APPROVED DOCUMENT M; ACCESS TO AND USE OF BUILDINGS AND THE CODE OF PRACTICE BS 8300: 2001 A: 2005

As of 1st May 2004, the revisions to Approved Document M ‘Access to and

use of Buildings’ mean the selection of ironmongery on doorsets located on

accessible routes needs to be carefully considered in order to ensure compliance not only with AD ‘M’ but also BS 8300.

AD ‘M’ gives the minimum standard for access provision and, aims for a more inclusive approach to design; it states, “reasonable provision is to be made for people to gain access to and use the building and its facilities and

is (including its amendments) the most contemporary design guidance published. These regulations affect all new buildings and extensions to existing buildings.

Consideration should be given to ALL components of a doorset which when fitted increase the force required to open or close the door. At the same time products that make access difficult, for instance, threshold plates, weather seals and threshold seals need to be carefully selected and specified.

Hinge friction, latch bolt resistance and air pressure differentials created by air conditioning and natural air-flows can affect both fire and non-fire doors. Doorsets designated as fire and smoke resisting are subjected to the additional burden of smoke seal resistance, and crucially ‘resistance’ to

a mechanical door closing device.

BS8300

Contains many of the requirements above BS 8300 was written before AD ‘M’ however and some sections offer different guidance to that of AD ‘M’. Amendments have been made to BS 8300 which are also incorporated into a Technical Memorandum for AD “M” which the Office of the Deputy Prime

Minister has published. By this route the two documents will be aligned and now provide non-conflicting advice.

Raven door sealing solutions from Royde & Tucker not only make access easier but also offer minimum resistance for effective door operation.

Thresholds – accessible entrances

Under AD ‘M’ routes from the exterior across the threshold should provide weather protection and not present a barrier for wheelchair users or a trip hazard for other users.

A level threshold is preferred, especially for doors in frequent use, external and internal door thresholds should be no higher than 15mm and incorporate chamfered or pencil rounded corners. Vertical surfaces should be no greater than 5mm.

Threshold plates and door bottom seals are particularly suitable for use in an inclusive environment, products are denoted with a wheelchair symbol.