Architecture And Access: Key considerations For Designing A Public Building

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires non-discriminatory access to premises (i.e. a structure, building, vehicle or vessel, enclosed or not).Some of the premises covered by section 23 of the DDA include:

• Public footpaths and walkways
• Educational institutions
• Shops
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Parks
• Public swimming pools
• Cafes, restaurants and pubs
• Government service offices
• Public transport facilities
• Hospitals and other medical facilities
• Cinemas and sports venues
• Libraries and other information and advice centres
• Doctors', lawyers and other professional offices
• Other premises the public or a part of the public is entitled or allowed to enter or use.

When designing a public building, you must ensure the building is accessible to everyone, including people living with disabilities like quadriplegia and vision impairment. In this article, we share some tips surrounding architecture and access so you can design a building that everyone can enjoy.

Accessible Footpaths

Including footpath accessibility in the plans for any public building is important. Footpath barriers for people living with disabilities include: 

• A business operating on the footpath in a way that impedes access
• The placement of street furniture, poles, bollards and other equipment
• A business with overhanging trees that encroach on the footpath
• A tree root causing an uneven surface
• A kerb ramp that doesn’t allow for safe passage
• A developer who is using the footpath to undertake renovations or building work. 

The DDA has no minimum technical requirements for footpaths (e.g. widths and measurements), but the following are recommended: 

• A gradient no steeper than 1 in 20
• A cross fall of no steeper than 1 in 40
• Kerb cuts with appropriate kerb ramps
• Appropriate Tactile Ground Surface Indicators where necessary for safety and orientation at street crossings
• A pedestrian zone with a minimum clear width of 1.8 metres at the narrowest point and a minimum clear height of 2 metres with nothing encroaching into that space
• Footpaths must be as smooth as possible without raised or cracked paving or tree root damage
• A slip-resistant surface during dry and wet conditions.

Accessible Parking

As a builder, developer or architect, it’s important to know your obligations around disability parking and ensure everyone can easily and safely access the building. The number of disabled parking spaces you need will depend on the type of building you’re designing.

How to calculate the minimum required number of disabled parking spaces

Disabled parking space dimensions

You must adhere to the disabled parking space sizes laws. An angled disabled parking space must be 2400mm wide by 5400mm long, and parallel parking spaces must be 3200mm by 7800mm. Accessible spaces also need a clearance of 2200mm and should not be obstructed by overhead pipelines, garage doors and storage compartments.

Ramps

There are a few key construction features for wheelchair ramps under the Australian Premise Standard AS1428. For example, the gradient of a wheelchair ramp must have a maximum tolerance of 3% from start to finish while not exceeding the 1:14 gradient/slope, and there should bee landings at the start and end of the ramp (minimum 1200mm long). 

A wheelchair ramp should not be longer than 9m for a 1:14 gradient or 15m for a 1:20 gradient.

Other considerations include: 

• The handrail should run end-to-end of the ramp and extend 300mm on both ends of the landing. The distance between the handrails should be 1000mm minimum.

• If the ramp changes direction, the approaching angle of the ramp to the landing should be 90 degrees (see the diagram below).

Disability-friendly bathrooms

Unless you are renovating or building a private dwelling, you must comply with Disability Access Laws when installing an accessible bathroom. Below, we’ve listed some design features and accessories you will need to include in your accessible bathrooms. 

Dimensions and measurements

Australian standards specify that an accessible bathroom should have a minimum circulation space of at least 900mm x 900mm on either side of the bathroom door and a minimum of 900 to 920mm inside a cubicle. The doorway should also have a width of 700mm minimum. 

Washbasin, accessories, and grab rails

When designing an accessible bathroom, it’s crucial to consider the entire layout, including necessary accessories like washbasins, grab rails, mirrors and toilet roll holders. 

• Add an accessible washbasin that does not infringe on the turning circle for wheelchair users. The rim of the washbasin should be between 800mm and 830mm above the ground. Water pipes should not encroach on the space under the basin, and taps must have a single lever flick handle or a sensor plate.
• Add an accessible toilet roll holder.
• There should be two grab rails on either side of the toilet.
• The mirror should be no less than 600mm wide, and the bottom edge should not exceed 900mm off the ground. The top edge should be no less than 1850mm off the ground.
• A changing table must be permanently installed with a minimum safe load of 180kg. Dimensions should be no less than 700mm wide and 1800mm long and should have a height adjustment between 450mm and 900mm.

Hoists

Change rooms and accessible bathrooms with a ceiling hoist must be fitted with an XY gantry system. It must provide coverage for the entire room and have a maximum safe working load of 180kg. It should also be capable of lifting to a minimum of 2100mm. 

Signage

Designing the perfect accessible bathroom means nothing without the correct signage. Ensure the proper signage is visible and clear and available in Braille for vision-impaired visitors. 

Active Mobility stocks an incredible range of accessories to make your facilities more accessible

Whether you’re a contractor, builder or an architect working on a new public building design, Active Mobility is your number one choice for disability products like grab rails, changing tables, hoists and gantry systems. All our products are designed to meet Australian Disability Access Laws and provide a safe and easy experience for everyone who enters the building. 

Browse through our incredible collection of high-quality, top-performance disability products online today!