Specific Wheelchair Housing Design standards
1.0 Access:
- In-curtilage or designated car parking space should be capable of enlargement to 3.6m.
- The distance from any car-parking space to the home should be kept to the minimum and be level or gently sloping (max 1:20).
- The approach to all main entrances should be level or gently sloping (max 1:20). Further detail noted in Lifetime Homes Criteria.
- Main entrances covered, illuminated and with a level area (1200 x 1200mm) and a flush threshold provided outside all external doors.
- Main paths to be 1200mm wide with firm even surface.
- Ramped areas must have handrail and safety edges both sides.
- Carports, where provided, must be linked to dwellings.
2.0 Inside the Home
General
- External and internal door ‘clear’ opening width to be 800mm minimum. At least 825 mm required when door approached at right angles from an access route. The doorway dimensions for wheelchair housing to have at least 300mm clear space at the leading edge of the door.
- No door saddles to internal doors.
- Door handles and locks fitted at appropriate height, i.e. 900mm-1000mm.
- Area inside the main entrance door to allow for 1800mm diameter wheelchair turning circle and also incorporate a 1100 x 700mm minimum wheelchair storage space (unless provided elsewhere) and ensure adequate ventilation in rooms where battery operated equipment is charged.
- Corridors or secondary entrance halls to be at least 1200 mm wide. Corridor lengths to be kept to a minimum but if longer corridors are necessary there may be occasions where an additional 1800mm diameter wheelchair turning circle may be required.
- Wheelchair accessible rooms to be located at the dwelling entrance level and provide for wheelchair turning circle (1800mm diameter).
- Living Rooms to be not narrower than 3,000mm wide with sufficient space for wheelchair transfer unto an easy chair.
- Balconies (where appropriate) to have level access approach and incorporate an 1800mm diameter wheelchair turning circle. Door swing not to obstruct general approach (consider sliding doors).
2.1 Wheelchair Housing - Kitchen Design Standards
- Kitchen units need to be designed with adaptability and flexibility in mind for both wheelchair and ambulant use.
- Kitchens designed for wheelchair use to include a split-level cooker with a built-in-hob and waist level oven together with a fridge (on plinth) and kitchen fittings accessible from a wheelchair.;
- Wheelchair manoeuvrability (1800 mm turning circle) and at least 1350 mm clear space in front of appliances/drawers/cupboards;
- Flexibility in design/layout and robustness/durability of fittings and equipment;
- Knee access beneath worktops in food preparation areas and next to fixed units/appliances;
- Trolley space or portable storage cabinet under worktop;
- Dining space in or in close proximity to kitchen to reduce travel distance;
- Ensure all appliances and controls are within reach;
- Arrange uninterrupted worktop, cooker worktop, sink, worktop arrangement in a ‘U’ or ‘L’ shape;
- Ensure opening windows above worktop are in easy reach;
- Slip resistant floor covering;
- Heights of shelves above worktop; refer to current edition of BS8300;
- Additional spaces for tumble drier (if not provided elsewhere) and dishwasher;
- Pan storage drawer, pull-out worktop adjacent to oven and food preparation area, ‘carousel’ corner units, wire basket drawers with telescopic runners, adjustable worktop over washing machine space;
- Locate sockets and cooker controls on walls above worktops with switches on plinths at the front.
- Tiling behind worktops to allow for height adjustment
2.2 Wheelchair Housing – Fixtures and Fittings
- Window glazing in main habitable rooms should begin at 800mm from floor level or lower to allow wheelchair users to see out. Windows should be easy to open /operate and may occasionally require fitting of remote winder type handles.
- Controls/ switches/ sockets should be placed at a height between 600mm and 1200mm from floor level with light switches at 1000mm.
- Controls, meters, thermostats etc used by tenants should be visible, accessible and within easy reach preferably located in high use rooms and/or circulation areas.
- Provide fully automatic heating system and controls.
2.3 Wheelchair Housing – Bathroom Design
- Walls in bathrooms and toilets to be capable of taking grab rails. Doors to bathrooms and WCs for wheelchair use to be outward opening and fitted with locks that can be opened from the outside
- Showers for disabled/wheelchair use to be level access shower tray and be fitted with thermostatic controls. (Routinely 1400 X 900mm shower area is required).
- Bath for wheelchair use, flat-bottomed with a slip resistant base and robust to take HSC Trust equipment.
- The bathroom layout designed to incorporate ease of access, and use of the fittings.
- WC position allows for unobstructed frontal, oblique or lateral transfer from the wheelchair. Consider ease for handing the WC position to provide both left-handed and right-handed transfer options.
- The design to provide for a reasonable route (preferably direct access) for a potential ceiling mounted hoist from a main bedroom to the bathroom taking account of door / lintel / track configuration. Ensure ceiling is designed sufficiently strong to support track for hoist.
2.4 Wheelchair Housing - Bedroom Design:
- Bedroom provision in wheelchair housing to be planned for wheelchair use and access as appropriate to the household make-up. For example, a family household where one of the parents is a wheelchair user should have a single level dwelling with wheelchair accessibility to every room.
- However a child who is a wheelchair user may be accommodated in a bedroom usable from a wheelchair on the dwelling entrance level of a large family 2-storey unit. In this case a bathroom and another bedroom usable from a wheelchair (preferably the main bedroom) must also be provided at the dwelling entrance level to facilitate night time supervision and care. The bedrooms for the other family members can then be located on a different floor level that is not necessarily wheelchair accessible.
- 1 bedroom wheelchair dwellings to have the main bedroom usable from a wheelchair.
- 2 bedroom and larger wheelchair dwellings to have the main bedroom and another bedroom usable from a wheelchair. Any other bedroom on the same floor level to facilitate approach and entrance to the room by the wheelchair user.
- Bedrooms usable from a wheelchair to provide for wheelchair turning circle (1800mm diameter). A clear space of at least 1800 mm to be allowed for the assisted transfer from a wheelchair onto the bed. At least 800 mm to be allowed for carers on non-transfer side of the bed. A clear space of at least 1350 mm to be allowed to approach, reverse and pull out drawers or wardrobe doors. At least 1000mm to be allowed to approach furniture with knee spaces suitable for wheelchair use. Clear space of not less than 800mm to be provided at base of bed for wheelchair circulation
2.5 Wheelchair Housing - Storage
- Storage capable of being accessed from a wheelchair should preferably be located off the main corridor / entrance hall.
- One larger general/linen store is preferable to smaller separate stores. Washing machine and tumble drier could be located in the store (if not provided elsewhere).
- Consideration should be given to sliding / bi-fold doors.
3.0 Wheelchair Housing - Additional Good Practice Recommendations
- In larger family units a separate kitchen area is preferable. Some wheelchair users find open plan living and kitchen areas more convenient due to the reduction in the number of doors to negotiate. However, open plan arrangements need to have regard for, and where possible mitigate against noise from appliances and kitchen odours.
- Consider radiator free dwellings to assist wheelchair circulation.
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