documents/accessibility_and_development_june2013.pdf

III. Ahluwalia, S., & Gupta, D. (2012). Accessibility of Central Government Buildings in Delhi. Retrieved from www.papers.ssrn.com

IV. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access. School of Architecture and Planning. University of Buffalo. The State University of New York. (2010). Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project. Retrieved from www.udeworld.com

V. Barrier Free NZ Trust. (2013). Barrier Free Built Environments (Guidelines for quality accessibility using NZ Standard 4121 and the NZ Building Code). New Zealand.

VI. Department of Urban Development & Housing, Ministry of Communications. (2002). Bhutan Building Rules 2002. Bhutan.

VII. City of Toronto Accessibility Plan: retrieved from www.toronto.ca/diversity/accessibilityplan2003

VIII. Central Public Works Department, Ministry of Urban Affairs & Employment. (1998). Guideline and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons. India.

IX. The International Organisation for Standardisation. (2001) Guidelines for Standards Developers to address the needs of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities (first edition, guide 71). Switzerland.

X. Directorate General, Central Public Works Department. (2014). Handbook on Barrier Free and Accessibility. New Delhi. India.

XI. Products for tactile paving surface indicators — Specification, 2003, BSI, UK.

XII. The Centre for Universal Design. (2006). Universal Design Guideline, retrieved from https://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/others/ud_guides.pdf


http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm/index.html

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm/index.html

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm

http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/accessibility_and_development_june2013.pdf

http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/accessibility_and_development_june2013.pdf

http://www.udeworld.com/

http://www.toronto.ca/diversity/accessibilityplan2003

https://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/others/ud_guides.pdf

XIII. Department and Ministry of Communication. (2002). Urban Roads Standards 2002. Bhutan.

APPENDIX G: LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLE 1. List of figures

1. Figure 2.1.1-a, Standard signage symbols

2. Figure 2.1.1-b, Standard signage for Persons with Disabilities

3. Figure 2.1.1-c, Relationship between text size of signage and reading

distance

4. Figure 2.1.1-d, International signage in place

5. Figure 2.1.2-a, Dimensional standards for street furniture as benches and

tables

6. Figure 2.1.2-b, Options to make obstacles identifiable

7. Figure 2.1.3-a, Standard considerations for footpath

8. Figure 2.1.3-b, Butt-joint used in flooring tiles

9. Figure 2.1.3-c, Guards and handrails

10. Figure 2.1.4-a, Standard consideration in external steps

11. Figure 2.1.4-b, View of steps and ramps complimenting each other

12. Figure 2.1.5-a, Footpath slope and relationship to ease of use

13. Figure 2.1.5-b, Relationship between slope and run for sloped footpath

14. Figure 2.1..6-a, Kerb ramp with width and slope

15. Figure 2.1.7-a, View of a footpath leading to pedestrian crossing

16. Figure 2.2-a, Standard consideration for parking for Persons with

Disabilities

17. Figure 2.3-a, Identification of lamp post on path of travel

18. Figure 2.3-b, Options to reduce hazard from space below stairs

19. Figure 2.3-c, Obstruction Identification using up-stand

20. Figure 2.3-d, Consideration for identifying obstruction on pathway

21. Figure 3.1-a, Standards for entrance

22. Figure 3.2.1-a, Standard considerations for ramps

23. Figure 3.2.1-b, Ramp configuration

24. Figure 3.2.2-a, Standard considerations for steps


25. Figure 3.3-a, Standard considerations for handrails for different age group

26. Figure 3.3-b, Horizontal extensions of handrail

27. Figure 3.3-c, Space requirement between handrails and walls

28. Figure 3.4.1-a, Standard considerations for doors

29. Figure 3.4.1-b, Standard of door handle length

30. Figure 3.4.1-c, See-through glass on door frame

31. Figure 3.4.2-a, Lever action window hardware height and sill level

32. Figure 3.5-a, Standard considerations for corridor

33. Figure 3.6-a, Different approaches in toilet deign

34. Figure 3.6-b, Standard considerations for toilet door

35. Figure 3.6-c, Relationship between water closet and the support system

36. Figure 3.6-d, Standard on space between the toilet seat and the adjacent

wall

37. Figure 3.6-e, Standard on allocating washbasin and mirror

38. Figure 3.6-f, Standard on urinal height and support system

39. Figure 3.6-g, Standard on bathtub width, length and height

40. Figure 3.6-h, Standard on grab bar height for in-tub seat

41. Figure 3.6-i, Space requirement for kitchen with counters at 90 degrees

42. Figure 3.6-j, Space requirement for kitchen with aisle space between

counters

43. Figure 3.6-k, Typical design layout of a kitchen for Persons with Disabilities

44. Figure 3.7-a, Different types of tactile tiles

45. Figure 3.8.4-a, Lever handled faucet

46. Figure 3.8.4-b, Standards on drinking water fountain

47. Figure 3.9.1-a, General standards for tables

48. Figure 3.9.1-b, Typical bedroom layout plan

49. Figure 3.9.2-a, Standard considerations for closet

50. Figure 3.9.3-a, Standard considerations for public counter

51. Figure 3.9.4-a, Standard considerations for lockers

52. Figure 3.11-a, Typical elevation with information on control locations


2. List of tables

1. Table 1, Relationship between slope of ramp and running length of the landing

2. Table 2, Design considerations for different building types

3. Table 3, Checklist


Core Working Team:

1. Mr. Phub Rinzin, Chief Engineer, Engineering Service Division

2. Mr. Tandin Dorji, Sr. Architect, Engineering Service Division

3. Mr. Tempa Gyeltshen, Sr. Architect, Engineering Service Division

4. Mr. Sonam Tobgay, Engineer, Engineering Service Division

Consultancy Team:

1. Design Studio

2. Kyingkhor Consultancy Services


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