building regulations?? disabled access for new build residentual houses?

Question

do new built houses (built in 2006) need to be wheelchair accessible at the front door? had a read of building regs, part m but cant see whether it is compulsary to have wheelchair access (ie, no steps and no threshold)

Answer 1

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, compulsory, I'm not sure except it is good practise NOT to have steps now. Most new build have downstairs toilets with a wider door, and a Front path which is gently sloping and 1200 mm (4 feet) wide.
Due to flooding in some areas you may want to have steps though, and in some circumstances it is almost unavoidable. Of course your plans will be passed by the local council anyway and if they don't like it they will tell you soon enough.

Answer 2

All new houses built since 2000 must be wheelchair accessible via the main entrance to the property as you said no threshold or steps and the ramp must be of a gradient of no greater than 1 in 12. Also light switches also have a regulation height which is reachable from a wheelchair and also electric sockets must be a regulation height above the finished floor level so that wheelchair users don't over reach and fallout of their wheel chair whilst reaching for the socket.

Answer 3

RE:
building regulations?? disabled access for new build residentual houses?
do new built houses (built in 2006) need to be wheelchair accessible at the front door? had a read of building regs, part m but cant see whether it is compulsary to have wheelchair access (ie, no steps and no threshold)

Answer 4

Canadian Building Code does not require it, but has rules to follow when implementing wheel. access. my buddy has a house with 48 inch wide halls and all of his" walkways" between rooms are opened up just below his seated shoulder height to about 48 to 56 inches. the place seems like a palace because of these simple mods. and only added 200 ft.to the footprint. good luck

Answer 5

While most private residences in the U.S.A. are not required to have wheelchair ramps, they are often necessary and useful for individuals with mobility issues, for babies in strollers, and any other situation where it's easier to use a ramp rather than steps

Answer 6

Not in my county. It is up to the home owner to make changes needed to meet ADA specs. Ask your local building inspector to interpret the rules for you.