Corridors, open plan areas and doors

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Corridors and open plan areas

Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and double buggies vary considerably in their width and turning circle. It is important that circulation space, doors and their approaches are sized to accommodate a range of potential users travelling in both directions.

For people who have low vision, the opportunity to use their functional sight to recognise critical surfaces helps them to remain independent. Consequently, good contrasts between critical surfaces is very important.

Across open plan areas, visual and tactile guidance can be invaluable.

Design considerations

• Ensure circulation space is wide enough for anticipated traffic at peak times and is provided with sufficient headroom.
• Where circulation width cannot be wide enough for peak traffic, provide passing places in sight of each other.
• Ensure that there is good contrast between critical surfaces such as ceilings, wall, floors, and doors.
• Provide visual and tactile guidance across large open plan areas.
• Ensure that circulation space is kept free of permanent and temporary obstacles at all times.
• Recess items such as radiators and fire extinguishers to prevent them projecting into circulation routes.
• Ensure windows do not open into circulation routes.
• On long routes, provide seating at regular intervals.
• Where hazards cannot be physically protected or designed out provide visual, auditory and tactile cues for warning. 
• Consider providing handrails to both sides of long corridors.
• Flooring surfaces should not be shiny or reflective as this can affect visibility and cause discomfort.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.1 Access routes shall enable people to: (c) move into spaces within buildings by such means as corridors, doors, stairs, ramps and lifts.

D1.3.2 At least one access route shall have features to enable people with disabilities to: (c) have access to and within those spaces where they may be expected to work or visit, or which contain facilities.

D1.3.3 Access routes shall: (a) have adequate activity space, (b) be free from dangerous obstructions and from any projections likely to cause an obstruction, (n) have any automatically controlled doors constructed to avoid the risk of people becoming caught or being struck by moving parts.

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall: (a) be easy to find, as required by Clause F8 Signs, (b) have adequate activity space to enable a person in a wheelchair to negotiate the route while permitting an ambulant person to pass, (f) have doors and related hardware which are easily used.

Building Code clause F8 Signs:

F8.2 Signs must be provided in and about buildings to identify: (d) accessible routes and facilities for people with disabilities.

Clause D1 Access routes can be viewed on the New Zealand Legislation website.

Internal doors

Where doors are provided, they should be easy to identify and operate, and wide enough for people to pass through comfortably.

Doors need to be:

• Easy to identify. Doors and their fittings that blend into their surroundings are difficult to identify especially for people with a vision impairment.
• Surrounded by sufficient space. Wheelchairs, especially powered versions, can be large and if turning from a corridor need appropriate space. For swing doors, wheelchair users may need to open the door towards them and manoeuvre around it. In addition, after operating any door control system it should not be necessary to move backwards to align with the entry path.
• Simple to understand. Building users who have not seen the door before need to be able to easily identify how it works. The appropriate installation of push plates and pull handles will help. When double doors are installed, it should be obvious which way they operate if one of the doors is bolted.
• Easy to unlock and unlatch. Door furniture should be easy to use and only require the use of one hand (either right or left). Door operation that requires the use of both hands, or requires a lifting action will be difficult for some building users.
• Some building users may not be able to grip and turn, may be carrying something or be accompanied by an assistance dog. Lever handles that can be operated by a clenched fist or elbow are ideal. However, doors cannot be pulled towards a building user using only a clenched fist.
• While raising up door fittings can put a handle out of reach for a child, it may also restrict its use by others. 
• Locks positioned below the handle are hidden from the view of a standing person and are more difficult to use. 
• Full height handles are very useful as they allow users to select the height at which they wish to grasp. However, they can be an issue for wheelchair users as footrests can catch the handles on passing through, and restrict the clear opening width.
• Easy to open. Wheelchair users may use their footrests to open doors so kick plates should be large enough to protect the door and any glazing in it.
• Easy to pass through. Door openings need to be wide enough for all expected building users and the door should not close on anyone using it. Thresholds need to be level.
• Safe. The edges of doors that are open are a particular hazard especially for people with a vision impairment. Providing some method of closing doors can alleviate this problem. Users should also be able to easily establish what is on the other side of the door and if someone is approaching. Vision panels can help provide confidence and reassurance.

Design considerations

• Ensure that doors are easy to identify and stand out from their surroundings. Doors that will not be accessed regularly (such as to service risers) should blend in with their surroundings to avoid being a distraction.
• Ensure that there is sufficient space on both sides of the door for its operation by all building users.
• Ensure that the operation of the door and any access equipment associated with it is easy to understand and use.
• Ensure door fittings are easy to see and operate with a clenched fist or an elbow.
• Place independent door locks above door handles so they are easy to see. 
• Automate doors wherever possible.
• Make the direction of the opening of doors consistent through the building.
• Ensure the clear door opening is wide enough for all proposed uses of the space.
• Ensure the threshold is level.
• Where double doors are installed, ensure the principle leaf is easy to identify and has sufficient clear opening width if used on its own.
• When swing doors can remain open, ensure that the edge of the door is protected or easy to see.
• Install full height vision panels in doors wherever practical.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.1 Access routes shall enable people to: (c) move into spaces within buildings by such means as corridors, doors, stairs, ramps and lifts.

D1.3.2 At least one access route shall have features to enable people with disabilities to: (c) have access to and within those spaces where they may be expected to work or visit, or which contain facilities.

D1.3.3 Access routes shall: (a) have adequate activity space, (n) have any automatically controlled doors constructed to avoid the risk of people becoming caught or being struck by moving parts.

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall: (f) have doors and related hardware which are easily used.

Door closers

Where door closers are necessary they should not adversely affect the ease of use of the door.

Door closers present major problems to building users and make movement about the building difficult. This is especially so where the force required to overcome them is too high, either through inappropriate specification or lack of maintenance.

On circulation routes, doors closing with a delayed action present a potential hazard to users following on behind.

Design considerations

• Consider why a door closer is being installed. If one is required select an option that operates with the least force required. Avoid the use of a door closer if possible.
• When required for fire and smoke control purposes, consider the use of hold open devices linked to the fire alarm which can be overridden with a door closer linked to the fire alarm. 
• Where doors return to the closed position after use, consider rising butt hinges rather than door closers.
• Ensure door closers have a controlled action allowing adjustment of closing pressure at different positions in the cycle. 
• Avoid the use of fixed strength and spring door closers which cannot be adjusted.
• Consider the use of a modified striker plate with a gravity cam as this can significantly reduce the forces a door closer needs to exert to close the door.
• Consider the use of delayed action closers on doors to rooms, and avoid their use on circulation routes.
• Ensure that the operating arms of door closers do not strike the wall when the door is fully open.
• Ensure that door closers are maintained on a regular basis.

Building Code reference

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.3 Access routes shall: (n) have any automatically controlled doors constructed to avoid the risk of people becoming caught or being struck by moving parts.

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall: (f) have doors and related hardware which are easily used

Building Code clause F8 Signs:

F8.2 Signs must be provided in and about buildings to identify: (d) accessible routes and facilities for people with disabilities.

Access, security and intercom systems

Access, security and intercom systems should be easy to locate, approach, understand and operate.

Systems that need to be operated prior to use of a door form a barrier for some building users and need to be easy to understand and operate.

Proximity card devices are useful as they require less dexterity to operate.

Intercom systems that rely on aural or oral communication are not suitable for people with hearing or speech impairment and create problems for everyone in noisy environments.

Combination locks can create problems for most people. They require good vision, memory and dexterity and it is often not clear how the handle operates. While they may have a place as a security device for areas such as storage cupboards, they can be a major barrier to people using the building.

Design considerations

• Consider the use of proximity card devices in preference to card-swipe devices as they require less dexterity.
• Where card-swipe devices are installed, ensure they are orientated vertically.
• Provide a suitable acoustic environment where intercom systems are installed.
• Ensure that intercoms systems have an integrated text display which is easy to read. Consider the inclusion of an induction loop and coverage by CCTV. 
• Avoid the use of combination locks on doors which form part of a circulation route.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall: (f) have doors and related hardware which are easily used.