Elements Of Accessibility
The access to and exit from buildings for disabled people is to be found in several
documents, but the main specific approved document is Part M, building regulations
1991, Access and facilities for disabled people
The requirements of part M aim to ensure that;
(a) Buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable by people with disabilities,
(b) Dwellings are visitable by people with disabilities
The combination of sill and threshold profile should allow access for ambulant disabled
people and wheelchair users while minimising the risk of surface water entering
The Top of the sill should be angled to discourage water ingress.
The slope should be no greater than 15 degrees to the horizontal lower to minimise
the barrier for wheelchair users.
Vertical changes in level of more than 5mm should always be chamfered.
Access and Use
Adequate provision shall be made to enable people with disabilities to safely and
independently access and use the building
In order to satisfy the requirements of Part M, buildings should be designed and
constructed so that people with disabilities can safely and independently approach
and gain access to the building and elements of the building do not constitute an
undue hazard for people with disabilities, including those with an impairment of
Access and Facilities for Disabled People - this requirement was made to ensure
that new buildings are constructed to give the same rights as able bodied people
to those unfortunate enough to have impaired mobility, hearing or sight. Provision
needs to be made; to allow easy access into and about a building (M2).