Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M

O N L I N E V E R S I O N M1/M3 Section 5: Sanitary accommodation in buildings other than dwellings OBJECTIVES Provisions 5.1 In principle, suitable sanitary 5.4 Sanitary accommodation will satisfy accommodation should be available to Requirement M1 or M3 if: everybody, including sanitary accommodation a. any bath or washbasin tap is either designed for wheelchair users, ambulant controlled automatically, or is capable disabled people, people of either sex of being operated using a closed fist, with babies and small children or people e.g. by lever action; encumbered by luggage. b. terminal fittings comply with Guidance Note: Where ambulant sanitary Note G18.5 of the Guidance Document accommodation is being provided, relating to Schedule 2: Requirements Approved Document T provides additional for Water Fittings, of the Water Supply guidance on the design considerations of (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, ambulant single-sex toilets and ambulant SI 1999/1148; universal toilet accommodation to meet c. door handles and other ironmongery requirement T1. comply with provisions 3.10 (d) and (e) 5.2 In multi-storey buildings, the consistent of ‘Internal doors’; location of toilets on each floor can help d. WC compartment doors, and doors to people with learning difficulties to locate wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets, these facilities easily. changing rooms or shower rooms are Sanitary accommodation generally fitted with light action privacy bolts so that they can be operated by people with Design considerations limited dexterity and, if required to self- 5.3 A number of issues need to be close, can be opened using a force at considered in connection with all forms of the leading edge of not more than 30N sanitary accommodation. These relate to from 0° (the door in the closed position) the needs of people with visual or hearing to 30° open, and not more than 22.5N impairments, people with learning difficulties from 30° to 60° of the opening cycle; and people whose lack of tactile sensitivity e. WC compartment doors, and doors can cause them to be injured by touching to wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets, hot surfaces. Taps and WC cubicle doors changing rooms or shower rooms have should be operable by people with limited an emergency release mechanism so strength or manual dexterity and doors that they are capable of being opened to cubicles should be capable of being outwards, from the outside, in case of opened if a person has collapsed against emergency; them while inside the cubicle. Preferably, all doors to WC cubicles and wheelchair- f. doors, when open, do not obstruct accessible unisex toilets open out or, if emergency escape routes; they open in, the door swing should not g. any fire alarm emits a visual and audible encroach into the wheelchair turning space signal to warn occupants with hearing or minimum activity space. Where possible, or visual impairments; light switches with large push pads should be used in preference to pull cords (see 4.28). 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 47