Disability Access Certificate Query

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    • June 30, 2011 at 10:42 pm #711395
      Rooney1
      Participant

      Hi all,
      As a lay person I am seeking arcitectural opinion on an area I am unclear about. I have recently received planning permission for change of use on a first floor unit from offices to a dental surgery-860 sq ft. I have not commenced any building work yet. The building is over fifty years old. Access to first floor is via front door (on street) and staircase leading to first floor. My architect is now applying for a disablity access cert and fire safety cert. I am concerned that the lack of wheelchair access ( a lift will not be possible), will mean that the DAC will not be granted. Can anyone tell me if wheelchair accessibility is a must for a DAC? Should I be worried that building control may deem the unit unsuitable for a dental surgery for this reason? Should i hold off on commencing works while waiting for this? Has anyone any experience of a DAC being refused on such grounds? All opinions welcome, Many thanks

    • July 1, 2011 at 2:34 pm #817204
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Can anyone tell me if wheelchair accessibility is a must for a DAC?

      Have a gander through the second paragraph of this webpage :

      http://www.propertyfix.net/disabled-access-certificate-practicability.php

      and its associated links, i.e. :

      http://www.propertyfix.net/resources/TGD_Documents/M%20-%20Access%20and%20Use%202010.pdf


      I am concerned that the lack of wheelchair access ( a lift will not be possible), will
      mean that the DAC will not be granted.

      Do not despair entirely here.
      A bit of imagination from the architect may see your disabled patients up the stairs
      via some other automated means.

      Best print off & study the documents above and then thresh it all out with your architect.

    • July 2, 2011 at 2:15 pm #817205
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      To the OP

      This may be relevant from Part M 2010 Section 1.3 P. 54; –

      1.3.4.1.1 Lifts
      Passenger lifts should be provided in all
      multi-storey buildings to serve all storeys
      above and below entry level e.g.
      basements used for car parking, etc,
      except in the following situations:

      (a) non-residential or mixed use
      buildings with a nett floor area per
      floor of less than 200 m2 and with no
      floor having an entrance level more
      than 4500 mm above or below the
      main entrance level, or

      Ask your architect what the position is with regard to the Fire Safety Certificate, given that some of the “walking wounded” may be under a general anesthetic and not able to effect their own escape in a fire emergency.

      To TEAK

      Thanks for these links.

      ONQ.

      All advice on Archiseek is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support – in and of itself – should legal action be taken.
      Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.

    • July 5, 2011 at 11:56 am #817206
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Thanks Guys for your help. The area involved is 80 sq metres so hopefully i will be ok. I cant believe it takes eight full weeks for them to issue such a cert. Also 800 euro flat fee regardless of building size is mental!!
      Anyway thanks again , will let ye know how i get on.

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