Disability Access Certificates
What is a Disability Access Certificate?
A disability access certificate is issued by the building control section of the local authority. It certifies that the proposed works have been assessed and that the proposed drawings, when built, will meet the requirements of Part M of the building control regulations.
An application for a disability access cert requires a consultant to undertake an appraisal of the proposed works and report on this appraisal.
An access appraisal is a ‘review’ with the purpose of establishing the performance of a proposed environment. This relates to the terms of access, egress, and ease of use by the widest possible range of users. This varies from persons without disabilities, to those utilising wheelchairs, to have the freedom achieve movement throughout the development. Where possible, the appraisal shall recommend layout amendments in an effort to improve accessibility.
The appraisal is the first part of the access improvement process and should be followed by the preparation of an access plan on completion of construction, leading to on-going management of the accessible environment.
The aim of the appraisal is to promote simple and logical movement in and around the site and as far as possible, disabled people using the site the same way as everyone else does.
The purpose of the appraisal is to assess the site with regard to accessibility and inclusion for all users, taking into consideration and embracing, the likely needs of potential users. This includes people pushing buggies, users with reduced mobility, people with mental health issues, learning difficulties, sensory impairments and wheelchair users. An audit/appraisal commences with the approach to the site, including signage and parking, and then continues on a sequential journey throughout the site. Improving access creates benefits beyond legal obligations, it enhances the experience for everyone, increases visitor numbers, and increases the efficiency of resources and, in existing buildings as this is a live document evolving over time, forward planning through prioritisation of works.
The term 'accessible' was originally used to describe environments, which could be used by wheelchair users. As wheelchair users comprise of only 4% of disabled users, the term has evolved to include design standards which are accessible to a broad range of users including elderly, families with young children, those pulling suitcases, those with sensory impairments, cognitive impairments as well as those it was intended to assist, users with physical impairments.
Universal Design / Accessible Design is intended to make activities easier and safer to perform for the maximum number of people. Hoping to provide access for everyone to all areas may be difficult, and in some cases unattainable. This information should be available to visitors before embarking on their journey to the site.
Fahy Fitzpatrick Consulting Engineers offer the following Disability Access Certificate Services:
S.I. 351 of 2009 introduced Disability Access Certificates on 1st January 2010. Prior to this change, Fahy Fitzpatrick Consulting Engineers had been carrying out accessibility appraisals and accessibility audits for their residential, commercial, educational, retail and healthcare customers.
Previous to January 2010 County Council’s required an “accessibility appraisal” as part of the planning permission application process. An appraisal is specific to the planning drawings and does not relate to the building on completion of construction. An accessibility audit is of an “As-built” nature and the layout of the building is accessed on site.
Fahy Fitzpatrick can offer a “joined up” service of the fire cert application (safe egress) and disability access certificate application (safe access) providing an economic design solution to our clients. We do this by undertaking both designs and both applications’ drawings and documentation together. However, it is important to note that the fire safety certificate application is a completely separate process to the Disability Access Certificate process, with separate departments of the local authorities accessing the applications.
Fahy Fitzpatrick's applications are undertaken in a similar manner to accessibility appraisals,
with regard to legislation and codes of practice, and includes advice from the National Disability Authority (NDA).
Accessibility of the built environment in Ireland for people with disabilities is mainly controlled by Part M of the Building Regulations entitled “Access for People with Disabilities". While the legislation covers the minimum, there is a need for engineers who wish to embrace the concept of universal access to look beyond the regulations, whilst also ensuring that their clients do not incur significant additional costs. As part of our service, Fahy Fitzpatrick also refer to best practice literature from throughout the industry both Irish and international such as:
Buildings for Everyone: National Disability Authority (NDA) Best Practice
BS 8300: 2001 and 2005 (Best Practice)
Centre for universal Design, North Carolina State University
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/
Centre for Accessible Environments
http://www.cae.org.uk/
Promoting Safe Egress and Evacuation for People with Disabilities
http://www.nda.ie/egress
For more information on recent Fahy Fitzpatrick Disability Access Projects go to:
http://www.fahyfitzpatrick.ie/projects-page52630.html