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13/01/2006 - Accreditation News - Part M March 06 |
Accreditations Newsletter #4 focuses on Part M (Access & use of buildings) of the recently revised building regulations.
PART M: Access to and use of Building: 2004
The Part M regulation is divided in to four sections.
M1: Access and Use
M2: Access to extensions to buildings other than dwellings, i.e. commercial properties
M3: Sanitary conveniences in extensions to buildings other than dwellings.
M4: Sanitary conveniences in dwellings.
Part M lays down minimum standards for access to buildings and includes disabled access for such items as steps and ramps, door widths, accessible toilets etc. It also gives guidance with regards Clear Opening dimensions for doors, which is extremely important when looking at potential projects and calculating frame sizes etc. Clear opening not only takes into account the size of the overall frame along with the door sash when the door is in the open position, but also the protrusion of any door fittings i.e handles which reduce the clear opening size and obstruct a clean path through the opening. (Recently published revised Part M came into affect from 1st May 2004.)
Part M revisions now move away from the aim of making buildings accessible to, and usable by, disabled people towards an aim to make buildings accessible to, and usable by, everyone - including people with disabilities. This documentation has become more detailed since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
The new edition of Part M has been widened to include existing non-domestic buildings undergoing extension, a material alteration or a material change of use, when the work being undertaken will have to make reasonable provision for access in compliance with Part M. In addition, in the case of extensions and changes of use of part of a building, there must either by suitable independent access to that part of
the building or suitable access through the building. (Special guidance is provided for historic buildings.)
An Access Statement should be provided at the start of, and during, the building control process, along with any plans submitted. This should help building control bodies to make judgment on whether building development proposals make 'reasonable provision' for access. It can be used to allow the applicant to identify the constraints imposed by the existing buildings and provide a better solution to meeting Part Ms requirements.
Schemes / Regulation Authorities:
Many Government / Local Authorities / Housing Associations are very particular when it comes to standards and regulatory bodies when sending out construction projects at the tender stages. Different local authorities will request that the contractors / sub contractors etc belong or are registered to these particular standards and regulations bodies before they even consider them for the job.
Some Housing Corporations will only allow you to work if you are registered with the SDS (Scheme Development Standard). The SDS documentation lays down the minimum requirements for housing specifications and its construction/house layout. Requirements:
The External Environment: Location, Vehicular Access, parking
The Internal Environment: Communal Areas, Housing for the elderly
Accessibility: General and Wheelchair users
Safety and Security
Energy Efficiency, Environmental Sustainability, Noise
Maintainability, Durability, Adaptability.
Future newsletters will list as many of the different regulations / standards / schemes that are used by Authorities that apply to the window and door industry.
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