2.3.4.1 Provision

The guidance in 1.3.4.1 should be followed except where it is not practicable to provide a passenger lift in an existing building, an enclosed vertical lifting platform should be provided in accordance with 2.3.4.1.1. Alternatively, the same range of services/facilities that are available on the other levels should be made available on the entry or accessible level(s).

2.3.4.1.1 Lifts

The guidance in 1.3.4.1 should be followed except where the provisions of 2.3.4.1 apply.

Where a vertical lifting platform is provided in an existing building:

(a) It should comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC;

(b) It should conform to BS 6440:199921;

(c) Signs should be provided to facilitate finding the lifting device (refer to 1.6.3 and 2.6.3 where applicable);

(d) The minimum clear dimensions of a platform lift should be 1100 mm wide × 1400 mm deep;

(e) Doors or access openings to lifting platforms should have a minimum effective clear width of 800 mm;

(f) Controls for lifting platforms should be located between 800 mm and 1200 mm above finished floor level and a minimum of 400 mm from any return wall;

(g) Controls for landings should be located between 900 mm and 1100 mm above finished floor level and minimum of 500 mm from any return wall.

21 Platform lifts should comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. BS 6400:1999 is partially superseded by EN 81-40:2008. The remainder will eventually be superseded by EN 81- 41.

2.3.4.1.2 Stairs

Refer to 2.3.4.3.

2.3.4.2 Passenger Lift Details

The guidance in 1.3.4.2 should be followed except:

(a) Where it is not practicable to provide the manoeuvring space in front of the lift, the manoeuvring space should be as large as possible but not less than 1500 mm wide and 1500 mm deep;

(b) Where it is not practicable to provide a larger lift in the public areas of public facilities as per 1.3.4.2(j), the minimum internal dimensions of a lift car of 1100 mm wide x 1400 mm deep should be provided.

2.3.4.3 Internal Stairs Suitable for Ambulant Disabled People

Where a lifting device is provided in accordance with 1.3.4 and where necessary 2.3.4 to all floors in an existing building, an internal stairs suitable for ambulant disabled people is not necessary.

Where internal stairs suitable for ambulant disabled people are provided in existing buildings the guidance in 1.3.4.3 should be followed except:

(a) Where it is not practicable to provide the minimum clear width in 1.3.4.3, it should be as wide as possible, but the minimum unobstructed width between handrails should be not less than 1000 mm;

(b) Where it is not practicable to provide the length of landings in 1.3.4.3, the length should be as long as possible but not less than 1000 mm long and clear of any door or gate swings;

(c) Where it is not practicable to provide steps with the going in 1.3.4.3, they should be as large as possible but with a going not less than 250 mm.

2.3.4.4 Internal Ramps

The guidance in 1.3.4.4 should be followed except:

(a) Where it is not practicable to provide the minimum clear width in 1.1.3.4, it should be as wide as possible, but the minimum unobstructed width between handrails should be not less than 1000 mm;

(b) Where it is not practicable to provide ramp gradients in accordance with 1.1.3.4, a ramp with a gradient of 1:20 should not have going longer than 10 m, a maximum gradient of 1:12 may be provided if individual ramp goings are not longer than 4500 mm, (interpolation between these is permitted);

(c) Where it is not practicable to provide the stated dimensions of the top and bottom landing in 1.1.3.4, the dimensions should be as large as possible but not less than 1500 mm wide x 1500 mm long, to facilitate a wheelchair turning. Where a door opens onto a landing, the length should be at least 1300 mm long and clear of any door swings or other obstructions;

(d) Where it is not practicable to provide the length of an intermediate landing in 1.1.3.4, it should be as long as possible but not less than 1000 mm long and clear of any door swings or other obstructions;

(e) Where it is not practicable to provide the dimensions in 1.1.3.4 for intermediate landings to act as passing places, the dimensions should be at least those in (d) above;

(f) If edge protection exists on the open side of any ramp or landing in the form of an upstand or kerb it should be at least 75 mm high.

(g) Where it is not practicable to provide a stepped access route in addition to a ramp where the rise of the ramp is greater than 300 mm (refer to1.1.3.4 (h)) then a ramp alone will be sufficient.

2.3.4.5 Handrails

The guidance in 1.3.4.5 should be followed where practicable.

2.3.4 Vertical Features