Building Regulations: Technical Standards

Introduction

1. The intention of this Part is to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that buildings are accessible to all users including disabled people who should be able to gain access to and within buildings without assistance. There are provisions to ensure that those who have impaired sight can enter and move within buildings.

2. It should be noted that relevant material from the now deleted Part T has been incorporated in this Part.

3. All stairs, ramps and protective barriers forming part of a building must incorporate the basic criteria of safety, which are -

a. that stair and ramp design must be within limits recognised as offering safe passage; and

b. that protective barriers are designed to reduce the risk of injury from falling to a lower level and to protect people from vehicles, where vehicles have access to a building.

4. The use of an industrial stair or fixed ladder is permitted in certain circumstances.

5. A number of issues relating to good practice have not been included as being inappropriate to a document concerned with minimum standards. Designers may nevertheless find it helpful to refer to the "Access Guide", published by Disability Scotland, and the "Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces", published jointly by The Scottish Office and the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

6. The "Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds" provides further guidance on steps or ramps associated with gangways of shallow pitch in assembly buildings (purpose sub-group 5B) such as sports stadia, arenas, theatres and cinemas.

7. Where there is a storey accessible to disabled people with fixed seating for spectators or an audience, spectators in wheelchairs should be able to sit next to able-bodied or disabled companions.

8. In this Part the term disabled people always includes wheelchair users.

9. This Part is limited to the provision of access into and within buildings. It does not cover means of escape in the event of fire, for which reference should be made to Part E.

10. Other legislation has a bearing on access, and in particular due regard should be taken of the provisions and supporting guidance of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Regulation 32