Accessibility - Part M, BS 8300 and the Equality Act.

Approved Document M –Access to and use of buildings is currently divided into two volumes:

  • Approved Document M – Access to and use of buildings: Volume 1 – Dwellings
  • Approved Document M – Access tocand use of buildings: Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwelling

For non-housing, Part M guidance ‘Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people – Code of practice’. FAQ section of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website relating to Part M. 

The guidance provided in BS 8300 is also considered applicable to existing as well as new buildings and extensions.The present edition of BS 8300 no longer gives guidance on individual dwellings, which are now covered in DD 266 : 2007 withdrawn-replaced by BS 9266 : 2013. However, some of the recommendations given in BS 8300 could be used to supplement guidance on the design of dwellings where appropriate.

 

Solutions other than those shown in the Approved Document M or BS 8300 may be appropriate in particular situations, justified for Building Control purposes in an Access Statement. 

A new Equality Act came into force on 1 October 2010. The Equality Act brings together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. Combined, they make up a new Act that provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.This act  replaces the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA),but similarly requires organisations or individuals providing goods, facilities or services to the public and their landlords or property managers (‘service providers’) to make "reasonable adjustments" to their properties to overcome physical barriers to access. Both new and existing buildings are included but not dwellings. As no detailed physical guidance is offered in the  Act, typically specifiers following the guidance within Approved Document M and BS 8300 would be expected to meet this requirement.

Equality Act - Opening Forces.



Building designers and specifier’s must avoid creating access difficulties for disabled people whilst taking all steps possible to provide effective barriers against smoke and fire.

Read more about the Equality Act, opening forces and our doorset solution
                

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Specific requirements for doors and doorsets in dwellings.



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

Volume 1 – Dwellings covers:

Specific requirements for doors and doorsets in dwellings.



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

Volume 1 – Dwellings covers:

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Specific requirements for doors and doorsets in buildings other than dwellings.



Unlike doors in dwellings, the ‘clear opening width’ with regards to doors to non-dwellings is measured up to any projecting door item including furniture, weather boards, etc.However, doors are permitted to open beyond 900 to reduce the impact of projecting elements.

Specific requirements for doors and doorsets in non-dwellings                

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Approved document M, diagram 9, effective clear width and visibility requirement for doors.



The contents of this guide represents Leaderflush Shapland's interpretation and opinions of the documents discussed.

Read more about approved document M, diagram 9, effective clear width and visibility requirement for doors and doorsets                

Approved document M, diagram 9, effective clear width and visibility requirement for doors.



The contents of this guide represents Leaderflush Shapland's interpretation and opinions of the documents discussed.

Read more about approved document M, diagram 9, effective clear width and visibility requirement for doors and doorsets                

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Approved document M, diagram 10, key dimensions for lobbies with single leaf doors.



Key: DL1 and DL2 = door leaf dimensions of the doors to the lobby DP1 and DP2 = door projection into the lobby (normally door leaf size) L = minimum length of a lobby, or length up to door leaf for side entry lobby “a”= at least 300mm wheelchair access space (can be increased to reduce L)

Read more about approved document M, diagram 10, key dimensions for lobbies with single leaf doors                


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