The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Part R

‘Access to and use of Buildings’Presentation for RSUA & CIATFacilitators

Laura Hillis – Belfast Building Control

Patrick Hobson – SE Group

Billy Gillespie – NE Group

Part RProgramme

Introduction Part R and dwellings Part R and buildings which are not dwellings

Access to and within buildings Facilities and Services in buildings

Some Examples

3

Disabling Conditions

* Physical

* Sensory

* Cognitive

* Aging

* Hidden

* Temporary

* Encumbered

4

Some Numbers

* 19.4% (200,000) Registered Disabled

* 70% find Built Environment Aggressive

* 1/3 European population elderly

* 24,000 in NI with serious sight loss

* 201,000 in NI with hearing impairment

Evolution of Design

Evolution of Design

The Average Person

Access for Disabled

Universal Accessibility

Evolution of Design

What has brought aboutthis change?

Change agents

LEGISLATION

• Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1978

• Disabled Persons Act 1982

• Building Regulations 1994/2000

• Disability Discrimination Act

Equality Commission for N. Ireland

The need for Regulation

• “The provision of advice, guidance and persuasion over a number of years have not raised awareness of designers and house builders to substantially improve access to dwellings for disabled people. There does not therefore appear to be an effective alternative to Regulations” Department of the Environment

Positive Enforcement

• Regulation is probably the most potent weapon in the drive towards an accessible environment for all.

14

Part R of theBuilding Regulations

Access to and use of buildings

Principles of Part R

Part R - Access to and use of buildings

PEOPLE, including parents with children, elderly people and people with disabilities, should be able to:

• visit new dwellings and use principal storey…cope better…’stay put’ longer in own homes...

Secretary of State

16

WHAT MUST BE PROVIDED

R2 - Reasonable Access - to/into/within and to use the building & facilities

R3 - Reasonable Access to extensions

R4 - Sanitary accommodation in extensions (not dwellings)

R5 - Sanitary conveniences in dwellings

R6 - Deemed-to-satisfy – R2,R3,R4 & R5

Technical Booklet R 2006

Dept. Ed. & Emp. Bld. Bulletin 91

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Make as many new buildings as possible accessible to everyone

Definitions of disability

• Building Regulations Now no reference to disability

Previously defined as :-• Physical impairment that affects mobility• Impairment of hearing or sight

• Disability Discrimination Act• Different definition

Goals of the regulationsfor Dwellings

To make reasonable provision for people to :-– reach the principal entrance from the

point of entry– have access into and within the entrance

storey or principal storey– have access to a sanitary convenience

Stage 1 - The Approach

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 7

Point of entry

Principal entrance

Point of entry

Approach to principal entrance or common entrance

Approach to Dwellings

• The approach from point of entry to principal entrance– Level

• Firm and even surface• Maximum gradient 1:20• Minimum width 900mm

– Ramped • Maximum gradient 1:12 for length < 5m• Maximum gradient 1:15 for length < 10m• 1200mm long landings

– or a combination

Steep sites

• “Steep” plot gradient to Principal Entrance (greater than 1:15 or 1:12 < 5m travel distance)

– an “alternative entrance” can be used

• Plot gradient to Alternative Entrance (greater than 1:15 or 1:12 < 5m travel distance)

– a “stepped approach” can be used

Point of entry

Route of travel

Alternative entrance

Principal entrance

Approach to alternative entrance

Stepped Approach

In addition to Part H requirements

— Width = 900mm min.— Rise = 150mm max. (75mm min)

— Going = 280mm min.— Flight = 1800mm max.

(16 steps max)

— Landing = 900mm min. length— Closed tread profile— Suitable handrail when >2 risers

Stage 2 - The Entrance

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 7

Principal Entrance

• Landing– level for 900mm

• Entrance door– 775mm clear width

( i.e. 2’9” door)

• Level threshold– proprietary details

PVC door threshold

Stage 3 - Horizontal circulation within the

dwelling

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 8

Circulation within dwelling

• In most cases

– Access to all habitable rooms and a toilet on the entrance storey

• No habitable rooms on the entrance storey?

– Access to all habitable rooms and a toilet on the principal storey

Width of circulation routes

Stage 4 - Vertical circulation within the dwelling

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 8

Internal stairs

• Changes in level within an entrance storey

• Between an entrance storey and a principal storey

• Requirements– 900mm clear width

– Suitable handrail to both sides including landings

Internal stairs

Stage 5 - Common Stairs and Lifts in Apartments

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 9

Apartments - what else is needed?

• Approach, entrance door, threshold– as per dwellings, to the common entrance

• Common circulation routes– 1200mm minimum width

– level or ramped

Apartments - common ramps

• Ramps– 1200mm width (1000mm between handrails)

– max 10m length at 1:15

– max 5m length at 1:12

– 1200mm landings

– handrails both sides over 2m

Apartments - common stairs

• Common stairs– contrasting nosings– 1000mm clear width– 170mm maximum risers– 250mm minimum goings– closed profile– 1200mm landings– suitable handrails to each side

Apartments - is a lift needed?

• No - but if provided, then– 800mm doors– 900mm x 1250mm car size– controls (900-1200+400)– Visual/audible indication over 3

stories– Call signalling and 5s dwell– 1500mm x 1500mm landing– 400kg loading

Stage 6 - Access to Toilets

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 10

Toilet Access

• Access should be provided to a toilet on the Entrance Storey or the Principal Storey as appropriate

Toilets

• WHB can project into the clear space

• Door swing must not obstruct clear space

• Door width is already determined by circulation route width

450 mm450 mm

75

0 m

m 40

0 m

m

Frontal access

Toilets

• “The doorway shall be located so that its edge is not in front of , or >250mm behind, the WC……”

25

0 m

m

500 mm

400 mm

75

0 m

m

Oblique access

Stage 7 - Heights of switches

Technical Booklet R 2006 Section 11

Switch positions• “Switches, socket outlets etc.”

– zone between 450 to 1200mm above floor level

Case 1

Case 2