Part M Guidance Notes

These bullet points are intended to highlight the main requirements of the Approved Document (2004 edition), but reference should be made to the full document for further details.

Purpose of this document
The purpose of this note is not to simplify the guidance in the Approved Document - this is so detailed and prescriptive that it cannot be reduced. Instead, this check-list is intended only to highlight the scope of the Approved Document – to act as a reminder as to how in depth the new Approved Document is, and hopefully to enable easier and speedier reference to the document itself when required.

Section 0
General Guidance

Does Part M apply?
New building / Change of use / Extension / Material alteration

Should an access statement be provided?
Scale of development / departure from guidance / provided at planning stage?


Section 1
Access to buildings

Level approach from the boundary of the site and car parking
Width / passing places / gradient / cross-falls / surface / route identified / well lit / separate pedestrian route / tactile paving

Onsite car parking and setting down.
Parking bay for disabled persons / location / dimensions / surface / ticket machines / sign-posting

Ramped access
Gradient / cross-falls / max. rise / width / surface / landings / handrails / kerbs / steps required in addition? / sign-posting

Stepped access
Landings / corduroy tactile paving / width / no single steps / max. number of risers / contrasting nosings / step profiles (not open rise) / rise and going / handrails

Handrails
Height / continuous / extends beyond / contrasts visually / not slip resistant or cold / termination / profile / protrusion / clearance

Hazards on access routes
Guard projections (eg. Doors / windows) / guarding plus low level cane detection or barrier to underside of stairs / ramps

Section 2
Access into buildings

Accessible entrances
Sign-posted/ easily identified (contrast) / no hazards (eg. Structural supports) / clear landing / level threshold / door entry system suitable / weather-protection if manual doors / suitable internal surface / trip hazards? / mat wells? / access through building to main entrance if appropriate

Doors to accessible entrances
Minimal force to open door / clear width / vision panels


Non-powered doors
Unobstructed space on pull side / suitable furniture (operation/ contrast)

Automatic doors
Sensors / visual and audible warnings / safe in use / safety stop / fail safe / don’t project / design of manual controls

Glass entrance doors and Glazed screens
Suitable manifestation / guarding to leading edge

Entrance Lobbies
Length / width / problems with reflections? /floor surface/ no trip hazards / contrasting guarding to full height projections (eg. Columns)


Section 3
Horizontal and Vertical circulation

Entrance hall and reception area
Reception point – suitable position / easily identifiable / free from obstruction / design for wheelchair access / manoeuvring / height of counter / hearing induction loop / floor surface

Internal doors
Minimal force to open / clear width / unobstructed space on pull side / suitable furniture (operation / contrast) / contrasting door frame and leading edge / vision panels / manifestation to glazing / automatic hold open devices to fire doors

Corridors and passageways
Projections / guarding / width / level or designed as ramp / visual contrast to change of gradient / not obstructed by doors / floor surfaces / manifestation to glazed screens

Internal lobbies
Length / width / problems with reflections? / floor surface/ no trip hazards / contrasting guarding to full height projections (eg. Columns)

Lifting devices
Passenger lift required, or possibly a lifting platform or exceptionally a stairlift (existing buildings). Unobstructed manoeuvring space in front of lift / call buttons position and design / lift floor not a dark colour and suitable surface / handrail / emergency communication

Passenger lifts
Comply with regs / accessible from remainder of storey / dimensions / mirror for manoeuvring / clear width of doors / adequate time to enter or leave / controls position and design / contrasting doors / audible and visual indicators / evacuation lift

Lifting platforms
Similar considerations as for passenger lift plus enclosure / speed / platform dimensions / instructions

Wheelchair platform lifts
Maintain clear width for m.o.e purposes / speed / dimensions / instructions / access/ controls / no unauthorised use / comply with regs.

Internal stairs
As for stepped access to buildings plus max. number of risers / rise and going / protection to soffit of stairs / handrails as for external

Internal ramps
As for ramped access plus steps as well if rise greater than 300mm / level landings / protection to soffit of stairs / handrails as for external


Section 4
Facilities

Audience and spectator facilities
Audience seating – accessible route / handrails to stepped access / provision of wheelchair spaces (position / location) / space allowance / level floor / provision for assistance dogs / design of seats / access to podium or stage / hearing enhancement system

Refreshment facilities
All parts accessible / height of counter / worktop

Sleeping accommodation
All bedrooms - Width of doors / wardrobe etc. doors swing 180º / Door handles (design / contrasting colour) / height of windows and controls / visual fire alarm / embossed room numbers
Wheelchair accessible bedrooms – number / location / doors to meet standards for internal doors / width of en-suite door / dimensions of room / en-suite to comply with guidance for sanitary accommodation, wide-angle viewer to entrance door / any balcony to be accessible with no obstructions to balcony doors / emergency assistance alarm.

Switches, outlets and controls
Height and position within room of switches, sockets etc. / design of pull cord alarm system / design of controls / power indicators / visual contrast

Aids to communication
Public address system plus visual information / hearing enhancement system to lecture rooms etc. and at certain reception counters / standard symbols to indicate availability of induction loops and special telephones / compatibility with other electronics and radio frequencies.
Section 5
Sanitary accommodation

Sanitary accommodation general
Design of taps / door handles / doors (inc. bolts / emergency release mechanism) / visual and audible fire alarm and emergency assist alarm / lighting controls / protection to radiators / visual contrast of sanitary fittings, grab bars, walls and floors.

Toilet accommodation
Requirements for Wheelchair- accessible and ambulant disabled accessible WC accom.

Wheelchair accessible
Provision / position / privacy / layouts / dimensions / outward opening door / travel distance / support rails / fittings / emergency assist pull cord and alarm / position of radiators / dimensions and design of WC’s and cisterns

Toilets in single sex washrooms
Manoeuvring space / cubicle doors / dimensions / WC design / layout and fittings.

Wheelchair-accessible changing and shower facilities
Choice of layouts should be available suitable for right and left handed people / support rails / design / fittings / separate accom. Available / emergency assist pull cord alarm / limb storage / dimensions / level floor / slip resistant / manoeuvring space / convenient operation of shower curtain / provision of shelf / suitable shower terminal and controls

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms
Dimensions / fittings / choice of layouts for right and left handed people / floor slip resistant / bath transfer seat / outward opening door / emergency assist pull cord alarm.