Module 5 understaning disability access provisions

National Construction Code Training Program

MODULE 5

Understanding theDisability Access Provisions

Content of Module 5

• Part 1 - Introduction to Module 5• Part 2 - Background to Access Provisions• Part 3 - Performance Requirements• Part 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions • Part 5 - Administrative Matters

PART 1

Introduction to Module 5

Introduction to Module 5• This Module is one of a series produced by

the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB); the organisation responsible for the development and maintenance of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

• For the purposes of this presentation it is assumed that participants have a general understanding of how the BCA works

Part 1 - Introduction to Module 5

Module 1 - recap

• Module 1 was titled ‘An Introduction to the Building Code of Australia’

• The objective of Module 1 was to provide information on:– the background to the development of the BCA – the operation of the BCA, and – the application of the BCA


Module 1 - recap

• BCA applies to all new building work. This includes:• new buildings• renovations or upgrades to existing buildings


Module 1 - recap • The BCA establishes minimum acceptable

standards for new building work• The BCA:

• is referenced in State/Territory law • is amended annually• requirements are intended to be cost effective• is intended to eliminate poor practice • does not address best practice


Module 1 - recap

• Volume One contains requirements for the design and construction of commercial buildings, i.e. Class 2 to 9 buildings, plus some Class 10 building matters

• Volume Two contains requirements for the design and construction of domestic buildings, i.e. Class 1 and 10 buildings


Module 2 - recap

• Module 2 was titled ‘Understanding the BCA’s Performance Requirements’

• The objective of Module 2 was to provide information on how to comply with the BCA without using Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, i.e. by developing an Alternative Solution


Building Solutions

Performance Requirement

Functional Statement

Objective

Alternative SolutionsDTS Provisions

Guidance

Mandatory

Methods of achieving compliance

Documentary Evidence

Verification Methods

Expert Judgement

Comparative Analysis AssessmentMethods


MODULE 5 Understanding the Disability

Access Provisions

Objective of Module 5

• The objective of Module 5 is to provide basic information on BCA provisions for people with disability relating to Class 1b, Class 2 to 9 buildings, as well as Class 10 buildings

• Information is also available from the ABCB website: www.abcb.gov.au


People with disability

• Broad definition of disability includes people who-

– are blind or have low vision; – have learning or intellectual disabilities; – are deaf or hearing-impaired; – have a physical disability; – experience mental health or psychological difficulties;

and – people with an acquired brain injury.


Principle of access

• Provide safe, equitable and dignified access to buildings, and facilities and services within buildings


PART 2 Background to NCC Access Provisions

General background• Disability access requirements have been in

the BCA since 1990• Focus was on access to commercial and

public buildings (Classes 3, 5-9)

Part 2 - Background to Access Provisions

BCA access provisions• BCA has historically required access for

people with disability to be provided:– to a building– within a building (including lifts, signage and

hearing augmentation)– to certain carparking spaces– to suitable sanitary facilities


BCA scope• The BCA only addresses the physical fabric

and layout of a building, it does not:– address the fixtures and fittings such as furniture

or reception desks used in a building– address some wayfinding information such as

room numbers or general signs– address management policies or staff behavior


The challenge of inconsistent laws

• The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) has applied to buildings since 1993

• Complaints could be made about the level and quality of access a building provided

• Buildings could comply with the BCA, but still be subject to a successful DDA complaint

• Uncertainty for building industry


Achieving consistency

• In 2001, Federal Gov’t asked ABCB to develop proposals to address inconsistency

• Resulted in the development of Premises Standards and BCA amendments to align the two


Development of Premises Standards

• Developed through stakeholder committees, specialist working groups and specialist consultants

• Proposals were refined through extensive industry and community consultation

• Draft provisions subjected to formal regulatory impact analysis process


Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)

• All proposals for new regulation, including the Premises Standards and changes to the BCA, are subjected to a rigorous regulation impact assessment process that includes cost benefit analysis

• The Premises Standards RIS is available from the ABCB website


Benefits for industry

• In addition to improving access, RIS process sought to ensure new requirements:– are cost-effective– can be reasonably achieved– provide the greatest certainty possible


Background to new requirements

• 1995: Building Access Policy Committee (BAPC), established by ABCB, begins its work on progressive changes to the BCA

• 2001: Gov’t asks ABCB to develop proposals for Premises Standards and changes to BCA


Background to new requirements

• 2005: Draft Premises Standards and a Regulation Impact Statement released for public comment

• 2006: ABCB develops revised proposals and a revised Regulation Impact Statement following consideration of public comment


Background to new requirements• 2008: Draft Disability (Access to Premises –

Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) tabled in Parliament and referred to a House of Representatives Committee to conduct a public inquiry

• 2009: Parliamentary Committee makes recommendations in its report Access All Areas


Background to new requirements• February 2010: Government responds to

report and finalises Premises Standards

• 2010: ABCB aligns BCA to reflect content of Premises Standards

• 1 May 2011: Premises Standards and BCA 2011 adopted


Premises Standards structure• Premises Standards comprise:

– Parts 1 – 6 including trigger dates and objectives, scope, exceptions and concessions and review information

– Access Code for Buildings which provides the Performance Requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions


Achieving consistency• Relevant provisions in Parts 1 – 6 are to be

reflected in State and Territory building control systems

• Access Code is reflected in BCA

• Compliance with the BCA will ensure compliance with the Access Code


Voluntary best practice• The Premises Standards and BCA contain the

minimum requirements for access

• Some project briefs may require a higher standard

• Best practice and innovation is still possible and encouraged


PART 3 Disability Access

Performance Requirements

Parts D3, E3, and F2 of Volume One

Key Performance Requirements

• Key Performance Requirements relating to access:– DP1 Access to a building– DP2 Access within a building– DP6 Travel path to an exit– DP8 Accessible carparking– DP9 Communication system for hearing impaired– EP3.4 Lifts– FP2.1 Sanitary facilities

Part 3 - Performance Requirements

Overall access objectives• To provide, as far as is reasonable, people

with safe, equitable and dignified access to:– a building; and– the services and facilities within a building


• Access must be provided to enable people to:– approach a building from the road boundary,

associated accessible building and associated accessible carparking space

– get into a building and to all areas normally used by occupants including toilets

– identify accessible facilities

DP1 - overview


DP2 - overview• People must be able to move safely to and within a building

• Special attention should be paid to:

– walking surfaces – doors

– ramps – stairways

– landings – handrails


DP6 - overview• People must be able to safely evacuate the

building

• Building use and the characteristics of the occupants, including their mobility, must be considered


DP8 - overview• Carparking spaces suitable for use by people

with disability must be provided

• Spaces must be marked and easy to find


DP9 - overview• An inbuilt communication system, such as a

lecture theatre PA system, must be suitable for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment


EP3.4 - overview• When a passenger lift is provided in a building

required to be accessible, it must be suitable for use by people with disability.


FP2.1 - overview• Sanitary facilities suitable for use by people

with disability must be provided at convenient locations


PART 4 Disability Access

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions• One method of meeting Performance

Requirements

• Compliance with Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of BCA ensures compliance with Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Access Code

Part 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Parts D3, E3, F2 and H2

• Part D3 covers general building access requirements

• Part E3 covers lifts• Part F2 covers accessible toilets and showers• Part H2 covers requirements for public

transport buildings


D3.1 General access requirements


D3.1 – General requirements

• Table D3.1 sets out which buildings and parts of buildings have to be accessible

• Different classes of buildings have different access requirements


Some useful terms

• Accessible means having features to enable use by people with disability.

• Accessway means a continuous, accessible path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into or within a building.


References to Australian Standards

• AS 1428.1 contains technical information on the construction of accessways, for example:– dimensions and clearances at doorways– design of handrails– layout of accessible toilets


Class 1b – small hostels, B&B• Specifies number of dwellings required to be

accessible

• Specifies number of bedrooms and sanitary facilities required to be accessible

• Specifies common areas required to be accessible in B&Bs, guest houses etc


Class 2 – apartment blocks • Access required from a pedestrian entrance to the

front doors of sole-occupancy units (SOU) on at least one level

• Common areas required to be accessible including BBQ area, gym, pool

• If other levels are served by a lift or ramp, similar access must be provided on those levels


Class 3 – hotels and motels• Access required from a pedestrian entrance to the

front doors of sole-occupancy units (SOU) on at least one level

• Specifies common areas required to be accessible including BBQ area, gym, pool

• If other levels are served by a lift or ramp, similar access must be provided on those levels


Class 3 – hotels and motels• Specifies the number of accessible SOUs

required depending on size of hotel/motel

• Specifies location and groupings of accessible SOUs to ensure choice


Classes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9a • To and within:

– all areas normally used by the occupants

• Class 7a (carparking)– to and within any level containing accessible

carparking spaces


Class 9b – educational/assembly• For schools, early childhood centres and

universities etc.– to all areas normally used by the occupants

• For assembly buildings such as cinemas or concert halls– to all areas normally used by the occupants, but not

every tier or level if no wheelchair seating spaces are provided on that level


Class 9c – aged care• Requirements for aged care facilities are

essentially the same as for Class 3 buildings, including access to specified common areas and numbers of accessible SOUs


Class 10a – toilet block/shelter• If located in an accessible area access is

required to and within an accessible toilet, change room or shelter


Class 10c – swimming pool• Swimming pools, other than private pools,

with a perimeter greater than 40 m are required to provide some means of access into the pool


D3.2 Access to buildings


Access to buildings• D3.2 covers the requirements for access:

– to a building from the allotment boundary;

– between associated accessible buildings;

– to a building from accessible carparking spaces on the allotment


Access to buildings• D3.2 also specifies:

– number of accessible entrances required– number of accessible doorways required when

there are multiple doorways at an entrance– where a required accessible doorway has multiple

leaves, one of the leaves must have a clear opening width of at least 850 mm


D3.3 Parts of a building to be accessible


Parts of buildings to be accessible

• D3.3 covers:– ramps and stairways– passenger lifts– passing and turning spaces on corridors– small building concession– carpet pile height


D3.3 - Ramps

• Ramps are a way of providing a continuous accessible path of travel between levels

• Ramps must comply with AS 1428.1

• Concessions for fire-isolated ramps


D3.3 - Stairways• Stairways cannot form part of a continuous

accessible path of travel but where provided, must meet certain requirements

• Stairways must comply with AS 1428.1

• Concessions for fire-isolated stairways


D3.3 - Lifts• D3.3 requires every passenger lift to comply

with E3.6, which provides the detailed requirements for passenger lifts


D3.3 - Passing and turning spaces• Passing spaces are required every 20 m

along an accessway where a clear line of sight is not possible

• Turning spaces are required every 20 m along an accessway and within 2m of a dead-end

• Specifications for passing and turning spaces are in AS 1428.1


D3.3 - Small building concession• While generally access is required to all levels of

buildings, there is a concession for certain small buildings

• In some 2 and 3 storey buildings where the storeys, other than the entrance storeys, are each under 200 m2, an accessible ramp or lift does not have to be provided to those storeys


D3.3 - Carpet pile height

• While the use of carpets on an accessway is allowed, if the carpet pile is too high it would make movement in a wheelchair difficult

• A combined pile carpet height and backing thickness of up to 15 mm is allowed


Additional features• While D3.3 specifically refers to design

features such as ramps and stairways, the general requirement to comply with AS 1428.1 applies to other accessible features such as:– doors and doorways– switches and controls


Doorways• for doorways, AS 1428.1 provides

specifications for:– clear opening dimensions– force for opening– circulation space around doorway– luminance contrast– door controls


Door controls

1. Round knob 3. ‘D’ type2. ‘Lever’ type


D3.4 Exemptions


Exemptions

• D3.4 allows exemptions from general rule of access to all areas

• Exemptions need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis

• This is no different to other parts of the BCA where professional judgement is required


Exemptions• Areas which pose a

health or safety risk or are otherwise inappropriate for people with disability (such as a foundry floor or rigging loft) are exempt


D3.5 Accessible Carparking


Carparking• If a carpark is provided in a building or in a

carparking area on the same allotment, accessible carparking spaces must be provided

• Accessible carparking spaces must be designated with signage if more than 5 spaces in total


Carparking

• Proportion of accessible carparking spaces determined by Table D3.5

• Accessible carparking spaces must comply with AS/NZS 2890.6


Carparking

5400

240024002400

Shared areas

Accessible space

Accessible space

Bollard

Parking aisle or roadway

2400


D3.6 Signage


Signage

• BCA contains requirements for certain signage related directly to building matters, including:– identification of all sanitary facilities – location and type of hearing augmentation – directional information in some situations


Signage - toilets

• All toilets must be identified using tactile and braille signage in addition to male/female signage

• All accessible unisex toilets must incorporate the international symbol of access

• All accessible unisex toilets must identify if the toilet is left or right hand transfer

• If there is no accessible unisex toilet at a bank of toilets, directional signage must be provided indicating the closest accessible toilet


Non-compliant signage


Signage - hearing augmentation

• Identify a room with hearing augmentation using the international symbol for deafness

• Within the room, indicate:– type of system– area covered – if receivers are being used, where a receiver can be

obtained

• Braille and tactile signage requiredPart 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Signage - entrances

• Directional information including the international symbol of access is required at an inaccessible entrance to identify the location of the nearest accessible entrance


Specification D3.6 Braille and tactile signage


Specification D3.6

• Provides details in relation to the:

– design;

– location; and

– luminance contrast

required for braille and tactile signs


Braille and tactile sign location• Signs should be at an

accessible height - between 1200 mm and 1600 mm from the floor


Braille and tactile sign location• A person reading braille

should not be at risk of injury from opening doors or pedestrian traffic


D3.7 Hearing augmentation


Hearing augmentation

• A hearing augmentation system is required:– in a room in a Class 9b building, eg cinema– in an auditorium, conference room, meeting room or

room used for judiciary purposes– at any ticket office, teller booth or reception area

where the public is screened from service provider

…. but only if the room has an in-built amplification system


Hearing augmentation

• Area covered depends on system used– Induction loop - 80% of the floor area– Receiver based systems such as radio frequency

or infrared systems - 95% – Ratio of receivers set out in D3.7

• Emergency-only systems are exempt

• Scoreboard or screen announcements


D3.8 Tactile indicators


Tactile indicators

• To assist blind people and people with low vision, tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) are used to facilitate safe movement around buildings

• BCA only requires warning (hazard alert) TGSIs

• Technical details of TGSIs are in AS/NZS 1428.4.1


Examples of warning TGSIs


Tactile indicators

• Required at the top and bottom of stairs, escalators, moving walkways and ramps

• Also required where a person might encounter an overhead obstruction where no barrier exists

• Not required on fire-isolated stairs and fire-isolated ramps or those which lead to areas exempted under D3.4


Example of when TGSIs might be required because of the danger of the overhead obstruction created by an open stairway


D3.9 Wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings


Wheelchair seating spaces• If fixed seating is provided in a Class 9b

assembly building, such as a cinema or stadium, wheelchair seating spaces must also be provided

• Spaces must be available in single and grouped configurations

• Table D3.9 specifies number of spaces to be provided


Wheelchair seating spaces• In small cinemas (up to 300 seats), wheelchair

seating spaces cannot be placed in the front row

• In larger cinemas (over 300 seats), 75% of wheelchair seating spaces must be in rows other than the front row


D3.10 Swimming pools


Swimming pools• A swimming pool required to be accessible by

Table D3.1, and with a perimeter of more than 40 m, must be provided with at least one means of access into the pool

• Latches on swimming pool gates are not required to be at an accessible height


Accessible pool entry• Options include:

– fixed or movable ramp and aquatic wheelchair– zero depth entry and aquatic wheelchair– platform lift and aquatic wheelchair– Sling-style lift


Specification D3.10

• Provides detailed specifications for the different forms of access into pools including:– dimensions– slip resistance– weight capacity– handrails


D3.11 Ramps


Ramp limitation

• A series of connected ramps must not have a combined vertical rise of more than 3.6 m

• A landing for a step ramp must not overlap a landing for another step ramp or ramp


1:14 ramp

1200 landing

1200 landing

1200 landing

Step ram

p

1:14 ramp

1200 landing

1200 landing

1200 landing

Step ram

p

1200 landing


D3.12 Glazing on an accessway


Glazing on an accessway

• Visual indicators must be provided on frameless or fully glazed doors, sidelights and other glazing that might be mistaken for a door or opening if there is no chair rail, handrail or transom


Glazing on an accessway

• If relying on marking the glass, must comply with AS 1428.1


E3.6 Passenger lifts


Passenger lifts• Passenger lifts must be suitable for use by

people with disability

• A variety of lift types can be used. However, Table E3.6a contains limitations on the use of some types of lifts


Passenger lifts

• Table E3.6b describes the features required on lifts such as handrails, lighting, control buttons and dimensions

• If a lift car is fully enclosed, it must not rely on a constant pressure device to operate it


F2 Sanitary facilities


F2.4 Accessible sanitary facilities

• Requires accessible unisex toilets be provided in accordance with Table F2.4(a)

• Requires accessible unisex showers be provided in accordance with Table F2.4(b)

• Specifies requirements for ‘ambulant accessible’ toilet cubicles


F2.4 Accessible unisex toilets• Accessible unisex toilets must be provided:

– in buildings required to be accessible and containing toilets

– on every accessible storey where there are toilets

• However …


Accessible unisex toilets• Where male and female banks are at separate

locations, an accessible unisex toilet is only required at one of the locations

• Where there is more than one bank of male and female toilets on a floor an accessible unisex toilet is only required at 50% of banks


Accessible unisex toilets• Exceptions and exemptions:

– toilets on a floor not required to be accessible under the small building concession (D3.3(f)) are not required to have accessible toilets

– toilets in an area not required to be accessible under D3.4 Exemptions are not required to include accessible unisex toilets


Accessible unisex toilets• Must comply with circulation space, fixture and

fittings requirements in AS 1428.1

• Must contain closet pan, washbasin, shelf or bench top, means of sanitary towel disposal

• Must not be accessed through an area reserved for one gender


Accessible unisex toilets

• Where multiple accessible unisex toilets are provided in a building, they should be provided for both left and right transfer in numbers as even as possible


‘Ambulant accessible cubicles’

• A toilet cubicle suitable for people with an ambulant disability must be provided if there is a toilet cubicle in addition to an accessible unisex toilet at a bank

• Details for design and fit out are in AS 1428.1


Accessible unisex showers

• Table F2.4(b) provides requirements for accessible unisex showers depending on the Class of building

• Design specifications for accessible unisex showers are found in AS 1428.1


H2 Public transport buildings


H2 Public transport buildings

• Passenger use areas of public transport buildings like airports or railway stations are generally Class 9b and Class 10

• These buildings are subject to sometimes different requirements because of the earlier Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002


Part H2

• H2 takes precedence where different to other BCA requirements

• H2 refers to different editions of Australian Standards for elements such as accessways, ramps, stairways, signage, lifts and doorways – check which edition applies


PART 5 State and Territory

Administrative Matters

State and Territory matters• BCA provides a model code, but State and

Territory building laws and regulations may include additional material

• Relevant provisions in Parts 1 – 6 of the Premises Standards are to be reflected in changes to State and Territory building law or systems

Part 5 - Administrative Matters

State and Territory matters

• Different application for new and existing buildings in some situations

• Triggers for ‘affected part’ upgrades

• Questions of possible ‘unjustifiable hardship’


Existing buildings

• Existing Class 1b and Class 2 buildings treated differently

• Existing lifts travelling more than 12 m floor space concession

• Existing accessible unisex toilets circulation space and fitout concession


Affected part

• Affected part is the path of travel from the principle pedestrian entrance to any new work in an existing building

• Access upgrades are required if the building approval applicant is the owner or the lessee if they occupy the whole building


Unjustifiable hardship

• Premises Standards allows for a defense of unjustifiable hardship in some situations

• Access Panels or similar• Check with your State or Territory building

control administration to find out how this is considered in your area


Any questions?

Module 5 understaning disability access provisions

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Transcript of Module 5 understaning disability access provisions