Section 1: Category 1 – Visitable dwellings

Section 1A: Approach to the dwelling

Application

1.1 The provisions of Section 1A apply to external and internal areas and elements that form part of the approach route to the dwelling and fall within the plot (or curtilage) of the individual dwelling, or the building containing the dwelling.

1.2 Where parking is not provided within the curtilage, the provisions apply to the approach route between the dwelling and the nearest point at which a visitor, including a disabled person, would expect to get in and out of a This point of access may be within or outside the plot of the dwelling, or the building containing the dwelling (such as a block of flats). These provisions do not apply beyond the curtilage of the development.

Approach routes

General

1.3 The approach route should be safe and convenient for everyone, including older and disabled people and some wheelchair It should adopt the shallowest gradient that can reasonably be achieved and be step-free where possible.

1.4 The approach route should be level, gently sloping, or, where necessary, On steeply sloping plots, a stepped approach can be used.

1.5 Normally these provisions will apply to the principal private entrance but where this is not possible, access to a suitable alternative entrance would be reasonable.

1.6 To enable most people to approach the dwelling, approach routes should comply with all of the following.

a. The approach route is level, gently sloping, ramped or, where unavoidable, stepped.

b. All external parts of the approach route have a suitable ground surface.

c. The approach route is a minimum of 900mm wide with a maximum cross fall of 1 in 40.

d. Where a driveway forms all, or part of, the approach route, an additional allowance of at least 900mm wide should be provided so that a wheelchair user can pass a parked car.

External ramps forming part of an approach route

1.7 A ramped approach should comply with all of the following.

a. Individual flights are:

for gradients up to 1:15 – not more than 10m long

for gradients up to 1:12 – not more than 5m long

b. Every flight has a minimum clear width of 900mm.

c. Every flight has a top and bottom landing.

d. An intermediate landing is provided between individual flights and at any change of direction.

e. Every landing is a minimum of 1200mm long, clear of the swing of any door (or gate).

External stepped approach

1.8 Where it is not possible to achieve step-free access to any private entrance (as may occur on a steeply sloping plot) a stepped approach is acceptable if it complies with all of the following.

a. Steps are uniform with a rise of 75-150mm and a minimum going of 280mm (for tapered steps measured at a point 270mm from the ‘inside’ (narrow end) of the step).

b. Steps have suitable tread nosings.

c. No individual flight has a rise of more than 1800mm between landings.

d. Every flight has a minimum clear width of 900mm.

e. Top and bottom and, where necessary, intermediate landings, are provided and every landing has a minimum length of 900mm.

f. Every flight with three or more risers has a suitable handrail to one This grippable handrail is 850-1000mm above the pitch line of the flight and extends a minimum of 300mm beyond the top and bottom nosings.

Communal entrances

1.9 The principal communal entrance door of the building containing the dwelling should comply with all of the following.

a. The door has a minimum clear opening width of 775mm, when measured in accordance with Diagram 1.

b. Any threshold is an accessible threshold.

c. The ground surface (or entrance flooring) does not impede wheelchairs.

Communal lifts and stairs

General provisions

1.10 A passenger lift is the most convenient way for many people to move from one storey to Where a lift is provided, it should be suitable for a wheelchair user. Where lift access cannot reasonably be achieved it is acceptable to provide a suitable stair.

Communal passenger lifts

1.11 A suitable lift should comply with all of the following.

a. There is a clear landing a minimum 1500mm long and 1500mm wide directly in front of the lift door at every floor level.

b. The load capacity is at least 400kg.

c. The doors have a minimum clear opening width of 800mm.

d. The car is a minimum 900mm wide and 1250mm deep inside.

e. Tactile indication, to identify each storey, is provided on the landing and adjacent to the lift call button.

f. Tactile indication, to confirm the floor selected, is provided on, or adjacent to, the lift buttons within the car.

g. The lift incorporates a signalling system that gives visual notification that the lift is answering a landing call.

h. The lift has a dwell time of five seconds before its doors begin to close after they are fully open.

i. The system can be overridden by a door re-activating device that relies on appropriate electronic methods (but not a door edge pressure system); provided that the lift door remains fully open for at least three seconds.

j. When the lift serves more than three storeys, it provides visual and audible indicators to identify the floor reached.

k. Landing and car controls are between 900mm and 1200mm above the car floor and a minimum 400mm (measured horizontally) from the inside of the front wall.

NOTE: A lift complying with BS EN 81-70 type 1 would satisfy the requirements of provisions to j. of paragraph 1.11.

Communal stairs

1.12 The principal communal stairs that give access to the dwelling should comply with one of the following:

a. Where the dwelling is on an upper floor and does not have lift access, the stair meets the requirements of Part K for a general access stair.

b. Where the dwelling is on an upper floor and does have lift access, the stair meets the requirements of Park K for a utility stair.

Section 1B: Private entrances and spaces within the dwelling

Application

1.13 Except where noted, the provisions of Section 1B apply to the principal private entrance and to key areas within the entrance storey (or where there are no habitable rooms on the entrance storey, the principal storey) of the This applies to all dwelling types, including upper floor flats.

Private entrances

1.14 The principal private entrance to the dwelling (or the alternative entrance where the approach route is not to the principal private entrance) should comply with all of the following.

a. The door has a minimum clear opening width of 775mm, when measured in accordance with Diagram 1.

b. Any threshold is an accessible threshold.

c. Where a step into the dwelling is unavoidable, the rise is a maximum 150mm and is aligned with the outside face of the door threshold.

Circulation areas and internal doorways

Door and hall widths

1.15 To facilitate access into habitable rooms and to a WC in the entrance storey, door and hall widths should comply with all of the following (see Diagram 1.2).

a. Every door to a habitable room and the room containing the WC has a minimum clear opening width as set out in Table 1, when measured in accordance with Diagram 1.1.

b. Any localised obstruction, such as a radiator, does not occur opposite or close to a doorway, and is no longer than 2m in length; and the corridor is not reduced below a minimum 750mm width at any point.

NOTE: A standard 826mm door leaf up to 44mm thick will be deemed to satisfy a requirement for a clear opening width of 775mm.

Private stairs and changes of level within the entrance storey

1.16 To provide easy access between rooms on the entrance storey, a stepped change of level within the entrance storey should be avoided where possible. If internal steps or stairs on the entrance level are unavoidable, they should comply with the provisions of Part K.

Sanitary facilities

WC facilities

1.17 To enable easy access to a WC, a dwelling should comply with all of the following.

a. A room (which may be a WC/cloakroom or a bathroom) containing a WC is provided on the entrance storey or, where there are no habitable rooms on the entrance storey, on the principal storey or the entrance storey.

b. There is clear space to access the WC in accordance with Diagram 1.3.

c. Any basin is positioned to avoid impeding access.

d. The door to the room opens outwards and has a clear opening width in accordance with Table 1.1.

NOTE: Examples of compliant WC/cloakrooms are shown in Diagram 1.4.

Services and controls

1.18 To assist people who have reduced reach, services and controls should comply with all of the following.

a. Switches and sockets, including door bells, entry phones, light switches, power sockets, TV aerials and telephone jacks, serving habitable rooms throughout the dwelling have their centre line 450-1200mm above floor level, as shown in Diagram 1.5.

b. Consumer units are mounted so that the switches are 1350-1450mm above floor level.

Optional Requirement M4(2): Category 2- Accessible and adaptable dwellings

This section of the approved document deals with the following optional requirement from Part M of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.

Requirement

Optional requirement

Part M access to and use of buildings

Category 2 – accessible and adaptable dwellings

M4(2) optional requirement

(1) Reasonable provision must be made for people to—

(a) gain access to; and

(b) use, the dwelling and its

(2) The provision made must be sufficient to—

(a) meet the needs of occupants with differing needs, including some older or disabled people; and

(b) to allow adaptation of the dwelling to meet the changing needs of occupants over time.

Limits on application

Optional requirement M4(2)—

(a) may apply only in relation to a dwelling that is erected;

(b) will apply in substitution for requirement M4(1);

(c) does not apply where optional requirement M4(3) applies;

(d) does not apply to any part of a building that is used solely to enable the building or any service or fitting in the building to be inspected, repaired or maintained.

Performance

In the Secretary of State’s view, optional requirement M4(2) will be met where a new dwelling makes reasonable provision for most people to access the dwelling and incorporates features that make it potentially suitable for a wide range of occupants, including older people, those with reduced mobility and some wheelchair users. Reasonable provision is made if the dwelling complies with all of the following.

a. Within the curtilage of the dwelling, or of the building containing the dwelling, it is possible to approach and gain step-free access to the dwelling and to any associated parking space and communal facilities intended for the occupants to use.

b. There is step-free access to the WC and other accommodation within the entrance storey, and to any associated private outdoor space directly connected to the entrance storey.

c. A wide range of people, including older and disabled people and some wheelchair users, are able to use the accommodation and its sanitary facilities.

d. Features are provided to enable common adaptations to be carried out in future to increase the accessibility and functionality of the dwelling.

e. Wall-mounted switches, socket outlets and other controls are reasonably accessible to people who have reduced reach.

Category 1 - Visitable dwellings