Accessibility
When constructing and renovating buildings, there is a requirement that spaces should be accessible and usable for people with reduced mobility or orientation skills. The accessibility requirements also apply to the building's doors, which must have a passageway that, for example, makes it possible to pass by wheelchair. The doors should also work and be easy to detect for people with visual and orientation impairments.
What do you need to consider?
The requirements for accessibility and usability for persons with reduced mobility or orientation are contained in the Planning and Building Act, PBL and in the Planning and Construction Ordinance, PBF. The requirements are clarified in Boverket’s building regulations, BBR. Accessibility requirements for doors when building can be found in BBR section 3:1. Ultimately, the responsibility for compliance with the regulations lies with the developer.
For workspaces, there are separate rules collected in the Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on the design of the workplace (AFS 2009:2).
Which doors need to be adapted for accessibility?
The requirements for accessibility adaptation are governed by the functions required by the building regulations. BBR reports different types of buildings.
- Residential apartments and detached houses
- Apartment buildings
- Non-residential buildings
The accessibility requirements for doors vary between these applications.
What are the accessibility requirements?
Accessibility measures mentioned in BBR are:
- Door dimensions
A basic rule is that free passage through doors to housing should be 0.76 meters. Doors to entrances and in public environments should be at least 0.80 meters.
- Door opener
Doors should be easily opened. Accessible and usable doors should have automatic door openers if they have door closers or are heavy.
- Space markings
When the door has an automatic door opener, the space where the door is opened should be marked. Alternatively, the doors can be equipped with safety sensors or similar.
- Actuators
Actuators shall be designed in such a way that they are accessible and useful for persons with reduced mobility or orientation.
- Contrast marking
In public premises, it is important that each visitor can easily identify essential passages such as entrance and elevator doors, as well as to public toilets and escape routes. Contrast with the surroundings can be achieved with different colors, materials, and lighting.
- Thresholds
To facilitate wheelchair access and avoid tripping, level differences in the doorway should be minimized.
Contact me;
Jonas Green
Sales Manager
Tel. +46 8-121 363 60
Mob. +46 70-650 00 09
jonas.green@thermod.se
Accessibility adaptation of Thermod’s doors
Thermod meets accessibility requirements in several ways.
- To meet the requirements of contrast effect, all frames are offered in any RAL color.
- Fiberglass laminate is available in RAL color. When lacquering RAL should be selected. If you want a color match between the door leaf and frame, RAL should be selected.
- Doors can be equipped with door automation based on prescribed needs.
- Several threshold options are offered for improved passage.
- Doors can be equipped with FOP hinges, which improves the dimension and contributes to a simpler passage.
- Solutions for ceiling rails that can be integrated into the frame for a disability design.
- Sensors can be mounted on doors for increased functionality.