Foreseeing every potential construction or design issue throughout a project’s life cycle can be challenging. If unexpected issues arise, they can have an adverse impact on the delivery of a project. But with proper assessment of potential risks and roadblocks comes a higher likelihood of saved time and money. Most importantly, it also helps to ensure a satisfactory delivery that not only meets but exceeds a client’s expectations. That’s why it is imperative that the general provisions of access are identified at the conceptual stage and implemented throughout the entirety of a project.
Setting a national standard
No matter the project, we always stress how vital it is to understand the general requirements of access and mobility standards (e.g., AS1428.1-2009) and the intent on how to make a building more accessible. Australian standards specify the design requirements necessary for new building work as required by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Design features of this nature may include:
- An accessible path of travel from the site boundary to a building’s main entrance
- Circulation spaces of doorways
- General paths of travel
- Turning spaces at the end of corridors
- Passing bays and spatial elements at the schematic/development application (DA) stage ensuring this is captured before council submission
Time and time again, we see modifications of DA approved plans (S4.55 statements also known as Section 96) due to a lack of oversight in capturing the required design elements. Ultimately, this comes down to a poor understanding of what is required from an accessibility perspective.
Making buildings more accessible
As specialised accessibility consultants, we always focus on capturing the finer details as we move from the design and construction stage. This means we don’t just look at a single design feature in isolation – we look at every design feature holistically. Our team will focus on a range of design features for review including:
- Luminance contrast of Tactile Ground Service Indicators (TGSI’s/nosings)
- Sanitary compartment layout
- Installation of fixtures, such as the pan and basin
These finer items must be captured at the design stage to ensure the overall intent of the design has been achieved. Our role is to help ensure that occupancy is a much easier and smoother process for those requiring these accessibility features. A lack of attention to these details can have extreme consequences, including significant delays. It can also result in costly variations back to the client by rectification of works (Deemed to Safety or DtS) or a performance solution.
Having a trusted accessibility consultant on hand throughout the duration of the project is essential. Using our expertise in the general provisions of AS1428.1, we can be on the ground at every stage, from the early schematic designs to liaising with O.C. contractors, designers and architects. Our consultants help to ensure quality site coordination and holistic recommendations that can be easily implemented on-site.