For doors and doorsets in new homes, Approved Document M – Access to and use of buildings:

Volume 1 – Dwellings covers:

• Visitable dwellings
• Accessible and adaptable dwellings
• Wheelchair user dwellings

The guidance in all cases considers two requirements–principle entrance doors and internal doors. It should be noted that for dwellings the ‘clear opening width’ is taken from the face of the doorstop on the latch side to the face of the door when open at 90°, this is in contrast to Part M for non-dwellings and BS 8300. Please refer to ‘Specific requirements for doors and doorsets in buildings other than dwellings’                .

One entrance door is required in every new home suitable for wheelchair users. The minimum clear opening width required is 775mm for Visitable dwellings, and 850 mm for other dwelling types. The doors must have an accessible threshold as defined within Appendix A of the guidance.

Internal doors to habitable rooms and a WC or bathroom on the entrance or principal storey must be suitable for manoeuvring a wheelchair. The minimum clear opening widths required, depending on corridor width, and other related dimensions are shown below for Visitable dwellings, and Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings - for Wheelchair User dwellings all minimum clear widths are required to be 850 mm.

Depending on the dwelling type and location other requirements apply, e.g. WC doors to open outwards, a minimum clear 900mm corridor width to be maintained opposite doors, without obstructions such as radiators, minimum 300 mm nib to the leading edge, etc.