Access Statement
Below is an example of an Access Statement. For ease of reference we have highlighted the section relating to platform lifts.
PROPOSED OFFICE UNITS M, N, O, P – JOB NO. 1111
1.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW
The proposed development consists of 6 no. speculative office units, with the layout of the site being 2 no. detached units and 2 no. semi-detached units. The design and construction is of similar nature to the previous phase, Units J, K & L.
Vehicular access is by means of the existing adopted road that will be extended to accommodate this development and the future development on the site. The existing road which serves Units J, K and L will also serve Units M & P. The levels of car parking have been set out in accordance with BS 6465: Part 1: 1984.
2.0 LEVELS OF COMPLIANCE
The proposed development will fully comply with Schedule 1 of Part M of the Building Regulations, which states, ‘’Reasonable provision shall be made for people to gain access to and use the building and it’s facilities’’.
2.1 The items listed below deviate from the recommendations and are therefore offered as an alternative to those outlined in the above document.
1. Provision of lifting devices:
Whilst Clause 3.21 of the approved document Part M states that for buildings a passenger lift is the most suitable form of access for people moving from one storey to another, we feel that due to the proposed usage and levels of occupation of the office buildings that a platform lift would provide the same control of floor to floor movement as that of a passenger lift. The main purpose of the lifting device is generally seen as providing floor-to-floor access for a disabled person, and a platform lift fully compliant with Part M of the Building Regulations will achieve this.
2. Internal Stairs:
The widths of the internal staircases have been increased to 1200mm together with depth of the top & bottom landings. It is not our intention to increase the intermediate landing depth to 1200mm due to the intended usage and level of occupation of the Units.
3. External fire escape stair:
The escape stair to Unit M will be a spiral stair construction and will therefore not comply to the design criteria for an ambulant disabled stair. The internal ambulant disabled stair will be the primary route of escape in case of fire and it shall be part the occupier’s fire escape management structure to ensure that any disabled members of staff or visitors are assisted accordingly.
4. Front entrance doors:
Due to manufacturing restrictions the front entrance doors will have a clear opening of 950mm, this is due to the height and width ratio of the glazed doors.
3.0 CLOSING STATEMENT
The above information is intended as an initial assessment of the key factors in the on-going design of the building. It is appreciated that there are more issues involved in implementing the recommendations in the new approved document Part M and these will be incorporated into the final drawings that will be issued as soon as possible.
