..

CODE ON

BARRIERdFREE ACCESSIBILITY
IN BUILDINGS

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

BUILDING CONTROL DIVISION
 REFACE

When the Building Control Regulations, 1989 came

1 into force on 1 May 1989, all new buildings to which
disabled persons have or mayreasonably be expected
to have access were required to be designed in accordance
with the Code On Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings to
facilitate access to and use of the new buildings and their
facilities by disabled persons.

The Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings

was first published in 1990 by the Building Control
Division of the Public Works Department forthepurpose
of implementing this new legal provision. It was the dawn of
a new era in Singapore in which all new buildings were not
only designed to be more disabled friendly but would also
cater to the needs of the future greying population.

After several years of experience in implementing the

3 Code and with the feedback from the various
professional bodies and the associations or
organisationsinvolved with physicallyhandicappedpersons,
the Building Control Division initiated a comprehensive
review of the Code with aview to updating and fine-tuningthe
provisions and technical requirements of the Code to better
suit our local conditions. The review was undertaken by a
task force jointly formed by the Building Control Division, the
Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and the Handicaps
Welfare Association (HWA).

4 With the implementation of the new provisions and

requirementsin this revisedCode, the Building Authority
is confident that the future needs of the disabled and
the elderly would be better and more satisfactorily served.

The Building Control Division would like to take this

5 opportunity to record its appreciation of the invaluable
inputs, contributions and assistance provided by the
Singapore lnstitute of Architects and the Handicaps Welfare
Association to the task force in the revision of this Code.

BUILDING CONTROL DIVISION

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PREFACE

1. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS 1

2. PROVISIONS FOR DISABLED PERSONS 3

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 5
3.1 Space Allowances
3.2 Floor Surfaces
3.3 Approaches
3.4 Accessible Routes, Corridors or Path
3.5 Doors
3.6 HandrailsIGrabBars
3.7 Kerb Ramps At Walkways & Pedestrian Crossings
3.8 Slope Ramps
3.9 Stairs
3.1 0 Controls and Operating Mechanisms
3.1 1 Seating Spaces
3.12 Drinking Fountain

4. SANITARY PROVISIONS 32
4.1 General Provision
4.2 Individual Washroom
4.3 Water Closet Compartment For Wheelchair User
4.4 Water Closet Compartment For Ambulant Disabled
4.5 Washroom and Water Closet Compartment Door
4.6 Water Closet
4.7 Water Closet Grab Bars
4.8 Wash Basin
4.9 Washroom Accessories
4.10 Urinals
4.11 Bath Facilities

5. LIFT 48
5.1 General
5.2 Lift Size
5.3 Door Width
5.4 Call Button
5.5 Control Panel
5.6 Grab Bars
5.7 Signages
5.8 Wheelchair Stairlift and Platform Lift

6. PUBLIC TELEPHONE 51
6.1 General
6.2 Clear Floor Space
6.3 Counter Tops
6.4 Telephone Booth
6.5 Height
6.6 Telephone Cord
6.7 Telephone Books
6.8 Signages
7. EATING OUTLETS 53
7.1 General
7.2 Walkway Within Outlet
7.3 Seating Arrangement
7.4 Signages

8. TAXI STAND 56
8.1 General
8.2 Location
8.3 Width
8.4 Handrails
8.5 Ramps
8.6 Seats
8.7 Shelter

9. CARPARK 58
9.1 Signages
9.2 Usage
9.3 Symbol
9.4 Car Park Entrance
9.5 Location
9.6 Car Park Spaces
9.7 Accessible Entrance
9.8 Car Park Auto Pay Machine

10. SYMBOL OF ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED PERSON 62

10.1 General
10.2 Symbol of Access
10.3 Directional Signs
10.4 Service Identification
10.5 Specifications

APPENDICES

A. ANTHROPOMETRICS 67
A1 Scope
A2 Reach Ranges for Persons in a Wheelchair
A3 Wheelchair Dimensions
A4 Walkway Widths For Persons Using Crutches

B. SLIP-RESISTANCE OF FLOOR FINISHES 71

C. GUIDELINES FOR WHEELCHAIR TRANSFER 72

D. NEGOTIATING DOOR IN A PASSAGEWAY 74

 CHAPTER 1

1.1.1 The access provisions and facilities recommended in this Code are intended primarily to
apply to the wheelchair user. Such provisions would also cater to the ambulant disabled.
However, where possible and practicable, access provisions and facilities are recommended
to serve the needs of the ambulant disabled. Such provisions when taken as a whole would
also greatly benefit the elderly and the infirm.

1.2.1 For the purpose of this Code, the definitions below shall apply:-

Accessible

Describes a site, building, facility, or portion thereof that complies with this code and that
can be approached, entered and used by people with physical disabilities.

Accessible Route

A continuous unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements and spaces in a

building or facility that can be negotiated by a severely disabled person using a wheelchair
and that is also safe for and usable by people with other disabilities. For non-ambulatory
people, this accessible path shall not incorporate any step, stairway, turnstile, revolving
door, escalator or other impediment which would prevent it from being safely negotiated
by people with disabilities. Interior accessible routes shall include corridors, floors, ramps,
lifts, and clear floor space at fixtures. Exterior accessible routes shall include parking
access aisles, kerb ramps, walkways, and ramps.

Ambulant Disabled

A person who is able, either with or without personal assistance, and who may depend on
prostheses (artificial limbs), orthoses (callipers), sticks, crutches or walking aids to walk on
level or negotiate suitably graded steps provided that convenient handrails are available.

Circulation Path

An exterior or interior way of passage from one place to another for pedestrians, including
walkways, hallways, courtyards, stairways, and stair landings.

Disabled Person

A person who, as a consequence of physical disability or impairment, is either ambulant

disabled or wheelchair bound which affects his mobility and use of buildings.

Scope and Definitions

 Grab Bar

A bar used to give a steadying or stabilizing assistance to a person engaged in a particular

function.

Handrail

A rail used in circulation areas such as corridors, passageways, ramps and stairways to
assist in continuous movement.

Individual Washroom

A compartment having the basic requirements of a water closet compartment, wash basin
and other essential washroom accessories as required by people with physical disabilities.

Kerb

A side barrier to a trafficable surface.

Kerb Ramp

A short ramp cutting through a kerb or built up to it.

Operable Parts

A part of a piece of equipment or appliance used to insert orwithdraw objects, orto activate,
deactivate, or adjust the equipment or appliance (for example, coin slot, pushbutton,
handle).

Ramp

An inclined way connecting one level to another.

Symbol

Symbol of Access for the Disabled Person.

Wafer Closet Compartment

A compartment having awater closet with grab bars installed to assist people with physical
disabilities.

Wheelchair User

A person who depends on a wheelchair for mobility.

Width

Clear distance from one finished surface to another.

1.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions shown in the figures in this code are in
millimetres (mm).

1.2.3 Where 'shall' is used in this code, it refers to mandatory requirement. Where 'should' is
used, it refers to recommendation.

Scope and Definitions

 CHARTER 2

2.1 In addition to the requirements specified in the Table in regulation 36(2) of the Building Control
Regulations, (Cap. 29, Reg. 5), accessible provisions for the disabled shall be made in the types
of buildings as given in the Table below:-

TABLE

Provisions for Disabled Persons

-
Types of Building Minimum Accessible Provisions

Banks At least one service counter shall be provided.

Shophouses and first-storey shops The shopping area shall be accessible.

Hotels At least one guestroom in every 200

guestrooms or part thereof shall be accessible.

Concert halls, cinemas, theatres, stadiums At least two wheelchair spaces for every 400
or other places of public resort where seats or part thereof shall be provided.
permanent seating arrangement is provided

Religious buildings The main area of worship shall be accessible.

Hostels, halls of residence or dormitories At least one room, preferably at the access
level, shall be accessible.

Hawker centres and eating outlets At least one table for every 10 tables or
part thereof shall be reserved for use by
disabled persons or at least two tables,
whichever is the greater.

Car parks (surface car parks or multi-storey The number of accessible parking lots shall
car park buildings) be as follows:

No. of carpark lots No. of accessible lots

First 50 1
Next 50 1

Every subsequent 200

lots as may be required
by the Building Authority 1

Others: (Large departmental stores, Seats shall be provided for disabled

supermarket, foyers of places of public persons who are unable to stand for a
resort, public concourses) long period. An empty space to accommodate
a wheelchair shall also be provided
-
Provisions for Disabled Persons
2.2 In the case of residential buildings or factories and workshops up to 4 storeys in height if, in the
opinion of the Building Authority, the development is fairly extensive or substantial he may
exercise his discretion under Regulation 36(2)of the Building Control Regulations, (Cap. 29,
Reg. 5) to require facilities to be provided in accordance with this Code. Qualified Persons are
therefore advised to seek the advice of the Building Authority in such cases early in the design
stage so that, if required, such facilities could be incorporated in the design.

Provisions for Disabled Persons

 CHAPTER 3

3.1.1 The minimum clear floor or ground area required to accommodate a single, stationary
wheelchair and occupant shall be 900 mm x 1200 mm as illustrated in Figure 1.

3.1 -2 A minimum clear floor or ground area of 1200 mm x 1200 mm would allow access for both
forward and side approach.

(a) Clear floor space

(c) Parallel approach

Figure 1
Minimum Clear Floor Space

3.1.3 The minimum clear floor or ground area for a wheelchair to turn shall be 1800 mm x 1800 mm
as illustrated in Figure 2.

3.1.4 Additional information on the wheelchair and anthropometrics are given in Appendix A.

General Requirements
 >

Figure 2
Minimum Clear Turning Space

3.2.1 General

Floor surfaces shall :-

a. be stable, firm, level and slip-resistant as described in Appendix B; and
b. not have any projections, drops or unexpected variation in levels.

Footnote:
Where carpets or carpet titles are used in general circulation area, they should
(i) be securely fixed;
(ii) have a firm cushion, pad or backing; and
(iii) have exposed edges of carpets fastened to floorsurfaces and trim along the entire length of the exposed
edge complying with Table 1.

3.2.2 Changes in Level

Any changes in level, except for lifts, shall conform to Table 1.

Table 1

Changes in Level

)
I -
Gradient not steeper than
0 to 15 1:2
15.1 to 50 1 :5
50.1 to 200 1 :10
Exceeding 200 1 :12

General Requirements
3.2.3 Gratings

Gratings located along walking surfaces shall :-

a. preferably be covered;
b. have spaces not greater than 12 mm wide in one direction; and
c. be placed so that the long dimension is across the dominant direction of travel as
illustrated in Figure 3.

-
0 0
0 0 0
0 0

M
12mm (max)
u
12mm (max)

(a) Width of front castor (b) Recommended

Figure 3
Gratings

3.3.1 Approach to Building

a. A passenger alighting and boarding point complying with clause 3.3.2 should, where
possible, be provided at the level of approach for thedisabled to alight from and board
a vehicle.
b. Where transfer has to be made from a vehicular surface to a pedestrian surface, the
driveway and the pavement or footway surfaces shall be blended to a common level
or ramped.
c. Differences in level between the driveway and the pavement or footway level shall
be avoided. Where the difference is unavoidable then such drop shall conform to
Table 1.

3.3.2 Passenger Alighting and Boarding Point

A passenger alighting and boarding point as illustrated in Figure 4 shall :

a. provide an access aisle of at least 1500 mm wide by 6000 mm long adjacent and
parallel to the vehicle pull-up space;
b. have a kerb ramp complying with Clause 3.7 if there are kerbs between the access
aisle and the vehicle pull-up space; and
c. where possible, be sheltered.

General Requirements
 Figure 4
Passenger Alighting and Boarding Point

3.3.3 Access to Building

a. The buildings specified in the Table to Regulations 36 shall be provided with at least
one accessible entrance door served by an approach complying with Clause 3.3.1.
b. The access should preferably be through the main entrance of the building.
c. Symbol shall be displayed at all other non-accessible entrances to direct people with
disabilities to the accessible entrance.
d. At least one accessible route leading to an accessible entrance of the building shall
be provided from the alighting and boarding point of taxi stands and car park lots for
the disabled.
e. The width of the accessible entrancedoorshall not be less than 900 mm and the width
of the corridors or passageways leading to and from such access door shall not be
less than 1200 mm.

3.4.1 Width

The minimum clear width of :-

a. an accessible route shall be 1200 mm to allow for both a wheelchair and a walking
person to pass as shown in Figure 5 except where additional manoeuvring space
described in clause 3.5.4 is required at doorways;
b. a checkout lane shall be at least 900 mm as shown in Figure 6.
c Where space is required for two wheelchairs to pass, the minimum clear width shall
be 1800 mm.

3.4.2 Bollards

Where bollards are erected at entrances to walkways or pathways, a minimum clear space
of 900 mm shall be provided between the bollards.

3.4.3 Protruding Objects

Obstacles, projections or other protrusions shall be avoided in pedestrian areas such as

walkways, halls, corridors, passageways or aisles.

0 General Requirements
3.4.4 Resting Areas

a. Long paths of travel should be avoided and resting areas should be provided at
frequent intervals not exceeding 30 000 mm.
b. Wherever possible, exterior walkways should be protected from the elements.

-h 1200 min 4-~

Figure 5
Width of Accessible Routes

The minimum width recommended for checkout lanes is 900 mm

F- 900 m i n . 4
w

Width of Accessible Checkout Lanes

General Requirements
- @
3.5.1 General

a. Doorways shall be level.

b. At least one power assisted or automatic door should be provided at the main
entrance to a building.
c. Wherever possible and practicable, automatic door, swing or sliding type, should be
provided instead of doors which are manually opened. Heavy or revolving doors
should be avoided.
d. Where revolving doors are installed, there shall be an auxiliary side-hung door with
a minimum clear opening of 900 mm.
e. Bathroom doors should swing out so that the person inside the bathroom does not
fall against the door and block it. Consideration should be given to the use of sliding
or folding doors, which are easier to operate and require less wheelchair manoeuvring
space.

3.5.2Clear Width

The minimum clear opening of doorways shall be 900 mm measured between the face of
the door and the face of the door stop with the door open at 90 " as illustrated in Figure 7.

CL
U'1900min
Face of
Stop

(a) Swing Door

4
Face of
Door
hinges
Standard

<) 1I
11111-

b
-------::

900 min Y
(b) Sliding/Folding door

Figure 7
Clear Width of Doorways

General Requirements
3.5.3 Double-Leaf Doorways

If doorways have two independently operated door leaves, at least one active leaf shall
comply with Clauses 3.5.2 and 3.5.4.

3.5.4 Manoeuvring Space at Doors

Wheelchair manoeuvring spaces as illustrated in Figure 8, shall be free of any obstruction,

and be provided on the side where the door handle is located in the following manner :-
a. on the pull side, a minimum space of 600 mm;
b. on the push side, a minimum space of 300 mm;
c. for two-way swing door, a minimum space of 300 mm.

Front Approach at Hinge Door

Figure 8
Minimum Doorway Manoeuvring Space

General Requirements
3.5.5 Two Doors in Series

The minimum space between two hinged doors or pivoted doors in series shall be 1200 mm
plus the width of the door swinging into that space as illustrated in Figure 9.

7-
T
.-C
.-C
E

(+-
E
8- 1 E
300
min.

~ I W min.
O i
T .-6

o min.
4
c 1 2 0 0 min.
23
+ 1200min. -( 1T
_L .-c
7
300
min. i-
L

(b)

Figure 9
Manoeuvring Space at Doors in Series

General Requirements
3.5.6 Door Hardware

Operating devices such as handles, pulls, latches and locks shall :-

a. be operable by one hand;
b. not require fine finger control, tight grasping, pinching, or twisting to operate; and
c. be mounted at a height of 900 mm to 1100 mm from the floor.

3.5.7 Door Handles

Door handles, as illustrated in Figure 10, with the following characteristics are recommended :-
a. Push-pull mechanisms that do not require grasping;
b. Lever handles should be used on latched doors; and
c. U-shaped door handles that reduce the risk of catching on clothing, or injury from the
exposed level end.

Footnote:
Door knob is not recommended as it does not provide adequate grip forpersons with impaired hand functions.

Lever Push plate Knob

handles door pull handles

(a) Recommended (b) not recommended

Figure 10
Examples of Handles

3.5.8 SlidingIFolding Doors

a. Operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides when sliding1
folding doors are fully open.
b. If the door retracts fully into a wall pocket, an accessible handle is required on the
exposed edge of the door.

3.5.9 Door Opening Force

The maximum force for pushing or pulling open a door should be :-

a. 38N for exterior hinged doors;
b. 22N for interior hinged doors; and
c. 22N for sliding or folding doors.

This clause does not apply to the force required to retract latch bolts or disengage other
devices that may hold the door in a closed position.

General Requirements
3.5.10 Door Closers

The sweep period of the door shall be adjusted so that from an open position of 90" the door
will not take less than 3 secs to move to a semi-closed position of approximately 12".

3.5.11 Vision Panels

All two-way swing doors or doors across circulation routes shall be provided with vision
panels as shown in Figure 11 giving a zone of visibility from a height of 800 mm to 1500
mm. This will allow for both the ambulant disabled and wheelchair user to be seen/
observed by a person on the opposite side in order to prevent him from being accidentally
struck by the opening door.

3.5.12 Kickplates

Kickplates of not less than 250 mm high as shown in Figure 11are recommended for doors
in high-use areas to protect the push side of doors from damage.

3.5.13 Guardrails (Automatic swing door)

Where doors swing automatically into the path of travel, it is desirable to have guardrails
as shown in Figure 12.

i1 r7
1 1 1 1
1500 min
-"- - -I-I..-m - -- - - - -
minimum
1 1 I1 zone of
I I visibility
800 min 1 --- -- ---

f
250mm
1

Figure 11
Vision Panels and Kickplates

General Requirements
 Figure 12
Guardrails at Automatic Swing Doors

3.5.14 Turnstiles

Turnstiles cannot be used by persons on wheelchairs and can be hazardous to ambulant

persons who use crutches or walking aids. An accessible gate with a clear width of at least
900 mm should be provided beside a turnstile as shown in Figure 13.

Inaccessible

Gate Turnstiles
Figure 13
Access Beside Turnstiles

General Requirements
3.6.1 General

a. Handrailslgrab bars are extremely important features and must be designed to be

easy to grasp and to provide a firm and comfortable grip so that the hand can slide
along the rail without obstruction.
b. Many disabled persons rely upon handrailslgrab bars to maintain balance or prevent
serious falls.
c. Wide handraildgrab bars which allow only a pinched grip are undesirable unless a
proper hand-size grasping area is provided.

3.6.2 Requirements

Handrails shall:-
a. be slip-resistant;
b. have a circular section of 30-45 mm in diameter or an equivalent gripping surface;
c. be free of any sharp or abrasive elements;
d. have continuous gripping surfaces, without interruptions or obstructions that can
break a hand hold; and
e. have a clear space between the handrail and the wall as shown in Figure 14a of
(i) not less than 40 mm; or
(ii) at least 60 mm where the wall has a rough surface.

3.6.3 A recess containing a handrail shall extend at least 450 mm above the top of the rail as
shown in Figure 14b.

450 min I/
/
I
30 - 4 0 A
I I lor

w
\ \ \\\

Figure 14a Figure 14b

Handrails Handrails in Recess

General Requirements
3.6.4 Grab bars shall:-

a. be slip-resistant;
b. have a diameter of between 30mm-45 mm, or a shape that provides an equivalent
gripping surface; and
c. have a space of 40mm-50 mm between the wall and grab bar where mounted
adjacent to a wall.

3.6.5 Structural Strength

Grab bars shall be installed to resist a force of at least 1.3KN applied vertically or
horizontally.

3.6.6 Safety

The grab bars and adjacent surfaces shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.

General Requirements
3.7.1 General

Kerb ramps :-
a. do not require handrails;
b. should not project onto a road surface;
c. shall be located or protected to prevent obstruction by parked vehicles; and
d. shall be free from any obstruction e.g. signposts, traffic lights or the like.

3.7.2.The gradient of a kerb ramp shall not be steeper than 1 :lo.

3.7.3The width of a kerb ramp shall not be less than 900 mm.

3.7.4Where the vertical rise is greater than 150 mm, it shall constitute as a ramp and shall
conform with Clause 3.8.

3.7.5Kerb surfaces shall be slip-resistant.

3.7.6Outdoor Conditions

The approach shall be designed so that water will not accumulate on the walking surfaces.

3.7.7Flared Sides

a. Kerb ramps shall have flared sides where pedestrians are likely to walk across them
as shown in Figure 15.
b. The gradient of the flared side shall not be steeper than 1 :lo.

General Requirements
3.7.8 Continuous/ReturnedKerbs

Kerb ramps with returned/continuous kerb as shown in Figure 16 are an alternative

approach that can be used where pedestrians would not be expected to walk across the
ramp.

3.7.9 Built-up/ExtendedKerbs

Built-up or extended kerb ramps as shown in Figure 17are not recommended if it projects
into a roadway as it is dangerous to users and obstructive to vehicles.

/ Figure 16
Returned or Continous Kerb

General Requirements