<< Back
This table brings together the information necessary to see at a glance what needs to be achieved to meet the Part M Building regulations. Alongside this we present some of the (very similar) Lifetime Homes requirements relating to accessibility (which have been revised and clarified after consultation since they were originally published in 1997). The table also shows the relevant Housing Corporation Scheme Development Standards that will be covered by meeting Lifetime Homes requirements, although it is recommended that the latest edition of the Scheme Development Standards is also referred to.
| Elements of accessibility required by Part M | Part M requirements (by Building Regulations paragraph) | Lifetime Homes standards | Housing
Corporation Scheme Development Standards (3rd Edition) met if LTH
criterion adopted (E = essential, R = recommended) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| The approach to the house should be wide enough for wheelchair users, even when there is a parked car | Paragraphs
6.10 and 6.13 An additional 900mm width must be added to the space for a car |
Standard
1 The car parking space must be capable of enlargement to 3300mm width (generally by having a 900mm path or garden strip adjacent to the 2400mm space for a car) |
1.1.3.4. E (requires actual provision at the outset rather than provision for later enlargement) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| The approach should not be too steep, ideally it should be level | Paragraphs
6.6 and 6.13 If the plot gradient is less than 1: 20 then no part of the approach must be steeper than 1: 20. If the plot gradient is between 1: 15 and 1: 20, then individual slopes of 5m or less may have gradients up to 1: 12 and individual slopes 5 to 10m in length may have gradients up to 1: 15.* Paths should be at least 900mm wide. |
Standard
2 As for Part M |
relevant parts of 1.3.1.1 E | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| An accessible threshold at entrance level should be provided | Paragraph
6.21 Where unavoidable, maximum 15mm upstand is permitted. Detailed guidance is in a separate industry guide available from The Stationery Office |
Standard
4b As for Part M |
relevant parts of 1.3.1.2. E | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Doorways
and corridors should be wide enough to allow wheelchair users to manoeuvre
into and out of rooms
|
Paragraph
7.5 The entrance door must always be at least 775mm in width. Internal doorways and corridors should conform to the following table:
|
Standard
6 The width of the doorways and hallways should conform to the details given in the previous column, except that when the approach is not head-on and the corridor/ passageway width is only 900mm, then the doorway clear opening width should be 900mm rather than 800mm. The clear opening width of the front door should be 800mm. There should be 300mm to the side of the leading edge of doors on the entrance level. |
1.3.1.3.
E 1.3.1.4. E |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Communal stairs in blocks of flats should provide ease of access to ambulant disabled people | Paragraph
9.5 Uniform rise not more than 170mm Uniform going not less than 250mm Handrails extend 300mm beyond top and bottom step Handrail height 900mm from nosings |
Standard
5a As for Part M |
1.4.1.5. E | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| A stepped change of level within an entrance storey should allow ease of access to ambulant disabled people | Paragraph
7.7 Flight clear width 900mm Suitable continuous handrail on each side where there are more than three rises Rises and goings accord with Part K of the Building Regulations |
Changes of level within a storey are not covered under the Lifetime Homes standards | n/ a | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Wheelchair users should be able to use any lift provided in a block of flats | Paragraph
9.1 Clear landing entrances 1500x1500mm Min. internal lift car dimensions 900x1250mm Lift controls between 900 and 1200mm from the floor and 400mm from the lift’s internal front wall. There should be tactile control buttons, and visual and audible storey indicators for blocks of more than three storeys |
Standard
5b As for Part M but the minimum internal dimensions for the lift should be 1100x1400mm |
1.2.1.44
E 1.2.1.45 E |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Switches and sockets should be at a convenient height for all | Paragraph
8.2 Switches and socket outlets for lighting and other equipment in habitable rooms between 450 and 1200mm from finished floor level |
Standard
16 As for Part M |
1.3.1.14.
R (switches etc. at 900- 1200mm) 1.3.1.15. R (sockets at 450- 600mm) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| All homes should have an entrance level WC which is usable by a wheelchair user | Paragraph
10.3 Clear usable space between front of WC bowl and opposite wall/ door 750mm min. Distance from central line of cistern and adjoining wall 450mm min. Where oblique access provided, there should be 250mm min. to side of door |
Standard
10a For dwellings with three or more bedrooms, or on one level, the WC must be fully accessible. A wheelchair user should be able to close the door from within the closet and achieve side transfer from a wheelchair to at least one side of the WC. 1100mm clear space is required at the front of the WC bowl** In small two- bedroom dwellings where the design has failed to achieve this fully accessible WC, the Part M standard WC will meet this standard |
1.3.1.5
E 1.3.1.9 R 1.6.3.6 R |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| *
There must be top, bottom and intermediate flat ‘landings’ of not less
than 1.2m excluding the swing of doors and gates. Part M makes provision
for a ‘stepped’ access if plot gradients are steeper than 1: 15. ** But please note that it is important to meet the Part M minimum dimensions specified to each side of the WC bowl in entrance level WCs (diagrams 10a and 10b). The Lifetime Homes standards for houses of three bedrooms or more require full side transfer from at least one side of the WC. |
|||||||||||||||||