BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE 3 PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

Hong Kong Regulations

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BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE 3

PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

(Past version on 06/30/1997).

[regulation 72]

1. Interpretation

For the purpose of this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires-
"building intended to be used by the public" (擬供公眾使用的建築物) means a building the whole or any part of which the public or a section of the public has or may reasonably be expected to have access.

PART I

2. Auditorium

(1) There shall be provided in the auditorium of every building which is a place of public entertainment a spectator level with unobstructed line of vision providing not less than 4 wheelchair spaces.
(2) Where the auditorium has more than 400 fixed seats, 2 wheelchair spaces shall be provided for every 400 fixed seats or part of 400 fixed seats.
(3) The spaces shall be grouped into numbers of not less than 4 and shall not be separated from the seats for other audiences.
(4) For the purpose of this section, a wheelchair space is a rectangle of 800 mm x 1.3 m with a side of 800 mm facing toward the stage, podium or screen.

3. Hotels

(1) There shall be provided in a hotel not less than 2 guest rooms with full facilities for persons with a disability.
(2) A hotel with more than 100 guest rooms shall provide for every 100 guest rooms or part of 100 guest rooms 2 guest rooms with full facilities for persons with a disability.
(3) For the purpose of this section, a hotel includes a hostel and a guest-house.

4. Access

(1) Access shall be provided from a point or points on the lot boundary which is accessible from a public street or pedestrian way, directly to-

(a) at least one entrance which is commonly used by the public; or

(b) a point directly adjacent to one entrance which is commonly used by the public,

and to a lift. (L.N. 333 of 1997)
(2) Where car parking is provided, at least one car parking space shall be reserved for persons with a disability and such space shall be accessible to at least one entrance and to a lift.
(3) Access shall be free from steps, kerbs other than dropped kerbs, steep ramps, doors or doorways which will impede the passage of a wheelchair, or other form of barrier which would prevent access by a person with a disability.

5. Ramps

At changes in level other than when served by a lift or at kerbs, there shall be a ramp. Ramps shall be designed as follows-

(a) ramps shall be not less than 1.05 m in width;

(b) a space of not less than 1.5 m x 1.5 m shall be provided at the head and foot of every ramp;

(d) where a ramp is at a gradient of 1 in 20 or steeper (but not steeper than 1 in 12), a landing of not less than 1.2 m long shall be provided for each 10 m length of horizontal run or part thereof;

(e) any ramp with a rise more than 200 mm, leading down towards an area where vehicular traffic is possible, shall have a railing or barrier across the full width of its lower end, not less than 1.5 m from the foot of the ramp;

(f) ramps shall be provided with handrails on both sides;

(g) raised directional signs shall be provided on handrails mentioned in paragraph (f) in places which directional signs exist;

(h) tactile warning strips shall be provided at the head and foot of a ramp;

(i) the floor and wall along ramps shall be in contrasting colours;

(j) no appliances, fixtures or fittings shall project more than 90 mm from the surface of any wall below a level of 2 m above the ramp level unless they are unavoidable, in which case they shall also be extended downwards to the ramp level or be guided by tactile flooring materials.

6. Dropped Kerbs

(1) Changes in level at kerbs shall be by a dropped kerb.
(2) Dropped kerbs shall be provided at pedestrian crossings and at each end of the footpaths of a private street or access road.
(3) Kerbs separating footpaths or ramps from vehicular areas shall also be dropped kerbs.
(4) Dropped kerbs shall be constructed as follows-

(a) dropped kerbs shall be not less than 1.2 m in length and 1.28 m in width;

(b) dropped kerbs shall be ramped at a gradient not steeper than 1 in 6 and there shall be a space not less than 800 mm long behind the dropped kerbs;

(d) a 10 mm level change shall be provided at every interface of dropped kerbs and vehicular areas.

7. Steps and Staircases

(1) Staircases of a building shall-

(a) be constructed with treads not less than 225 mm in width (measured at the centre of the flight) from the face of one riser to the face of the next riser and with risers not more than 175 mm in height;

(b) have not more than 16 steps in any flight without the introduction of a landing;

(d) be provided with non-slip nosing in contrasting colour.

(2) Tactile warning strips shall be provided at landings and at both bottom and top ends of a staircase.
(3) Treads and walls of a staircase shall be in contrasting colours.
(4) No appliances, fixtures or fittings shall project more than 90 mm from the surface of any wall in a staircase below a level of 2 m above the treads of the staircase unless they are unavoidable, in which case they shall also be extended downwards to the level of the treads or be guided by tactile flooring materials.
(5) Raised directional signs shall be provided on handrails mentioned in subsection (1)(c) in places where directional signs exist.

8. Handrails

(1) Handrails to ramps and steps shall be fixed not less than 30 mm and not more than 50 mm clear of walls and with a clear height of 70 mm from the top of the bracket to the top of the handrail.
(2) The top of a handrail shall be at a height of not less than 850 mm and not more than 950 mm above any nosing, floor or landing.
(3) Handrails shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the first and last nosings of every flight of steps or beyond the ends of a ramp.
(4) Handrails shall be installed to resist a load of not less than 1.3 kN applied vertically or horizontally.
(5) Handrails shall not rotate within their fixing fittings.
(6) Handrails, in section, shall be-

(a) if tubular, not less than 32 mm and not more than 40 mm in external diameter;

(b) in any other case, such as to afford to the user a grip analogous to that specified in the case of tubular handrails.

9. Corridors, Lobbies, Paths

(1) Space shall be allowed for manoeuvering wheelchairs in corridors, lobbies, paths and similar areas as follows-

(a) the area shall have a clear width of not less than 1.05 m;

(b) a space not less than 1.5 m x 1.5 m shall be provided at or within 3.5 m of every dead end;

(d) a level area, extending not less than 1.2 m beyond the swings of the doors and not less than 1.5 m in width shall be provided on both sides of every entrance of a building.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to lobbies which lead only to staircases.
(3) On footpaths-

(a) covers to a channel shall be flush with the surface of the footpath; and

(b) any hole in such cover or between such covers shall have a dimension of not more than 20 mm.

(4) No appliances, fixtures or fittings shall project more than 90 mm from the surface of any wall in corridors, lobbies and paths below a level of 2 m above the finished floor level unless they are unavoidable, in which case they shall also be extended downwards to the finished floor level or be guided by tactile flooring materials.
(5) For turnstile controlled passages accessible to the public, there shall be at least one turnstile which is not less than 800 mm in width for the use by wheelchair users and clearly marked as such, unless an alternative passage is provided.
(6) For the purpose of this section, "dead end" (盡頭處) means a corridor, lobby or path where the means of exit for persons with a disability is in one direction only.

10. Doors

(1) Doors, including one leaf of a pair of double doors, shall have a clear width of not less than 750 mm between the open door and opposite jamb or the other leaf.
(2) The unobstructed area adjacent to the door handle on the leading face of a single door shall be not less than 380 mm in width.
(3) Doors, if less than 380 mm from the corner of a room, shall swing from the side nearer that corner.
(4) Double-action self-closing doors shall have a check mechanism to prevent the doors swinging beyond the closed position and a transparent panel with a bottom edge not more than 1 m and the top edge not less than 1.5 m above the finished floor level.
(5) Door handles shall be not less than 950 mm and not more than 1.05 m above the finished floor level, measured from the top surface of the grip.
(6) Door thresholds shall be not more than 25 mm in height and shall be bevelled to facilitate passage of wheelchairs.
(7) Door closing devices, including door closers, spring hinges and floor hinges, shall be designed to allow exterior and interior doors to be opened with forces of not more than 30 N and 22 N respectively.
(8) Closers for interior doors shall have a closing period of at least 3 seconds measured from an open position of 70⁰to a point 75 mm from the closed position measured from the leading edge of the door.
(9) In a building intended to be used by the public, no frameless glass door shall be used unless unavoidable, in which case it shall be prominently marked so as to make them visible.

11. Toilet and Water Closet Cubicles

Number of water closet cubicles
(1) The minimum number of water closet cubicles for persons with a disability on each floor, or on that part of a floor designed for access by those persons, shall be-

(a) where the total number of water closets provided on that floor or on that part of a floor is 20 or less, one; and

(b) where the total number of water closets provided on that floor or on that part of a floor exceeds 20, 2.

(2) When water closet cubicles for persons with a disability are accessible through a room with multiple cubicles, the minimum number of such cubicles for each sex shall be based on the number of water closets for each sex on that floor level or on that part of a floor level designed for access by persons with a disability.
(3) The water closet cubicles required by this Schedule shall be deemed to be included in the number of soil fitments required under the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap. 123 sub. leg.) and Part VII of the Education Regulations (Cap. 279 sub. leg.).

Location of water closet cubicles
(4) Water closet cubicles for persons with a disability shall be accessible-

(a) directly from a public corridor which complies with section 9; and

(b) when situated within a room containing other water closet cubicles, through a clear space not less than 1.5 m x 1.5 m immediately in front of the cubicle to allow manoeuvrability or by direct approach where no turning of the wheelchair is necessary.

Design of water closet cubicles
(5) A water closet cubicle for persons with a disability shall be not less than 1.5 m x 1.75 m in area and-

(a) the cubicle shall have in it a water closet at a height not less than 450 mm and not more than 475 mm, measured to the top of the toilet seat;

(b) the water closet shall be equipped with a back support such as a seat lid and the seat shall not be spring-actuated;

(c) the flushing control shall be mounted on the wide side of the cubicle at a height not less than 600 mm and not more than 1.05 m above the finished floor level and shall be hand-operated or automatic;

(d) the hand-operated flushing control shall be capable of being operated with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist;

(e) the operating force required in respect of the hand-operated flushing control shall be not more than 22 N;

(f) the cubicle shall be provided with a wash basin mounted with the rim not higher than 750 mm above the finished floor level and a clearance of 550 mm shall be maintained from the finished floor level to the bottom of the apron;

(g) taps for wash basin in the cubicle shall be automatic or of lever control type without spring loading, subject to the approval of the Water Authority;

(h) taps which are of lever control type shall be capable of being operated without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist;

(i) the operating force required in respect of the taps mentioned in paragraph (h) shall be not greater than 22 N.

(6) No coin box shall be affixed to the door of the cubicle.
(7) Any door fastening shall be capable of being operated from the outside in the event of an emergency.
(8) There shall be at least 2 handrails-

(a) which shall be not less than 32 mm and not more than 40 mm in external diameter; and

(b) each of these handrails shall be fixed on the wall leaving a grip space of not less than 30 mm clear of that wall. (L.N. 333 of 1997)

(9) There shall be one handrail which shall be-

(a) not less than 32 mm and not more than 40 mm in external diameter; and

(b) fixed on the surface of the door of the cubicle which faces the inside of the cubicle and leaving a grip space of not less than 30 mm clear of that surface. (L.N. 333 of 1997)

(10) There shall be one folding rail on the wide side of the cubicle adjacent to the water closet at a height of 750 mm above the finished floor level when lowered from the wall. (L.N. 333 of 1997)
(11) The handrails, folding rail and wash basin referred to in this section shall be capable of carrying a static load of 150 kg. (L.N. 333 of 1997)
(12) An emergency call bell shall be provided in the cubicle in accordance with section 13. (L.N. 333 of 1997)
(13) This section shall not apply to a domestic building or the domestic part of a composite building. (L.N. 333 of 1997)

12. Signs

General design requirements
(1) Signs shall be erected to indicate clearly the exact locations of facilities available for use by persons with a disability.
(2) Signs shall be identified by international symbols, in respect of access, for persons with a disability.
(3) The symbols mentioned in subsection (2) shall be white on a blue background and be used for the purposes of identifying, advertising or signifying-

(a) accessible entrances to the building;

(b) accessible exits from the building;

(d) the location of toilets for persons with a disability.

(4) Signs shall be not less than the following sizes-

Height 60 mm for doors

110 mm for corridors

200 mm for external use

Length to be in multiple units of height.

(5) Where there is regular public announcement for persons inside a building intended to be used by the public in respect of matters relating to the purpose of their entry, a visual display board shall be provided in a conspicuous place in the building for displaying the information so announced.

Special design requirements to assist persons with
visual or hearing impairment in a building
intended to be used by the public
(6) Where layout plans showing the main entrances, toilets and major common facilities are available for the use of the public in a building intended to be used by the public, braille and tactile layout plans showing the same shall also be provided in a conspicuous place in that building.
(7) Tactile guide path to lift zones and functional areas shall be provided.
(8) International signs shall be provided to indicate the provision of induction loop system referred to in section 16, if any, for persons with hearing impairment. (L.N. 333 of 1997)
(9) Tactile sign indicating whether a toilet is for male or female use shall be installed either on the toilet door or on the adjacent wall.

13. Emergency Call Bells in Toilets for Persons with a Disability

(1) An emergency call bell shall be equipped with a waterproof push button for activating the bell.
(2) The emergency call bell push button shall be conveniently accessible and located at a height of 600 mm above the finished floor level.
(3) Call annunciation shall be provided by a call bell outside the toilet or a buzzer in the caretaker's office, where appropriate.
(4) A notice with the words "Emergency Call" and "緊急叫喚" shall be fitted next to the emergency call bell push button.

14. Lifts

(1) Access Requirements

Access shall be provided to every floor of the building by at least one lift which shall comply with the following requirements-

Lift car

(a) A lift shall have-

(i) internal car dimensions of not less than 1.2 m x 1.1 m wide, with a clear door width of not less than 750 mm; and

(ii) handrails extending to within 150 mm of the corners at the rear and sides of the car which are suitable for use by persons with a disability.

Lift control buttons

(b) Essential lift control buttons (including emergency alarm push button, controls to activate intercom, and door opening push button) in the lift car and the lift call buttons at the lift hall shall be not less than 900 mm and not more than 1.2 m above the floor of the car or the finished floor level of the lift hall, where appropriate.

(d) Braille and tactile markings shall be in the form of Arabic numerals or symbols or both.

(e) Tactile markings shall have a dimension of not less than 15 mm in height and be raised not less than 1 mm.

(f) The emergency alarm push button shall be in tactile bell shape.

(2) Indication and notification for lifts

Lift entrance or hall

(a) An illuminated visual indicator and an audible signal shall be provided at the lift entrance to indicate the lift car arrival and its direction of travel.

(b) The audible signal shall sound once for UP direction and twice for DOWN direction, and shall activate before the arrival of the lift.

(c) Braille and tactile floor designations shall be provided, in the form of Arabic numerals, on the jambs on both sides of each lift entrance.

(d) The Arabic numerals mentioned in paragraph (c) shall be not less than 60 mm in height, and shall be raised not less than 1 mm and at 1.2 m above the finished floor level.

Lift car

(e) Illuminated visual indicators shall be provided to indicate the direction of travel and the car position.

(f) Characters on the position indicator shall have a dimension of not less than 50 mm in height.

(g) A verbal annunciation (in English and Cantonese) shall be provided to indicate the stopping floor.

Identification of lifts in lift lobby

(h) Where a building contains lifts other than those comply with this Schedule, each of those lifts that do comply with this Schedule shall be identified at each landing served, by not fewer than one international symbols, in respect of access, for persons with a disability.

(i) Where all the lifts in a building comply with this Schedule (including a building with only one lift), at least one international symbol, in respect of access, for persons with a disability shall be provided at each lift lobby where entry to the building can be gained.

15. Public Service Counters

If there are public service counters in a building intended to be used by the public, at least one of those counters shall be not higher than 750 mm above the finished floor level.

16. Induction loop system

(1) An induction loop system shall be provided-

(a) at at least one of the information counters, if any, in a building intended to be used by the public;

(b) in the public hall, if any, of such a building; and

(2) For the purpose of this section, induction loop system is a system which enables a person, who is standing within the loop area and using a hearing-aid device, to pick up sound from a sound source, by means of an induction loop amplifier, without being disturbed by the noise from the surroundings.
(3) For the purpose of this section, an information counter in a building intended to be used by the public is any part in such building-

(a) where the public or a section of the public is likely to approach to seek information; and

(b) where such information is expected to be provided in an audible form. (L.N. 333 of 1997)

PART II

BUILDINGS WHERE LIMITED FACILITIES FOR PERSONS WITH
A DISABILITY ARE TO BE PROVIDED

Category of building	Extent of the application of regulation 72
1. Domestic buildings.	-All common areas of such buildings of more than 4 storeys. -Main entrance and common area of the ground floor and means of access thereto for such buildings which do not exceed 4 storeys.
2. Composite buildings.	-Non-domestic parts of such buildings. -All common areas of the domestic parts of such buildings, if the domestic parts exceed 4 storeys. -Main entrance and common area of the ground floor and means of access thereto, if the domestic parts do not exceed 4 storeys.
3. Buildings which are places of public entertainment.	-The area of the main foyer. -The spectator level in the auditorium provided in accordance with section 2 of Part I and means of access thereto. -Toilets for use by the public.
4. Public swimming pools, gymnasia, games halls and sports stadia.	Areas include any swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets and other facilities open to the public, and the means of access thereto.
5. Hotels.	-Public areas and means of access thereto. -Rooms for persons with a disability provided in accordance with section 3 of Part I and means of access thereto.

(L.N. 239 of 1997)

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