COMMENTARY ON BUILDING REGULATIONS PART M

On new buildings principle entrances and staff entrances should be accessible. Where this is not possible on existing buildings an alternative accessible entrance should be provided.

General provisions for an accessible entrance should include:
x A clear identifiable design
x Level or minimal thresholds (max 15mm)
x Level standing in front of doors
x Weather protection for the user of manual doors
 
Doors on Accessible Entrances
x External entrances used by the public should provide a minimum effective clear width of 1000mm. Else it should be 800mm or in special circumstances 825mm
x Automatic sliding door systems are preferable to swing doors
x Revolving doors are not considered accessible. 
 
AD M - 2.13 states: “Doors to accessible entrances will satisfy Requirement M1 or M2 if :
a. where required to be self-closing, a power operated door opening and closing system is used when, through calculation and experience, it appears that it will not be possible otherwise for a person to open the door using a force no greater than 20N at the leading edge”
 
Manual Doors on Accessible Entrances  - provisions for a manual door to be accessible include:
x The maximum force required to open a door should not be greater than 20 Newtons at the leading edge.
x There should be a space of at least 300mm between leading edge of door and any return wall.
x Door opening furniture should contrast visually with door and not be ‘cold to the touch’.
 
Automatic Doors on Accessible Entrances – provisions for an automatic door to be accessible include:
x They operate early enough and stay open long enough for users to pass through safely
x Door reverts to manual operation in event of power failure
x Manual controls (i.e. push switches) should be mounted at height between 750 & 1000mm, operable with a closed fist and set 1400mm
from fully open door
 
Glass Doors & Screens on Accessible Entrances - provisions for glass door s & screens to be accessible include:
x Use of manifestation
x Design to distinguish between screen and entrance doors by visual contrast.
x Guarding of the leading edge of doors that constitute a hazard when held open