Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M1 FACILITIES IN BUILDINGS OTHER THAN DWELLINGS 4.19 Wheelchair-accessible bedrooms Diagram 16 An example of a shared should be sufficiently spacious to enable a refreshment facility wheelchair user to transfer to one side of a bed, with or without assistance. Wheelchair users should be able to manoeuvre around and use the facilities in the room, and operate switches and controls. They should also be able to gain access to and conveniently use sanitary accommodation and, where provided, balconies. En-suite sanitary facilities are the preferred option for wheelchair-accessible bedrooms. Unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so, there should be at least as many en-suite shower rooms as en-suite bathrooms, as mobility-impaired people may find it easier to use a shower than a bath. An en-suite shower room or bathroom would benefit from having a finger rinse basin adjacent to the WC, as well as a wash basin or basin in a vanity unit. 4.20 It is also important to ensure that, Sleeping accommodation in all bedrooms, built-in wardrobes and shelving are accessible and convenient Design considerations to use. It is an advantage if curtains and 4.17 Sleeping accommodation, where blinds are provided with automatic or other provided for a significant number of remotely controlled opening devices such people, e.g. in hotels, motels and student as rods or pull cords. accommodation, should aim to be convenient 4.21 Wheelchair users should also be able for all. People who use wheelchairs are likely to visit companions in other bedrooms, to require greater provision of space and for example when attending conferences access to en-suite sanitary accommodation. or when on holiday with their families. In A proportion of rooms will, therefore, need these instances, bedrooms not designed to accommodate wheelchair users. In for independent use by a person in a student accommodation, it is beneficial to wheelchair need to have the outer door have a wheelchair-accessible toilet available wide enough to be accessible to a for use by disabled visitors. wheelchair user. 4.18 Wheelchair users should be able to 4.22 For a proportion of wheelchair- reach all the facilities available within the accessible bedrooms, it would be useful to building. In general, accessible bedrooms provide a connecting door to an adjacent should be no less advantageously situated bedroom for a companion. than other bedrooms. It would be beneficial 4.23 For people with limited manual if entrance doors to wheelchair-accessible dexterity, electronic card-activated locks bedrooms were powered opening, as this for bedroom entrance doors and lever taps could avoid the need for the 300mm in sanitary accommodation can be an access space adjacent to the leading advantage. edge of the door. Access to and use of buildings other than dwellings Approved Document M Volume 2 42 O N L I N E V E R S I O N