DDA 1985 - changes now in place

BS:8300: 2001 provides an industry code of practice to ensure buildings are accessible to those with disabilities. In order to address your obligations, floor surfaces must not produce glare but offer tonal contrasts avoiding contrasting wide strips or busy patterns. Any barriers to disabled people, whether physical or not, must be removed, altered or avoided altogether.

The introduction of matting zones is encouraged in order to provide a guidance path for visually impaired people to lead them to reception or lift areas. Changing the surface of the flooring will also help people identify the location of hazards such as revolving doors before they actually meet the leading edges of the door.

The most crucial guidance is in the appropriateness of different types of material. It states: ‘ Deep pile carpets and coir matting on the surface of the floor or within a matwell should not be used. Similarly, a soft, deep pile mat, even if recessed into the floor, will inhibit the movement of wheelchairs and present a hazard for people using walking sticks and frames’. In public buildings, surface laid rugs and mats should not be used.

For further advice on your existing entrance matting and to address the DDA regulations, please telephone 0870 606 5005 or submit our online enquiry form.