NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings
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D4

Part D4 Access for people with a disability

Part D4 Access for people with a disability

The Objective and Functional Statements for Section D are at the beginning of Section D of this Guide and Volume One. The Performance Requirements for Section D are in Part D1.

Introduction to this Part

This Part contains Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for Part D1. It covers which buildings, and parts of a building, must be accessible, provision of accessible carparking spaces, braille and tactile signage, hearing augmentation, tactile ground surface indicators and seating in assembly buildings (e.g. cinemas), and access to swimming pools.

Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements D1P1 to D1P6, D1P8 and D1P9 are satisfied by complying with—

  1. D2D2 to D2D23, D3D2 to D3D30 and D4D2 to D4D13; and
  2. in a building containing an atrium, Part G3; and
  3. in a building in an alpine area, Part G4; and
  4. for additional requirements for Class 9b buildings, Part I1; and
  5. for public transport buildings, Part I2.

TAS D4D1 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions2019: D3.0

Delete subclause D4D1(1) and insert D4D1(1) as follows:

(1) Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution is proposed, Performance Requirements D1P1 to D1P6, D1P8, D1P9 and TAS D1P10 are satisfied by complying with—

  1. D2D2 to D2D23, D3D2 to D3D30, D4D2 to D4D13 and TAS D4D14; and
  2. in a building containing an atrium, Part G3; and
  3. additional requirements for Class 9b buildings, Part I1; and
  4. for public transport buildings, Part I2.

(2) Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable.

(3) Performance RequirementD1P7 must be complied with if lifts are to be used to assist occupants to evacuate a building.

TAS D4D1 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions2019: D3.0

Delete subclause D4D1(3) and insert D4D1(3) as follows:

(3) This sub-clause has deliberately been left blank.

To clarify that the requirements of D1P1 to D1P6, D1P8 and D1P9 will be satisfied if compliance is achieved with Parts D2, D3 and D4 in the case of all buildings, Part G3 in the case of buildings with an atrium, Part G4 in the case of buildings in alpine areas, Part I1 in the case of theatres, stages and public halls, and Part I2 for public transport buildings. D1P7 is only required to be complied with if lifts are to be used to assist occupants to evacuate.

See comments under D2D1. They apply here.

(1) Buildings and parts of buildings must be accessible as required by this clause, unless exempted by D4D5.

(2) Access requirements for a Class 1b building are as follows:

  1. Dwellings located on one allotment and used for short-term holiday accommodation — to and within a number of dwellings determined in accordance with Table D4D2a.
  2. A boarding house, bed and breakfast, guest house, hostel or the like, other than those described in (a) — to and within—
    1. 1 bedroom and associated sanitary facilities; and
    2. not less than 1 of each type of room or space for use in common by the residents or guests, including a cooking facility, sauna, gymnasium, swimming pool, laundry, games room, eating area, or the like; and
    3. rooms or spaces for use in common by all residents on a floor to which access by way of a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift is provided.

(3) For the purposes of (2)(a), a community or strata-type subdivision or development is considered to be on a single allotment.

(4) For a Class 2 building, common areas are to be accessible as follows:

  1. From a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible to at least 1 floor containing sole-occupancy units and to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit located on that level.
  2. To and within not less than 1 of each type of room or space for use in common by the residents, including a cooking facility, sauna, gymnasium, swimming pool, common laundry, games room, individual shop, eating area, or the like.
  3. Where a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift is installed—
    1. to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit; and
    2. to and within rooms or spaces for use in common by the residents.
  4. The requirements of (c) only apply where the space referred to in (c)(i) or (ii) is located on the levels served by the lift or ramp.

SA D4D2 General building access requirements2019: D3.1, Table D3.1

Delete subclause D4D2(4) and insert D4D2(4) as follows:

(4) For a Class 2 building, access requirements are as follows:

  1. Common areas:
    1. From a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible to at least 1 floor containing sole-occupancy units and to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit located on that level.
    2. To and within not less than 1 of each type of room or space for use in common by the residents, including a cooking facility, sauna, gymnasium, swimming pool, common laundry, games room, individual shop, eating area, or the like.
    3. Where a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift is installed—
      1. to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit; and
      2. to and within rooms or spaces for use in common by the residents.
    4. The requirements of (iii) only apply where the space referred to in (iii)(A) or (iii)(B) is located on the levels served by the lift or ramp.
  2. In developments consisting of 20 or more residential sole-occupancy units — to and within one residential sole-occupancy unit or 5% of the total number of residential sole-occupancy units provided, whichever is the greater, must be accessible.

(5) For a Class 3 building, access requirements are as follows:

  1. Common areas:
    1. From a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible to at least 1 floor containing sole-occupancy units and to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit located on that level.
    2. To and within not less than 1 of each type of room or space for use in common by the residents, including a cooking facility, sauna, gymnasium, swimming pool, common laundry, games room, TV room, individual shop, dining room, public viewing area, ticket purchasing service, lunch room, lounge room, or the like.
    3. Where a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift is installed—
      1. to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit; and
      2. to and within rooms or spaces for use in common by the residents.
    4. The requirements of (iii) only apply where the space referred to in (A) and (B) are located on the levels served by the lift or ramp.
  2. To and within sole-occupancy units — in accordance with Table D4D2b.

(6) For Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9a buildings, access must be provided to and within all areas normally used by the occupants.

(7) For a Class 7a building, access must be provided to and within any level containing accessible carparking spaces.

(8) For a Class 9b building, access requirements are as follows:

  1. Schools and early childhood centres — to and within all areas normally used by the occupants.
  2. An assembly building, not being a school or early childhood centre — to and within —
    1. wheelchair seating spaces provided in accordance with D4D10; and
    2. all other areas normally used by the occupants, except that access need not be provided to tiers or platforms of seating areas that do not contain wheelchair seating spaces.

(9) For a Class 9c building, access requirements are as follows:

  1. Common areas:
    1. From a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible to at least 1 floor containing sole-occupancy units and to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit located on that level.
    2. To and within not less than 1 of each type of room or space for use in common by the residents, including a cooking facility, sauna, gymnasium, swimming pool, common laundry, games room, TV room, individual shop, dining room, public viewing area, ticket purchasing service, lunch room, lounge room, or the like.
    3. Where a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift is installed—
      1. to the entrance doorway of each sole-occupancy unit; and
      2. to and within rooms or spaces for use in common by the residents.
    4. The requirements of (iii) only apply where the space referred to in (iii)(A) or (iii)(B) is located on the levels served by the lift or ramp.
  2. Sole-occupancy units — to and within a number of sole-occupancy units determined in accordance with Table D4D2b.

(10) For a Class 10 building, access requirements are as follows:

  1. For a Class 10a non-habitable building located in an accessible area intended for use by the public and containing a sanitary facility, change room facility or shelter, to and within—
    1. an accessible sanitary facility; and
    2. a change room facility; and
    3. a public shelter or the like.
  2. For Class 10b swimming pools, to and into swimming pools with a total perimeter greater than 40 m, associated with a Class 1b, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building that is required to be accessible, but not swimming pools for the exclusive use of occupants of a Class 1b building or a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 2 or Class 3 building.
Table D4D2a Requirements for access for people with a disability – sole-occupancy units in a Class 1b building
Total number of dwellings Number required to be accessible
4 to 10 1
11 to 40 2
41 to 60 3
61 to 80 4
81 to 100 5
More than 100 5 dwellings plus 1 additional dwelling for each additional 30 dwellings or part thereof in excess of 100 dwellings.
Table D4D2b Requirements for access for people with a disability – sole-occupancy units in a Class 3 or 9c building
Total number of sole-occupancy units  Number required to be accessible
1 to 10 1
11 to 40 2
41 to 60 3
61 to 80 4
81 to 100 5
101 to 200 5 sole-occupancy units plus 1 additional sole-occupancy unit for each additional 25 units or part thereof in excess of 100.
201 to 500 9 sole-occupancy units plus 1 additional sole-occupancy unit for each additional 30 units or part thereof in excess of 200.
More than 500 19 sole-occupancy units plus 1 additional sole-occupancy unit for each additional 50 units or part thereof in excess of 500.
Table Notes
  1. In a Class 3 building, not more than 2 required accessible sole-occupancy units may be located adjacent to each other.
  2. In a Class 3 or 9c building where more than 2 accessible sole-occupancy units are required, they must be representative of the range of rooms available.

To specify when access for people with a disability must be provided to buildings and parts of buildings.

Extent of access within buildings—D4D2(1)
The extent of access required depends on the classification of the building. Buildings and parts of buildings must be accessible as set out in D4D2 unless exempted by D4D5.

Class 1b buildings—D4D2(2), (3) and Table D4D2a
While access requirements do not apply to Class 1a buildings (typically a detached house, town house or terrace house), they do apply to certain Class 1b buildings used for short-term holiday accommodation such as cabins in caravan parks, tourist parks, farm stay, holiday resorts and similar tourist accommodation. This accommodation itself is typically rented out on a commercial basis for short periods and generally does not require the signing of a lease agreement. Short-term accommodation can also be provided in a boarding house, guest-house, hostel, bed and breakfast accommodation or the like.

Where four or more dwellings used for short-term holiday accommodation on the same allotment are constructed or upgraded, a ratio of accessible dwellings is required. Where there is a newly constructed single Class 1b building, D4D2(2) requires that access be provided to and within at least one bedroom, at least one of each type of room or space for use in common by residents, and to and within all rooms or spaces for use in common on floors served by a lift or accessible ramp.

Class 2 buildings—D4D2(4)
While the access provisions do not apply to the internal parts of sole-occupancy units, D4D2(4) does require that the common areas on one floor containing sole-occupancy units and at least one of each type of common area such as a games room or gymnasium be accessible. Where a lift or accessible ramp serves other levels, common areas on the levels served must also be accessible. There is no requirement to make private areas provided for the exclusive use of a limited number of residents accessible. For example, a roof top tennis court or spa that is only available to the penthouse suite is not required to be accessible.

Class 3 buildings—D4D2(5) and Table D4D2b

D4D2(5) requires that the common areas on one floor containing sole-occupancy units be accessible. Where a lift or accessible ramp serves other levels, common areas on the levels served must also be accessible. D4D2(5) also requires access to be provided to at least one of each type of room or space used in common by the residents, such as TV lounges and dining rooms. For example, a two storey Class 3 building need not have the upper storey accessible so long as there is no unique room or space available to all residents on the upper storey and that upper storey is not served by a lift or accessible ramp.

A ratio of accessible sole-occupancy units is required. Where more than 2 accessible sole-occupancy units are required in a Class 3 building, they are to be representative of the range of rooms available, taking into account amenity and pricing. For example, in a large hotel required to have 10 accessible rooms, the rooms must be distributed to provide a variety of views, proximity to features and price ranges. No more than 2 accessible sole-occupancy units can be located adjacent to each other. When there is more than one accessible sole-occupancy unit, alternate left and right-handed sanitary facilities must be provided in the accessible sole-occupancy units. This ensures the availability of choice for people who, for example, need to transfer from a wheelchair from one side or the other.

Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9a buildings—D4D2(6)
D4D2(6) requires that access be provided to all areas within the building normally used by the occupants, with the exception of those areas that are exempted by D4D5. The term “occupants” refers to any person using the building including visitors, employees, employers and owners.

Class 7a carpark—D4D2(7)
Access must be provided to any level containing accessible carparking spaces.

Class 9b buildings—D4D2(8)
Access must be provided to all areas normally used by the occupants with the exception of those areas that are exempted by D4D5. In an assembly building other than a school or an early childhood centre, access need not be provided to tiers or platforms containing seating areas if no wheelchair seating spaces are provided on those levels.

Wheelchair seating spaces must be provided in locations that are representative of the fixed seating locations provided. Wheelchair seating spaces must be located to take into account amenity, proximity to facilities, available sightlines and pricing. It would not be acceptable in a Class 9b building in which fixed seating is provided to have all wheelchair seating spaces provided in a single location. In the case of assembly buildings such as theatres and concert halls, areas used by the occupants include change rooms, offices, orchestra pits, stages or the like.

Some Class 9b buildings may be public transport buildings. The passenger use areas of these buildings may be subject to Part I2 in addition to the general access provisions.

Class 9c buildings—D4D2(9)
The BCA access provisions and AS 1428.1 are focussed on the needs of people with a disability and not specifically aged persons. For this reason, the access provisions of AS 1428.1 have not been applied to all sole-occupancy units in Class 9c buildings but only to those specific rooms that are required to be provided for people with a disability. The extent of access to be provided in Class 9c buildings is similar to that for Class 3 buildings.

Class 10 buildings—D4D2(10)
Certain Class 10a buildings such as a toilet block in a park, a public structure for the purpose of providing shelter, or change rooms associated with a sports field are required to be accessible if they are located in an accessible area. Generally, these facilities would be close to a carpark or at the beginning of a walkway. However, in some circumstances, a Class 10a building may be a considerable way into a nature walk where it may not be possible to provide an accessible path of travel. In such cases the Class 10a buildings need not be accessible.

Where a Class 10b swimming pool is a public pool such as a health centre pool, council pool or a common use pool associated with a Class 3 building, and has a perimeter measured at the water’s edge of more than 40 metres, D4D2(10) requires at least one form of entry for people with a disability. Methods for accessing a swimming pool can be found in D4D11.

Some Class 10 buildings may be public transport buildings (for example an open railway platform). The passenger use areas of these buildings may be subject to Part I2 in addition to the general provisions.

(1) An accessway must be provided to a building required to be accessible—

  1. from the main points of a pedestrian entry at the allotment boundary; and
  2. from another accessible building connected by a pedestrian link; and
  3. from any required accessible carparking space on the allotment.

(2) In a building required to be accessible, an accessway must be provided through the principal pedestrian entrance, and—

  1. through not less than 50% of all pedestrian entrances including the principal pedestrian entrance; and
  2. in a building with a total floor area more than 500 m2, a pedestrian entrance which is not accessible must not be located more than 50 m from an accessible pedestrian entrance,

except for pedestrian entrances serving only areas exempted by D4D5.

(3) Where a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible has multiple doorways—

  1. if the pedestrian entrance consists of not more than 3 doorways — not less than 1 of those doorways must be accessible; and
  2. if a pedestrian entrance consists of more than 3 doorways — not less than 50% of those doorways must be accessible.

(4) For the purposes of (3)—

  1. an accessible pedestrian entrance with multiple doorways is considered to be one pedestrian entrance where—
    1. all doorways serve the same part or parts of the building; and
    2. the distance between each doorway is not more than the width of the widest doorway at that pedestrian entrance (see Figure D4D3); and
  2. a doorway is considered to be the clear, unobstructed opening created by the opening of one or more door leaves (see Figure D4D3).

(5) Where a doorway on an accessway has multiple leaves (except an automatic opening door), one of those leaves must have a clear opening width of not less than 850 mm in accordance with AS 1428.1.

Figure D4D3 Doorways and pedestrian entrances for access purposes
image-D4D3-doorways-and-pedestrian-entrances-for-access-purposes.svg

To specify the extent of access for people with a disability that must be provided.

D4D3(1) requires accessways to be provided to accessible buildings from the main points of a pedestrian entry at the allotment boundary and from any accessible car parking space or accessible associated buildings connected by a pedestrian link.

In D4D3(2) the principal pedestrian entrance is to be accessible in all cases and not less than 50% of all pedestrian entrances, including the principal pedestrian entrance, are to be accessible. In buildings with a total floor area more than 500 m2, an inaccessible entrance cannot be more than 50 m from an accessible entrance. This ensures that situations where people have to travel an unreasonable distance between entrances are avoided. An entrance that serves only an area exempted by D4D5 need not be accessible.

The principal pedestrian entrance is required to be accessible in all cases because it would be the most commonly used entrance by all building users. This is particularly important in public buildings where the principal entrance is often used as a focus for events or as a ceremonial entrance, particularly in hotels and theatres.

Designers should consider the proximity of ramps or lifting devices to stairs or steps at an entrance. People who require a ramp or lifting device at an entrance should not have to travel significantly greater distances to use the entrance than people without a disability.

Similarly, for convenience, the ramp or lifting device should be located as close as possible to any vehicular drop off point or taxi rank servicing a building entrance.

Where an entrance has multiple doorways, the BCA does not require all of them to be accessible:

  • If an entrance doorway is manually operated, the minimum dimensions required to provide access must be provided by the opening of a single leaf, so that a person with a disability only has to negotiate their entry through one door leaf.
  • If the doorway is automatically operated, the minimum dimension can be provided using two leaves.

In a building required to be accessible—

  1. every ramp and stairway, except for ramps and stairways in areas exempted by D4D5, must comply with—
    1. for a ramp, except a fire-isolated ramp, clause 10 of AS 1428.1; and
    2. for a stairway, except a fire-isolated stairway, clause 11 of AS 1428.1; and
    3. for a fire-isolated stairway, clause 11.1(f) and (g) of AS 1428.1; and
  2. every passenger lift must comply with E3D7 and E3D8; and
  3. accessways must have—
    1. passing spaces complying with AS 1428.1 at maximum 20 m intervals on those parts of an accessway where a direct line of sight is not available; and
    2. turning spaces complying with AS 1428.1—
      1. within 2 m of the end of accessways where it is not possible to continue travelling along the accessway; and
      2. at maximum 20 m intervals along the accessway; and
  4. an intersection of accessways satisfies the spatial requirements for a passing and turning space; and
  5. a passing space may serve as a turning space; and
  6. a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift need not be provided to serve a storey or level other than the entrance storey in a Class 5, 6, 7b or 8 building—
    1. containing not more than 3 storeys; and
    2. with a floor area for each storey, excluding the entrance storey, of not more than 200 m2; and
  7. clause 7.4.1(a) of AS 1428.1 does not apply and is replaced with ‘the pile height or pile thickness shall not exceed 11 mm and the carpet backing thickness shall not exceed 4 mm’; and
  8. the carpet pile height or pile thickness dimension, carpet backing thickness dimension and their combined dimension shown in Figure 8 of AS 1428.1 do not apply and are replaced with 11 mm, 4 mm and 15 mm respectively.

To specify the requirements for accessways within buildings which must be accessible.

In most buildings, access is to be provided to all parts of the building normally used by the occupants with the exception of areas exempted by D4D5. However, it is not intended that access for people who use wheelchairs be provided within non-accessible sanitary facilities or non-accessible sole-occupancy units.

Similarly, although stairways are not allowed on an accessway, they are allowed on other paths of travel. The specified provisions of AS 1428.1 provide technical information on how stairways and ramps are to be made safe and accessible for people with an ambulant disability or visionimpairment. It is important to note that different requirements are specified for fire-isolated stairways and ramps and other stairways and ramps.

D4D4(c)(i) covers passing spaces on accessways to ensure that a person does not have to retrace their journey for an unreasonable distance to pass another person if the accessway is not sufficiently wide for passing to occur at any point. The minimum dimensions for a passing space are contained in AS 1428.1. Space for passing to occur need only be provided where there is not a direct line of sight to the end of the accessway.

D4D4(c)(ii) covers turning spaces on accessways to ensure that a person does not have to reverse for an unreasonable distance if they encounter a dead-end or need to retrace their journey. The minimumdimensions for a turning spaceare contained in AS 1428.1. Turning spaces are required within 2 metres of the end of an accessway if it is not possible to continue to travel along the accessway, and at least every 20 metres along an access way whether or not there is a direct line of sight.

In D4D4(d) and (e) a passing space may also serve as a turning space and the circulation space required at an intersection of accessways is sufficient for passing or turning to occur. In this situation a dedicated passing or turning space would not be required at those locations.

Some storeys or levels, other than the entrance storey, in certain small buildings are not required by D4D4(f) to be provided with access via a passenger lift or a ramp complying with AS 1428.1. This exemption applies only to Class 5, 6, 7b and 8 buildings with 2 or 3 storeys (that is a building with 1 or 2 storeys in addition to the entrance level). This could be a building with 1 or 2 storeys above the entrance level or below it. The exemption states that if the size of each storey (other than the entrance level) is less than 200 m2 access via a passenger lift or ramp complying with AS 1428.1is not required to the other levels. However, if the entrance level to a 3-storey building was 600 m2, the 1st storey was also 600 m2 and the 2nd storey was only 150 m2, access would be required via a passenger lift or ramp complying with AS 1428.1 to all levels. Even though access via a ramp or lift is not required to certain storeys or levels, all other accessible features required by the BCA, except accessible unisex sanitary compartments and accessible unisex showers (see F4D5(i)), are required on the non-entrance levels.

NCC Blurbs

The following areas are not required to be accessible:

  1. An area where access would be inappropriate because of the particular purpose for which the area is used.
  2. An area that would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability.
  3. Any path of travel providing access only to an area exempted by (a) or (b).
  4. In a farm building and a bulk grain storage facility it is not necessary to provide access for people with disabilities to any area if access would be inappropriate because of the particular purpose for which the area is used.
NCC Title
Exemptions
NCC State
SA
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Exemptions
NCC Blurbs

The following areas are not required to be accessible:

  1. An area where access would be inappropriate because of the particular purpose for which the area is used.
  2. An area that would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability.
  3. Any path of travel providing access only to an area exempted by (a) or (b).
  4. The Class 2 parts of a building where—
    1. the building is an existing building with a rise in storeys of two; and
    2. the storey at ground level is Class 5 or 6; and
    3. the upper storeys is comprised of two or more Class 2 sole-occupancy units that are not made available for short-term rental.
NCC Title
Exemptions
NCC State
TAS
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Exemptions

The following areas are not required to be accessible:

  1. An area where access would be inappropriate because of the particular purpose for which the area is used.
  2. An area that would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability.
  3. Any path of travel providing access only to an area exempted by (a) or (b).

To provide exemptions to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for access by people with a disability.

This provision provides details on buildings or parts of buildings not required to be accessible under the BCA. D4D5 details exemptions to the requirements for access to certain areas within buildings where providing access would be inappropriate because of the nature of the area or the tasks undertaken. These areas could include rigging lofts, waste containment areas, foundry floors, loading docks, fire lookouts, Class 8 electricity network substations, plant and equipment rooms and other similar areas. Assessment of these areas is on a case-by-case basis.

While these areas may be assessed as not required to be accessible, nothing in the BCA prevents a designer from providing greater access than the required provisions, should they desire to do so.

(1) Accessible carparking spaces—

  1. subject to (b), must be provided in accordance with (2) in—
    1. a Class 7a building required to be accessible; and
    2. a carparking area on the same allotment as a building required to be accessible; and
  2. need not be provided in a Class 7a building or a carparking area where a parking service is provided and direct access to any of the carparking spaces is not available to the public; and
  3. subject to (d), must comply with AS/NZS 2890.6; and
  4. need not be identified with signage where there is a total of not more than 5 carparking spaces, so as to restrict the use of the carparking space only for people with a disability.

(2) For each class of building to which the carpark or carparking area is associated, the number of accessible carparking spaces required is as follows:

  1. Class 1b and 3 buildings:
    1. For a boarding house, guest house, hostel, lodging house, backpackers’ accommodation or the residential part of a hotel or motel, the number of accessible carparking spaces required is to be calculated by multiplying the total number of carparking spaces by the percentage of —
      1. accessiblesole-occupancy units to the total number of sole-occupancy units; or
      2. accessible bedrooms to the total number of bedrooms.
    2. For the purposes of (i), the calculated number is taken to the next whole figure.
    3. For a residential part of a school, accommodation for the aged, disabled or children, residential part of a health-care building which accommodates members of staff or the residential part of a detention centre — 1 accessible space for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof.
  2. Class 5, 7, 8 or 9c buildings — 1 accessible space for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof.
  3. Class 6 buildings—
    1. with up to 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space for every 50 carparking spaces or part thereof; and
    2. for each additional 100 carparking spaces or part thereof in excess of 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space.
  4. Class 9a buildings:
    1. For a hospital (non-outpatient area) — 1 accessible space for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof.
    2. For a hospital (outpatient area)—
      1. with up to 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space for every 50 carparking spaces or part thereof; and
      2. for each additional 100 carparking spaces or part thereof in excess of 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space.
    3. For a nursing home — 1 accessible space for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof.
    4. For a clinic or day surgery not forming part of a hospital — 1 accessible space for every 50 carparking spaces or part thereof.
  5. Class 9b buildings:
    1. For a school — 1 accessible space for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof.
    2. For other assembly buildings—
      1. with up to 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space for every 50 carparking spaces or part thereof; and
      2. for each additional 100 carparking spaces or part thereof in excess of 1000 carparking spaces — 1 accessible space.

To clarify the minimum Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for accessible carparking.

D4D6 provides details of the number of accessible carparking spaces required in a carpark depending on the classification of the building and based on the ratio of the total number of carparking spaces provided.

If the carpark serves a multi- classified building, the number of accessible carparking spaces required should be calculated by determining the number of spaces serving each of the classifications. The specifications for accessible carparking spaces, contained in AS/NZS 2890.6, aim to maximise the area available to people with a disability to get into and out of their vehicles. However:

  • while at least one carparking space complying with AS/NZS 2890.6 is required in any carpark covered by D4D6, signage and markings designating an accessible carparking space are only required in a carpark with more than a total of 5 spaces; and
  • accessible carparking spaces are not required in a carpark where carpark users do not park their own vehicles, such as a carpark that has a valet parking service.

The most appropriate location for the accessible car parking spaces will be, to some extent, determined by the use and function of the building. For example, a carpark associated with a cinema might have the accessible carparking spaces as close as possible to the main pedestrian entrance and ticketing area.

It may be more appropriate in a building with multiple pedestrian entrances, such as a shopping centre, to distribute accessible carparking spaces to ensure that the distance between the accessible car parking spaces and the entrances to the buildings are minimised.

(1) In a building required to be accessible—

  1. braille and tactile signage complying with Specification 15 must—
    1. incorporate the international symbol of access or deafness, as appropriate, in accordance with AS 1428.1 and identify each—
      1. sanitary facility, except a sanitary facility associated with a bedroom in a Class 1b building or a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 3 or Class 9c building; and
      2. space with a hearing augmentation system; and
    2. identify each door required by E4D5 to be provided with an exit sign and state—
      1. “Exit”; and
      2. “Level”; and
      3. the floor level number or floor level descriptor, or a combination of the two.
  2. signage including the international symbol for deafness in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided within a room containing a hearing augmentation system identifying—
    1. the type of hearing augmentation; and
    2. the area covered within the room; and
    3. if receivers are being used and where the receivers can be obtained; and
  3. signage in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided for accessible unisex sanitary facilities to identify if the facility is suitable for left or right handed use; and
  4. signage to identify an ambulant accessible sanitary facility in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be located on the door of the facility; and
  5. where a pedestrian entrance is not accessible, directional signage incorporating the international symbol of access, in accordance with AS 1428.1, must be provided to direct a person to the location of the nearest accessible pedestrian entrance; and
  6. where a bank of sanitary facilities is not provided with an accessible unisex sanitary facility, directional signage incorporating the international symbol of access in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be placed at the location of the sanitary facilities that are not accessible, to direct a person to the location of the nearest accessible unisex sanitary facility.

(2) In a building that is subject to F4D12 and is required to be accessible, directional signage complying with Specification 15 to direct a person to the location of the nearest accessible adult change facility within that building must be provided at the location of each—

  1. bank of sanitary facilities; and
  2. accessible unisex sanitary facility, other than one that incorporates an accessible adult change facility.

To clarify that the requirements of D1P1 to D1P6, D1P8 and D1P9 will be satisfied if compliance is achieved with Parts D2, D3 and D4 in the case of all buildings, Part G3 in the case of buildings with an atrium, Part G4 in the case of buildings in alpine areas, Part I1 in the case of theatres, stages and public halls, and Part I2 for public transport buildings. D1P7 is only required to be complied with if lifts are to be used to assist occupants to evacuate.

See comments under D2D1. They apply here.

(1) A hearing augmentation system must be provided where an inbuilt amplification system, other than one used only for emergency warning, is installed—

  1. in a room in a Class 9b building; or
  2. in an auditorium, conference room, meeting room or room for judicatory purposes; or
  3. at any ticket office, teller’s booth, reception area or the like, where the public is screened from the service provider.

(2) If a hearing augmentation system required by (1) is—

  1. an induction loop, it must be provided to not less than 80% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt amplification system; or
  2. a system requiring the use of receivers or the like, it must be available to not less than 95% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt amplification system, and the number of receivers provided must not be less than—
    1. if the room or space accommodates up to 500 persons, 1 receiver for every 25 persons or part thereof, or 2 receivers, whichever is the greater; and
    2. if the room or space accommodates more than 500 persons but not more than 1000 persons, 20 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 33 persons or part thereof in excess of 500 persons; and
    3. if the room or space accommodates more than 1000 persons but not more than 2000 persons, 35 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 50 persons or part thereof in excess of 1000 persons; and
    4. if the room or space accommodates more than 2000 persons, 55 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 100 persons or part thereof in excess of 2000 persons.

(3) The number of persons accommodated in the room or space served by an inbuilt amplification system must be calculated according to D2D18.

(4) Any screen or scoreboard associated with a Class 9b building and capable of displaying public announcements must be capable of supplementing any public address system, other than a public address system used for emergency warning purposes only.

To assist people with a hearing impairment to be made aware of communications associated with a building’s use.

D4D8 provides requirements for provision of hearing augmentation systems in accessible buildings. There are a number of hearing augmentation systems available. A decision on which system to use will depend on a number of factors, such as the size and use of the space, external interferences and building materials used.

Hearing augmentation coverage is not required to 100% of the floor area of rooms because such coverage could spill over into adjoining rooms and affect the operation of the system installed in those rooms, and because design considerations such as interference and building design mean that it is difficult to ensure complete coverage in any room.

D4D8(1) provides that hearing augmentation systems must be provided where an in built amplification system is provided (other than one only used for emergency warning) in a room in a Class 9b building, in certain types of rooms such as auditoriums, conference rooms, and at ticket offices, teller’s booths, reception areas and similar areas where the public is screened from the service provider.

D4D8(2) sets out requirements for hearing augmentation systems where they are required under D4D8(1). Requirements for hearing augmentation can be met by use of either an induction loop, or the use of receivers or similar systems. Where an induction loop is provided, it must cover at least 80% of the floor area of the room or space that is served by the inbuilt amplification system.

For hearing augmentation systems using audio receivers, the system must cover at least 95% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt system, and a minimum number of receivers must be provided in a ratio depending on the number of people who may be accommodated in the room (calculated by reference to D2D18).

D4D8(4) provides that screens or scoreboards associated with a Class 9b building that are capable of displaying public announcements must be capable of supplementing any public address system (other than a public address system used for emergency warning purposes only).

(1) For a building required to be accessible, tactile ground surface indicators must be provided to warn people who are blind or have a vision impairment that they are approaching—

  1. a stairway, other than a fire-isolated stairway; and
  2. an escalator; and
  3. a passenger conveyor or moving walk; and
  4. a ramp other than a fire-isolated ramp, step ramp, kerb ramp or swimming pool ramp; and
  5. in the absence of a suitable barrier—
    1. an overhead obstruction less than 2 m above floor level, other than a doorway; and
    2. an accessway meeting a vehicular way adjacent to any pedestrian entrance to a building, excluding a pedestrian entrance serving an area referred to in D4D5, if there is no kerb or kerb ramp at that point,

except for areas exempted by D4D5.

(2) Tactile ground surface indicators required by (1) must comply with sections 1 and 2 of AS/NZS 1428.4.1.

(3) A hostel for the aged, nursing home for the aged, a residential aged care building, Class 3 accommodation for the aged, Class 9a health-care building or a Class 9c aged care building need not comply with (1)(a) and (d) if handrails incorporating a raised dome button in accordance with AS/NZS 1428.4.1 are provided to warn people who are blind or have a vision impairment that they are approaching a stairway or ramp.

To assist blind or vision impaired people to avoid hazardous situations.

Warning Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) are intended only to be used for specific hazard identification in those areas identified within D4D9. This includes:

  • at the top and bottom of stairways, escalators and ramps except those only leading to areas exempted under D4D5; and
  • where there is an overhead obstruction less than 2 m above the floor along the pathway, in the absence of a suitable barrier that would prevent a person from hitting the overhead obstruction.

D4D9(3) permits raised dome buttons on handrails as an alternative in some aged care buildings. The reason for the alternatives in aged care buildings is that ground surface indicators may hinder people using walking frames or the like.

Note that TGSIs are not required on enclosed landings between flights of stairs where no other entrance/exit leads onto/off the landing.

The specifications for TGSIs are contained in sections 1 and 2 of AS/NZS 1428.4.1.

Where fixed seating is provided in a Class 9b assembly building, wheelchair seating spaces complying with AS 1428.1 must be provided in accordance with the following:

  1. The number and grouping of wheelchair seating spaces must be in accordance with Table D4D10.
  2. In a cinema—
    1. with not more than 300 seats — wheelchair seating spaces must not be located in the front row of seats; and
    2. with more than 300 seats — not less than 75% of required wheelchair seating spaces must be located in rows other than the front row of seats.
Table D4D10 Wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings
Fixed seats in a room or space Wheelchair spaces Note 1 Grouping and location Spaces must represent range of seating provided Note 3
Minimum spaces required 1 additional space required per Note 2 Min. single spaces Min. groups of 2 spaces Max. spaces in any other group
Up to 150 3 N/A 1 1 N/A No
151 to 800 3 50 seats in excess of 150 seats 1 1 5 No
801 to 10 000 16 100 seats in excess of 800 seats 2 2 5 Yes
More than 10 000 108 200 seats in excess of 10 000 seats 5 5 10 Yes
Table Notes
  1. The total number of required wheelchair spaces is the sum of the minimum spaces required (left column) and the additional spaces required (right column).
  2. The first number referred to includes any part of that number (e.g. 1 additional space required per 50 seats or part thereof).
  3. This means that the location of required wheelchair spaces must be representative of the range of seating provided.

To specify the requirements for wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings.

D4D10 provides requirements for the provision of wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings. This includes the number of wheelchair seating spaces to be provided in theatres, cinemas and the like, their positioning within the general seating area and how they are to be grouped with other seats or wheelchair spaces. The dimensions of wheelchair seating spaces must comply with AS 1428.1.

Table D4D10 provides requirements relating to the number and permissible grouping of wheelchair seating spaces, depending on the number of fixed seats in the room or space. Grouping all wheelchair spaces together potentially limits the seating options for family or friends accompanying a person using a wheelchair, so requirements are included that spaces be provided both singly and in groups. Wheelchair seating spaces may be provided by having removable seats so that, if the wheelchair spaces are not required, seats for other patrons can be installed in those locations. However, building managers would need to ensure that management practices in relation to removable seating do not discriminate.

D4D10(b) imposes additional requirements on wheelchair seating spaces in cinemas. In cinemas of less than 300 seats, wheelchair seating spaces must not be provided in the front row of seats. In cinemas with more than 300 seats, not less than 75% of required wheelchair seating spaces must be located in rows other than the front row. The location of wheelchair seating spaces must be representative of the range of seating provided.

(1) Not less than 1 means of accessible water entry/exit in accordance with Specification 16 must be provided for each swimming pool required by D4D2 to be accessible.

(2) An accessible entry/exit must be by means of—

  1. a fixed or movable ramp and an aquatic wheelchair; or
  2. a zero depth entry and an aquatic wheelchair; or
  3. a platform swimming pool lift and an aquatic wheelchair; or
  4. a sling-style swimming pool lift.

(3) Where a swimming pool has a perimeter of more than 70 m, at least one accessible water entry/exit must be provided by a means specified in (2)(a), (b) or (c).

(4) Latching devices on gates and doors forming part of a swimming pool safety barrier need not comply with AS 1428.1.

To specify the requirements for accessible swimming pools.

D4D11 provides the requirements for making swimming pools accessible to people with a disability. Swimming pools, required by D4D2 to be accessible, must provide not less than one means of accessible water entry and exit in accordance with Specification 16.

D4D2 requires that swimming pools with a perimeter greater than 40 m be accessible if they are associated with a building required to be accessible. Private swimming pools are not required to be accessible.

D4D11(2) provides the means by which accessible water entry and exit may be provided. D4D11(3) provides that where a swimming pool has a perimeter of more than 70 m, entry must be provided by at least one of the following: a fixed or movable ramp and an aquatic wheelchair, a zero-depth entry and an aquatic wheelchair, or a platform style swimming pool lift and an aquatic wheelchair. Accordingly, only swimming pools of less than 70 m in perimeter may provide a sling- style swimming pool lift as the sole means of water entry and exit.

Under D4D11(4) latching devices on gates and doors which form part of a swimming pool safety barrier need not comply with AS 1428.1.

On an accessway—

  1. a series of connected ramps must not have a combined vertical rise of more than 3.6 m; and
  2. a landing for a step ramp must not overlap a landing for another step ramp or ramp.

To specify the requirements for ramps forming part of an accessway.

Ramps may be used as part of an accessway where there is a change in level. The ramp must comply with the requirements specified in AS 1428.1 including a maximum gradient, landings, TGSIs, handrails and kerbing, as appropriate for the type of ramp.

A ramp cannot be used on an accessway to connect one level to another if the vertical rise is greater than 3.6 metres. This is to ensure that the ramp does not cause undue fatigue for a user to the point where the ramp becomes unusable.

Where a ramp is installed on a path of travel used solely for servicing an area exempted under D4D5 the requirements of AS 1428.1 are not mandatory.

On an accessway, where there is no chair rail, handrail or transom, all frameless or fully glazed doors, sidelights and any glazing capable of being mistaken for a doorway or opening, must be clearly marked in accordance with AS 1428.1.

To specify the requirements for glazing within an accessway.

This provision requires there to be a contrasting strip, chair rail, handrail or transom across all frameless or fully glazed doorways and surrounding glazing capable of being mistaken for an opening. The purpose of this requirement is to assist a person who has a vision impairment to be able to identify the presence of the glazing and avoid injury caused by contact with the glazing. A contrasting strip with a series of dots, unconnected patterns or shapes that do not provide high levels of contrast would not meet the requirements of this provision.

NCC Blurbs

(1) A building solution must comply with the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010.

(2) A building solution complies with TAS D4D1(1)(a) if it complies with the applications, exemptions and concessions in the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010.

NCC Title
Compliance with Premises Standards
NCC State
TAS
NCC Variation Type
Insertion
NCC SPTC Current
Compliance with Premises Standards