Barrier Free Code - hkifm.org.hk

Barrier Free Code

SAMSON WONG M Sc (Int Real Estate), FRICS, FHKIS, AP,

F.PFM,

Managing Director

Samson Wong & Associates

Property Consultancy Ltd.

1. Concepts of barrier free access in built

environments (including building & building

services requirements)

2. Brief review on the Design Manual from

perspective of FM

3. How to assess and audit barrier-free

constructions and facilities.

4. Experience sharing and updates

5. Case studies

Introduction – overseas convention and ordinances on BFA

Traditional view of

“accessibility” • focus exclusively on design

for people with permanent disabilities

Evolving philosophy of

Accessibility

• focus on design for all people

UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY


• Maximize participation of all society and all aspects of life

• Equal opportunity for all by providing equal access to all facilities: built environment, transportation, assistive communication technology, accessible leisure and recreation sites . . .


• Education Accessible Schools & Universities

• Employment Accessible Work Places

• Housing Accessible Housing

• Health Accessible Healthcare & Hospital Facilities

• Transportation Accessible Public Transportation

• Services Accessible ICT and Services

• Leisure & Recreation Accessible Community & Sporting Facilities



• Population 2009: > 7 million

• People with Disabilities

(10%) 700,000

• Ageing Population 65 years+

(2006) (12.4%) 852,796

(2025) (21.3%) 1,711,000

(Source: HK 2006 Population By-census Office)


Not only for

But also


- Barrier Free Design

- Adaptable Design

- Accessible Design

- Universal

Design/Accessibility


The design of products, services and

environments to be usable by all

people, to the greatest extent

possible, without the need for

personal adaptation or special

provision

Ron Mace 1988


1. Equitable Use

2. Flexibility in Use

3. Simple and Intuitive Use

4. Perceptible Information

5. Tolerance for Errors

6. Low Physical Effort

7. Size and Space for Approach & Use


SCMP

9 September 2010

Introduction – HK Current BFA Legislation

• Code of Practice : Access for the Disabled to

Buildings 1976

• Design Manual : Access for the Disabled 1984

• Design Manual : Barrier Free Access 1997

Introduction – HK Current BFA Legislation

The regulations stipulating requirements for buildings to be planned for use by persons with a disability include: • Building (Administration) Regulation 8(1)(m) • Building (Planning) Regulation 2(1): 'disability' • Building (Planning) Regulation 39(3)(e) • Building (Planning) Regulation 72 and the Third

Schedule • Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing,

Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 61(3) • Further guidance is given in the Design Manual:

Barrier Free Access 2008.

• Special Circumstances that may be Acceptable to the Building Authority for Applications to Vary Provisions

• For alterations and additions works to existing buildings where initial access for persons with a disability is not provided, the Building Authority would be satisfied with the design of the building in respect of the non-provision of facilities for persons with locomotory disabilities in cases where the provision of a ramp access would involve alteration works to the common parts of a building and where the applicant can demonstrate that : – the applicant has no control over the area; – consent from co-owners or owners' corporation to permit the carrying

out of the alteration works to the common parts of the building is declined or cannot be obtained; and

– where ground beam is involved, there is spatial or structural constraint.

A. Wheelchair Space

A1 Min.4 wheelchair spaces with size 1.3m(L)x0.8m(w) at

spectator level in auditorium not more than 800 fixed seats.

(In case more than 800 fixed seats, additional 2 wheelchair

spaces shall be provided for every 400 fixed seats)

A2 The spaces shall be grouped in pairs and not separated from

the seats for other audiences.

A3 Wheelchair space shall have unobstructed line of vision to

the stage areas.

A4 Min. width of the passage leading to a wheelchair space

from an accessible entrance of the auditorium shall not be

less than 1.5m.

A5 The auditorium, the stage, backstage facilities, changing

rooms, rest rooms, toilets and shower rooms shall be

accessible to wheelchair users.

A6 Braille and tactile fire exit maps shall be provided.

A7 Tactile warning strips shall be provided at the top and

bottom ends of the staircases leading to stage.

B. Carparks

B1 1 parking space (for person with a disability) with size

5m(L) x 3.5m(W) for each 50 car parking spaces in the

venue.

C. Access Route

C1 Min. 1.05m in width.

C2 Provided with access which is free from protrusion

hazards, steps, kerbs other than dropped kerbs, steep

ramps, doors or doorways

C3 Provided with firm surface of access

C4 Provided with tactile guide path.

C5 Access provided from a point(s) from a lot boundary to a

common entrance.

D. Ramps (for all changes in level)

D1 Provision of ramps at all changes in level

D2 Min. 1.05 m in width.

D3 Min. 1.5m x 1.5m landing space at the head and foot

of ramp.

D4 Gradient not steeper than 1:12

(refer para 17 for 1:10 or 1:8 ramp under special

condition)

D5 Min. 1.2 m landing provided for each 10 m length of

horizontal run at a gradient of 1 in 20 or steeper.

D6 Provided with handrails on both sides.

D7 Tactile warning strips at head, foot and landings.

D8 Ramp rise greater than 200 mm and leading to vehicular

area, a railing or barrier to be provided across the full width

of the lower end, min. 1.5 m from the foot of the ramp.

D9 Provided with 100mm(H) kerb or 200mm(H) rail above

ramp level.

D10 No projection beyond 90 mm from surface of wall below a

level of 2 m above the ramp level.

D11 Floor and wall in contrasting colours.

D12 Handrails not less than 30mm and not more than 50mm

clear from wall and with a clear height of 70mm from the

top of the bracket to the top of the handrail.

D13 Top of handrails should be between 850mm-950mm above

nosing, floor or landing.

D14 Handrail shall have external diameter between 30mm-50mm

D15 Handrail to be extended 300 mm min. beyond the first and

last nosing of a flight or end of ramp

D16 Provided with braille and tactile information on directional

arrow and floor number

E. Dropped Kerbs (for changes in level towards vehicular

areas)

E1 Min. 1.2m(L) and 1.2m(W)

E2 Max. gradient 1:10 and with 800 mm clear space behind the

dropped kerbs

E3 Max.15mm level change provided to interface with

vehicular areas

E4 Provided with tactile warning strip (600mm width) at

300mm from the vehicular areas

F. Steps and Staircase (for required staircase and the main

circulation staircase)

F1 Treads min. 225 mm.(280mm outdoor)

F2 Risers max. 175 mm. (160mm outdoor)

F3 Max. 16 steps in a flight.

F4 Provided with non-slip nosing in contrasting colour.

F5 Treads and walls in contrasting colour.

F6 Provided with tactile warning strips at landings and both top

and bottom ends of a staircase.

F7 Braille and tactile information signs on adjacent wall to

indicate the presence of opening (in the case the landing

leading to an open space, the entrance/exit of the building)

F8 No projection beyond 90mm from surface of wall below a

level of 2m above the treads.

F9 Provided with handrails on both sides.

F10 Handrail shall have external diameter between 32mm to

50mm if in tubular shape, or provided with a grip similar to

that specified for tubular handrail if in other shapes.

F11 The top of the handrails should be 850mm-950mm above

nosing, floor or landing.

F12 Handrail to be extended min. 300 mm beyond the first and

last nosing of a flight or end of ramp.

F13 Handrails not less than 30mm and not more than 50mm

clear from wall and with a clear height of 70mm from the

top of the bracket to the top of the handrail.

F14 Provide braille and tactile information on directional arrow

and floor number.

G. Corridors, Lobbies, Paths (for internal circulation within

a building)

G1 Min. 1.05m clear width (800mm for location at cashier

counter, turnstile, entrance with security device)

G2 1.5mx1.5m space to be provided at or within 3.5m of dead

end.

G3 Lobby in corridor to be 1.2 m long min. excluding space for

door swings [not apply to lobby to staircase, para 31(5)].

G4 A min. 1.2 m level area to be provided beyond the swings of

doors and min.1.5 m in width provided on both sides of

entrance of building.

G5 Channel covers to be flush with surface of footpath

G6 Holes & slot in channel covers/grating to be not larger than

20mm and 13mm respectively and slots are not in parallel

with pedestrian travel path.

G7 No projection beyond 90 mm from surface of wall below a

level of 2m above the finishing floor level

G8 Provided with warning guardrail (max. 680mm (H)) to area

with headroom 2m or less.

H. Doors (for doors on accessible routes)

H1 Clear opening min. 800mm

H2 Min. 330 mm unobstructed width for door handle

H3 Door handles min. 950 mm and max. 1050 mm above

F.F.L.

H4 Provided double-action self-closing door with check

mechanism to prevent door swinging beyond the closed

position.

H5 Door threshold to be max. 20 mm in height and bevelled

H6 Exterior and interior doors to be opened with horizontal

force of not more than 30N and 22N respectively. Door

closing period should not less than 3 seconds

H7 Prominent marks shall be provided on glass door at level

900 to 1500 mm above finished floor level.

H8 Provide automatic door to one of the main entrances

commonly used by the public

(Applicable to: sports stadium, town hall, civic centre,

theatre, museum, public library, shopping complex, sports

complex, public swimming pool complex, office building,

hotel and hospital)

H9 Transparent vision-panel shall be provided at level 1000 to

1500mm above finished floor level at double-action self-

closing door.

I. Toilets and W.C. Cubicles

I1 Provision of water closet cubicles for use by persons with a

disability:-

- Min. 1 no for 20 nos. of w.c. or lesser on a floor;

- 2 nos. for more than 20 nos. of w.c. on a floor

I2 At least one accessible unisex sanitary facility for use by

persons of both sexes.

I3 Shall be accessible directly from a public corridor or

through toilet with 1.5mx1.5m space in front of the cubicle.

W.C. Cubicles

I4 Min. 1.5 m x 1.75 m in area

I5 Min 1.5mx1.5m manoeuvring space within the cubicle

measured at 350mm above FFL.

I6 Water closet at a height between 380mm-450mm with back

support.

Flushing Control

I7 Flushing control mounted on the wide with height 600mm-

1050mm above FFL. Operating force shall not exceed 22N.

Wash Basin

I8 Wash basin mounted with rim not higher than 750mm above

FFL. 500mm clearance shall be maintained between the

bottom of apron and FFL.

I9 Wash basin tap shall be automatic or level control type

without spring loading. Operating force shall not exceed

22N.

Cubicle Door

I10 Door shall be installed with push-type or level-type handle.

I11 Door fastening shall be capable of being operated from

outside.

Grab Rails

I12 Provided with min. 2 handrails (with dia. 32mm-40mm)

and fixed on wall (with clear space 30mm from wall)..

I13 Provided with grab rail (with dia. 32mm-40mm) on each of

both the inner and outer door surfaces (with clear space

30mm from each door surface).

I14 Provided with folding grab rail (carrying static load 150kg)

on the wide side adjacent to WC at a height 725mm-

750mm above FFL. Simple (English, Chinese and Braille)

instruction on how to unfold the rail should be affixed to

the wall.

Emergency Call Bell

I15 Provision of emergency call bell inside cubicle.

I16 Call bell shall emit audible or visible alarm signal when

activated. The alarm shall be installed outside the toilet or a

buzzer shall be fitted in the caretaker’s office.

I17 Equipped with weatherproof push button for activating the

alarm.

I18 Push button shall be installed below the vertical grab rail

adjacent to the water closet at a height between 600mm-

650mm above FFL. Notice “Emergency Call 緊急召援” in

both English, Chinese and Braille shall be provided.

Urinal

I19 Provided at least one accessible urinal if more than one

urinal is provided.

I20 Provided with clear levelled space 800mm (w) x1500mm

(deep) in front of the urinal.

I21 Urinal with front rim not higher than 400mm with vertical

grab rails (with dia. 32mm-40mm) on both sides with C.C.

distance 900mm at a height of 1200mm above FFL.

J. Bathrooms and Shower Compartments

Bathtubs

J1 There shall be a clear floor space of not less than 1500mm x

800 mm in front of the bathtub.

J2 The bathtub shall be provided with a seat of not less than

250 mm in width.

J3 The bathtub shall have a maximum height of 380 mm.

Grab Rails for Bathtub

J4 They shall not rotate within their fixing fittings.

J5 They shall have a diameter between 32 mm – 40 mm and

have a grip space of not less than 30 mm clear from the

wall.

J6 A grab rail shall be at least 900 mm long, installed

horizontally or slanting at an angle not exceeding 20 degrees

along the length of the bathtub and at a height between 150

mm to 300 mm above the rim of the bathtub.

J7 Another grab rail shall be at least 600 mm long, installed

vertically at the plug end of the bathtub adjacent to the clear

floor space with the lower end 150 mm to 300 mm above

the rim of the bathtub.

J8 Taps and other controls shall have lever type handles at least 75mm long from

the centre of rotation to the handle tip, be installed at the plug end of the bathtub

and not more than 450 mm above the rim of the bathtub.

Shower Head

J9 Shower heads shall be of the hand-held type, provided with a hose not less than

1500 mm in length, and provided with a wall mounting bracket to allow use in a

fixed position

J10 Where shower heads are mounted on a vertical bar, the bar shall have a

minimum length of 500 mm with the lower end not less than 450 mm above the

finished floor level, be installed so as not to obstruct the use of grab rails and be

so mounted to be able to carry a static load of 150kg in case they are mistakenly

used as a grab rail.

Shower Compartment

J11 Shower compartments shall have internal dimensions of not less than 1500 mm

x 900 mm. The minimum clear floor space in front of the shower entrance shall

be 1500 mm x 800 mm with the 1500 mm dimension parallel to the shower

entrance.

Grab Rails for Shower Compartment

J12 Grab rails for shower compartments shall not rotate within their fixing fittings,

with a diameter between 32 mm – 40 mm and allow a grip space of not less than

30 mm clear from the wall. They shall be L-shaped or two bars arranged in L-

shaped configuration and not be less than 750 mm by 900 mm in length, be

installed at a height between 700 mm and 800 mm from the shower floor and be

capable of carrying a static load of 150kg.

Threshold

J13 Thresholds for roll-in shower compartments shall not be more than 13 mm high

and have bevelled edges.

Shower Seats

J14 The shower seats shall have a rounded edge and be self-draining, be installed on

the wall next to the taps and controls with dimension not be less than 550 mm in

width and 400 mm in depth and be installed at a height between 430 mm and

480 mm from the top of the seat to the finished floor level.

Tap and Control for Bathtub

K. Sign

International Symbol of Accessibility

K1 International symbol of accessiblilty in white on a blue

background provided at: -

K1.1 - Accessible entrance to the building

K1.2 - Accessible exit from the building

K1.3 - Reserved car parking facilities for persons with a

disability

K1.4 - Location of toilets for persons with a disability

K1.5 - Usable vertical circulation facilities

K1.6 - Usable cloakroom facilities

K1.7 - Information/Service counter and telephone in the

building

Directional Signs

K2 Directional signs with directional arrows and visual

information.

Size

K3 The size of the signs shall not be less than: -

K3.1 - 60mm for doors

K3.2 - 110mm for corridors

K3.3 - 200mm for external use

International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss

K4 International symbol of access for hearing loss shall be

provided if assistive listening system is provided.

(Applicable to cinema, theatre, concert hall , stadium,

museum, theme park, purpose-built family amusement

centre, hospital, purpose-built clinic, transport station,

interchange, passenger terminal).

Braille and Tactile Sign

K5 Braille and tactile sign shall be installed on adjacent wall or

door of public toilet to indicate whether the toilet is for

male, female or unisex, at 900mm to 1500mm above the

FFL.

K6 A Braille and tactile fire exit map shall be provided directly

above the call button of the accessible lift in the lobby of the

accessible lift at 800mm to 1200mm above the FFL if a fire

exit map for the use of the public is provided.

L. Special Design Requirement to Assist Persons with

Visual or Hearing Impairment

Braille and Tactile Floor Plan

L1 Provided with braille and tactile floor plan showing the

main entrance, public toilet and major common facilities in

a place conspicuous to persons with visual impairment.

Tactile Guide Path

L2 Provided with tactile guide path from a point of access at the

lot boundary to the main entrance of the building and from

the main entrance to lift zone, the nearest accessible toilet,

public information/service counter.

Visual Display Board

L3 Provided with visual display board to display the essence of

the information broadcasted by the public address system.

M. Public Information/ Service Counters

M4 A least one public information/service counter built with a

portion not higher than 750mm above FFL and not less than

750mm wide.

M5 Provided with an assistive listening system where the

background is noisy or counters are provided with screen.

M6 Provided with leg space of a depth between 400mm-600mm

and a height of not less than 680mm above FFL.

N. Illumination

N1 Provided with minimum illumination level measured at the

FFL along the centre line of the passageway:-

N1.1 Ground floor entrance lobby and lift: 120lux

N1.2 Lift lobby of upper floors, corridors, accessible paths and

staircases: 85lux

N2 Signs (provided under Division 13) shall have illumination

level on the surface of not less than 120 lux.

O. Assistive Listening System

O1 Provided with assistive listening system (such as an

induction loop system or an infrared system).

P. Lifts

P1 Every floor shall be accessible by at least one passenger lift.

P2 Min. internal car dimensions of 1.2m x 1.m.

(*at leat one lift car with internal car dimensions of 1.5m x

1.4m shall be provided if more than 3 lifts in a building)

P3 Provided with handrails extending to within 150mm of the

corners at the rear and sides of the lift car.

P4 Handrial shall be at a height 850mm-950mm with a space of

30-50mm between the handrails and all.

Lift Door

P5 Car door with minimum clear entrance width of 850mm.

P6 Car doors and landing doors shall be of the horizontal

sliding type, power-operated and automatically controlled.

P7 Provided with audible signal to signify the closing of the

doors to alert persons.

P8 Provided with detection device at a height of 500mm-

600mm above the floor of the lift car to re-open the lift

doors in the event of hitting any obstacles.

Lift Control Buttons

P9 Essential lift control buttons including floor numbering

buttons, emergency alarm push button and door opening

push button in the lift car shall be at a height 900mm-

1200mm above floor of the car.

P10 Lift call buttons at lift halls shall be at a height 900mm-

1200mm above FFL of lift hall.

P11 Provided lift control button with min. dimension of 20mm.

P12 Provided braille and tactile markings either on or to the left

of the control buttons.

P13 Braille and tactile marking shall be in Arabic numerals

and/or symbols. Tactile marking shall have min. 15mm high

and be raised 1mm min.

P14 Tactile marking of the push buttons for the main entrance

floor with be identified with a symbol in a star shape.

Emergency Call Button in Lifts

P15 Emergency alarm push button shall be in a tactile bell shape.

P16 Emergency alarm push button together with a buzzer, an

indication light for acknowledgement and an intercom shall

be provided in lift car.

P17 Intercom shall be connected to building management office

or caretaker’s office.

P18 The building management office or caretaker’s office shall

be equipped with a buzzer, indication light and an intercom

connected to the lift car.

P19 Blinking indication light for acknowledgement shall be

provided adjacent to the intercom speaker.

P20 “When light blinks, it indicates your emergency call has

already been received. Please bepatient and wait for the

rescue此燈閃亮時，表示已收到求救信息，請耐心等候求援。” in English & Chinese shall be provided next to the

blinking light.

P21 The emergency call system shall be powered by an

emergency electricity supply system in the event of power

failure.

Indication and Notification for Accessible Lifts

P22 Provided with illuminated visual indicator and audible

signal at the lift entrance to indicate the arrival of lift and its

direction of travel.

P23 Before the arrival of lift, the audible signal shall sound once

for Up direction and twice for Down direction.

P24 Provided with tactile and Braille floor designations at the

jambs on both sides of each lift entrance, by means of

Arabic numerals, min. 60mm high, raised 1mm and at 1.2m

above FFL.

Indication in Accessible Lift Cars

P25 Provided with illuminated visual indicators to indicate the

direction of travel and the position of the car.

P26 Characters on the position indicator shall have a minimum

height of 50mm.

P27 An audio indicator of the stopping floor shall be provided in

English, Cantonese and Putonghua.

Identification of Accessible Lifts in Lift Lobbies

P28 An international symbol for accessibility shall be provided

at the lobby if all lifts comply with Division 19. Otherwise,

only the lift(s) designed under Division 19 shall be provided

with international symbol for accessibility.

Q. Escalators and Passenger Conveyor

Q1 Provided with tactile warning strips at both bottom and top

ends of an escalator.

Q2 Provided with tactile warning strips at both ends of a

passenger conveyor.

R. Building Services Design Requirements

R1 Visual alarm signal shall be provided to form part of the fire

alarm system in the form of a flashing red light, lablelled

“Fire Alarm 火警” in both English and Chinese.

R2 The label shall be indicated on separate plate affixed nearby

or engraved on the light cover.

R3 The alarm shall be installed at a prominent location which

shall be readily noticeable.

S. Hotel, Hostels and Guesthouses

S1 Min. 2 accessible guest rooms for every 100 guest rooms

and any parts thereof.

S2 Accessible bathrooms and shower compartment.

Case Studies – Examples in Hong Kong

• Barriers are impediments

encountered while participating in

daily life and are classified as

environmental &communication


• The external as well as the internal environment must be fully accessible, e.g. car park, footpaths, entrances, toilets, information . . .

• Accessible buildings alone are of little value if users cannot reach them

• A continuum of “seamless” access is essential - Connectivity


Home

Bus

Shopping Work

Train

Home

If any one link in the trip chain is inaccessible e.g. public

transport is accessible but no dropped kerbs, workplace has

steps and the shopping centre has no accessible lifts and toilets….. and the individual is a wheelchair user







Examples of Disabled Toilets with Problems

Disabled toilets without sufficient space for wheelchairs to turn

creates physical access barriers for wheelchair users.


Examples of Disabled Toilets with Problems

The locations of

railings and grab bars

should be designed at

the most appropriate

locations in order to

assist the disabled in

transfers to and from

the W.C..


• BFA Upgrading Feasibility Reports

• Consolidated Feedback, Budget Preparation with Justifications

• Issue Certificate of Compliance Checking for the B(P)R72 and Third Schedule to the B(P)R

• Retrieval and study existing information including Client's brief and building plans, etc.

• Site Survey and Investigation

• Compliance Checking Reports

• Retrieval all relevant information, building plans, etc. from relevant authorities.

• Understand the detailed requirements, expectations and priority criteria on the compliance level to the Building (Planning) Regulations (B(P)R) 72, Third Schedule to the B(P)R and Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 in relation to their operation, management of the buildings.

• Visit the site, record all existing site features

• Obtain all drawings and all documentation

• Carry out site survey and investigation if existing records are inadequate and/or insufficient, to facilitate the preparation of Compliance Checking Reports, the subsequent design works and the subsequent preparation of BFA Upgrading Feasibility Reports.

• Complete compliance checking with respect to every item / requirement stipulated in the B(P)R 72 and Third Schedule to the B(P)R,

• Functional tests to any existing BFA facilities undertaken by competent persons, with assistance of building services engineer.

• Conduct assessment on elementary aspects per all the relevant items in the B(P)R 72 and Third Schedule to the B(P)R – Identify all compliance items and all non-compliance items

– Detailed descriptions of the non-compliance items shall be mentioned in the Report.

– A Certificate of Compliance Checking certified by the Authorized Person

• Prepare and submit comprehensive BFA Upgrading Feasibility Report, with options of upgrading works – Outline courses of action.

– Assessment of feasibility of meeting the recommended design requirements in Best Practice Section and option of upgrading works for meeting such requirements.

• Identify any difficulties related to the proposed upgrading works, technical or

statutory, with detailed account on the reasons and impact to the management

and operation of the concerned party and viable solution(s) for the difficulties

identified;

• Works implementation programme which is required to reflect these

difficulties; and preliminary cost estimates for the proposed upgrading works.

• Comply with other Building Ordinances / Fire Services Codes / land and

management matters that may be imposed by the relevant authorities.

• Identify all services, utilities, facilities and installations etc., which may be

affected by the project, design the diversion of utilities and services and liaise

with all the utility companies for diversion as necessary.

• Coordination of all services woks, consultations with Public Utility Companies

and other authorities, bodies or persons affects by the Project, and

• Preparation of drawings for builder's work in connection with structural,

building services and landscaping, etc., all plumbing and drainage works being

included.

Documents

Barrier Free Code - hkifm.org.hk