Accessible design in the UK: understanding Approved Document M

Two volumes

• Volume 1: Dwellings. Houses and flats.
• Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings. Offices, shops, schools, hospitals, hotels, public buildings and so on.

Volume 1: homes

For new dwellings, three categories apply, in broad terms:

• M4(1): Visitable dwellings. The basic standard, with step-free access to the entrance and a toilet at the entrance level, so that most people can visit.
• M4(2): Accessible and adaptable dwellings. A higher standard, designed so that homes can be used by a wide range of people and adapted over time, with wider spaces and features that allow future changes. Local planning policy may require a share of new homes to meet this standard.
• M4(3): Wheelchair user dwellings. The highest category, for homes that are wheelchair accessible or can easily be made so. Local planning policy may require some homes to meet it.

Which category applies depends on planning conditions and local policy, so check early.

For new dwellings, three categories apply, in broad terms:

Volume 2: other buildings

For buildings other than dwellings, the guidance aims to make sure people can approach, enter and use the building and its facilities. Typical topics include:

• Approach and parking. Accessible routes and car parking.
• Entrances. Level or gently sloping access, doors that are easy to use, and entrance controls.
• Circulation. Corridors, lifts, stairs and ramps.
• Facilities. Accessible toilets, changing facilities, and in some buildings, spaces for wheelchair users to sit in an audience.
• Aids to communication. Hearing enhancement systems, visual contrast and signs.
• Sanitary accommodation. Accessible toilets and, for larger buildings, changing places.

Beyond the Approved Document

• The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers and employers to make reasonable adjustments, which is a different test from Building Regulations compliance.
• British Standards such as BS 8300 give more detailed design guidance, and many designers use them.
• Good practice may exceed the minimum.

Common problems

• Treating accessibility as an add-on late in design.
• Separate "disabled entrances" that are hard to find.
• Doors that are too heavy, or too narrow in practice.
• Poor contrast and lighting.
• Accessible toilets used for storage.
• Not considering emergency escape for people who cannot use stairs.
• Ignoring maintenance, so that lifts and automatic doors fail.

Existing buildings

Alterations and changes of use can trigger the need to improve access. Where existing features, such as listed buildings, limit what is possible, the aim is to find the best practical solution and to talk to building control and heritage specialists.

Involve people

The best way to ensure a building works is to ask disabled people and access consultants to review the design. See How to run a user workshop.

In short

Approved Document M is the minimum for access. Aim higher, involve disabled people, design access in from the start, and check the current rules.

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