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How to ensure your building is Part M compliant

What is Part M and why is it important?

Part M of the Building Regulations covers accessibility and inclusivity in buildings. Both the ROI and UK versions are similar in scope and content and applies to all types of new and existing buildings including those for residential, commercial, industrial, and public use. This includes both new constructions and any alterations or extensions to existing buildings but excludes those covered under the National Monuments Act 1930 – 2004.

Part M sets out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure that they are safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of a persons’ physical abilities.

Part M is an important aspect of building design that relates to accessibility and aims to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in a way that provides equal access for all, regardless of their physical abilities. The importance of Part M lies in its ability to ensure that buildings are accessible, safe and convenient for everyone to use.

One of the main reasons why Part M is so important is that it helps to ensure that buildings comply with legal requirements, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Equality Act 2010. By meeting these legal requirements, building designers can help to prevent discrimination against disabled people and ensure that everyone has equal access to public spaces.

Furthermore, by designing buildings that are accessible, designers can create spaces that are safer and more convenient for everyone, including older people, parents with young children and people with temporary injuries or impairments. This can help to improve the overall usability of the building and create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

There are five key considerations you can use to ensure your building is compliant with Part M, namely:

  1. Accessible entrances: The main entrance to the building should be accessible to all, including those with mobility impairments. This may require the provision of a ramp, a level access entrance, or an automatic door. The entrance should also be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
  2. Accessible facilities: The building should have accessible facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, and showers, which are designed to accommodate people with disabilities. These facilities should be located on the ground floor or be accessible by a lift or ramp.
  3. Accessible circulation: The building’s internal layout should allow for easy and safe movement for all users, including those with disabilities. This may require the provision of wider corridors, doorways, and turning spaces to accommodate wheelchair users.
  4. Signage and wayfinding: The building should have clear signage and wayfinding systems that are easy to understand and accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. This may include the provision of tactile signage or braille.
  5. Lighting and contrast: The building should have adequate lighting to ensure that all areas are well-lit and easily visible, particularly for people with visual impairments. There should also be adequate contrast between different surfaces, such as floors and walls, doors and hardware with consideration given to LRV, to aid navigation for people with visual impairments.

How does Part M of the building regulations affect the specification of automatic doors and access control?

Part M of the building regulations includes requirements for the design and installation of automatic doors and access control systems to ensure that they are accessible and safe for everyone to use, regardless of their physical abilities. The following are some of the ways in which Part M affects the specification of automatic doors and access control:

  1. Clear opening width: Part M specifies the minimum clear opening width required for doors in different types of buildings. For example, in a public building, the minimum clear opening width for a single-leaf door is 1000mm if external, 850mm if internal, and for a double-leaf door, it is 1800mm. This requirement may affect the specification of automatic doors to ensure that they meet the minimum clear opening width requirements.
  2. Door closing speeds: Part M also specifies the maximum door closing speeds for automatic doors. This is to ensure that the doors do not pose a risk to users, particularly those with limited mobility. The maximum closing speed for automatic doors is 0.75m/s.
  3. Access control: Part M requires that access control systems are designed to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This may involve specifying features such as tactile controls, audible signals, and clear visual indications.
  4. Safety: Part M also includes requirements for the safety of automatic doors, such as the need for safety sensors and emergency stop buttons. The specification of these features will need to be considered when designing and installing automatic doors to ensure compliance with Part M.

How does part M of the building regulations affect the specification of door ironmongery?

Part M of the building regulations includes requirements for the design and installation of door ironmongery to ensure that it is accessible and safe for everyone to use, regardless of their physical abilities. The following are some of the ways in which Part M affects the specification of door ironmongery:

  1. Lever handles: Part M requires that lever handles are provided on doors, rather than knobs or twisting handles, to make them easier to operate for people with limited hand strength or dexterity. The handles should also be positioned at a height of between 800mm and 1050mm (usual preference is 900mm) above the floor level to ensure that they are accessible to users in wheelchairs. If using a pull handle, the available grip should be between 700mm – 1000mm.
  2. Visual contrast: Part M specifies that door ironmongery should be visually contrasting to the door surface to ensure that it is easily visible to users with visual impairments. The contrast should be achieved by using colours with a light reflectance value (LRV) that is at least 30 points different from the door surface.
  3. Door closers: Part M requires that door closers are fitted to doors to ensure that they close automatically and safely. The closers should be adjustable to ensure that the door can be opened and closed with minimal effort, and they should not exceed the maximum closing speed of 0.75m/s specified by Part M if using automatics. Power operated devices should also be used when it is not possible for the entrance door to keep closed against external conditions without exceeding the opening force of 30N.
  4. Door stops: Part M requires that door stops are provided on doors to prevent them from swinging too far and potentially causing injury to users. The door stops should be positioned to ensure that the door does not swing beyond the maximum permissible opening angle of 90 degrees.

Why might a building fail to achieve Part M compliancy?

Some buildings may fail to achieve Part M compliance for reasons including:

  1. Lack of awareness: Building designers, contractors, and owners may not be aware of the specific Part M requirements, resulting in non-compliant designs and construction from the beginning.
  2. Inadequate design: Buildings may fail to achieve Part M compliance if they are not designed with accessibility in mind. This may include issues such as inadequate space, narrow doorways or corridors, or insufficient provision of accessibility features such as ramps, lifts, or accessible toilets.
  3. Poor construction practices: Buildings may fail to achieve Part M compliance if the construction process does not follow the Part M requirements, including the use of non-compliant materials or finishes, inadequate installation of accessibility features, or poor workmanship.
  4. Lack of maintenance: Buildings may fail to achieve Part M compliance if accessibility features are not maintained adequately. This may include issues such as damaged or broken accessibility features, inadequate lighting, or poorly maintained accessible facilities.
  5. Limited budget: Achieving Part M compliance may require additional design and construction costs, which may not be feasible within a limited budget. This may result in compromises being made on accessibility features, leading to non-compliance.
  6. Lack of enforcement: In some cases, the local authority responsible for enforcing Part M compliance may not have the resources or capacity to monitor compliance effectively, resulting in non-compliant buildings.

Is Part M about the newton force required to open doors in a building?

No, Part M of the building regulations is not only about the Newton force required to open doors in a building.  While Part M does include requirements for doors in buildings, such as minimum clear opening widths, vision panels, and door handles, it does not specify the Newton force required to open doors. The Newton force required to open a door is typically governed by separate standards, such as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which specifies the maximum opening forces for doors in public buildings.

What test is carried out to check the newton force required to open a door?

The test carried out to check the Newton force required to open a door is called the opening force test. The purpose of this test is to measure the force required to open a door under normal operating conditions. The test is carried out using a device called a force gauge, which measures the amount of force required to open the door.

The opening force test is typically carried out on both internal and external doors in public buildings, and the results are compared against the maximum permissible forces specified by relevant regulations, such as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in the UK.

The DDA specifies that the maximum opening force for an external door should be no more than 30 Newtons (N), and for an internal door, it should be no more than 20 N. However, it is worth noting that the maximum permissible forces may vary depending on the specific building regulations or standards that apply in a particular country or region.

How do you test for Part M compliance?

Testing for Part M compliance involves a combination of visual inspections, measurements, and functional testing of accessibility features. The following are some of the methods that may be used to test for Part M compliance:

  1. Visual inspection: A visual inspection of the building can help identify any obvious issues that may impact compliance with Part M. This may include identifying any steps or raised thresholds at entrances, narrow doorways or corridors, or inadequate space for manoeuvring.
  2. Measurements: Measuring the width of doors and corridors, the height of handrails, and the gradient of ramps can help determine compliance with specific Part M requirements.
  3. Functional testing: Testing the functionality of accessibility features, such as ramps, lifts, and handrails, can help determine compliance with Part M. This may involve testing the smoothness of the ramp surface, the weight capacity of the handrails, or the reliability of the lift mechanisms.
  4. User testing: User testing involves observing people with different levels of physical abilities using the building to identify any accessibility issues. This can help identify any areas where the building may need to be modified to improve accessibility.
  5. Compliance assessment: A compliance assessment may be carried out by a qualified assessor who will review the building’s design and construction plans against the Part M requirements. They may also carry out site visits to check compliance with the requirements.

In summary, Part M is an important aspect of building design that ensures that buildings are accessible, safe and convenient for everyone to use, regardless of their physical abilities. It plays a crucial role in promoting social inclusion and integration and can have a significant impact on the quality of life for disabled people, while also improving the overall usability of the building for everyone.

 

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