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John Mc Guinness
Member - 17 posts
A client has been notified by a disability pressure group that their toilet facilities which are 4 years old do not comply with the DDA. There is a "disabled persons toilet" the opening of which is 0.9 metres . The pressure group say that this must be at least 1.0 metre. Our client has no disabled persons in his employ. Is it necessary to carry our major remedial works to increase the opening to 1 metre and if so where is the authority for the proposition.
Thanks for all advice in the matter
John Mc Guinness MA. MIOSh. MIIRSM. MaPS
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Jim Taylor - MPH Accessible Environments
Online advisor - 14 posts
Compliance with the DDA is a misleading phrase as the Act sets no standards it only requires reasonable steps to be taken to avoid discriminating against disabled people.
If the WC is for staff use only client only take reasonable steps to meet identified employee need. If non-staff use then you may need to take reasonable steps to avoid discrimination against users.
Where a feature of a building is covered by Approved Doc M of the Building Regulations, if that feature conforms or is deemed to conform to the requirements of the edition current at the time of approval or installation a 10-year ?exemption? applies to that specific feature.
Required effective clear opening width of doors (ECOW) depends upon direction and width of approach ECOW is between door frame and any protruding door handle pull bar etc on the face of the door. See building regulations www.odpm.gov.uk to view.
Employers should have policy practice and procedures that encourage disabled employees to identify themselves and their access needs. There may be financial and other support to meet staff needs through the access to work scheme run by the employment service.
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