Legislation in the UK rightly requires buildings to be accessible; March 2009 saw the launch of the latest BS 8300, Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people – Code of practice, an update of the 2001 version.
Supported by contemporary research, it signals an evolution of thought and approach on inclusive access. It still offers recommended prescriptive solutions in a climate of policy objectives and risk appraisal.
For designers, however, it presents a problem when used alongside Approved Document M which cites the 2001 version (and will do for some while to come): which document takes precedence? The answer may seem obvious: ‘the latest BS’, however, the Approved Document is current and there is no obligation to follow the new standard in order to meet the functional requirements of the Building Regulations.
However, it is a sure thing that there will be changes to the Approved Documents in the next few years.
Tuesday 26 January 2010
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