1. Access Code for Buildings1

2. Access Code for Buildings
Schedule 1 of the Premises Standards
Equivalent to proposed BCA provisions
Like the BCA, the Access Code is performance based minimum requirements
Compliance can be by meeting Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions or Alternative Solutions that can be demonstrated to meet the Performance Requirements 2

3. Part A1 – Definitions
Some definitions repeated from current BCA, e.g. “aged care building”
Some existing BCA definitions changed, e.g. “accessway”
Some new definitions, e.g. “luminance contrast”
Defined terms are italicised where used in provisions 3

4. Part A2 – Adoption of standards
2009 editions
AS – General requirements for access – New building work
AS/NZS – Means to assist the orientation of people with vision impairment - Tactile ground surface indicators
AS/NZS – Off-street parking for people with disabilities 4

5. Current – 800 mm
Proposed – 850 mm

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8. Part A2 – Adoption of standards
Public transport buildings
Part H2 references different versions of standards to those in the remainder of the Access Code
Refer to Table 1 to determine which standards apply to which provisions 8

9. Part A4 – Building classifications
Repeated from the current BCA, but with one change ....
Class 1b now includes “4 or more single dwellings located on one allotment and used for short-term holiday accommodation” 9

10. Table D3.1 – General access requirements
Buildings and parts of buildings must be accessible as required by Table D3.1 (unless exempted by D3.4)
Table D3.1 describes the extent of access to be provided for each class of building 10

11. Class 1b buildings Small hostel, guest house, B&B
access to 1 bedroom and 1 of each type of common room or space
4 or more holiday cabins on one allotment
Access to at least 1 dwelling and increasing on a sliding scale 11

12. Class 2 buildings Flats, apartments, units
Only to front door of units on one level (or on all levels served by a ramp or lift) and one of each type of room or space used in common such as laundry or BBQ area
Note BCA proposal is to cover all new Class 2 buildings 12

13. Class 3 buildings Large hostel, boarding house, motel
To the front door of units on at least one level (or on all levels served by a ramp or lift)
To at least one of each type of room or space used in common including a swimming pool, dining room, TV lounge, etc.
Access to at least 1 unit and increasing on a sliding scale
Not more than 2 accessible units next to each other
If more than 2 accessible units required, must be representative of range of rooms available 13

14. Total rooms Accessible Rooms Current BCA Access Code10 1 20 2 30 40 50 3
100 4 5
200 8 9
500 18 19 14

15. Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 buildings
To and within all areas normally used by occupants 15

16. Class 7a buildings Carpark buildings (but not private garages)
To and within any level containing accessible carparking spaces 16

17. Class 9a buildings Hospitals, health-care buildings
To and within all areas normally used by occupants 17

18. Class 9b buildings Schools and early childhood centres
To and within all areas normally used by occupants
Assembly buildings (public halls, cinemas, sports stadiums, etc.)
To wheelchair seating spaces required by D3.9 and other areas normally used by the occupants, but not tiers or platforms if no wheelchair seating spaces on those levels 18

19. Class 9c buildings Aged-care buildings
Essentially the same as Class 3 buildings
To the front door of units on at least one level (or on all levels served by a ramp or lift)
To at least one of each type of room or space used in common including a swimming pool, dining room, TV lounge, etc.
Access to at least 1 unit and increasing on a sliding scale 19

20. Class 10 buildings/structures
Class 10a (non habitable building such as public toilet block or shelter)
Requirements do not apply to a facility that is not in an “accessible area” or those not intended for public use
To an accessible sanitary facility, change room and shelter
Class 10b (swimming pool)
To and into a pool with a total perimeter greater than 40m associated with a Class 1b, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building (note acceptable methods of providing access into pool vary according to size of pool – see D3.10) 20

21. D3.2 Access to buildings Main changes:
Through the principal pedestrian entrance and not less than 50% of all entrances (including principal)
If building has a total floor area of more than 500 square metres an inaccessible entrance must be no more than 50 metres from an accessible one.
Specific requirements for single entrances with multiple doorways and door leaves 21

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30. D3.3 – Parts of buildings to be accessible
Main changes:
Every stairway and ramp (other than fire isolated) must comply with clause 10 and 11 of AS
Fire isolated stairways must have luminance contrast nosing strips 30

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34. D3.3 – Parts of buildings to be accessible
Main changes:
Passing spaces every 20 m where direct line of sight not possible
Turning spaces 2 m before end of a accessway and every 20 m on an accessway
Levels other than entrance storey need not be provided with lift or ramp in buildings with no more than 3 storeys and where the upper floors are less than 200 square metres each 34

35. 200 m2 max
Max. 3 storeys 35

36. D3.4 - Exemptions Access not required where:
Inappropriate because of particular purpose the area is used for; or
Area would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability
Examples could be loading docks, foundry floors and rigging loft – assessment on a case by case basis 36

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38. D3.5 - Accessible carparking
Essentially no change to current BCA requirements for number of carparks (except increase for clinics and day surgeries)
Changes to layout and dimensions in AS/NZS 38

39. Parking aisle or roadway
5400
2400
Shared areas
Accessible space
Bollard
Parking aisle or roadway 39

40. D3.6 - Signage Main changes
Improved signage about type of hearing augmentation system used and where receivers can be obtained (if used)
Signage indicating right or left hand transfer in accessible toilets
Signage indicating ambulant accessible toilets
Part D4 (Specification D3.6) provides details on requirements for design and installation of Braille and tactile signs 40

41. D3.7 – Hearing augmentation
Main changes
Removal of the 100 square metre room size concession
Increased area coverage for induction loop system from 15% to 80% of area
System using receivers must cover 95% of the area and receivers must be provided as a ratio of the number of occupants on a sliding scale 41

42. D3.8 – Tactile indicators
Essentially no change other than referencing recent AS technical requirements 42

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44. D3.9 – Wheelchair seating spaces in assembly buildings
Main changes
Increased number of wheelchair seating spaces
Location and grouping specified to provide seating options including restrictions on how many wheelchair seating spaces can be located in front rows of cinemas 44

45. D3.10 – Swimming pools
Specifies the means of access/exit to swimming pools including fixed or movable ramp, zero depth entry, platform lift or sling-style lift
Where swimming pool is over 70m perimeter at least one means of entry must be a ramp, zero entry or platform lift
Part D5 (Specification D3.10) provides details on the design and installation of the different means of entry/exit to a swimming pool
Note that latches for swimming pool gates need not comply with AS 45

46. D3.11 – Ramps limitation
A limitation on the use of ramps has been introduced whereby a series of connecting ramps cannot rise more than 3.6m
Restrictions on overlapping landings 46

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48. D3.12 Glazing on an accessway
While this is no change from the current BCA the referenced AS (clause 6.6) has made it clearer that markings on glazing must be across the whole width, solid and a minimum of 30% luminance contrast 48

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51. Part E3 – Lift installations
Introduces a wide range of lift options with limitations on use
Specifies features that each type of lift must have
Note that unenclosed lifts may use constant pressure devices for operation (for 5 year review) 51

52. Part F2 – Sanitary facilities
Generally a unisex accessible toilet must be provided on every storey where there are toilets
If more than one block of toilets on any floor then unisex accessible toilets at 50% (for 5 year review)
Ambulant accessible toilet in addition to unisex accessible toilet
Left and right handed facilities where more than one
Clarifies washbasin and fixtures must be inside facility
Increased circulation space required in AS 52

53. 900 to 920 mm
900 mm min 53

54. Part H2 – Public transport buildings
Transferred from the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
Provides requirements for passenger use areas of public transport buildings and timetable for compliance of existing buildings
Where H2 requires different compliance targets they take precedence 54

55. Summary Awareness raising, not full technical details
Explanatory Statement provides information on intent (available online)
Follow-up questions to assist in developing further material, please forward to AHRC

56. Questions? http://www.ag.gov.au/premisesstandards 56