Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M1/M2 ACCESS INTO BUILDINGS OTHER THAN DWELLINGS Glass doors and glazed screens door size, the swing of each door, the projection of the door into the lobby and Design considerations the size of an occupied wheelchair with a 2.22 People with visual impairment should companion pushing. Where both doors of be in no doubt as to the location of glass a lobby are automatic sliding doors, the doors, especially when they are within a length can be reduced as no door swings glazed screen. The choice of a different are involved, nor is space required for style of manifestation for the door and the manual operation. Similarly, if ‘reduced glazed screen can help to differentiate swing’ door sets are used, the length can between them. be reduced because the projection of the door into the lobby is reduced. 2.23 The presence of the door should be apparent not only when it is shut but also 2.28 The aim should be to reduce when it is open. Where it can be held open, potential hazards from local obstructions steps should be taken to avoid people within the lobby and minimise distracting being harmed by walking into the door. reflections from glazing. It is also desirable if rainwater from shoes or the wheels of Provisions wheelchairs is not taken into the building 2.24 Glass doors and glazed screens will where it becomes a potential slip hazard, satisfy Requirement M1 or M2 if they comply e.g. by the use of cleaning mats. with Approved Document K, Section 7. Provisions Entrance lobbies 2.29 Entrance lobbies will satisfy Design considerations Requirement M1 or M2 if: 2.25 There are a number of reasons for a. their length with single swing doors is providing a lobby: in accordance with Diagram 10; • to limit air infiltration b. their length with double swing doors is at least (DP1 + DP2 + 1570mm); • to maintain comfort by controlling draughts c. their width (excluding any projections • to increase security into the space) is at least 1200mm (or • to provide transitional lighting. (DL1 or DL2) + 300mm) whichever is the greater when single leaf doors are used, 2.26 The provision of a lobby may make and at least 1800mm when double leaf it possible for an external door to have a doors are used; self-closing device with a lower power size rating than might otherwise be the case. d. glazing within the lobby does not create However, even in these circumstances, it distracting reflections; may not be possible for the entrance door e. floor surface materials within the to meet the opening force criterion of 30N lobby do not impede the movement of at the leading edge from 0° (the door in the wheelchairs, e.g. not coir matting, and closed position) to 30° open, and not more changes in floor materials do not create than 22.5N at the leading edge from 30° to a potential trip hazard; 60° of the opening cycle (see 2.9). f. the floor surface helps to remove 2.27 The lobby should be large enough and rainwater from shoes and wheelchairs; of a shape to allow a wheelchair user or a person pushing a pram to move clear of one g. where mat wells are provided, the door before opening the second door. surface of the mat is level with the The lobby should also be capable of surface of the adjacent floor finish; accommodating a companion helping a h. any columns, ducts and similar full height wheelchair user to open doors and guide elements that project into the lobby by the wheelchair through. The minimum more than 100mm are protected by a length of the lobby is related to the chosen visually contrasting guard rail. 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 27