- 128 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide
About this book
The Wheelchair Housing Design Guide explains how to design and detail a home that is fully manageable by wheelchair users and maximises their independence. This fully-updated, activity-based guide discusses design considerations, requirements and recommendations for various activities carried out within the home; provides design solutions and good practice examples of how to comply with the building accessibility regulations and Building Regulations Part M; reflects and promotes the values and principles of existing strategies for social inclusion, and promotes the long-term cost benefits of designing to wheelchair accessibility standards.
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Yes, you can access Wheelchair Housing Design Guide by Centre For Accessible Environments (Cae) in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Architecture & Architecture General. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Topic
ArchitectureSubtopic
Architecture General
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 7
Principle
Landscaping and levels across a development should be considered at an early stage to
ensure a high degree of accessibility for all. Wheelchair user dwellings should be carefully
located so that their residents have easy and convenient access, not only to their own
dwelling but to the wider site, neighbours, local amenities and public transport facilities.
1.1 Design considerations
Clients, developers, architects, designers and planners should carefully consider the
design of the site layout at an early stage to ensure that a holistic and inclusive approach to
access is incorporated in the initial design.
The location of wheelchair user dwellings should be considered within the overall site
layout so that, where practicable, they are evenly distributed (both across the development
and within individual blocks of flats), and positioned on the most accessible parts of the site.
Many wheelchair users will be regular drivers, car passengers or use some form of
accessible transport. It is therefore essential that the external layout of the development
and the relationship between dwellings, local amenities, parking and drop-off facilities are
carefully planned from the outset. Where practicable, wheelchair user dwellings should be
in close proximity to transport links and other facilities beyond the site curtilage.
The design of communal space, such as gardens, landscaped areas, play areas or other
facilities (including scooter, cycle or bin stores) should enable access to, and use by
wheelchair users.
Careful layout and detailing is often required to resolve differences in level across a site
and to ensure that suitable gradients are provided to footpaths. The location of
appropriately designed crossing points and dropped kerbs will also be essential to enable
wheelchair access around the development and to local amenities.
Slopes and gradients can inhibit ease of movement and should therefore, where
practicable, be eliminated or kept short and to shallow gradients. Crossfalls, or falls across
the direction of movement, also present difficulties. Such falls should be eliminated, or at
least kept to a minimum gradient. Similarly, falls in two directions should be eliminated
where possible.
Uneven and rough textured surfaces or loose materials, such as gravel, are difficult for
many people to use and can be a particular hazard for wheelchair users. The wheels of a
wheelchair can sink into loose gravel, making it difficult to move. Selection and detailing of
paving and finishes should ensure that surfaces are firm, even and smooth enough to be
wheeled over (unless tactile paving is intentionally used, e.g. tactile warning surfaces).
Strategic site development 1
8 Wheelchair Housing Design Guide
1 Strategic site development
For safety and security, developments should be designed to minimise secluded areas with
parking, entrances and paths in clear public view. Lighting should be carefully placed to evenly
illuminate outdoor areas and entrances without causing light pollution within the home.
Single-storey wheelchair accessible homes are generally the most easily designed,
suitable for wheelchair use and potentially the most space and cost effective. Other
possibilities, such as two or three storey dwellings, are feasible but will require the
installation of a lift inside the dwelling to enable a wheelchair user to access all floors. This
has an impact on the initial installation costs, ongoing maintenance and a significant impact
on the space required. Some wheelchair users, however, may still prefer dwellings over
more than one storey and providing a choice of dwelling types within the overall
development should therefore be considered.
While a ground floor dwelling is convenient for access and egress, not all wheelchair users
will want to live (or feel secure living) at ground floor level. In blocks of flats, wheelchair user
dwellings should be sited to offer choice on different floor levels. Where flats are located on
upper levels, they should be close to communal lifts, with consideration given to
emergency egress.
Within a development, wheelchair user dwellings should be a variety of sizes, offering a
choice of bedroom and bedspace configurations.
It is also important to remember that wheelchair users may wish to visit their friends and
neighbours throughout the development. Ideally, wheelchair access should be available
across the whole site, and all homes within the development should be built to a standard
that enables this.
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 9 Principle External approach routes from any parking area, drop-off point or the site boundary to communal and private entrances, communal facilities and outdoor spaces, should be accessible and useable by wheelchair users. 2.1 Design considerations Consideration should be given to a wheelchair user’s journey from the site boundary to the entrance of their private dwelling, ensuring that all aspects of the route are step-free and wheelchair accessible. The approach route to a dwelling’s entrance will vary between dwelling types and different sites. For example, the approach route to a terraced house may include a driveway, gate or path, while the approach route to a flat may involve one or more communal paths, gates, doors, lobbies, lifts and corridors to reach the entrance. The journey between any drop-off points or parking and the dwelling entrance also forms part of the approach route so travel distances between wheelchair accessible parking and any relevant entrances should be minimised. Wheelchair accessible dwellings should be located on the most accessible areas of the site to ensure a level or gently sloping approach can be accommodated. Ramps may be necessary to overcome a difference in level; however, they can be difficult for a wheelchair user to negotiate. Crossfalls, or falls across the direction of movement, also present difficulties. Where ramps are necessary to accommodate a change in level, paths of a suitable gradient and level landings should be provided. The minimum feasible gradient should be used, with crossfalls eliminated where possible. The space required for a ramp and landings is often underestimated and should be considered at early planning stages. Figure 2.1 Crossfalls Crossfall Direction of travel Fig. 2.1 External approach routes and parking 2
10 Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 2 External approach routes and parking If there is a change of height between the approach route and the adjacent ground level then appropriate upstands to the path edges should be provided to prevent the wheelchair user veering off the path. Some wheelchair users are sensitive to rough surfaces so the selection of paving should ensure that approach routes are slip resistant and smooth enough to be wheeled over. Loose materials, such as gravel or sand, should be avoided as they are difficult to push a wheelchair over and can cause skidding. The route should be of a suitable width to allow a wheelchair user easy movement. Where needed, there should be sufficient space to turn or pass other people without leaving the path. The approach route should be barrier free with gates or doorways kept to a minimum. Where provided, these should be suitably designed to ensure they are easy to use. Doors that open over a landing at the top of stairs or a ramp can be particularly hazardous as a wheelchair user is at risk of falling down the stairs or ramp while negotiating the door swing. Any door or gate swing should therefore be clear of all level landings to ramps and stairs. Doors and gates should provide clear space, or nibs, to the leading and following edge of the door. This enables a wheelchair user to reach the handle by providing space alongside to accommodate the protrusion of a person’s feet and wheelchair footplates. Doors and gates should require minimal force to open. Gates should be aligned with other external doors to assist with head-on approach and preferably open in the same direction. Windows should be positioned or specified to ensure that they do not cause an obstruction. Outward-opening windows over paths and gardens may present a hazard, particularly to wheelchair users and children. Figure 2.2 Window positioning . Fig. 2.2
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 11 External approach routes and parking 2 It is important that a wheelchair user is able to approach and use communal storage areas, such as refuse, cycle or mobility scooter stores. It should be possible to independently deposit refuse and materials for recycling in containers for collection. Thought should be given to the distances a wheelchair user would have to travel to reach these facilities and distances should be minimised were possible. Any facilities located adjacent to the approach route should be carefully designed to ensure they do not create a hazard or obstruction. All other external spaces, such as communal gardens, terraces or play areas, should be accessible for a wheelchair user to enjoy. Seating and other street furniture around the development should be located so that they do not impinge on footpaths. All approach routes to facilities and entrances should be well lit. The positioning of lighting columns and bollards should ensure consistent lighting levels, while avoiding glare. Car parking Transferring into and out of a vehicle can be time consuming and it is important that wheelchair users are able to stay dry. Consideration should be given to effective weather protection between the dwelling entrance and parking space, with a style that is consistent with the design of the overall development. Wheelchair users may use a variety of methods to transfer into their car and transport their wheelchair. Car parking should therefore be appropriately sized to enable a range of transfers. Space alongside the car allows a wheelchair user to transfer laterally from their wheelchair directly into the car. Space may also be required to the rear of the car to access the boot for wheelchair storage or to accommodate a boot hoist. The wheelchair may also be stored in a rooftop box, requiring adequate height clearance in enclosed or covered parking spaces. There are a variety of wheelchair accessible vehicles, which enable a wheelchair user to travel as a passenger or a driver without needing to transfer out of their wheelchair. Entry into the vehicle may be from the side or the rear via a ramp or lifting platform, and suitable space is required to accommodate entry and exit. Wheelchair accessible vehicles have a higher roof to accommodate an occupied wheelchair and will therefore require adequate height clearance in covered parking spaces. Figure 2.3 Access to parking Fig. 2.3
12 Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 2 External approach routes and parking To enable transfer into and out of a vehicle, the parking bay and access zone should be kept free of all obstructions, such as columns, bollards and charging points. It is also important that the access zone to parking bays is additional to any pathways or approach routes. Communal car parking serving multi-storey or low-rise high-density developments should ensure that any wheelchair accessible parking bays are located as close to the relevant principal entrance or lift core as possible. Parking provided in basement or undercroft parking, or any parking accessed via a vehicle lift or ramp, should provide adequate height clearance. Private car parking spaces should be located as close to the principal private entrance as possible. Where carports are provided, care should be taken to limit any loss of daylight affecting any adjacent home and the carport should ideally not be positioned in front of windows. Private garages, owing to their confined nature, are less accessible than carports. Where provided, ensure that the door provides adequate height clearance and can be operated remotely. Wheelchair users may also sometimes use a mobility scooter to travel longer distances. Consideration should therefore be given to providing suitable scooter storage, and a charging point under cover, within easy access of the dwelling entrance or a relevant lift. Drop-off points Drop-off points should be located as close to the relevant dwelling entrances as possible. They should be designed to enable access to either side and to the rear of the vehicle to accommodate a range of wheelchair accessible transport. Dropped kerbs and an accessible route should also be provided to access the dwelling.
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 13 2 2.2 Technical provisions When designing to Part M of the Building Regulations, Approved Document M, Volume 1, M4(3) Category 3, the technical provisions detailed in this chapter are relevant to both M4(3)(2)(a) – Wheelchair adaptable dwellings and M4(3)(2)(b) – Wheelchair accessible dwellings. 2.2.1 Approach route Regardless of which storey the dwelling is located on, an accessible step-free approach route suitable for a wheelchair user should be provided to all private entrances from the parking area, the location that a wheelchair user would get out of a vehicle, or any other defined starting point (typically the pavement immediately outside the curtilage or plot boundary). These points of access may be within or outside the plot of the dwelling or building containing the dwelling. Provisions do not apply beyond the curtilage of the development. For a house, the approach route will often only involve a driveway and a gate or a path. For a dwelling within a larger building (typically a block of flats), the approach route usually involves one or more communal gates, paths, entrances, doors, lobbies, corridors and access decks as well as communal lifts and stairs. Reasonable provision should also be made for a step-free approach route suitable for a wheelchair user to any communal facilities intended to serve the dwelling. Such communal facilities may include refuse stores or other communal storage areas, communal gardens and terraces but does not include plant rooms or other service areas, unless residents need regular access, e.g. to read meters. Approach routes to dedicated storage for mobility scooters (where provided) should also be step-free. The approach route should be illuminated by fully diffused lighting activated automatically by a dusk to dawn timer or by detecting motion. Approach routes (whether private or communal) should have a minimum clear width of 1200mm, with a maximum crossfall of 1:40. External parts of the approach route should have a suitable ground surface. These should provide an even, slip resistant surface with no loose laid materials. A level space with a minimum width and depth of 1500mm should be provided at the end of the approach route, and at maximum intervals of 10m to enable passing or turning. Localised obstructions, such as columns, planting or street furniture, should be no longer than 2m in length and no more than 150mm deep. Obstructions should not be positioned opposite or close to a doorway or change of direction. The approach route should be safe and convenient for everyone, be at the sha...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Dedication
- Foreword
- Preface
- Background
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Building Regulations and planning policy
- Format of the guide
- 1 Strategic site development
- 2 External approach routes and parking
- 3 Communal entrances, doors and circulation
- 4 Individual dwelling entrances and other external doors
- 5 Dwelling circulation areas and storage
- 6 Moving between levels within the dwelling
- 7 Using living spaces
- 8 Using the kitchen
- 9 Bedrooms
- 10 Bathrooms
- 11 Operating internal doors and windows
- 12 Services and controls
- 13 Using outdoor spaces
- 14 Designing wheelchair adaptable dwellings
- Appendices
- Index