DDA Compliant Ramps are necessary for all new buildings that are accessed by the public.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) became law in 1995; This bill made it mandatory that all establishments and service providers, open to the public, have taken reasonable steps to provide access for disabled people.
The Disability Act 2005 is a law that was passed on 8 July 2005. It says that Government departments and public bodies must work to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. It has been replaced by the Equalities Act 2010, but DDA Compliant Ramp, is still a term used to indicate the law that protects the rights of disabled people to access buildings.
During new projects or refurbishments of existing buildings, architects and construction companies are expected to ensure there is high quality disabled access. Smaller buildings like houses, restaurants, or shops have lower DDA criteria as the cost ratio to the size of the business is lower.
There are several DDA compliant features that can be implemented, and they can ensure your build is easily accessible by all. Ramps, railings and lifts are all important additions and are covered in Part M of the Building Regulations.
MEET YOUR LOCAL DDA STANDARDS
There are specific local standards that you need to follow when purchasing a ramp:
- The gradient of the ramp is between 1:20 and 1:12
- Ramp flights for private entrance route have a minimum clear width of 900mm
- 1200mm is a general figure that applies to the width of the ramp.
- Every ramp flight has top and bottom landings.
- An intermediate landing is provided between individual ramp flights at any change of direction.
- Every landing is a minimum of 1200mm long, clear of any door or gate swing.
- DDA requires a slope of 1:15 for public access
- They must be slip-resistant and have a not cold-to-touch finish
DDA RAMPS FOR HOUSES
Homes built before 1999 were designed and constructed without making provision for reasonable access to the entrances for either visitors or residents.
Consequently, the housing stock that existed prior to 1999, is likely to have to undergo adaptation to accommodate the needs of residents who might, through age or illness, need to have improved access into their homes.
Building work to alter a home’s entrance is controlled work and is notifiable to the local authority as it is classed as a material alteration of the building – work that affects building regulation requirement M (access to and use of buildings).
Normally these provisions will apply to the principal private entrance (typically a front door) but where this is not possible, access to a suitable alternative entrance would be reasonable. For example, a side or rear door.
Over the years, Government offered different Disabled Facilities Grant funding that can be used towards the costs of home adaptations such as stair-lifts, level access showers, wet rooms, winches, grab rails and ramps.
With Spending Review 2020 investment of £573 million in the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2021 to 2022, government has now confirmed over £4 billion funding for the grant since 2010. This is part of the government’s comprehensive programme to better integrate health and social care services.
DDA RAMPS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS
All new buildings in the UK that are designated for public use will have satisfactory access for wheelchair users. However, not all public buildings are well equipped.
The UK law requires mandatory alterations to buildings to ensure that they meet the disabled access to public buildings requirements that are laid down by the DDA. Owners of a public access building, receive visits from officials for inspection. When this happens and the building doesn’t follow the local standards DDA regulations, the owner of a public access building gets a list of alterations that needs to be made to the building in order to ensure that it is DDA compliant. There is always a timescale to complete the work that is necessary, and there are serious consequences of not abiding with the disabled access to public buildings laws.
To ensure that alterations meet the Building Regulations Part M, it is always better to contact a trusted company as Kee Systems, otherwise you can risk to waste money for alterations that don’t meet entirely the last regulation.
Design your DDA ramp today, contact us for a free quote!
