Part M Compliant Handrail - Building Regulations
A compliant handrail was required for a new disabled access ramp which was installed to provide wheelchair access to a school.
This was to be installed as part of refurbishment works which would take place during the school holidays. The disability rail would make it much easier for disabled students to access the building. The handrail would need to be built a certain way to comply with Building Regulations.
This would ensure safe and comfortable use of the rail as it would meet all of the relevant standards. Kee Access fittings make the installation quite simple, with no need for welding or other specialised labour.
Technical Guidance Document Part M
Disabled access ramps in Ireland should follow the handrail specifications outlined in Technical Guidance Document Part M of the Building Regulations. Part M deals with the Access And Use Of Buildings Other Than Dwellings. This can include schools, businesses, shopping centres and other public buildings.
Powder Coating Handrails
All rails were powder coated in safety yellow to make them stand out and be easily seen by anyone who may have visual impairments. Although some people choose to try and make their handrails blend in with their surroundings, it is probably of greater benefit to have the rails stand out from their surroundings, considering who the main beneficiary will be.
Building Regs Handrail Requirements
Although this project was in Warwickshire, England, the majority of requirements for disability rails remains the same. This includes a smooth, continuous surface, finishing the rail appropriately and having no snag points or rail ends jutting out.
- Smooth, Continuous Surface: This is to make it simple for the user to move their hand from one end of the rail to the other with breaks or terminations.
- Finishing The Rail Appropriately: Turning the handrail downwards at the ends means that the user is alerted when the rail has come to an end. This is particularly important to people with visual impairments, or when accessing the ramp in bad light.
- Having No Snag Points: This ensures that loose clothing cannot get caught on rail ends as people pass by the rails. Joining the top and mid-rails to form a D-return should ensure that this cannot happen.
A Kee Access handrail such as this ticks every box in terms of Building Regulations and can also be easily installed with basic tools and without specialised labour. Please call us if you have any design advice, or simply send us a brief plan view sketch of the access ramp along with approximate dimensions. From this, we can quickly work out what components are required and get a quote back to you.
Can We Help?
- Discuss your project in depth
- Friendly service
- Design advice
- Get a quote
- Or call us on 086 1408442
