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BSI PD CEN/TR 17621:2021

$215.11

Accessibility and usability of the built environment. Technical performance criteria and specifications

Published By Publication Date Number of Pages
BSI 2021 238
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This document has been developed to support EN 17210, “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements”. This document provides and exemplifies technical performance criteria and specifications for an accessible and usable built environment, following the Design for All/Universal design principles. The document specifies what is necessary to align with these principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users.

The technical performance criteria and specifications are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment and can be used as criteria for awarding public contracts (in support of the Public Procurement Directives).

These technical performance criteria and specifications are specifically applicable to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of public or public-use environments including external areas.

Alternatively, national standards and regulations can determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of EN 17210.

NOTE 1 Design for All and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. Universal Design means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed (UN CRPD).

NOTE 2 Terms such as “design for all”, “universal design”, “accessible design”, “barrier-free design”, “inclusive design” and “transgenerational design” are often used interchangeably with the same meaning

PDF Catalog

PDF Pages PDF Title
2 undefined
9 1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
10 4 Legal and policy background and associated benefits
5 Diversity of users and design considerations
6 Wayfinding
6.1 Wayfinding, orientation and navigation
6.1.1 Rationale
6.1.2 General
6.2 Wayfinding information
6.2.1 Rationale
6.2.2 General
11 6.3 Visual contrast
6.3.1 Rationale
6.3.2 General
14 6.3.3 Achieving and maintaining visual contrast
6.3.4 Lighting and wayfinding
6.3.5 Visual indicators on glazing
6.3.5.1 Rationale
6.3.5.2 General
16 6.4 Tactile information
6.4.1 Rationale
6.4.2 General
17 6.4.3 Tactile floor surfaces
6.4.3.1 Rationale
6.4.3.2 Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI)
20 6.4.4 Tactile maps, models and floor plans
21 6.5 Audible information and hearing enhancement
6.5.1 Rationale
6.5.2 General
6.5.3 Hearing enhancement
22 6.6 Signage
6.6.1 Rationale
6.6.2 General
6.6.3 Placement of signs
6.6.4 Placement of signs in the outdoor environment
24 6.6.5 Placement of signs in buildings
6.6.6 Height of signs
25 6.6.7 Font and size of lettering
26 6.6.8 Visual contrast in signs
6.6.9 Illumination of signs
6.6.10 Sign content
6.6.11 Provision of raised tactile and Braille signs
27 6.6.12 Information displays
6.7 Graphical symbols
6.7.1 Rationale
6.7.2 General
6.7.3 Design
28 7 Access in the outdoor environment
7.1 Accessible routes
7.1.1 Rationale
7.1.2 General
7.1.3 Signage, orientation and wayfinding
29 7.1.4 Step-free accessible routes
7.1.5 Surface of accessible routes
30 7.1.6 Width of accessible routes
32 7.1.7 Passing place for users of wheeled mobility devices
33 7.1.8 Turning space for users of wheeled mobility devices
7.1.9 Drainage of accessible routes
7.1.10 Headroom on accessible routes
7.1.11 Handrails for support and guidance
7.1.12 Guarding along accessible routes
35 7.1.13 Visual contrast on accessible routes
7.1.14 Lighting on accessible routes
36 7.1.15 Obstacles on an accessible route
37 7.1.16 Resting places on accessible routes
38 7.1.17 Nature trails
7.2 Street furniture
7.2.1 Rationale
7.2.2 General
39 7.2.3 Provision
7.2.4 Location
7.2.5 Contrast
7.2.6 Bus stops
40 7.2.7 Outdoor refreshment areas
7.2.8 Bollards
7.2.9 Perimeter protection
7.2.10 Support for orientation and wayfinding
7.3 Pedestrian crossings
7.3.1 Rationale
7.3.2 General types of pedestrian crossings
7.3.2.1 General
7.3.2.2 Controlled pedestrian crossings
41 7.3.2.3 Signal controlled pedestrian crossings
7.3.2.4 Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings
42 7.3.3 Location and visibility of pedestrian crossings
7.3.4 Pedestrian crossing width
7.3.5 Level access at kerb ramps and raised pedestrian crossings
44 7.3.6 Raised road pedestrian crossings
7.3.7 Lighting, traffic lights and contrast at pedestrian crossings
45 7.3.8 Audible and tactile signals at pedestrian crossings
7.3.9 Surfaces at pedestrian crossings
46 7.3.10 Pedestrian refuge islands
7.3.11 Drainage
7.3.12 Guard railing at pedestrian crossings
7.3.13 Vehicle entry/exit points
7.4 Squares and plazas
7.4.1 Rationale
7.4.2 General
7.4.3 Pedestrian routes in squares and plazas
47 7.4.4 Seating and rest elements in squares and plazas
7.5 ‘Shared Space’ design approach
7.5.1 Rationale
7.5.2 General
7.5.3 Gateway to a ‘Shared Space’
7.5.4 Design to promote pedestrian priority
7.5.5 Provision of comfort zones
48 7.5.6 Paving material
7.5.7 Pedestrian crossings
7.6 Plantings
7.6.1 Rationale
7.6.2 Positioning
7.6.3 Guarding
49 7.6.4 Planting height
7.6.5 Plant selection
7.7 Pedestrian bridges and underpasses
7.7.1 Rationale
7.7.2 Location
7.7.3 Approaches to pedestrian bridges and underpasses
7.7.4 Design of pedestrian bridges and underpasses
50 7.7.5 Lighting on pedestrian bridges and in underpasses
8 Arrival and departure areas – Parking areas
8.1 Rationale
8.2 Boarding points/Set-down points
51 8.3 Location of designated accessible parking spaces
8.4 Number of designated accessible parking spaces
52 8.5 Design of designated accessible parking space
53 8.6 Pedestrian paths in car parks
8.7 Signage of designated parking spaces
54 8.8 Access from parking space to an adjacent higher pedestrian path
8.9 Surface
8.10 Indoor parking
8.11 Cycle parking
8.11.1 Rationale
8.11.2 General
9 Horizontal circulation in buildings
9.1 Entrances
9.1.1 Rationale
9.1.2 General
55 9.1.3 Identification and location
9.1.4 Floor level at the entrance
57 9.1.5 Circulation space at the entrance
58 9.1.6 Width and clear height of the entrance doorway
9.1.7 Floor and ground surfaces at entrances
59 9.1.8 Lighting of entrances
9.1.9 Provision of information
9.1.10 Main entrance door types
9.1.11 Security and entry systems
9.1.12 Hazard protection
60 9.1.13 Turnstiles and gates
9.1.14 Entrance lobbies and vestibules
9.2 Corridors and passageways
9.2.1 Rationale
9.2.2 General
9.2.3 Signage, orientation and wayfinding
61 9.2.4 Level access
9.2.5 Width of corridors
9.2.6 Turning space for users of wheeled mobility devices
62 9.2.7 Passing places for users of wheeled mobility devices
9.2.8 Projections into corridors and passageways
63 9.2.9 Doors opening into corridors
9.2.10 Doors across corridors
9.2.11 Headroom of corridors
9.2.12 Floor and wall surfaces of corridors
9.2.13 Visual contrast
64 9.2.14 Lighting in corridors and passageways
9.2.15 Evacuation routes via corridors
9.3 Doors
9.3.1 Rationale
9.3.2 Side clearance and manoeuvring space at doors
9.3.3 Clear width of doors
65 9.3.4 Clear height of doors
9.3.5 Two doors in series
9.3.6 Threshold
9.3.7 Operating force
9.3.8 Door hardware and controls
67 9.3.9 Viewing panels in doors
9.3.10 Visual contrast
9.3.11 Glazed doors and panels
9.3.12 Automatic opening and powered swing doors
68 9.3.13 Automatic sliding or folding doors
9.3.14 Revolving doors
69 9.3.15 Fire resisting doors
9.4 Windows
9.4.1 Rationale
9.4.2 Positioning of windows
70 9.4.3 Height of the window
9.4.4 Window and window shutters hardware
71 9.4.5 Operating force for manually operated windows
9.4.6 Restriction on opening and hazard protection
9.5 Patios, balconies, terraces
9.5.1 Rationale
9.5.2 General
72 9.5.3 Furniture and plantings
9.5.4 Railings and guards
9.6 Surface finishes and materials
9.6.1 Rationale
9.6.2 Surfaces of outdoor accessible routes, areas and paved surfaces
73 9.6.3 Floor surfaces of indoor spaces
9.6.4 Wall materials and surfaces
9.6.5 Surfaces and wayfinding
74 9.6.6 Carpets, mats and carpet tiles
9.6.7 Protective flooring systems
9.6.8 Ease of maintenance and cleaning
9.6.9 Surface materials and finishes for health and safety of users
75 10 Vertical circulation in buildings and outdoors
10.1 Ramps
10.1.1 Rationale
10.1.2 General
10.1.3 Approaches to ramps
10.1.4 Gradient and length of ramp
78 10.1.5 Width
10.1.6 Landings
79 10.1.7 Handrails for support and guidance
10.1.8 Edge protection
10.1.9 Guarding
80 10.1.10 Surface of a ramp
81 10.1.11 Lighting
10.1.12 Outdoor ramps
10.1.13 Indoor ramps
10.2 Steps and stairs
10.2.1 Rationale
10.2.2 General
10.2.3 Rise and going of steps
83 10.2.4 Minimum width of stair flights
10.2.5 Staircase landings
10.2.6 Head clearance
10.2.7 Visual and tactile warnings
85 10.2.8 Lighting
10.2.9 Guarding along stairs
10.2.10 Handrails
10.2.11 Outdoor steps
10.2.12 Indoor stairs
10.3 Handrails
10.3.1 Rationale
10.3.2 General
86 10.3.3 Provision of handrails
10.3.4 Height of handrails
88 10.3.5 Profile of handrails
89 10.3.6 Visual contrast
10.3.7 Provision of information
90 10.4 Lifts
10.4.1 Rationale
10.4.2 General
91 10.4.3 Inner dimensions of cars
94 10.4.4 Car entrance – Door opening
95 10.4.5 Equipment in the car – Handrail
96 10.4.6 Equipment in the car – Seat
10.4.7 Equipment in the car – Device to observe obstacles
10.4.8 Floor and wall surfaces of the car
97 10.4.9 Lighting
10.4.10 Alarm system and communication
10.4.11 Stopping/levelling accuracy
10.4.12 Control devices and indicators
101 10.5 Vertical and inclined lifting platforms
10.5.1 Rationale
10.5.2 Vertical lifting platforms
103 10.5.3 Inclined lifting platforms
106 10.6 Escalators and moving walks
10.6.1 Rationale
10.6.2 Location
10.6.3 Design requirements
11 Specific indoor and outdoor areas, equipment and provisions
11.1 Service counters for information, ticketing and reception
11.1.1 Rationale
107 11.1.2 Location and identification
11.1.3 Space to approach and manoeuvre
11.1.4 Height of work surface
11.1.5 Space below a counter or desk
108 11.1.6 Work surface
11.1.7 Communication, hearing and lip reading
11.1.8 Signage
11.1.9 Lighting
11.2 Waiting and queuing areas
11.2.1 Rationale
11.2.2 Location and provision of seating
11.2.3 Barriers defining queuing lines
109 11.2.4 Signage in queuing areas
11.2.5 Audible information
11.2.6 Queuing/ticket systems
11.3 Seating and resting areas
11.3.1 Rationale
11.3.2 Provision
11.3.3 Location
11.3.4 Variety of seating
110 11.3.5 Seating in waiting areas
11.3.6 Space provision for assistance dogs
11.3.7 Seating design
111 11.3.8 Surface of seating areas
11.3.9 Protection from weather conditions
112 11.3.10 Seating at desks, tables and counters
11.3.11 Visual contrast
11.3.12 Seating in auditoriums, concert halls, sports arenas and similar places
11.4 Storage areas, lockers and baggage storage
11.4.1 Rationale
113 11.4.2 General
11.5 Kitchen areas and kitchenettes
11.5.1 Rationale
11.5.2 General
114 11.5.3 Kitchen sink
115 11.5.4 Kitchen appliances
11.5.5 Hobs and oven
116 11.6 Facilities for assistance dogs (outdoor and indoor)
11.6.1 Rationale
11.6.2 Entrances
11.6.3 Seating areas
11.6.4 Safe space to leave an assistance dog
11.6.5 Relief facility
11.6.6 Drinking facilities
12 Sanitary accommodation
12.1 Accessible toilets
12.1.1 Rationale
12.1.2 General
117 12.1.3 Space and size of accessible toilet rooms
120 12.1.4 Accessible toilet room doors and hardware
121 12.1.5 Accessible washbasin
125 12.1.6 Accessible toilet pan seat and grab rails
126 12.1.7 Accessories
12.2 Toilets for general use
12.2.1 Rationale
12.2.2 General
127 12.2.3 Urinals
12.3 Sanitary facilities for other users
12.3.1 Baby Changing facilities
128 12.3.2 Toilets for children
12.3.3 Accessible toilets for children with disabilities
130 12.3.4 Breast-feeding rooms
12.3.5 Changing places and accessible toilets
12.3.5.1 General
131 12.3.5.2 Provision and location
12.3.5.3 Interior features
133 12.3.6 Accessible toilets and bathrooms for people who are obese and bariatric patients
12.4 Showers and bathrooms
12.4.1 Rationale
12.4.2 General
12.4.3 Accessible shower rooms
135 12.4.4 Accessible bathrooms with bathtubs
136 13 User interface, controls and switches
13.1 Rationale
13.2 Public ICT information screens
13.2.1 General
13.2.2 Design of information
137 13.2.3 ICT screen position
13.3 ICT user interfaces
13.3.1 General
13.3.2 Manoeuvring space
138 13.3.3 Reaching and using controls and user interfaces
13.4 Controls and switches
13.4.1 General
13.4.2 Location and height of controls and switches
140 13.5 Examples of general use elements
13.5.1 Drinking fountains
13.5.2 Refuse bins and waste containers
141 14 Fire safety for all – Evacuation and emergency exits
14.1 Concept for Fire safety for all
14.2 Fire engineering design objectives
14.3 Evacuation for all
14.4 Assistive fire evacuation: Areas of rescue assistance
14.4.1 General
14.4.2 Areas of rescue assistance
142 14.4.3 Evacuation chairs
14.4.4 Rescue sheet
14.5 Emerging fire evacuation technologies
14.6 Fire defence plans
14.7 Lifts for emergency evacuation
14.8 Emergency warning systems, signals and information
14.8.1 General
143 14.8.2 Light warning signals
14.8.3 Acoustic warning systems
14.9 Emergency exit doors
15 Environmental conditions in buildings
15.1 Lighting
15.1.1 Rationale
144 15.1.2 Outdoor artificial lighting on accessible routes
15.1.3 Natural lighting
15.1.4 Indoor artificial lighting
148 15.1.5 Lighting to facilitate wayfinding and orientation
15.1.6 Controllable and adjustable lighting
149 15.1.7 Light levels in different areas
15.1.8 Lighting in auditoriums
150 15.1.9 Glare
15.2 Acoustics
15.2.1 Rationale
15.2.2 General
153 15.2.3 Control of noise
15.2.4 Sound absorption
155 15.2.5 Sound amplification
156 15.3 Indoor air quality
15.3.1 Rationale
15.3.2 General
15.3.3 Technical systems
15.3.4 Emissions
16 Accommodation
16.1 General
157 16.2 Hotels
16.2.1 Rationale
16.2.2 General
16.2.3 Parking and boarding points
16.2.4 Wayfinding, orientation and navigation
16.2.5 Hotel entrance
16.2.6 Reception areas
16.2.7 Accessible public use toilets
16.2.8 Accessible guest rooms
160 16.2.9 Accessible en-suite bathrooms
16.2.10 Accessibility recommendations for standard guest rooms
161 16.3 Student accommodation
16.3.1 Rationale
16.3.2 General
162 16.3.3 Accessible student rooms
16.4 Adaptable housing
16.4.1 Rationale
16.4.2 Parking
16.4.3 Access from car parking
163 16.4.4 Accessible routes to the main entrance and to dwelling entrances
16.4.5 Lifts and internal vertical and inclined lifting platforms in dwellings
16.4.6 Stairs in dwellings
164 16.4.7 Internal doors
16.4.8 Internal layout
165 16.4.9 Toilets and bathrooms
16.4.10 Kitchen
16.4.11 Equipment, controls, switches, post boxes
16.4.12 Outdoor space including gardens, terraces and balconies
166 17 Cultural, leisure and sport buildings
17.1 General
17.2 Auditoriums, concert halls and similar
17.2.1 Rationale
17.2.2 Grandstands and viewing areas
168 17.2.3 Designated accessible seating areas
17.2.4 Communication facilities
169 17.2.5 Stage and backstage
17.2.6 Lighting
17.2.7 Auditorium dressing rooms and toilets
17.3 Libraries
17.3.1 Rationale
17.3.2 General
170 17.3.3 Accessible fixed seating, tables and study carrels
171 17.3.4 Accessible book drop slots
17.3.5 Lighting in libraries
17.3.6 Acoustics and hearing equipment
17.4 Museums
17.4.1 Rationale
17.4.2 General
17.4.3 Museum exhibition areas and displays
172 17.4.4 Exhibition panels and captions
17.4.5 Lighting
173 17.5 Heritage buildings and sites
17.5.1 Rationale
17.5.2 General
17.5.3 Signage, orientation and wayfinding
174 17.5.4 Approach and entry
175 17.5.5 Circulation within the building or site
17.5.6 Differences in level
176 17.5.7 Provision of lighting
17.5.8 Seating and rest places
177 17.5.9 Heritage sites in natural environments
17.5.10 Gardens and landscapes
17.6 Retail and shopping buildings
17.6.1 Rationale
17.6.2 Parking at retail premises
17.6.3 Information and wayfinding
17.6.4 Internal circulation
178 17.6.5 Display areas
17.6.6 Counters and check-out
17.6.7 Fitting rooms
179 17.6.8 Sanitary facilities
17.7 Sport facilities
17.7.1 Rationale
17.7.2 General
17.7.3 Parking and Drop-off points
180 17.7.4 Signage
17.7.5 Team player seating areas
17.7.6 Spectators’ seating areas
17.7.7 Standing accommodation
17.7.8 Athletes’ changing rooms
17.7.9 Exercise/gymnasium areas
17.7.10 Sanitary facilities
17.8 Restaurants, bars and cafés
17.8.1 Rationale
17.8.2 General
181 17.8.3 Seating and serviced areas
182 17.8.4 Self-Service counters
183 17.8.5 Acoustics and ambient sound levels
17.8.6 Smoking areas
17.9 Swimming pools, saunas
17.9.1 Rationale
17.9.2 General
17.9.3 Access to swimming pools
184 17.9.4 Signage and markings
17.9.5 Floor surfaces
17.9.6 Spas and saunas
18 Administrative, service and employment buildings
18.1 General
18.2 Conference venues
18.2.1 Rationale
18.2.2 General
185 18.2.3 Communication
18.2.4 Conference rooms
18.3 Offices
18.3.1 Rationale
18.3.2 General
186 18.3.3 Evacuation Alarms
18.4 Healthcare buildings
18.4.1 Rationale
18.4.2 Wayfinding
18.4.3 Approach to buildings
18.4.4 Parking
18.4.5 Receptions and waiting areas
18.4.6 Accessible routes
187 18.4.7 Rooms
189 18.4.8 Evacuation
18.4.9 Daylight
18.4.10 Artificial lighting
18.4.11 Outdoor areas
18.4.12 Sanitary accommodation
190 18.4.13 Sanitary accommodation for bariatric patients
18.4.14 Bathrooms for assisted use with bariatric patients
191 18.5 Educational buildings
18.5.1 Rationale
18.5.2 Parking
18.5.3 General
192 18.5.4 Classrooms, lecture rooms etc.
18.5.5 Communication
193 18.5.6 Associated rooms
18.6 Laboratories
18.6.1 Rationale
18.6.2 General
194 18.7 Banks, post offices
18.7.1 Rationale
18.7.2 Entrance
195 18.7.3 Service areas
18.7.4 Equipment with user interactions
18.8 Industrial buildings
18.8.1 Rationale
18.8.2 General
196 18.8.3 Access and circulation routes
18.8.4 Storage of hazardous substances
18.8.5 Equipment
18.9 Courts, police stations and detention facilities
18.9.1 Rationale
18.9.2 Courts
18.9.3 Police stations
18.9.4 Detention facilities
197 18.9.5 Holding cells
18.9.6 Communication tools
18.9.7 Visiting areas
18.9.8 Sanitary facilities
18.10 Religious buildings
18.10.1 Rationale
18.10.2 General
198 18.10.3 Worship areas and facilities
18.10.4 Crematoria and cemetery buildings
19 Outdoor and urban areas
19.1 General
19.2 Playgrounds
19.2.1 Rationale
19.2.2 Access and circulation
19.2.3 Spatial organization and planning
19.2.4 Surfaces in playgrounds
19.2.5 Play elements and equipment
19.2.6 Elements for providing sensory experiences
199 19.3 Garden, parks and nature parks
19.3.1 Rationale
19.3.2 Accessible routes and footpaths
19.3.3 Provision of guarding
19.3.4 Resting areas
19.3.5 Plants and vegetation
19.3.6 Signage and information
19.3.7 Facilities and equipment
19.3.8 Viewing points
19.3.9 Picnic areas
19.4 Beaches
19.4.1 Rationale
19.4.2 Seafront and waterfront promenade
19.4.3 Accessible beach service points
19.4.4 Access to the water
19.4.5 Other facilities and services
200 20 Transport facilities
20.1 General
20.2 Taxi facilities
20.2.1 Rationale
20.2.2 General
201 20.3 Bus and coach facilities
20.3.1 Rationale
20.3.2 Bus and coach terminals
202 20.3.3 Bus and coach stops
206 20.4 Rail facilities
20.4.1 Rationale
20.4.2 General
208 20.5 Metro/underground facilities
20.5.1 Rationale
20.5.2 General
209 20.6 Tram and light rail facilities
20.6.1 Rationale
20.6.2 General
210 20.7 Airport facilities
20.7.1 Rationale
20.7.2 General
211 20.7.3 Arrival and departure points for disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility
20.7.4 Transit from flight to flight
20.8 Ports facilities
20.8.1 Rationale
212 20.8.2 General
20.9 Cable car facilities
20.9.1 Rationale
20.9.2 General
20.10 Service stations
20.10.1 Rationale
20.10.2 General
214 Annex A (informative)Visual contrast charts
217 Annex B (informative)Examples of pedestrian crossings
224 Annex C (informative)List of figures
BSI PD CEN/TR 17621:2021
$215.11