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Ten design considerations of Part M 2010 on the design of new buildings

The last newsletter published by O’Herlihy Access Consultancy identified “Ten implications of Part M 2010 on the design of approaches to new buildings”. To continue on from approaches to new buildings the following list indicates ten design considerations of Part M and Technical Guidance Document (TGD) M 2010 on the design of new buildings:

  1. Effective clear width: External doors and internal lobby doors at the entrance of buildings used by the general public should have a minimum effective clear width of 1000mm (i.e. Day centres, hotels, institutional buildings, places of assembly, shopping centres and office buildings with a nett floor area per floor greater than 200m2.)
  2. Ambulant disabled stairwells: At least one set of stairs suitable for ambulant disabled people should be provided to access all floors above or below entrance level in a building.
  3. Lifts: Larger lift car should be provided in the public areas of public facilities such as hotels, cinemas, theatres shopping centres and public libraries, where the public area has a nett floor area per floor of greater than 200 m2. The larger lift car dimensions should be 2000mm wide x 1400mm deep.
  4. Lifts: The floor of the lifting device should not be a dark colour. The main reason for this is the dark colour can create the illusion, for people with vision impairment, of stepping into an open lift shaft.
  5. Provision of ambulant disabled cubicles: One WC cubicle should be provided for ambulant disabled people in the male and female WCs. The ambulant disabled cubicle design should meet the guidance provided in section 1.4.6.2 of TGD M 2010. Ambulant disabled cubicles should be fitted out in accordance with Diagram 19 of TGD M 2010.
  6. Accessible WCs in a new building (i.e. Small restaurant): Where there is only one WC facility provided in the building, it should be unisex, wheelchair accessible and incorporate a standing-user height washbasin, in addition to the finger rinse basin associated with the WC pan. Note: Right Hand transfer is the preferred option.
  7. Bars/restaurants: In bars and restaurants a section of the working surface of a bar or serving counter 1500 mm long (min) should be permanently accessible to wheelchair users and at a level of not more than 850 mm above the floor.
  8. Light switches: Light switches for use by the general public should have large push pads and align horizontally with door handles within the range 900 mm to 1200 mm for ease of location when entering a room.
  9. Accessible signage: Guidance is given in TGD M 2010 on the provision of signage required in certain locations throughout a new building. In all these cases the provisions will be based on the guidance in 1.6.3 of TGD M 2010.
  10. Hearing enhancement systems: To comply with the minimum requirements set out in TGD M 2010 hearing enhancement systems are required where a reception area is provided in an entrance hall and in audience and spectator facilities.

For further information and design details refer to section 1.1.1 to 1.1.6 of TGD M 2010. In next months newsletter we will look at some of the recommendations in TGD M 2010 on the design of WCs. If you would like further information on any of the above information or need further assistance in relation to designing accessible buildings, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected].