Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M ACCESS TO AND USE OF BUILDINGS Notes part of a research project commissioned in 1997 and 2001 by DETR. The guidance in Means of escape in case of fire: the this Approved Document is based on and scope of Part M and AD M is limited to is complementary to the BS, although the matters of access to, into and use of a BS contains much additional material that building. It does not extend to means is not apt for, or not considered appropriate of escape in the event of fire, for which for, inclusion in guidance accompanying reference should be made to Approved regulation. Also, in a few cases, the guidance Document B – ‘Fire Safety’. in AD M differs from the recommendation Stairs and ramps: Approved Document K in BS 8300. Compliance with the (Protection from falling, collision and impact) recommendations in the BS, therefore, contains guidance on internal and external while ensuring good practice, is not steps, stairs and ramps when they are part necessarily equivalent to compliance of the building. Additional guidance is with the guidance in AD M. provided in this Approved Document when Attention is drawn to the following extracts external stepped and ramped access also from The Building Regulations 2010. form part of the principal entrances and alternative accessible entrances, and when Interpretation (Regulation 2) they form part of the access route to the Regulation 2 contains the following building from the boundary of the site and definition: car parking. ‘independent access’ means in relation to Manifestation on glazed doors and a part of a building (including any extension glazed screens: Approved Document K to that building) a route of access to that (Protection from falling, collision and part which does not require the user to impact) contains guidance on pass through any other part of the building. manifestation. The meanings of the expressions Toilet accommodation: Section 5 of this ‘institution’, ‘public building’ and ‘shop’ Approved Document contains guidance on used in Regulation 5 are explained in the provision and the design of a Regulation 2. wheelchair-accessible unisex toilet and a WC cubicle for ambulant disabled people. Meaning of material change of use Other sanitary provision for baby changing (regulation 5) and Changing Places toilets should be For the purposes of paragraph 8 (1)(e) of provided as described. Part T sets out a Schedule 1 to the Act and for the purposes requirement for the provision of specific of these Regulations, there is a material toilet accommodation to facilitate single- change of use where there is a change in sex toilets in buildings other than the purposes for which or the circumstances dwellings. Approved Document T provides in which a building is used, so that after guidance on the size, layout, fittings and the change: equipment of universal toilets and single- sex toilets and two ambulant options for a. the building is used as a dwelling, single-sex and universal toilets. where previously it was not; BS 8300:2001 Design of buildings and b. the building contains a flat, where their approaches to meet the needs previously it did not; of disabled people. Code of Practice: c. the building is used as an hotel or a this supersedes BS 5619:1978 and BS boarding house, where previously it 5810:1979. BS 8300 provides guidance was not; on good practice in the design of domestic and non-domestic buildings and their d. the building is used as an institution, approaches so that they are convenient where previously it was not; to use by disabled people. The design e. the building is used as a public building, recommendations are based on user trials where previously it was not; and validated desk studies which formed Approved Document M Volume 2 Access to and use of buildings other than dwellings O N L I N E V E R S I O N 9