Overview and Scrutiny

Compliance of Council Corporate Buildings to Disability and Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) requirements

Introduction

Best Value Performance Indicator 156 was the driver for the initial audit of all relevant Council properties prior to the introduction of the DDA.

The measure for compliance to BVPI 156 is the 1992 edition of the Approved Document M to the Building Regulations primarily aimed at resolving physical access and facility provision to buildings. However the requirements of the DDA were incorporated in audit as far as could be determined in the knowledge available at the time. The DDA has a much wider remit to the BVPI, as summarised below.

The audit programme of buildings was prioritised in terms of the effect on public access to Council Services.

The Audits were undertaken by a finite resource of an Access Officer and Access Advisor both 0.5 FTE positions. The service was without an Access Officer between November 2004 and December 2005 due to recruitment difficulties.

With the commencement of employment of the new Access Officer a new Audit programme is being developed to re audit that will incorporate improved information available on the requirements of the DDA. In addition new software, supplied by the Council’s Property Dept, based on a detailed checklist is being used to ensure a more robust and objective measure is undertaken and to provide an audit trail of the process. Furthermore the software links directly with the work of the Property Department and accordingly reports can received and actioned with much greater accuracy.

Summary of the requirements of the DDA

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 aimed to end the discrimination that many disabled people face. This Act gives disabled people rights in the areas of:

 employment  education  access to goods, facilities and services  buying or renting land or property

The Act also allowed the government to set minimum standards so that disabled people can use public transport easily.

The development of legislation to improve the rights of disabled people is an ongoing process: From 1 October 2004, Part 3 of the DDA 1995 has required businesses and other organisations such as ours to take reasonable steps to tackle physical features that act as a barrier to disabled people who want to access their services.

This may mean to remove, alter or provide a reasonable means of avoiding physical features of a building which make access impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people. Examples include:

 putting in a ramp to replace steps  providing larger, well defined signs for people with a visual impairment  improving access to toilet or washing facilities

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has been amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to place a duty on all public sector authorities to promote disability equality. This duty will have a significant impact on the way in which all public services are run and on improving the lives of disabled people. It is part of a new breed of legislation that will serve to ensure that all public bodies build disability equality into the way in which they carry out their business.

Market Street Offices

An audit of the Market Street Offices was undertaken primarily for the purposes of the BVPI, in May 2001, a copy of the report is shown in Appendix A.

The report outlined a series of recommendations, attached as appendix A, which were categorised in terms of importance and then passed to the Council’s Property department for implementation. Implementation was undertaken in conjunction with other planned property projects such as the new Market Street Reception area, and within the financial resource available through a specific DDA budget provision.

The work carried out by the Council’s Property department as a result of the report is shown in appendix B

Specific Issues

Induction Loop within the Council Chamber

It has been reported that this induction loop is not working. This matter has been investigated and that does appear to be the current position and accordingly it has been reported to the Property Department for action.

Specific reference is not made with the DDA for the provision of Induction loops however should someone be disadvantaged at some time because one is not available they could pursue action under the DDA. Generally inductions loops are reasonably low cost and accordingly there would be little defence for the provision not being made. It would be accepted though that equipment does fail from time to time but measures to reduce the likely disruption should introduced e.g. regular tests particularly prior to public meeting.

Mirror on back wall of Market Street passenger lift

It would be expected that DDA compliant lift would incorporate a mirror. The mirror enables a wheelchair user to reverse safely out of a lift. Shared occupancy usually precludes any turning of a wheelchair safely.

This is not a provision within the 1992 Approved Document M and accordingly was not incorporated within the May 2001 Market Street audit and subsequent recommendations. It will however be incorporated within a re-audit that embodies the more rigorous requirements of the 2005 revisions to the DDA Appendix A

ACCESS AUDIT

AUDIT DETAILS

CLIENT: West Berkshire Council AUDIT ADDRESS: Council Offices Market Street NEWBURY TYPE OF BUILDING: Office Building with Public Access DATE OF AUDIT: 2nd /3rd May 2001 NAME OF AUDITORS: Janet Parker (Access Officer) David Foster (Access Advisor) ACCESS AUDIT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING

3.0 APPROACH, ROUTES AND STREET FURNITURE

4.0 CAR PARKING

5.0 EXTERNAL ACCESS AND MAIN ENTRANCE

6.0 RECEPTION AREAS

7.0 AREAS ACCESSED BY PUBLIC

8.0 HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

9.0 VERTICAL CIRCULATION

10.0 INTERNAL DOORS

11.0 TOILET/SHOWER FACILITIES

12.0 SIGNAGE

13.0 ACOUSTICS/ LIGHTING/ DECORATION

14.0 SPECIAL AREAS FIRST AID ROOM/ STAFF CANTEEN / STAFF KITCHEN

15.0 MEANS OF ESCAPE

16.0 REFERENCES

17.0 PRIORITISED SCHEDULE OF RECOMMENDATIONS COPIES OF REPORT AVAILABLE IN LARGE TEXT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

West Berkshire Council is both a Service Provider and Employer and therefore it is important that it achieves a good level of access to its buildings and services for people with disabilities.

Overall the Council Offices at Market Street have reasonable access for people with disabilities however there are areas where improvements should be made to enable the Council to comply with both the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and Citizen Charter Performance Indicators.

There are four main areas where improvements should be made:

 Rearrangement and adjustments to the reception areas. This should include improved circulation routes, all counters to be fully accessible, methods of communication between staff and the public to be improved. A reception area is usually first point of contact for a visitor to a building and organisation therefore it is essential that it is well planned and easy to use for everybody. The second floor reception area is shortly due to be refurbished.

 Revision of Disabled car parking facilities for both staff and visitors to include the approach to the building and access to the building via the staff entrance. I understand that there is already a proposal regarding the provision of disabled staff car parking.

 An additional accessible toilet should be provided on the first/second floor as travel distance at present exceeds 40metres.

 Additional improvements to the lift particularly concerning the call panel and access to the emergency telephone inside the lift.

Accessibility cannot be guaranteed by good design alone. How a building is managed on a day to day basis will have a huge impact on how easy it is to use by disabled people. Therefore consideration should be given to a planned maintenance schedule for the Council Offices, Market Street. 1.0 INTRODUCTION

An access audit was carried out on the Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury on 2nd and 3rd May 2001. The weather was wet on the first day and dry on second day. The audit mainly concentrated on the areas of the building, which are primarily accessible by the public but comments are made regarding the office space and staff facilities within the building.

The purpose of an access audit is to establish how well a particular building and service performs in terms of access and ease of use by a wide range of potential users, this will include people with hearing, visual, mobility impairments and learning difficulties.

Many factors contribute to the accessibility of a building, firstly the building itself, then internal fixtures and fittings and finally how the building is used and managed. This report aims to comment on existing accessibility and make recommendations as to how improvements can be made. The benefits of the recommendations stated in this report are not necessarily restricted to people with identifiable impairments.

For the purpose of this report the criteria used for assessment is as follows:  The need to maximise accessibility to the building and facilities by disabled people and staff  The standards required under Building Regulations Approved Document Part M (1999)  Currently published good practice in design for disabled people

N.B. Compliance with the advice contained in this report does not ensure compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. BUILDING

The Council Offices is purpose built office accommodation built in 1980 as the main offices for Newbury District Council. Since 1998 it has been the main offices for West Berkshire Council (Unitary Authority). The building is steel framed with brick in fill elevations.

It has three floors of accommodation as follows:  Ground floor accommodates main reception area, Council Chamber, Housing advice and Revenue sections.  First floor accommodates offices, training/meeting rooms, staff canteen and IT training room.  Second floor accommodates offices, meeting rooms, planning reception and first aid room

The building accommodates 300 Workers (approx) and has approximately 200-300 visitors per day.

The public have access to the ground floor and second floor reception. Access to the second floor is only achieved by passing through a door on the ground floor activated by an electronic security pass.

Access to many of the areas within the building is restricted and only accessible by scanning a security pass at key points.

There is no planned maintenance programme for this building.

3.0 APPROACH/ ROUTES/ AND STREET FURNITURE

3.1 The Council Offices are located in Market Street close to the town centre. Both the bus and railway station are situated close by and are within five minutes walking distance. Public car parks are sited next to and opposite the building. There are good road links from the A339. There is good signage indicating Council Offices.

3.2 Pavements adjacent to the Council Offices are of pre-cast concrete paving slabs. Some of the paving slabs are broken and generally uneven. Dropped kerbs particularly on the route from the bus station to the Council Offices are not flush with the road surface. They have a lip (35mm); this can present as a trip hazard to pedestrians and cause difficulties with wheelchair users. In addition the drop kerbs by the Bus Station are designed in such a way that it could direct a person into the main flow of traffic.

3.3 One of the pedestrian crossing points by the Council Offices has a drop kerb (no tactile paving) with a small raised (35mm) pedestrian refuge in the middle of the carriageway. This causes a barrier to wheelchair users and a trip hazard to other pedestrians (figure 1)

figure 1 3.4 An approach route from the railway station to the Council Offices is via a flight of concrete steps. Staff to access the car park, also use these steps. The steps are 975mm in width, with a handrail on the right hand side ascending. There is an absence of the appropriate tactile paving at the top of the steps and no step nosings (figure 2)

figure 2

Recommendations a) Provision of an additional handrail, contrasting step nosings and tactile paving (corduroy type) on the top of the steps should be provided on the stepped approach to the Council Buildings from the railway station. As recommended in Approved Document Building Regulations Part M b b) The removal of the pedestrian refuge to provide level access across the carriageway. c d c) Replacement of damaged paving slabs on the approach to offices. e d) To ensure when drop kerbs are provided that they are flush with the carriageway. f g e) When drop kerbs are provided appropriate tactile paving should be incorporated.

4.0 CAR PARKING

4.1 At the Council Offices, car parking is provided for both staff (142 spaces) and disabled visitors (3/4 spaces) in different locations. Public car parks are available close to the offices.

4.2 There is on-street disabled parking available at the front of the building for 3-4 cars depending how the cars are parked. At present employees on a daily basis use two of the spaces, as there is no provision for staff disabled parking. The parking bay is sign posted for the use of disabled drivers. The parking bay has a dropped kerb at one end, is 20.6 metres in length and 2310mm in width (figure 3). Some wheelchair users have to transfer from their car to their wheelchair on the carriageway, as transferring from the car to wheelchair on the pavement is not possible. Where the surface of the parking bay meets the carriageway it provides an uneven surface and generally is in a poor state of repair.

figure 3 4.3 There is a short ramp from the disabled parking area to the main entrance. The gradient is 1:12, Building Regulations Part M recommends a gradient of 1:15.

Recommendations a) Minimum recommended number of disabled parking bays should be, individual bays for each disabled employee plus 2 bays or 3% of total capacity, whichever is greater. (source Reducing mobility handicaps Institution of highways and Transportation).

To provide designated disabled parking bays for employees in an alternative site to existing, therefore to free up more spaces for public use. Suggested area, opposite the staff entrance. Bays to have minimum dimensions of 4800mm x 3200mm (minimum) 3600mm preferred.

If the relocation of disabled staff parking bays is behind the car park barrier it is important to ensure that staff are able to use the security scanner successfully. b) To alter the existing parking bay for disabled people. Good practice suggests that parking bays should allow access to the rear of the vehicle where wheelchairs are often stored and the preferred allowance for each vehicle should be 6600mm in length and 3300mm in width to allow safe transferring from either side of the vehicle. To increase the width of the existing parking bay and make transfer from a car to wheelchair a safer movement, drop the kerb for the whole length of the parking bay. To mark out each bay to ensure that adequate space is left to allow access to rear of the vehicle To repair the surface between the carriageway and parking bay.

5.0 EXTERNAL ACCESS AND MAIN ENTRANCE

5.1 The main entrance has a gently sloping approach, good signage and is clearly distinguishable from the façade.

5.2 The Principal entrance doors are of the glazed automatic sliding type with manifestations. They provide sufficient width for wheelchair manoeuvre and have a level threshold. In the entrance area there is signage, indicating way in.

5.3 The staff entrance is located at the side of the building; this provides staff access to the building at all times and is particularly relevant when the main entrance is closed. The drop kerb does not have a flush finish to carriageway (35mm lip). There is a ramped approach to the doors but no level platform at the top. Entry is gained by scanning security tag; this will allow the door to be opened. Disabled people may experience difficulties trying to gain entry because of the lack of level surface by the door. The double doors have no vision panels.

Recommendations a) To improve the staff entrance by providing a ramped approach with a gradient of 1:15, with level area/ platform by the door minimum dimensions of 1200mm2 b) To adjust the drop kerb to a flush finish by the staff entrance.

6.0 RECEPTION AREAS

6.1 A Reception area is usually the first point of contact for a visitor to a building and organisation and therefore it is essential that it is well-planned and easy to use for everybody. Ideally, reception areas should have plenty of circulation space. Routes to reception counters, lift, stairs and toilets should be clearly defined and unobstructed. The Reception area within the Council offices consists of a main reception desk, waiting area and several places where information is displayed (figure 4). The reception desk always has a member of staff present during office hours.

figure 4

6.2 The route from the entrance door to the desk is restricted by the position of seating and only allows a clear walkway of 1250mm. The sign indicating the reception desk has a highly reflective surface and would be very difficult for anybody with a visual impairment to read. The reception desk has a counter surface height of 960mm and a lower counter surface of 720mm at the side, which would be suitable for a wheelchair user (figure 5). There are no aids to communication particularly for people with a hearing impairment; the area is generally very busy with a high level of background noise therefore making it difficult for effective communication. The Reception staff do not know British Sign Language.

figure 5 6.3 The waiting area comprises of two semi-circular arrangements of chairs. All chairs have a seat height of 40.5 cm which some people with restricted mobility would have difficulty using.

6.4 The route to the Cash Office is behind the waiting area; there is often a queue. The route is narrow and cannot accommodate people with double buggies and people with a helper.

6.5 Information carousels/ boards are located throughout the reception area and potentially could be a hazard for people with a visual impairment.

6.6 The second floor reception is where planning and building regulations enquiries are dealt with. The reception desk has a counter height of 1000mm with no lower counter surface for people seated. There is signage indicating the location of the reception from the stairs and lift, but no sign indicating reception desk. In the reception area there are both easy chairs with a seat height of 40.5 cm and chairs (seat height 43cm) at tables (table height 740mm).

Recommendations a) To re-look at the layout of the Reception area, to improve circulation space, define and improve routes particularly to the cash office. b) Good practice recommends that a waiting area should have some chairs with an increased seat height of at least 46cm. Provision of two chairs on ground floor and one chair on second floor with increased seat height. c) To provide a central place for information within the ground floor reception area. d) Proportion of counter to be at a lower height of 750-800mm on the Second floor reception. e) Replace highly reflective Reception sign on ground floor and provide new sign to indicate Reception desk on Second floor. f) Aids to communication should be provided both at the reception and cash office. g) Reception staff should be trained in the use of BSL (British Sign Language) and disability awareness/equality training.

7.0 AREAS ACCESSED BY PUBLIC

7.1 Areas, which are accessed by the public, are predominantly situated on the ground floor. These areas include the Council Chamber, Cash Office, Housing/ Benefit Advice Centre and Interview rooms.

7.2 The Council Chamber is used for Council meetings, as a training venue and for public meetings. The Council Chamber is fitted with an induction loop, which needs to be tested to ensure that it is working. The decoration of the room offers very little tonal contrast. Good practice suggests that with the effective use of tonal contrast can provide people with visual impairments important visual clues to their environment and assist with orientation. The raised platform has a portable ramp to achieve access by a wheelchair user.

7.3 The Cash Office is used extensively by members of the public. The counter surface has a height of 940mm with no lower height for seated users. The counter has a glazed screen with a certain amount of reflection, which can cause difficulties for anybody wishing to lip-read. There is no speech enhancement or induction loop system fitted. In discussion with the cashier, it was stated that communication through the screen with members of the public was extremely difficult and often led to misunderstandings. In addition members of the public are often confused when a cashier is free, as there is no audible or visual indication.

7.4 The Housing/ Benefit Advice Centre is located off the main reception area. It has three booths all with a counter surface height of 1010mm, with no lower counter surface for people seated (figure 6).

Figure 6

7.5 Close to the Housing/ Benefit Advice Centre there are interview rooms. The rooms have a clear door opening width of 770mm and the doors have vision panels. The rooms are accessible, but do not have induction loop.

figure 7

7.6 Close to the Council Chamber is located a Public Pay Phone. This is located in an area where background noise levels are minimal. The telephone is set at a height of 1020mm. Access to the telephone by a wheelchair user is restricted by the position of table and chair (figure 7)

Recommendations a) When redecoration takes place of the Council Chamber to improve the tonal contrast to enhance the environment for people with a visual impairment. b) The Cash Office should have a part of its counter at a lower height (750-800mm) suitable for people using a wheelchair and aids to communication should be provided to improve communication between cashier and customer. c) To install an audible / visual indicator as to which booth is available at Cash Office. d) One booth at Housing Benefit Advice Centre to have a lower counter (750-800mm) suitable height for people using a wheelchair. e) Ensure area by the Public Telephone is kept clear for wheelchair access.

8.0 HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

8.1 In general corridors connect spaces, they should be simple and safe to negotiate, as they provide access and form part of means of escape routes. All horizontal circulation within the Council offices building has level access and generally provides adequate space for all users. However in the corridor by the canteen the width is reduced by storage of chairs and trolley which could cause difficulties for people using a wheelchair and those with a visual impairment (figure 8).

figure 8

Recommendations a) To ensure that corridors are kept clear. 9.0 VERTICAL CIRCULATION

9.1 A single main staircase and lift provides vertical access to the upper floors of the Council Offices. There are three additional staircases, which provide means of escape from the upper floors.

9.2 The stairs are formed as follows: Risers 170mm, tread 280mm. The handrail is continuous on both sides of the staircase at a height of 1000mm and extends beyond the top step. The handrails are easy to grip and provide a good colour contrast to the wall colour.

9.3 Lifts are often the most convenient form of access between storeys and provide access throughout the building for disabled people. The lift is accessed through the double doors off the main reception; there is an absence of signage indicting the location of the lift at the ground floor. On the second floor by the lift is a large plant, this obstructs the view of the lift entrance for a person with a visual impairment.

figure 9  The call panel of the lift is positioned at a height of 1280mm and is not easily distinguishable from its background.  There is no suitable tactile and visual indication on the landing and adjacent to the lift call button to identify the storey.  The lift carriage dimensions are 1500mm x1280mm.  The inside of the lift is a matt colour, which provides a good contrast to control panel.  The control panel inside the lift is within 1140mm -1460mm from the floor and only 120mm from the front wall.  The controls within the lift are tactile.  Access to the Emergency telephone is difficult; handle is small and not colour contrasted with background.  There is voice indication of the floor reached and doors opening and closing.  There is no visual indication of the floor reached.  There is only a handrail inside the lift on the left handside as you enter the lift compartment.

Recommendations a) Improvements to the lift are required to include the following:  Suitable tactile and visual indication adjacent to the lift call button on each landing  Handrail to be continuous around the inside of the lift  Call panel to be more distinguishable from background  To improve access to the emergency telephone and ensure colour contrasted against background

10.0 INTERNAL DOORS

10.1 Doors provide access into spaces but poor design can turn them into barriers. A single door leaf should provide a minimum clear opening width of 750mm (Building Regulations Part M) but good practice suggests 800mm, preferably 900mm. Doors across circulation routes should have vision panels, giving a zone of visibility from a height of 900mm to 1500mm.

10.2 Colour contrast between the door, frame, handles and its surroundings can assist people with a visual impairment to locate the door.

10.3 The door clear opening widths in toilets and first aid room are only 670mm. Other doors meet minimum requirements. The majority of doors have vision panels within requirements except some of small individual offices, which only have a high vision panel.

figure 10

10.4 All the doors in the Council Offices are dark coloured wood finish with brown door handles. In the main areas where the walls have a brick finish there is very little colour contrast between the doors and walls (figure 10).

10.5 On some of the double doors, the door closures require some force to operate particular for somebody with limited dexterity and strength. Good practice guidance recommends a maximum force of 25-30 Newtons.

Recommendations a) Door opening width should be enlarged for access to first aid room. b) Improved colour contrast should be provided between door handles and doors. c) Door closures should be checked to ensure a maximum force of 25-30 Newtons.

11.0 TOILETS/ SHOWER FACILITIES

11.1 Accessible toilets are an essential facility within a building for disabled people. Within the Council Offices there is one fully accessible toilet situated on the ground floor. The toilet cubicle is of suitable dimensions (Part M Building Regulations) and there is good colour contrast between the sanitary ware and walls. One potential problem is the positioning of the electric hand dryer, which could hinder people transferring from their chair to toilet. Also there is no colour contrast on the door between the grab rails, door furniture and door. There is no emergency alarm. The floor surface is vinyl and not slip resistant. The flush lever is difficult to distinguish from background (figure 11 and 12).

figure 11 figure 12

11.2 There are other toilets located on each floor with a similar colour scheme as to the accessible toilet. None of the toilets have any grab rails. Access to the toilets is via a clear door opening of 670mm making access difficult for anybody with a disability. The door furniture on some of the doors is of same colour as door and offers no colour contrast. Doors and floors are the same colour and offer no contrast.

11.3 On the ground floor there is a shower room. The room is 1700mm x 1030mm. The decoration is white with no colour contrast at all. The shower is accessible by a 310mm step. There is no seating within the shower. Within the size constraints of this room it is not possible to make it wheelchair accessible.

Recommendations a) To provide a second accessible toilet on first/ second floor of building. New toilet to be left handed or peninsula lay out. Building Regulations Part M recommends that the cumulative horizontal travel distance from a work station to a toilet is not more than 40 metres. The present arrangement exceeds 40 metres for an employee. b) Minor alterations to the accessible toilet are required to include the following:  Hand dryer to be repositioned closer to the basin away from transfer space in the accessible toilet.  Grab rail and door handle to be changed on accessible toilet door to contrast with background.  Provision of Alarm system c) When shower room is redecorated to include good colour contrast between floor and walls and possibly remove step to provide level access.

12.0 SIGNAGE 12.1 Effective use of signage can assist people in orientation around a building. Signs need to be simple with good use of colour contrast and consistent. Within the Council Offices there is good clear signage, however there is some inconsistency. The West Berkshire Council signage is white lower case letters on green background, however this is the same colour scheme as the fire exits signs. There are some signs white upper case on a brown background.

12.2 There are some areas where signage is a problem:  There is an information board obscuring a sign indicating way out in the ground floor reception area.  Lack of signage indicating the location of the lift.  Some D-I-Y signage with reflective surface making it difficult to read by the Council Chamber (figure 13).  Highly reflective sign for reception on ground floor

figure 13

Recommendations a) To ensure that there is consistency of signage throughout the building. b) To discourage D-I-Y signage. c) To replace Reception desk sign with a sign with non-reflective surface. d) To provide a sign indicating location of the lift. e) To ensure that no sign is obscured.

13.0 ACOUSTICS/ LIGHTING/ DECORATION

13.1 The Council chamber is fitted with an induction loop but no other rooms have a loop. As stated, previously communication is difficult for people in the main reception area on the ground floor particularly the cash office. 13.2 Lighting levels appeared satisfactory with no particular problem areas. Luminaires appeared properly maintained.

13.3 Light switches are positioned at 136 mm from floor level and security scanning box 90mm from floor.

13.4 Decoration in the main areas as stated previously offers little colour contrast between doors, floors and walls. In other areas there is some colour contrast between walls and doors.

13.5 Floorings throughout the building are plain in colour. The majority of areas are carpeted except toilets and stairs.

Recommendations a) To increase the number of rooms fitted with Induction Loop i.e. Committee room, training rooms b) To check that Induction Loop in Council Chamber is in working order. c) When building is refurbished to ensure improved colour contrast between walls, doors and floors to assist people with a visual impairment orientate within the building.

14.0 SPECIAL ROOMS

14.1 First Aid room is situated on the second floor. Door opening width is only 670mm making access very difficult for wheelchair user.

14.2 A small Staff canteen is situated on the first floor, door into the canteen has no vision panel but is kept open with door wedge. Counter height is 1080mm. Within the room there are tables and chairs. There is little circulation space for a wheelchair to manoeuvre. Access to the cold cabinet is difficult for a wheelchair user.

14.3 Staff kitchen is located on the ground floor and access to the sink is very difficult for a wheelchair user.

Recommendations a) To enlarge entrance to first aid room to improve access.

15.0 MEANS OF ESCAPE

15.1 The design of a building alone cannot ensure safety for the occupants in the case of a fire or other emergency. Means of escape strategies must be devised by the building’s management in order to ensure safe, swift, orderly evacuation. 15.2 I am not an expert on means of escape but will make the following comments. There are three staircases for fire evacuation. There is good use of colour contrast and the stairs have nosings. On both first and second floor there is a Evac chair. Individual staff who are wheelchair users have their own personal emergency egress plans (PEEPS).

15.3 There is a ramped fire exit from Council Chamber. At the bottom of the ramp there is a bollard which may be a potential hazard for ease of escape for people with visual impairments (figure 14). There is blister tactile warning at the top and bottom of the ramp. On a ramp it is not necessary to have blister tactile paving. The use of blister tactile paving provides a warning to visual impaired people primarily used to indicate where a foot way ends and carriageway begins.

figure 14

15.4There is no visual fire alarm anywhere within the building.

15.5When a person visits the Council Offices they will sign in and are issued with a visitors badge, and they have to sign out, on leaving the offices. Visitors visiting planning reception on the second floor are issued with a visitor sticker and don’t sign in or out. Members of the public visiting the cash office or housing advice do not sign in or have a visitor sticker. No record is made as to whether a visitor is a wheelchair user or has a hearing or visual impairment for purposes of fire evacuation.

Recommendations

a) Removal of bollard and tactile paving on/by Council Chamber Fire Exit. On a ramp there is no requirement to provide tactile paving. Blister paving provides a warning to visually impaired people to enable them to differentiate between where the foot way ends and carriageway begins. b) To review management of fire evacuation procedures concerning visitors.

16.0 REFERENCES

Building Regulations Approved Document Part M Designing for Accessibility CAE Barrier Free Design James Holmes-Siedle Design Guide for the use of Colour and Contrast ICI Dulux plc Project Rainbow University of Reading 17.0 PRIORITISED LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Estimated cost bandings

Band A Suggestions can be implemented at no additional cost Band B estimated cost of works under £500 Band C estimated cost of works over £500

The Property Department (Contact Andy Green) have agreed to cost out all recommendations.

17.0 PRIORITISED SCHEDULE OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Problem Recommendation Priority Cost band 3.0 Approach Raised pedestrian refugeRemoval by of raised pedestrian refugeEssential B crossing point outside Councilto provide level access across Offices. carriageway Lack of nosings, tactile paving,Provision of additional hand rail,Essential step B and second hand rail by nosings and tactile paving (corderoy stepped approach to stafftype) on stepped approach to building car park Damaged paving slabs Replacement of broken paving DesirableB (to be incorporated within maintenance schedule) 4.0 Car ParkingLack of designated car Provision of designated car parkingEssential B parking bays for disabledbays staff for disabled staff minimum dimensions of 4800mm x 3200mm Preferably 3600mm. Clearly marked Access from the existingIncrease width of existing bay byDesirable C Disabled car parking baydropping the kerb along the whole length of parking bay Mark out bays to ensure adequate space is left to allow access to rear of vehicle Repair surface between carriageway and parking bay. 5.0 External Access to staff entrance To improve access to staff entranceEssential C Access by providing a ramped approach with a gradient of 1:15, with level area/ platform by the door minimum dimensions of 1200mm. To ensure that the drop kerb has a flush finish. 6.0 ReceptionRoutes to cash office andTo lack look at reception area to improveEssential A 6.0 Areas of of circulation space and improve routes of adequate circulation space in ground floor reception area. Lack of suitable seating forProvision of seating with a seat heightDesirableB People with limited mobilityof at least 46cm Information carousels To centralise all information displaysEssential A sited throughout receptionand carousels. potential hazard for people with visual impairment Second floor reception counterProvision of a proportion of counterEssential on B too high for wheelchair accesssecond floor reception to be lower for wheelchair access (height of 750mm- 800mm) Highly reflective sign at Replacement of sign with non DesirableB Ground floor reception reflective surface Difficulty with communicationProvision of aids to communicationEssential C at both reception and cashi.e. induction loop office counters. Staff to be trained in the use of BSL 7.0 Areas Counter height at Cash officeOne booth at both cash office Essential C accessed by and Housing Benefit Advice(dependent on whether a security Public Centre has no lower heightrisk) and housing benefit advice centre 7.0 suitable for people using toa have a lower counter (height of 750 wheelchair. mm - 800mm) Lack of appropriate aids Toto improve communication betweenEssential B assist with communicationCashier and customer by provision of at cash office for people egwith induction loop visual /hearing impairments.Installation of an audible/ visual Desirable Indicator indicating which booth is free Lack of tonal contrast in Tothe improve the tonal contrast toLong termC Council Chamber assist with orientation within the Council Chamber for people with a visual impairment. Reference Dulux Design Guide Difficult access to Public Ensure area by phone kept clearEssential A Telephone except for seat 8.0 HorizontalStorage of equipment in Ensure corridors kept clear Essential A Circulation corridors Health and safety issue 9.0 Vertical Lift requires improvementsImprovements required to lift include: Circulation to improve accessibility Suitable tactile and visual indicationEssential C adjacent to the lift call button on each landing, Hand rail to be continuous insideDesirable the lift Essential Call panel to be more distinguishable from backgroundEssential Improve access to the emergency Telephone and ensure colour contrasted against background

10.0 Internal Lack of adequate door widthEnlarge door opening to meet Essential B doors to first aid room minimum requirements or relocate First aid room to more suitable location Door pressure on some doorsDoor closures to be checked to ensureDesirableA Required some force a maximum force of 25-30 Newtons To be incorporated as part of Maintenance schedule. Lack of colour contrast Improved colour contrast betweenLong TermC between door and door Doors and door furniture furniture Reference Dulux Design Guide 11.0 Toilet andOnly one accessible toiletProvision in of second accessible toiletEssential C Shower facilitieswhole building on 1st /2nd floor Minor alterations to accessibleTo improve accessible toilet by: toilet Provision of alarm Essential B Grab rail and door handle to be Essentialcolour B contrasted Hand dryer to be repositioned closerDesirable to B basin away from transfer space Floor to be non slip Long termB Shower area has poor When redecorated to include goodLong termC colour contrast, lack of colour contrast between floors and Grab rails and high step intowalls and to improve access remove Shower area. step to provide level access. 12.0 Signage Some areas of concern Ensure consistency of signage DesirableB regarding Signage Replace ground floor reception sign to sign with non reflective surface Provide sign indicating location of lift on grounfl ground floor

To ensure that no sign is obscured Discourage D-I-Y signage (To be incorporated as part of maintenance schedule) 13.0 Acoustics/Lack of rooms/spaces fittedIncrease no: of rooms fitted withDesirable aids B lighting/ with Induction loops to communication decoration Reception areas fitted with InductionEssential Loops (previously mentioned) Ensure Induction loop in CouncilEssential A Chamber is in working order Lack of colour/tonal contrastWhen refurbishment takes placeLong to termC in main areas to assist peopleensure improved colour/tonal contrast with visual impairment withbetween doors, floors and walls. orientation. 14.0 Special Restrictive access to firstTo aid enlarge doorway to first aid roomEssential B rooms room as only clear openingMinimum width 750mm good practice width of 670mm Suggests 800mm preferably 900mm 15.0 Mean Bollard by Council chamberTo remove bollard by fire exit Essential B s of fire exit Escape Tactile paving on ramp To remove tactile paving DesirableB Management of visitors withTo review procedures Essential A Disabilities for fire evacuation Appendix B Problem Priorit Cost Complete Comment Recommendation y ban d 3.0 Approach Raised pedestrian Removal of raised Essenti B Fully refuge by pedestrian refuge al compliant crossing point to provide level outside Council access across Offices. carriageway YES Lack of nosings, Provision of Essenti B programmed tactile paving, additional hand al within future and second hand rail, step nosings works rail by stepped and tactile paving approach to staff (corderoy type) on car park stepped approach on going to building works Damaged paving Replacement of Desirab B DDA Parking slabs broken paving (to le provision is be incorporated complete within maintenance general schedule) maintainance 4.0 Car Parking Lack of Provision of Essenti B YES Compliant designated car designated car al parking bays for parking bays for disabled staff disabled staff minimum dimensions of 4800mm x 3200mm Preferably 3600mm. Clearly marked

Access from the Increase width of Desirab C Compliant existing Disabled existing bay by le car parking bay dropping the kerb along the whole length of parking bay Mark out bays to ensure adequate space is left to allow access to rear of vehicle Repair surface between carriageway and parking bay. YES 5.0 External Access Access to staff To improve access Essenti C in progress on going entrance to staff entrance al scheduled discussion 2006 by providing a with property ramped approach to ensure with a gradient of long term 1:15, with level compliance in area/platform by accordance the door minimum with planned dimensions of works 1200mm. To ensure that the drop kerb has a flush finish.

6.0 Reception Routes to cash To look at Essenti A compliant Areas office and lack of reception area to al and adequate improve circulation maintained circulation space space and improve in ground floor routes reception area. YES Lack of suitable Provision of Desirab B appropriate seating for People seating with a seat le seating is with limited height of at least now available mobility 46cm YES Information To centralise all Essenti A carousels sited information al throughout displays and reception carousels. potential hazard information is for people with now sited at visual impairment YES perimeter walls Second floor Provision of a Essenti B reception counter proportion of al too high for counter on second wheelchair floor reception to access be lower for wheelchair access (height of 750mm- 800mm) YES removed Highly reflective Replacement of Desirab B Compliant sign at Ground sign with non le floor reception reflective surface YES Difficulty with Provision of aids to Essenti C Difficulties communication at communication i.e. al indicated with loop under both reception induction loop Staff Induction investigation and cash office to be trained in the loop fitted. more suitable counters. use of BSL Portable portable loop for available concideration 7.0 Areas accessed by Counter height at One booth at both Essenti C Public Cash office and cash office al Housing Benefit (dependent on Advice Centre whether a security has no lower risk) and housing height suitable benefit advice for people using a centre to have a wheelchair. lower counter (height of 750mm - investigate 800mm) status Lack of To improve Essenti B appropriate aids communication al to assist with between Cashier desirab communication at and customer by le cash office for provision of eg Difficulties people with visual induction loop indicated with /hearing Installation of an loop under impairments. audible/ visual investigation more suitable Indicator indicating investigate portable loop for which booth is free status concideration Lack of tonal To improve the Long C contrast in the tonal contrast to term Council Chamber assist with orientation within the Council Chamber for people with a Property visual impairment. requested refurbishment as Reference Dulux investigate yet funds not Design Guide status available Difficult access to Ensure area by Essenti A Public Telephone phone kept clear al management except for seat resolved issue 8.0 Horizontal Storage of Ensure corridors Essenti A Circulation equipment in kept clear Health al corridors and safety issue resolved 9.0 Vertical Lift requires Improvements Essenti C Circulation improvements to required to lift al improve include:Suitable Desirab accessibility tactile and visual le indication adjacent Essenti to the lift call al button on each Essenti landing, Hand rail al to be continuous inside the lift Call panel to be more mirror to be distinguishable installed and handrail from background continued round Improve access to further sides. the emergency Understand Telephone and significant cost ensure colour implications and pending contrasted against resolved in management background main decision 10.0 Internal doors Lack of adequate Enlarge door Essenti B door width to first opening to meet al aid room minimum requirements or relocate First aid room to more non further review suitable location compliant pending Door pressure on Door closures to be Desirab A some doors checked to ensure le Required some a maximum force force of 25-30 Newtons new To be incorporated legislation as part of governing opening at Maintenance 30 and 60 further review schedule. degree pending Lack of colour Improved colour Long C contrast between contrast between Term door and door Doors and door furniture furniture Reference Dulux Design further review Guide on going pending 11.0 Toilet and Only one Provision of second Essenti C Shower facilities accessible toilet accessible toilet on al no practical in whole building 1st /2nd floor solution at further review this time pending Minor alterations To improve Essenti All B to accessible accessible toilet al toilet by:Provision of Essenti alarm Grab rail and al door handle to be Desirab colour contrasted le Long Hand dryer to be term repositioned closer to basin away from transfer space further review Floor to be non slip on going pending Shower area has When redecorated Long C poor colour to include good term contrast, lack of colour contrast Grab rails and between floors and high step into walls and to Shower area. improve access remove step to provide level further review access. on going pending 12.0 Signage Some areas of Ensure consistency Desirab B concern of signage Replace le regarding ground floor Signage reception sign to sign with non reflective surface Provide sign indicating location further review of lift on grounfloor on going pending To ensure that no sign is obscured Discourage D-I-Y signage (To be incorporated as part of maintenance further review schedule) complete pending 13.0 Lack of Increase no: of B Acoustics/lighting/dec rooms/spaces rooms fitted with A oration fitted with aids to Induction loops communication Reception areas problem identified and fitted with currently being Induction Loops investigated for (previously appropriate mentioned) Ensure replacement. Induction loop in Temporary portable Council Chamber is induction loop in working order on going available Lack of When Long C colour/tonal refurbishment term contrast in main takes place to areas to assist ensure improved people with visual colour/tonal impairment with contrast between orientation. doors, floors and further review walls. on going required 14.0 Special rooms Restrictive access To enlarge Essenti B to first aid room doorway to first aid al as only clear room Minimum opening width of width 750mm good 670mm practice Suggests 800mm preferably further review 900mm on going required 15.0 Means of Bollard by Council To remove bollard Essenti B Compliant Escape chamber fire exit by fire exit al complete Tactile paving on To remove tactile Desirab B on going ramp paving le Management of To review Essenti A visitors with procedures al Disabilities for further review fire evacuation required

A Full DDA Survey Audit of Market Street Council Offices is Planned for the End of February 2006

Approximately £50,000 work have been carried out on Market Street Offices over the last 5 years

The £26,000 planned to resolve the rear access DDA issues and offer automated access is imminent and work in progress.

Following our revisit of DDA Audit a further £25,000 work is likely to be recommended.