Home and Business disability access modification

The Australian National Construction Code (NCC) is a performance-based code; it sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings in our community. Please note that this does not mean it must be followed as states choose what to adopt and enforce in Western Australia; for example, the disability access changes made recently are NOT being adopted. 

Make a lot of noise and write letters to your local member of parliament and have them change this. It only goes to show money outweighs equality yet again.

The Australian Building Codes Board, on behalf of the Australian Government and each State and Territory government, produces and maintains the National Construction Code. 

 Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)  

The Australian standards for wheelchair access AS 1428.1.2021 

The Australian standards for wheelchair access are found in AS 1428.1,  the  Design for Access and Mobility, Part 1: General requirements for admission - New building work.

 The NCC and Premises Standards reference AS 1428.1 to specify how to meet their requirements.

 The idea of the wheelchair accessibility standards is to provide wheelchair users with clear, continuous access paths that can be used safely and efficiently, as well as having space to manoeuvre in and move around and use the building as it was meant to be used like everyone else.

AS 1428.1 gives building developers, inspectors, planners and designers, and builders, both professional and DIY, the minimum design requirements for new structures and new building work to enable access for people with disabilities.

Things like the following need to be considered and allowed for. You may build better but not less than these requirements; if unsure, it is better to hire a Consultant or ask someone who has access to the correct information, as you want to have your rule numbers and clauses in place to reference once you are dealing with a council building inspector.

Some everyday things people want to know are listed here. Please ask me if there are other common ones you would like to highlight,

How wide does a door opening need to be suitable for wheelchair access?

A single-leaf door is required to have a minimum width of 850mm when the door is open. This is the open space area, and when double doors are used, the 850mm minimum opening clearance applies to the active leaf. This means the door you will open, so if you open both at once with one action, then the total width is used. If one door only at a time, then just that doors open space to the other door edge, not the Jam is the open area as the door becomes the obstruction.

How to measure the gap.

 The minimum width is measured at the narrowest point, i.e., from the open door's inside face to the nearest end of the door jamb. The wheelchair user must be able to travel through the unobstructed opening, which means that door handles and other hardware can not be sticking out into their path. The angle of the door must open at least 90 degrees or right angles to the door jam. This means if your doorknob is 90mm from the end to the door, and there is a key in it, then it is more prominent again. 

Please note many Australian doors in older residences and public buildings are only 820mm wide. In reality, 920mm would be the minimum you would be looking at installing, and even then, you need to double-check.

An 870mm door leaf is usually unable to achieve this width as the thickness of the door, when open, shrinks the clearance width.

How wide does a wheelchair access ramp need to be?

A minimum clear width of 1000mm (1 meter) between handrails for a straight ramp. If the ramp includes a change of direction, the width at the turning point must increase depending on the angle of the turn. This is to allow the wheelchair a decent turning arc. 

Curved ramps require a minimum clear width of 1500mm. You could use a few designs that combine length and shape to accommodate the angle and requirements. Contact me via email if you want some help. Depending on the complexity, I can do so for a small fee or free.

The AS 1428.1 standards are a minimum for accessibility. Other standards, AS 1428.2, increased requirements for  Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standards and Livable Housing Design Guidelines) and have a minimum width of 1200mm that would enhance access and accommodate a broader range of needs. as well as varying users.

What is the maximum Slope, angle or gradient of a wheelchair access ramp?

The general principle behind the ramp angles of the Slope is that the longer the ramp, the more gradual the pitch must be so that wheelchair users can maintain sufficient momentum to reach the top. Generally, 1:14 is the maximum gradient for a ramp. That means for every 14cm long, it rises or falls 1cm.

Steeper ramp angles of up to 1:10 are permitted if the ramp is short (a maximum of 1900mm long and 190mm high). Kerb access amps have a maximum gradient of 1:8. Threshold ramps in doorways may have an angle up to 1:8 if they are 35mm high or less.

Where can I get specialist advice?

You could buy the Building standards or access them through a consultant like myself for a fee. Email me if you have a specific question, or subscribe to my newsletter below and get free information send-outs covering many areas of interest.

How does DDA relate to Australian Building Code?

The DDA requirements for access have a broad definition of premises, and only some are covered by the National construction code. 

The Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 was created to connect, clarify and standardise the disability access requirements covered by the DDA and the NCC. The intention is that compliance with the NCC ensures compliance with the DDA and Premises Standards and vice versa.

 Eventually, the Premises Standards will cover every aspect of public spaces included in the DDA's definition of premises.

The aim of the Premises Standards is to:

1. Implement the guiding ideal of the DDA in eliminating access barriers to people with disabilities
2. Ensure the implementation of the access requirements are cost-effective, equitable, dignified, and reasonably achievable
3. Give certainty to all parties involved in the design, building and management of public buildings, such as builders, developers, managers, and building inspectors.

Premises covered DDA cover are many some listed here?

The DDA makes it illegal for all new and existing public spaces to be inaccessible to people with disabilities. However, like many things, there are exceptions granted. It pays to look into what you are interested in. It may be covered as many people administering this is as foggy about what the rules mean as many people. 

A wide range of premises fall under the category of public spaces, including:

●      Education institutions

●      Shops

●      Banks

●      Public pools and toilets

●      Cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs

●      Theatres

●      Legal firms

●      Libraries

●      Sports venues

●      Government offices

●      Public transport

●      Medical practices and Hospitals

●      Hairdressers and beauty salons

●      Government-run services and more

Although the Premises Standards do not explicitly mention external facilities, such as footpaths, walkways and parks, they are still included in the DDA's general provisions for accessibility requirements for public spaces.

The DDA includes access to the premises and specifies that people with disabilities should have equal capacity to use the premises too.

What about an exemption?

Several exemptions and concessions exist. I will help you out if I can. If I do it for free, donating to my Accessible Van fund would be highly appreciated. Life is People helping people for our mutual benefit. Lots of people and corporations conveniently forget the last part.