Tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) play an important role in accessible building design throughout Australia. They help people who are blind or have vision impairment identify potential hazards, recognise changes in their environment and navigate pedestrian areas more safely.
Read MoreAccessible lift design is an important part of creating inclusive buildings in Australia. AS 1735.12-1999, Lifts, escalators and moving walks, Part 12: Facilities for persons with disabilities, sets out requirements for passenger lifts specifically designed to assist people with disabilities.
Read MoreAccessible parking is an essential component of inclusive building design. In Australia, AS 2890.6 sets out technical requirements for off-street parking facilities designed for people with disabilities, helping ensure that parking spaces provide suitable access, circulation and vehicle entry and exit arrangements.
Read MoreAccessibility is an essential part of modern building design and construction. In Australia, AS 1428.1:2021 – Design for Access and Mobility, Part 1: General Requirements for Access – New Building Work provides technical requirements to help ensure buildings are accessible, safe and usable for people with disabilities.
Read MoreAn optional pathway has been introduced in lieu of applying the traditional pathway, which includes provision for all‑gender facilities alongside male and female facilities, in commercial buildings. This voluntary pathway allows up to 50 per cent of the required male and female facilities to be provided as all-gender facilities, applied equally. Where buildings and tenancies have low occupancy, a higher proportion of all-gender facilities may be provided.
Read MoreAs awareness of inclusive design continues to grow, so does the demand for access consultants. Whether in commercial developments, residential projects, public spaces, or infrastructure, accessibility is no longer a box to tick, it’s a fundamental part of good design, compliance, and community responsibility.
Read MoreWhen it comes to designing accessible environments, the gradient of ramps is a critical consideration. In Australia a ramp is required to have a 1 in 14 gradient for a maximum length of 9m before a landing is required as outlined in AS1428.1-2009. In New Zealand, NZS4121:2001 allows ramps with a maximum gradient of 1 in 12.
Read MoreWhen designing accessible parking spaces, the required width of a shared zone beside an accessible parking space in Australia referring to AS2890.6:2009 mandates a 2400mm wide shared zone, whilst in New Zealand referring to NZS 4121:2001, only requires a 1200mm width.
Read MoreBased on AS1428.1-2009, lift buttons are required to have a minimum 500mm clearance to a corner wall or other obstruction to ensure that a person with a mobility aid is able to approach the lift buttons without obstructing the lift opening and press the buttons to call the lift.
Read MoreIf the number of people who will occupy a building is known, it should be used. However, in the absence of more accurate information, Clause D1.13 must be used. D1.13 is used in several Parts of the BCA, such as in calculating minimum exit widths, as well as the number of sanitary and other facilities. D1.13 does not restrict the number of occupants using a building, or enforce any building use or licensing requirements.
Read MorePart F3 of the BCA details the requirements for rooms or spaces within a building that must provide a height suitable for the intended use. ‘Intended use’ recognises that the height required in rooms and spaces is directly related to the room’s function.
Read MoreThe BCA classifies buildings by their use. A building may be made up of a number of classes if it has a mixed use.
Read MoreThis provision provides details on buildings or parts of buildings not required to be accessible under the BCA. Clause D3.4 details exemptions to the requirements for access to certain areas within buildings where providing access would be inappropriate because of the nature of the area or the tasks undertaken
Read MoreAn accessible adult change facility is a type of sanitary compartment that includes a hoist and adult size change table in addition to a peninsula-type toilet pan and other fixtures and fittings. Its purpose is to provide a suitable toilet for people with more complex or profound disability who may be unable to use standard accessible toilets.
Read MoreHearing augmentation systems assist people with a hearing impairment to be made aware of communications associated with a building’s use.
Read MoreWe call these new requirements ‘livable housing design’ because they’re based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (silver level), first published by Livable Housing Australia. Livable housing design represents a significant step-change to how we’ve traditionally designed housing in Australia.
Read MoreFurthermore it is worth noting that a handrails primary function is to prevent a fall and most serious falls occur when descending - not ascending, therefore it is important to ensure the handrail is at the required height and has the required extensions to provide additional assistance whilst ascending or descending, including terminations which prevent young children from injuring themselves if they are at the same height as the handrail.
Read MoreThe highest membership class is the an Accredited member. In order to become an Accredited Access Consultant you need to participate in the continuing professional development program, have been an associate member for a number of years, must pass an Accreditation Test and also must have industry referees including two Accredited Access Consultants which provide a reference on the capabilities, knowledge and experience of that person.
Read MoreAll in all NCC 2022 is shaping up as the largest single amendments of any past amendments both in terms of the volume of changes and the scope and impact of the proposed reforms, particularly for houses and low-rise apartments.
Read MoreAll gender toilets also known as gender neutral toilets, are sanitary facilities that can be used by everyone. They do not have gendered signage and do not require the person using them to define into a gender.
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