Module 5 understaning disability access provisions

National Construction Code
Training Program
MODULE 5
Understanding the
Disability Access Provisions

Content of Module 5
• Part 1 - Introduction to Module 5
• Part 2 - Background to Access Provisions
• Part 3 - Performance Requirements
• Part 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
• Part 5 - Administrative Matters

PART 1
Introduction to Module 5

Introduction to Module 5
• This Module is one of a series produced by
the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB);
the organisation responsible for the
development and maintenance of the Building
Code of Australia (BCA)
• For the purposes of this presentation it is
assumed that participants have a general
understanding of how the BCA works
Part 1 - Introduction to Module 5

Module 1 - recap
• Module 1 was titled ‘An Introduction to the
Building Code of Australia’
• The objective of Module 1 was to provide
information on:
– the background to the development of the BCA
– the operation of the BCA, and
– the application of the BCA

Module 1 - recap
• BCA applies to all new building work. This
includes:
• new buildings
• renovations or upgrades to existing buildings

Module 1 - recap
• The BCA establishes minimum acceptable
standards for new building work
• The BCA:
• is referenced in State/Territory law
• is amended annually
• requirements are intended to be cost effective
• is intended to eliminate poor practice
• does not address best practice

Module 1 - recap
• Volume One contains requirements for the
design and construction of commercial
buildings, i.e. Class 2 to 9 buildings, plus
some Class 10 building matters
• Volume Two contains requirements for the
design and construction of domestic buildings,
i.e. Class 1 and 10 buildings

Module 2 - recap
• Module 2 was titled ‘Understanding the BCA’s
Performance Requirements’
• The objective of Module 2 was to provide
information on how to comply with the BCA
without using Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions,
i.e. by developing an Alternative Solution

Building Solutions
Performance Requirement
Functional Statement
Objective
Alternative SolutionsDTS Provisions
Guidance
Mandatory
Methods of
achieving
compliance
Documentary Evidence
Verification Methods
Expert Judgement
Comparative Analysis
Assessment
Methods

MODULE 5
Understanding the Disability
Access Provisions

Objective of Module 5
• The objective of Module 5 is to provide basic
information on BCA provisions for people with
disability relating to Class 1b, Class 2 to 9
buildings, as well as Class 10 buildings
• Information is also available from the ABCB
website: www.abcb.gov.au

People with disability
• Broad definition of disability includes people
who-
– are blind or have low vision;
– have learning or intellectual disabilities;
– are deaf or hearing-impaired;
– have a physical disability;
– experience mental health or psychological difficulties;
and
– people with an acquired brain injury.

Principle of access
• Provide safe, equitable and dignified
access to buildings, and facilities and
services within buildings

PART 2
Background to NCC
Access Provisions

General background
• Disability access requirements have been in
the BCA since 1990
• Focus was on access to commercial and
public buildings (Classes 3, 5-9)
Part 2 - Background to Access Provisions

BCA access provisions
• BCA has historically required access for
people with disability to be provided:
– to a building
– within a building (including lifts, signage and
hearing augmentation)
– to certain carparking spaces
– to suitable sanitary facilities

BCA scope
• The BCA only addresses the physical fabric
and layout of a building, it does not:
– address the fixtures and fittings such as furniture
or reception desks used in a building
– address some wayfinding information such as
room numbers or general signs
– address management policies or staff behavior

The challenge of inconsistent laws
• The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) has applied
to buildings since 1993
• Complaints could be made about the level and
quality of access a building provided
• Buildings could comply with the BCA, but still be
subject to a successful DDA complaint
• Uncertainty for building industry

Achieving consistency
• In 2001, Federal Gov’t asked ABCB to
develop proposals to address inconsistency
• Resulted in the development of Premises
Standards and BCA amendments to align the
two

Development of Premises Standards
• Developed through stakeholder committees,
specialist working groups and specialist
consultants
• Proposals were refined through extensive
industry and community consultation
• Draft provisions subjected to formal regulatory
impact analysis process

Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)
• All proposals for new regulation, including the
Premises Standards and changes to the BCA,
are subjected to a rigorous regulation impact
assessment process that includes cost benefit
analysis
• The Premises Standards RIS is available from
the ABCB website

Benefits for industry
• In addition to improving access, RIS process
sought to ensure new requirements:
– are cost-effective
– can be reasonably achieved
– provide the greatest certainty possible

Background to new requirements
• 1995: Building Access Policy Committee
(BAPC), established by ABCB, begins its
work on progressive changes to the BCA
• 2001: Gov’t asks ABCB to develop proposals
for Premises Standards and changes to BCA

• 2005: Draft Premises Standards and a
Regulation Impact Statement released for
public comment
• 2006: ABCB develops revised proposals and
a revised Regulation Impact Statement
following consideration of public comment

• 2008: Draft Disability (Access to Premises –
Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards)
tabled in Parliament and referred to a House
of Representatives Committee to conduct a
public inquiry
• 2009: Parliamentary Committee makes
recommendations in its report Access All
Areas

• February 2010: Government responds to
report and finalises Premises Standards
• 2010: ABCB aligns BCA to reflect content of
Premises Standards
• 1 May 2011: Premises Standards and BCA
2011 adopted

Premises Standards structure
• Premises Standards comprise:
– Parts 1 – 6 including trigger dates and objectives,
scope, exceptions and concessions and review
information
– Access Code for Buildings which provides the
Performance Requirements and Deemed-to-
Satisfy Provisions

Achieving consistency
• Relevant provisions in Parts 1 – 6 are to be
reflected in State and Territory building control
systems
• Access Code is reflected in BCA
• Compliance with the BCA will ensure
compliance with the Access Code

Voluntary best practice
• The Premises Standards and BCA contain the
minimum requirements for access
• Some project briefs may require a higher
standard
• Best practice and innovation is still possible
and encouraged

PART 3
Disability Access
Performance Requirements
Parts D3, E3, and F2 of
Volume One

Key Performance Requirements
• Key Performance Requirements relating to access:
– DP1 Access to a building
– DP2 Access within a building
– DP6 Travel path to an exit
– DP8 Accessible carparking
– DP9 Communication system for hearing impaired
– EP3.4 Lifts
– FP2.1 Sanitary facilities
Part 3 - Performance Requirements

Overall access objectives
• To provide, as far as is reasonable, people
with safe, equitable and dignified access to:
– a building; and
– the services and facilities within a building

• Access must be provided to enable people to:
– approach a building from the road boundary,
associated accessible building and associated
accessible carparking space
– get into a building and to all areas normally used by
occupants including toilets
– identify accessible facilities
DP1 - overview

DP2 - overview
• People must be able to move safely to and
within a building
• Special attention should be paid to:
– walking surfaces – doors
– ramps – stairways
– landings – handrails

DP6 - overview
• People must be able to safely evacuate the
building
• Building use and the characteristics of the
occupants, including their mobility, must be
considered

DP8 - overview
• Carparking spaces suitable for use by people
with disability must be provided
• Spaces must be marked and easy to find

DP9 - overview
• An inbuilt communication system, such as a
lecture theatre PA system, must be suitable
for people who are deaf or have a hearing
impairment

EP3.4 - overview
• When a passenger lift is provided in a building
required to be accessible, it must be suitable
for use by people with disability.

FP2.1 - overview
• Sanitary facilities suitable for use by people
with disability must be provided at convenient
locations

PART 4
Disability Access
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
• One method of meeting Performance
Requirements
• Compliance with Deemed-to-Satisfy
Provisions of BCA ensures compliance with
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Access Code
Part 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Parts D3, E3, F2 and H2
• Part D3 covers general building access
requirements
• Part E3 covers lifts
• Part F2 covers accessible toilets and showers
• Part H2 covers requirements for public
transport buildings

D3.1 General access
requirements

D3.1 – General requirements
• Table D3.1 sets out which buildings and parts
of buildings have to be accessible
• Different classes of buildings have different
access requirements

Some useful terms
• Accessible means having features to enable
use by people with disability.
• Accessway means a continuous, accessible
path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into
or within a building.

References to Australian Standards
• AS 1428.1 contains technical information on
the construction of accessways, for example:
– dimensions and clearances at doorways
– design of handrails
– layout of accessible toilets

Class 1b – small hostels, B&B
• Specifies number of dwellings required to be
accessible
• Specifies number of bedrooms and sanitary
facilities required to be accessible
• Specifies common areas required to be
accessible in B&Bs, guest houses etc

Class 2 – apartment blocks
• Access required from a pedestrian entrance to the
front doors of sole-occupancy units (SOU) on at
least one level
• Common areas required to be accessible including
BBQ area, gym, pool
• If other levels are served by a lift or ramp, similar
access must be provided on those levels

Class 3 – hotels and motels
• Access required from a pedestrian entrance to the
front doors of sole-occupancy units (SOU) on at
least one level
• Specifies common areas required to be accessible
including BBQ area, gym, pool
• If other levels are served by a lift or ramp, similar
access must be provided on those levels

Class 3 – hotels and motels
• Specifies the number of accessible SOUs
required depending on size of hotel/motel
• Specifies location and groupings of
accessible SOUs to ensure choice

Classes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9a
• To and within:
– all areas normally used by the occupants
• Class 7a (carparking)
– to and within any level containing accessible
carparking spaces

Class 9b – educational/assembly
• For schools, early childhood centres and
universities etc.
– to all areas normally used by the occupants
• For assembly buildings such as cinemas or
concert halls
– to all areas normally used by the occupants, but not
every tier or level if no wheelchair seating spaces are
provided on that level

Class 9c – aged care
• Requirements for aged care facilities are
essentially the same as for Class 3 buildings,
including access to specified common areas
and numbers of accessible SOUs

Class 10a – toilet block/shelter
• If located in an accessible area access is
required to and within an accessible toilet,
change room or shelter

Class 10c – swimming pool
• Swimming pools, other than private pools,
with a perimeter greater than 40 m are
required to provide some means of access
into the pool

D3.2 Access to buildings

Access to buildings
• D3.2 covers the requirements for access:
– to a building from the allotment boundary;
– between associated accessible buildings;
– to a building from accessible carparking spaces on
the allotment

Access to buildings
• D3.2 also specifies:
– number of accessible entrances required
– number of accessible doorways required when
there are multiple doorways at an entrance
– where a required accessible doorway has multiple
leaves, one of the leaves must have a clear
opening width of at least 850 mm

D3.3 Parts of a building
to be accessible

Parts of buildings to be accessible
• D3.3 covers:
– ramps and stairways
– passenger lifts
– passing and turning spaces on corridors
– small building concession
– carpet pile height

D3.3 - Ramps
• Ramps are a way of providing a continuous
accessible path of travel between levels
• Ramps must comply with AS 1428.1
• Concessions for fire-isolated ramps

D3.3 - Stairways
• Stairways cannot form part of a continuous
accessible path of travel but where provided,
must meet certain requirements
• Stairways must comply with AS 1428.1
• Concessions for fire-isolated stairways

D3.3 - Lifts
• D3.3 requires every passenger lift to comply
with E3.6, which provides the detailed
requirements for passenger lifts

D3.3 - Passing and turning spaces
• Passing spaces are required every 20 m
along an accessway where a clear line of
sight is not possible
• Turning spaces are required every 20 m
along an accessway and within 2m of a
dead-end
• Specifications for passing and turning spaces
are in AS 1428.1

D3.3 - Small building concession
• While generally access is required to all levels of
buildings, there is a concession for certain small
buildings
• In some 2 and 3 storey buildings where the storeys,
other than the entrance storeys, are each under 200
m2
, an accessible ramp or lift does not have to be
provided to those storeys

D3.3 - Carpet pile height
• While the use of carpets on an accessway is
allowed, if the carpet pile is too high it would
make movement in a wheelchair difficult
• A combined pile carpet height and backing
thickness of up to 15 mm is allowed

Additional features
• While D3.3 specifically refers to design
features such as ramps and stairways, the
general requirement to comply with AS 1428.1
applies to other accessible features such as:
– doors and doorways
– switches and controls

Doorways
• for doorways, AS 1428.1 provides
specifications for:
– clear opening dimensions
– force for opening
– circulation space around doorway
– luminance contrast
– door controls

Door controls
1. Round knob 3. ‘D’ type2. ‘Lever’ type

D3.4 Exemptions

Exemptions
• D3.4 allows exemptions from general rule
of access to all areas
• Exemptions need to be assessed on a
case-by-case basis
• This is no different to other parts of the
BCA where professional judgement is
required

Exemptions
• Areas which pose a
health or safety risk
or are otherwise
inappropriate for
people with disability
(such as a foundry
floor or rigging loft)
are exempt

D3.5
Accessible Carparking

Carparking
• If a carpark is provided in a building or in a
carparking area on the same allotment,
accessible carparking spaces must be
provided
• Accessible carparking spaces must be
designated with signage if more than 5
spaces in total

Carparking
• Proportion of accessible carparking spaces
determined by Table D3.5
• Accessible carparking spaces must comply
with AS/NZS 2890.6

Carparking
5400
240024002400
Shared
areas
Accessible
space
Accessible
space
Bollard
Parking aisle or roadway
2400

D3.6 Signage

Signage
• BCA contains requirements for certain
signage related directly to building matters,
including:
– identification of all sanitary facilities
– location and type of hearing augmentation
– directional information in some situations

Signage - toilets
• All toilets must be identified using tactile and braille
signage in addition to male/female signage
• All accessible unisex toilets must incorporate the
international symbol of access
• All accessible unisex toilets must identify if the toilet
is left or right hand transfer
• If there is no accessible unisex toilet at a bank of
toilets, directional signage must be provided
indicating the closest accessible toilet

Non-compliant signage
  

Signage - hearing augmentation
• Identify a room with hearing augmentation
using the international symbol for deafness
• Within the room, indicate:
– type of system
– area covered
– if receivers are being used, where a receiver can
be obtained
• Braille and tactile signage required

Signage - entrances
• Directional information including the
international symbol of access is required at
an inaccessible entrance to identify the
location of the nearest accessible entrance

Specification D3.6
Braille and tactile signage

Specification D3.6
• Provides details in relation to the:
–design;
–location; and
–luminance contrast
required for braille and tactile signs

Braille and tactile sign location
• Signs should be at an
accessible height - between
1200 mm and 1600 mm from
the floor
Part 4 - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

Braille and tactile sign location
• A person reading braille
should not be at risk of injury
from opening doors or
pedestrian traffic

D3.7 Hearing augmentation

Hearing augmentation
• A hearing augmentation system is required:
– in a room in a Class 9b building, eg cinema
– in an auditorium, conference room, meeting room
or room used for judiciary purposes
– at any ticket office, teller booth or reception area
where the public is screened from service provider
…. but only if the room has an in-built
amplification system

Hearing augmentation
• Area covered depends on system used
– Induction loop - 80% of the floor area
– Receiver based systems such as radio frequency
or infrared systems - 95%
– Ratio of receivers set out in D3.7
• Emergency-only systems are exempt
• Scoreboard or screen announcements

D3.8 Tactile indicators

Tactile indicators
• To assist blind people and people with low
vision, tactile ground surface indicators
(TGSIs) are used to facilitate safe movement
around buildings
• BCA only requires warning (hazard alert)
TGSIs
• Technical details of TGSIs are in AS/NZS
1428.4.1

Examples of warning TGSIs

Tactile indicators
• Required at the top and bottom of stairs,
escalators, moving walkways and ramps
• Also required where a person might encounter
an overhead obstruction where no barrier
exists
• Not required on fire-isolated stairs and fire-
isolated ramps or those which lead to areas
exempted under D3.4

Example of when
TGSIs might be
required because of
the danger of the
overhead obstruction
created by an open
stairway

D3.9 Wheelchair seating spaces
in Class 9b assembly buildings

Wheelchair seating spaces
• If fixed seating is provided in a Class 9b
assembly building, such as a cinema or
stadium, wheelchair seating spaces must also
be provided
• Spaces must be available in single and
grouped configurations
• Table D3.9 specifies number of spaces to be
provided

Wheelchair seating spaces
• In small cinemas (up to 300 seats),
wheelchair seating spaces cannot be placed
in the front row
• In larger cinemas (over 300 seats), 75% of
wheelchair seating spaces must be in rows
other than the front row

D3.10 Swimming pools

Swimming pools
• A swimming pool required to be accessible by
Table D3.1, and with a perimeter of more than
40 m, must be provided with at least one
means of access into the pool
• Latches on swimming pool gates are not
required to be at an accessible height

Accessible pool entry
• Options include:
– fixed or movable ramp and aquatic wheelchair
– zero depth entry and aquatic wheelchair
– platform lift and aquatic wheelchair
– Sling-style lift

Specification D3.10
• Provides detailed specifications for the
different forms of access into pools including:
– dimensions
– slip resistance
– weight capacity
– handrails

D3.11 Ramps

Ramp limitation
• A series of connected ramps must not have a
combined vertical rise of more than 3.6 m
• A landing for a step ramp must not overlap a
landing for another step ramp or ramp

1:14ramp
1200landing
1200landing
1200landing
Stepramp
1:14ramp
1200landing
1200landing
1200landing
Stepramp
1200landing

D3.12 Glazing on an accessway

Glazing on an accessway
• Visual indicators must be provided on
frameless or fully glazed doors, sidelights and
other glazing that might be mistaken for a
door or opening if there is no chair rail,
handrail or transom

Glazing on an accessway
• If relying on marking the glass, must comply
with AS 1428.1
 

E3.6 Passenger lifts

Passenger lifts
• Passenger lifts must be suitable for use by
people with disability
• A variety of lift types can be used. However,
Table E3.6a contains limitations on the use of
some types of lifts

Passenger lifts
• Table E3.6b describes the features required
on lifts such as handrails, lighting, control
buttons and dimensions
• If a lift car is fully enclosed, it must not rely on
a constant pressure device to operate it

F2 Sanitary facilities

F2.4 Accessible sanitary facilities
• Requires accessible unisex toilets be provided
in accordance with Table F2.4(a)
• Requires accessible unisex showers be
provided in accordance with Table F2.4(b)
• Specifies requirements for ‘ambulant
accessible’ toilet cubicles

F2.4 Accessible unisex toilets
• Accessible unisex toilets must be provided:
– in buildings required to be accessible and
containing toilets
– on every accessible storey where there are toilets
• However …

Accessible unisex toilets
• Where male and female banks are at separate
locations, an accessible unisex toilet is only
required at one of the locations
• Where there is more than one bank of male and
female toilets on a floor an accessible unisex
toilet is only required at 50% of banks

• Exceptions and exemptions:
– toilets on a floor not required to be accessible under
the small building concession (D3.3(f)) are not
required to have accessible toilets
– toilets in an area not required to be accessible under
D3.4 Exemptions are not required to include
accessible unisex toilets

• Must comply with circulation space, fixture and
fittings requirements in AS 1428.1
• Must contain closet pan, washbasin, shelf or
bench top, means of sanitary towel disposal
• Must not be accessed through an area
reserved for one gender

• Where multiple accessible unisex toilets are
provided in a building, they should be
provided for both left and right transfer in
numbers as even as possible

‘Ambulant accessible cubicles’
• A toilet cubicle suitable for people with an
ambulant disability must be provided if there is
a toilet cubicle in addition to an accessible
unisex toilet at a bank
• Details for design and fit out are in AS 1428.1

Accessible unisex showers
• Table F2.4(b) provides requirements for
accessible unisex showers depending on the
Class of building
• Design specifications for accessible unisex
showers are found in AS 1428.1

H2 Public transport buildings

H2 Public transport buildings
• Passenger use areas of public transport
buildings like airports or railway stations are
generally Class 9b and Class 10
• These buildings are subject to sometimes
different requirements because of the earlier
Disability Standards for Accessible Public
Transport 2002

Part H2
• H2 takes precedence where different to other
BCA requirements
• H2 refers to different editions of Australian
Standards for elements such as accessways,
ramps, stairways, signage, lifts and doorways
– check which edition applies

PART 5
State and Territory
Administrative Matters

State and Territory matters
• BCA provides a model code, but State and
Territory building laws and regulations may
include additional material
• Relevant provisions in Parts 1 – 6 of the
Premises Standards are to be reflected in
changes to State and Territory building law
or systems
Part 5 - Administrative Matters

State and Territory matters
• Different application for new and existing
buildings in some situations
• Triggers for ‘affected part’ upgrades
• Questions of possible ‘unjustifiable hardship’

Existing buildings
• Existing Class 1b and Class 2 buildings
treated differently
• Existing lifts travelling more than 12 m floor
space concession
• Existing accessible unisex toilets circulation
space and fitout concession

Affected part
• Affected part is the path of travel from the
principle pedestrian entrance to any new work
in an existing building
• Access upgrades are required if the building
approval applicant is the owner or the lessee
if they occupy the whole building

Unjustifiable hardship
• Premises Standards allows for a defense of
unjustifiable hardship in some situations
• Access Panels or similar
• Check with your State or Territory building
control administration to find out how this is
considered in your area

Module 5 understaning disability access provisions

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