Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M GENERAL GUIDANCE Access strategy focus should be on ensuring that applicants and building control bodies are 0.20 It is important that applicants clearly agreed as to the appropriate level of communicate to the building control body provision in the completed building work. how their chosen approach to meeting the accessibility needs of the likely end-users 0.24 In smaller or simpler works this could of a building and its facilities demonstrates be achieved by having a conversation to compliance with the requirements of Part review the proposals and recording the M of the Building Regulations. The outcome of discussions by guidance in this Approved Document is correspondence. In large, complex works designed to indicate only one way in which or where there are significant constraints those requirements may be met. Whilst imposed by an existing site, this might alternative, equally satisfactory ways of involve a written document setting out key meeting the requirements can be adopted aspects of the access approach, depending on the size, scale, nature and supported by annotated drawings as well intended use of the building they must still as face to face meetings to resolve key demonstrate compliance with the relevant issues. It is for the building control body functional requirement. and applicant to agree which, if any of these proposed approaches should be 0.21 Where alternative solutions are used on a case by case basis to ensure proposed, the onus remains with the that the functional requirements of Part M applicant to demonstrate that those of the Building Regulations are satisfied. solutions are appropriate and meet the Whichever approach is adopted, the requirements, for example by showing that agreed level of provision should be clearly it is equivalent to the provisions set out in recorded. this Approved Document. This should include the use of appropriate research 0.25 It should be noted that approval of evidence or reference to recognised British proposed works by a building control body Standards as necessary to support the does not by necessity indicate compliance chosen approach. It is advisable to ensure with duties under the Equalities Act 2010. that the appropriate level of provision is Applicants need to consider these wider agreed with the building control body equality obligations when undertaking prior to commencing building work, as building work and whether provision in retrospective alterations can be costly some circumstances should exceed that and disruptive. set out within this Approved Document. The relationship between Part M of the 0.22 Applicants should therefore seek to Building Regulations and the Equality Act engage with building control bodies at the 2010 is set out on page 7 of this Approved earliest possible stage to identify key Document. issues and risks, and to discuss the best way to demonstrate the access strategy for Definitions the building work taking place. To ensure 0.26 The following meanings apply to satisfactory outcomes, communication terms throughout this Approved Document. between applicants and building control bodies should focus on areas where Access, approach, entry or exit. proposals diverge from the guidance in this Accessible, with respect to buildings Approved Document rather than providing or parts of buildings, means that people, an exhaustive explanation where features regardless of disability, age or gender, are in accordance with the guidance. are able to gain access. 0.23 Provision of a written Access Contrast visually, when used to indicate strategy is not required to accompany a the visual perception of one element of building control application though it may the building, or fitting within the building, be useful in some circumstances. The key against another means that the difference Access to and use of buildings other than dwellings Approved Document M Volume 2 14 O N L I N E V E R S I O N