The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 Part R Access to and use of Buildings Presentation for RSUA & CIAT Facilitators Laura Hillis – Belfast Building Control Patrick Hobson – SE Group Billy Gillespie – NE Group

Part R Programme 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

The Average Person Access for Disabled Universal Accessibility

Evolution of Design

What has brought about this 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 the Building 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 regulations for 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. 29 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 ( ) –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 mm 750 mm 400 mm Frontal access

Toilets The doorway shall be located so that its edge is not in front of, or >250mm behind, the WC…… 250 mm 500 mm400 mm 750 mm 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