I, ROBERT McCLELLAND, Attorney-General, make these Standards under subsection 31 (1) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Dated 15 March 2010

ROBERT McCLELLAND

Attorney-General

Contents

Part 1 Preliminary

 1.1 Name of Standards 

 1.2 Commencement 

 1.3 Objects 

 1.4 Interpretation 

Part 2 Scope of Standards

 2.1 Buildings to which Standards apply 

 2.2 Persons to whom Standards apply 

 2.3 Actions to which Standards apply 

 2.4 Construction of Standards 

Part 3 Requirements of Standards

 3.1 Building certifiers, developers and managers to ensure buildings comply with the Access Code             

 3.2 Compliance with Access Code 

Part 4 Exceptions and concessions

 4.1 Unjustifiable hardship 

 4.2 Acts done under statutory authority etc 

 4.3 Lessees 

 4.4 Lift concession 

 4.5 Toilet concession 

Part 5 Commission exemptions

 5.1 Commission may grant exemptions 

 5.2 Content of exemptions 

 5.3 Effect of exemption 

 5.4 Review of exemptions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 

 5.5 Publication of notice of decision 

Part 6 Review

 6.1 Timetable for review 

Schedule 1 Access Code for Buildings 

Part A1 Interpretation 

Part A2 Adoption of Standards etc 

Part A3 Access Code — documents adopted by reference 

Part A4 Building classifications 

Part D Access and egress 

Part D3 Access for people with a disability 

Part D4 Braille and tactile signs 

Part D5 Accessible water entry/exit for swimming pools 

Part E3 Lift installations 

Part F2 Sanitary and other facilities 

Part H2 Public transport buildings 

Part 1 Preliminary

1.1 Name of Standards

  These Standards are the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010.

1.2 Commencement

  These Standards commence on 1 May 2011.

Note   These standards take effect subject to subsection 31 (4) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

1.3 Objects

  The objects of these Standards are:

 (a) to ensure that dignified, equitable, cost-effective and reasonably achievable access to buildings, and facilities and services within buildings, is provided for people with a disability; and

 (b) to give certainty to building certifiers, building developers and building managers that, if access to buildings is provided in accordance with these Standards, the provision of that access, to the extent covered by these Standards, will not be unlawful under the Act.

1.4 Interpretation

 (1) In these Standards:

Access Code means the Access Code for Buildings, prepared by the Office of the Australian Building Codes Board, a copy of the text of which is set out in Schedule 1.

Note   The Access Code is based on provisions of the Building Code of Australia.

Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee has the meaning given by

 subregulation 5 (2) of the Disability Discrimination Regulations 1996.

Act means the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

affected part, of a building, has the meaning given by subsection 2.1 (5).

building certifier has the meaning given by subsection 2.2 (2).

building developer has the meaning given by subsection 2.2 (3).

building manager has the meaning given by subsection 2.2 (4).

Commission means the Australian Human Rights Commission.

existing public transport building has the meaning given by subsection 2.1 (6).

new building has the meaning given by subsection 2.1 (3).

new part, of a building, has the meaning given by subsection 2.1 (4).

relevant building means a building, or a part of a building, to which these Standards apply under section 2.1.

specified Class 1b building means:

 (a) a new building with 1 or more bedrooms used for rental accommodation; or

 (b) an existing building with 4 or more bedrooms used for rental accommodation; or

 (c) a building that comprises 4 or more single dwellings that are:

 (i) on the same allotment; and

 (ii) used for short‑term holiday accommodation.

Transport Standards means the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.

Note   Unless the contrary intention appears, a term that is used in these Standards and in the Act has the same meaning in these Standards as it has in the Act.

 (2) In these Standards, a reference to a class of building by a number, or by a number and letter, is a reference to a building of that class within the meaning of the Access Code.

 (3) For these Standards, a building is constructed, and building work is carried out, for the Crown if the building is constructed, or the building work is carried out, for any of the following:

 (a) the Commonwealth;

 (b) a State;

 (c) a Territory;

 (d) a public authority of the Commonwealth;

 (e) an instrumentality of a State.

 (4) The Access Code is taken to be part of these Standards.

Part 2 Scope of Standards

2.1 Buildings to which Standards apply

 (1) Subject to subsection (2), these Standards apply to the following:

 (a) a new building, to the extent that the building is:

 (i) a specified Class 1b building; or

 (ii) a Class 2 building that has accommodation available for short‑term rent; or

 (iii) a Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 building;

 (b) a new part, and any affected part, of a building, to the extent that the part of the building is:

 (i) a specified Class 1b building; or

 (ii) a Class 2 building that:

 (A) has been approved on or after 1 May 2011 for construction; and

 (B) has accommodation available for short‑term rent; or

 (iii) a Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 building;

 (c) an existing public transport building that is still in use on the target date mentioned in an item in the table in section 3.1.

 (2) These Standards do not apply to the following:

 (a) the internal parts of a sole-occupancy unit (within the meaning of the Access Code) in a Class 2 building;

 (b) a new Class 10 building, a new part of a Class 10 building, or an affected part of a Class 10 building if it is associated with:

 (i) a Class 1a building; or

 (ii) a Class 4 part of a building.

Note 1   The building classifications mentioned in subsections 2.1 (1) and (2) have the meanings set out in clause A4.1 of the Access Code in Schedule 1.

Note 2   The Act applies to actions relating to buildings to which these Standards do not apply.

 (3) A building is a new building if:

 (a) it is not a part of a building; and

 (b) either:

 (i) an application for approval for its construction is submitted, on or after 1 May 2011, to the competent authority in the State or Territory where the building is located; or

 (ii) all of the following apply:

 (A) it is constructed for or on behalf of the Crown;

 (B) the construction commences on or after 1 May 2011;

 (C) no application for approval for the construction is submitted, before 1 May 2011, to the competent authority in the State or Territory where the building is located.

 (4) A part of a building is a new part of the building if it is an extension to the building or a modified part of the building about which:

 (a) an application for approval for the building work is submitted, on or after 1 May 2011, to the competent authority in the State or Territory where the building is located; or

 (b) all of the following apply:

 (i) the building work is carried out for or on behalf of the Crown;

 (ii) the building work commences on or after 1 May 2011;

 (iii) no application for approval for the building work is submitted, before 1 May 2011, to the competent authority in the State or Territory where the building is located.

 (5) An affected part is:

 (a) the principal pedestrian entrance of an existing building that contains a new part; and

 (b) any part of an existing building, that contains a new part, that is necessary to provide a continuous accessible path of travel from the entrance to the new part.

 (6) An existing public transport building is a building (other than a new building) that is the passenger use area of a Class 9b or 10 building used for public transport (being the whole or part of the building).

Note   An existing public transport building may be a building with or without any new part or affected part.

2.2 Persons to whom Standards apply

 (1) These Standards apply to the following persons to the extent that they are responsible for, or have control over, matters in the Access Code for a relevant building:

 (a) a building certifier;

 (b) a building developer;

 (c) a building manager.

Note   For the meaning of relevant building see section 1.4.

 (2) A building certifier, for a relevant building, is a person who has responsibility for, or control over, the building approval process for a building.

Example

The following persons could be building certifiers for these Standards:

(a) private certifiers;

(b) building surveyors;

(c) local councils.

 (3) A building developer, for a relevant building, is a person with responsibility for, or control over, its design or construction.

Example

The following persons could be building developers for these Standards:

(a) property developers;

(b) property owners;

(c) building designers;

(d) builders;

(e) project managers;

(f) property lessees.

 (4) A building manager, for a relevant building, is a person who has responsibility for, or control over, any of the matters in the Access Code that apply to the building other than matters about the design or construction of the building.

Example

The following persons could be building managers for these Standards:

(a) property owners;

(b) property lessees;

(c) property managers;

(d) operational staff.

2.3 Actions to which Standards apply

  These Standards apply to an action concerning the provision of access to relevant buildings (and facilities and services within them) to the extent that the provision of access is:

 (a) a matter in relation to which, under Part 2 of the Act, it is unlawful to discriminate; and

 (b) a matter covered by the Access Code.

Note   These Standards are subject to section 12 of the Act. That is, the provisions of these Standards are limited application provisions within the meaning of that section.

2.4 Construction of Standards

  These Standards are intended to be within the power conferred by the Act, and are to be construed accordingly.

Note   A provision that, despite this section, cannot be construed as being entirely within the power conferred by the Act has effect to the extent that the provision is within that power — see subsection 13 (2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Part 3 Requirements of Standards

3.1 Building certifiers, developers and managers to ensure buildings comply with the Access Code

 (1) A building certifier, building developer or building manager of a relevant building (other than an existing public transport building) must ensure that the building complies with the Access Code.

 (2) A building certifier, building developer or building manager of an existing public transport building must comply with subsection (3) if:

 (a) the building certifier, building developer or building manager is an operator or provider within the meaning of the Transport Standards; and

 (b) the existing public transport building is provided for passenger use as part of a public transport service provided by the building certifier, building developer or building manager and is still in use on the target date mentioned in an item in the table in this section.

 (3) The building certifier, building developer or building manager must ensure that the public transport service meets the performance requirements of the Access Code that apply to it for each aspect of the public transport building mentioned in an item of the following table, on and after the target date mentioned in the item, to at least the level of compliance mentioned in the item.

Note   The level of compliance in this table is expressed as a percentage of existing public transport buildings provided by the building certifier, building developer or building manager for passenger use as part of that type of public transport service that are still in use on the target date.

3.2 Compliance with Access Code

 (1) For section 3.1, a building certifier or building developer of a relevant building is taken to have ensured that the building complies with the Access Code if the building complies with:

 (a) the following clauses of the Access Code:

 (i) clauses D3.1 to D3.12;

 (ii) clause E3.6;

 (iii) clauses F2.2 and F2.4; and

 (b) for a public transport building — Part H2 of the Access Code.

Note   The provisions mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) are described as deemed-to-satisfy provisions. They are limited to matters relating to the design and construction of a building so this subsection applies only to building certifiers and building developers.

 (2) Subsection (1) is not intended to limit the way in which a relevant building may otherwise satisfy the applicable performance requirements.

 (3) Without limiting subsection (2), a relevant building is taken to comply with the Access Code if the building provides a level of access that is not less than the level that the building would have provided if it had complied with the provisions mentioned in subsection (1).

Part 4 Exceptions and concessions

4.1 Unjustifiable hardship

 (1) It is not unlawful for a person to fail to comply with a requirement of these Standards if, and to the extent that, compliance would impose unjustifiable hardship on the person.

 (2) However, compliance is required to the maximum extent not involving unjustifiable hardship.

Example

While enlarging a lift may impose unjustifiable hardship, upgrading the lift controls panel to provide braille and tactile buttons may not.

 (3) In determining whether compliance with a requirement of these Standards would involve unjustifiable hardship, all relevant circumstances of the particular case are to be taken into account, including the following:

 (a) any additional capital, operating or other costs, or loss of revenue, that would be directly incurred by, or reasonably likely to result from, compliance with the requirement;

 (b) any reductions in capital, operating or other costs, or increases in revenue, that would be directly achieved by, or reasonably likely to result from, compliance with the requirement;

 (c) the extent to which the construction of the building has or will be financed by government funding;

 (d) the extent to which the building:

 (i) is used for public purposes; and

 (ii) has a community function;

 (e) the financial position of a person required to comply with these Standards;

 (f) any effect that compliance with the requirement is reasonably likely to have on the financial viability of a person required to comply;

 (g) any exceptional technical factors (such as the effect of load bearing elements on the structural integrity of the building) or geographic factors (such as gradient or topography), affecting a person’s ability to comply with the requirement;

 (h) financial, staffing, technical, information and other resources reasonably available to a person required to comply with these Standards, including any grants, tax concessions, subsidies or other external assistance provided or available;

 (i) whether the cost of alterations to make a premises accessible is disproportionate to the value of the building, taking into consideration the improved value that would result from the alterations;

 (j) benefits reasonably likely to accrue from compliance with these Standards, including benefits to people with a disability, to building users or to other affected persons, or detriment likely to result from non-compliance;

 (k) detriment reasonably likely to be suffered by the building developer, building certifier or building manager, or people with a disability or other building users, including in relation to means of access, comfort and convenience, if compliance with these Standards is required;

 (l) if detriment under paragraph (k) involves loss of heritage significance — the extent to which the heritage features of the building are essential, or merely incidental, to the heritage significance of the building;

 (m) any evidence regarding efforts made in good faith by a person to comply with these Standards, including consulting access consultants or building certifiers;

 (n) if a person has given an action plan to the Commission under section 64 of the Act — the terms of the action plan and any evidence about its implementation;

 (o) the nature and results of any processes of consultation, including at local, regional, State, national, international, industry or other level, involving, or on behalf of, a building developer, building manager or building certifier and people with a disability, about means of achieving compliance with the requirement, including in relation to the factors listed in this subsection;

 (p) any decisions of a State or Territory body established to make recommendations to building authorities about building access matters.

 (4) If a substantial issue of unjustifiable hardship is raised having regard to the factors mentioned in subsection (3), the following additional factors are to be considered:

 (a) the extent to which substantially equal access to public premises is or may be provided otherwise than by compliance with these Standards;

 (b) any measures undertaken, or to be undertaken, by, on behalf of, or in association with, a person or organisation to ensure substantially equal access.

 (5) For these Standards, unjustifiable hardship is to be interpreted and applied having due regard to the scope and objects of the Act (in particular the object of removing discrimination as far as possible) and the rights and interests of all relevant parties.

4.2 Acts done under statutory authority etc

  These Standards do not render unlawful anything done in a circumstance mentioned in section 47 of the Act.

4.3 Lessees

 (1) If the lessee of a new part of a building submits an application for approval for the building work, the following people do not have to ensure that the affected part of the building complies with these Standards:

 (a) the building certifier;

 (b) the building developer;

 (c) the building manager.

 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if a building with a new part is leased to only 1 person.

4.4 Lift concession

  The requirement in Table E3.6 (b) of the Access Code that a lift is to have a floor dimension of not less than 1 400 mm x 1 600 mm does not apply to an existing passenger lift that is in a new part, or an affected part, of a building, if the lift:

 (a) travels more than 12 m; and

 (b) has a lift floor that is not less than 1 100 mm by 1 400 mm.

4.5 Toilet concession

 (1) Paragraphs F2.4 (c) and (e) of the Access Code, to the extent that they require compliance with AS 1428.1—2009, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access—New building work, do not apply to the following:

 (a) existing accessible sanitary compartments;

 (b) existing sanitary compartments suitable for use by people with a disability.

 (2) For subsection (1) to apply, a sanitary compartment mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) must:

 (a) comply with AS 1428.1—2001, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access—New building work; and

 (b) be located in either a new part, or an affected part, of a building.

Part 5 Commission exemptions

Note   This Part is about exemptions from compliance with Part H2 of the Access Code. Part H2 sets out requirements for public transport buildings.

5.1 Commission may grant exemptions

 (1) The following persons may apply to the Commission for an exemption:

 (a) a person:

 (i) on the person’s own behalf; or

 (ii) on behalf of the person and another person or other persons; or

 (iii) on behalf of another person or other persons;

 (b) 2 or more persons:

 (i) on their own behalf; or

 (ii) on behalf of themselves and another person or other persons; or

 (iii) on behalf of another person or other persons.

 (2) After receiving an application under subsection (1), the Commission may grant the person or persons to whom the application relates an exemption from compliance with some or all of Part H2 of the Access Code.

 (3) The Commission may grant a further exemption from compliance with the same requirements to which an exemption under subsection (2) (the first exemption) applied, if:

 (a) a person makes an application for a further exemption; and

 (b) the person who makes the application is a person to whom the first exemption relates; and

 (c) the application is made in the period granted for the exemption granted last.

 (4) Before granting an exemption under subsection (2) or (3), the Commission:

 (a) must consult with the Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee; and

 (b) may consult with any other body or person that the Commission considers appropriate to consult.

 (5) An exemption granted by the Commission under subsection (2) or (3) must not be granted for a period greater than 5 years.

5.2 Content of exemptions

  An exemption granted under subsection 5.1 (2) or (3) must:

 (a) be in writing; and

 (b) state if it is an exemption from compliance with some or all of the requirements of Part H2 of the Access Code; and

 (c) if it only applies to some of the requirements of Part H2 of the Access Code — state the requirements to which it only applies; and

 (d) state the period for which it is granted; and

 (e) state the following matters if they apply to the exemption:

 (i) any terms and conditions subject to which the exemption is granted;

 (ii)  any circumstances or activities to which the exemption only applies;

 (iii) if it is a further exemption.

5.3 Effect of exemption

  The following persons do not contravene these Standards if the person’s failure to comply with the Standards is in accordance with an exemption granted under section 5.1:

 (a) a person granted the exemption;

 (b) a person in the employment of, or under the direction or control of, a person granted the exemption.

Note   Section 32 of the Act provides that it is unlawful for a person to contravene a disability standard.

5.4 Review of exemptions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal

  A person may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of decisions made by the Commission under section 5.1.

5.5 Publication of notice of decision

 (1) Within 1 month after it makes a decision under section 5.1 the Commission must organise for a notice of the making of the decision to be published in the Gazette:

 (a) stating its findings on material questions of facts; and

 (b) stating the evidence on which those findings were based; and

 (c) stating the reasons for the making of the decision; and

 (d) containing a statement to the effect that, subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of the decision to which the notice relates by or on behalf of any person or persons whose interests are affected by the decision.

 (2) A failure to comply with any part of subsection (1) for a decision does not affect the validity of the decision.

Part 6 Review

6.1 Timetable for review

 (1) The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, in consultation with the Attorney-General, is to:

 (a) review the effectiveness of these Standards in achieving their objects; and

 (b) carry out a subsequent review every 5 years after the previous review is finished.

 (2) The review must start within 4 years after these Standards commence and be finished within 5 years after that date.

 (3) All reviews must identify any necessary amendments to these Standards.

Schedule 1 Access Code for Buildings

(section 1.4)

Note   The Access Code is prepared by the Office of the Australian Building Codes Board in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Department.

Part A1 Interpretation

A1.1 Definitions

accessible means having features to enable use by people with a disability.

accessway means a continuous accessible path of travel (as defined in AS 1428.1) to, into or within a building.

aged care building means a Class 9c building for residential accommodation of aged persons who, due to varying degrees of incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with personal care services and 24‑hour staff assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency.

assembly building means a building where people may assemble for —

 (a) civic, theatrical, social, political or religious purposes, including a library, theatre, public hall or place of worship; or

 (b) educational purposes in a school, early childhood centre, preschool, or the like; or

 (c) entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes, including —

 (i) a discotheque, nightclub or a bar area of a hotel or motel providing live entertainment or containing a dance floor; or

 (ii) a cinema; or

 (iii) a sports stadium, sporting or other club; or

 (d) transit purposes, including a bus station, railway station, airport or ferry terminal.

atrium has the same meaning as in the BCA.

BCA means the Building Code of Australia 2009.

carpark means a building that is used for the parking of motor vehicles but is neither a private garage nor used for the servicing of vehicles, other than washing, cleaning or polishing.

early childhood centre means a preschool, kindergarten or child‑minding centre.

exit has the same meaning as in the BCA.

fire‑isolated ramp means a ramp within a fire‑resisting enclosure which provides egress from a storey.

fire‑isolated stairway means a stairway within a fire‑resisting shaft and includes the floor and roof or top enclosing structure.

floor area means:

 (a) in relation to a building — the total area of all storeys; and

 (b) in relation to a storey — the area of all floors of that storey measured over the enclosing walls, and includes:

 (i) the area of a mezzanine within the storey, measured within the finished surfaces of any external walls; and

 (ii) the area occupied by any internal walls or partitions, any cupboard, or other built‑in furniture, fixture or fitting; and

 (iii) if there is no enclosing wall, an area which has a use that:

 (A) contributes to the fire load; or

 (B) impacts on the safety, health or amenity of the occupants in relation to the provisions of the BCA; and

 (c) in relation to a room — the area of the room measured within the finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built‑in furniture, fixture or fitting; and

 (d) in relation to a fire compartment — the total area of all floors within the fire compartment measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction, and if there is no bounding construction, includes an area which has a use which contributes to the fire load; and

 (e) in relation to an atrium — the total area of all floors within the atrium measured within the finished surfaces of the bounding construction and if no bounding construction, within the external walls.

health‑care building means a building whose occupants or patients undergoing medical treatment generally need physical assistance to evacuate the building during an emergency and includes:

 (a) a public or private hospital; or

 (b) a nursing home or similar facility for sick or disabled persons needing full‑time nursing care; or

 (c) a clinic, day surgery or procedure unit where the effects of the predominant treatment administered involve patients becoming non‑ambulatory and requiring supervised medical care on the premises for some time after the treatment.

luminance contrast means the light reflected from one surface or component, compared to the light reflected from another surface or component.

mezzanine means an intermediate floor within a room.

private garage means:

 (a) any garage associated with a Class 1 building; or

 (b) any single storey of a building of another Class capable of accommodating not more than 3 vehicles, if there is only one such storey in the building; or

 (c) any separate single storey garage associated with another building where such garage is capable of accommodating not more than 3 vehicles.

required means required to satisfy a Performance Requirement or a Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provision of the Access Code as appropriate.

residential aged care building means a building whose residents, due to their incapacity associated with the ageing process, are provided with physical assistance in conducting their daily activities and to evacuate the building during an emergency.

sanitary compartment means a room or space containing a closet pan or urinal.

school includes a primary or secondary school, college, university or similar educational establishment.

sole‑occupancy unit (SOU) means a room or other part of a building for occupation by one or joint owner, lessee tenant, or other occupier to the exclusion of any other owner, lessee, tenant, or other occupier and includes:

 (a) a dwelling; or

 (b) a room or suite of rooms in a Class 3 building which includes sleeping facilities; or

 (c) a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building; or

 (d) a room or suite of associated rooms in a Class 9c aged care building, which includes sleeping facilities and any area for the exclusive use of a resident.

storey has the same meaning as in the BCA.

swimming pool means any excavation or structure containing water and used primarily for swimming, wading, paddling or the like, including a bathing or wading pool, or spa.

A1.2 Language

  A reference to a building in the Access Code is a reference to an entire building or part of a building, as the case requires.

Part A2 Adoption of Standards etc

A2.1 Adoption of Standards and other references

  Where a Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provision references a document, rule, specification or provision, that adoption does not include a provision:

 (a) specifying or defining the respective rights, responsibilities or obligations as between themselves of any manufacturer, supplier or purchaser; or

 (b) specifying the responsibilities of any trades person or other building operative, architect, engineer, authority, or other person or body; or

 (c) requiring the submission for approval of any material, building component, form or method of construction, to any person, authority or body other than a person or body empowered under State or Territory legislation to give that approval; or

 (d) specifying that a material, building component, form or method of construction must be submitted to any person, authority or body for expression of opinion; or

 (e) permitting a departure from the code, rule, specification or provision at the sole discretion of the manufacturer or purchaser, or by arrangement or agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser.

A2.2 Referenced Standards etc

 (1) A reference in a Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provision to a document under clause A2.1 refers to the edition or issue, together with any amendment, listed in clause A3.1 and only so much as is relevant in the context in which the document is quoted.

 (2) Any:

 (a) reference in a document listed in clause A3.1 (primary document) to another document (secondary document); and

 (b) subsequent references to other documents in secondary documents and those other documents;

is a reference to the secondary and other documents as they existed at the time of publication of the primary document listed in clause A3.1.

 (3) The provisions of subclause (2) do not apply if the secondary referenced document is also a primary referenced document.

A2.3 Differences between referenced documents and the Access Code

  The Access Code overrules in any difference arising between it and any Standard, rule, specification or provision in a document listed in clause A3.1.

A2.4 Fire safety

  Fire safety provisions relating to the construction of buildings are located in the BCA.

Part A3 Access Code — documents adopted by reference

A3.1 Documents adopted by reference

  The Standards and other documents listed in column 1 of Table 1 are referred to in the clauses of the Access Code listed in column 4 of the table.

Table 1 Schedule of referenced documents

Part A4 Building classifications

A4.1 Classifications

Class 1 — one or more buildings which in association constitute:

 (a) Class 1a — a single dwelling being:

 (i) a detached house; or

 (ii) one of a group of two or more attached dwellings, each being a building, separated by a fire‑resisting wall, including a row house, terrace house, town house or villa unit; or

 (b) Class 1b:

 (i) a boarding house, guest house, hostel or the like:

 (A) with a total area of all floors not exceeding 300 m2 measured over the enclosing wall of the Class 1b; and

 (B) in which not more than 12 persons would ordinarily be resident; or

 (ii) 4 or more single dwellings located on one allotment and used for short‑term holiday accommodation;

which are not located above or below another dwelling or another Class of building other than a private garage.

Class 2 — a building containing 2 or more sole‑occupancy units, each being a separate dwelling.

Class 3 — a residential building, other than a building of Class 1 or 2, which is a common place of long term or transient living for a number of unrelated persons, including:

 (a) a boarding‑house, guest house, hostel, lodging‑house or backpackers accommodation; or

 (b) a residential part of an hotel or motel; or

 (c) a residential part of a school; or

 (d) accommodation for the aged, children or people with a disability; or

 (e) a residential part of a health‑care building which accommodates members of staff; or

 (f) a residential part of a detention centre.

Class 4 — a dwelling in a building that is Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 if it is the only dwelling in the building.

Class 5 — an office building used for professional or commercial purposes, excluding buildings of Class 6, 7, 8 or 9.

Class 6 — a shop or other building for the sale of goods by retail or the supply of services direct to the public, including:

 (a) an eating room, cafe, restaurant, milk or soft‑drink bar; or

 (b) a dining room, bar area that is not an assembly building, shop or kiosk part of a hotel or motel; or

 (c) a hairdresser’s or barber’s shop, public laundry, or undertaker’s establishment; or

 (d) market or sale room, showroom, or service station.

Class 7 — a building which is:

 (a) Class 7a — a carpark; or

 (b) Class 7b — for storage, or display of goods or produce for sale by wholesale.

Class 8 — a laboratory, or a building in which a handicraft or process for the production, assembling, altering, repairing, packing, finishing, or cleaning of goods or produce is carried on for trade, sale, or gain.

Class 9 — a building of a public nature:

 (a) Class 9a — a health‑care building; including those parts of the building set aside as a laboratory; or

 (b) Class 9b — an assembly building, including a trade workshop, laboratory or the like in a primary or secondary school, but excluding any other parts of the building that are of another Class; or

 (c) Class 9c — an aged care building.

Class 10 — a non‑habitable building or structure:

 (a) Class 10a — a non‑habitable building being a private garage, carport, shed, or the like; or

 (b) Class 10b — a structure being a fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free‑standing wall, swimming pool, or the like.

Part D Access and egress

DP1 Performance requirement

  Access must be provided, to the degree necessary, to enable:

 (a) people to:

 (i) approach the building from the road boundary and from any accessible carparking spaces associated with the building; and

 (ii) approach the building from any accessible associated building; and

 (iii) access work and public spaces, accommodation and facilities for personal hygiene; and

 (b) identification of accessways at appropriate locations which are easy to find.

DP4 Performance requirement

  Exits must be provided from a building to allow occupants to evacuate safely, with their number, location and dimensions being appropriate to:

 (a) the travel distance; and

 (b) the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants; and

 (c) the function or use of the building; and

 (d) the height of the building; and

 (e) whether the exit is from above or below ground level.

DP6 Performance requirement

  So that occupants can safely evacuate the building, accessways to exits must have dimensions appropriate to:

 (a) the number, mobility and other characteristics of occupants; and

 (b) the function or use of the building.

Limitation Clause DP6 does not apply to Class 1b or Class 10 building, or the internal parts of a sole‑occupancy unit in a Class 3 building.

DP8 Performance requirement

  Carparking spaces for use by people with a disability must be:

 (a) provided, to the degree necessary, to give equitable access for carparking; and

 (b) designated and easy to find.

Limitation Clause DP8 does not apply to a building where:

 (a) a parking service is provided; and

 (b) direct access to any carparking spaces by the general public or occupants is not available.

DP9 Performance requirement

  An inbuilt communication system for entry, information, entertainment, or for the provision of a service, must be suitable for occupants who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Limitation Clause DP9 does not apply to an inbuilt communication system used only for emergency warning purposes.

Part D3 Access for people with a disability

D3.0 Deemed‑to‑satisfy provisions

  The Performance Requirements of clauses DP1, DP4, DP6, DP8 and DP9 are satisfied by complying with:

 (a) clauses D3.1 to D3.12; and

 (b) for public transport buildings, Part H2.

D3.1 General building access requirements

  Buildings and parts of buildings must be accessible as required by Table D3.1, unless exempted by clause D3.4.

Table D3.1: Requirements for access for people with a disability

D3.2 Access to buildings

 (1) An accessway must be provided:

 (a) to a building required to be accessible;

 (b) from the main points of a pedestrian entry at the allotment boundary; and

 (i) from another accessible building connected by a pedestrian link; and

 (ii) from any required accessible carparking space on the allotment.

 (2) In a building required to be accessible, an accessway must be provided through the principal pedestrian entrance, and:

 (a) through not less than 50% of all pedestrian entrances including the principal pedestrian entrance; and

 (b) in a building with a total floor area more than 500 m2, a pedestrian entrance which is not accessible must not be located more than 50 m from an accessible pedestrian entrance;

except for pedestrian entrances serving only areas exempted by clause D3.4.

 (3) Where a pedestrian entrance required to be accessible has multiple doorways:

 (a) if the pedestrian entrance consists of not more than 3 doorways — not less than one of those doorways must be accessible; and

 (b) if the pedestrian entrance consists of more than 3 doorways — not less than 50% of those doorways must be accessible.

 (4) For the purposes of subclause (3):

 (a) an accessible pedestrian entrance with multiple doorways is considered to be one pedestrian entrance where:

 (i) all doorways serve the same part or parts of the building; and

 (ii) the distance between each doorway is not more than the width of the widest doorway at that pedestrian entrance (see Figure D3.2); and

 (b) a doorway is considered to be the clear, unobstructed opening created by the opening of one or more door leaves (see Figure D3.2).

 (5) Where a doorway on an accessway has multiple leaves, (except an automatic opening door) one of those leaves must have a clear opening width of not less than 850 mm in accordance with AS 1428.1.

D3.3 Parts of buildings to be accessible

  In a building required to be accessible:

 (a) every ramp and stairway, except for ramps and stairways in areas exempted by clause D3.4, must comply with:

 (i) for a ramp, except a fire-isolated ramp, clause 10 of AS 1428.1; and

 (ii) for a stairway, except a fire-isolated stairway, clause 11 of AS 1428.1;

 (iii) for a fire-isolated stairway, clause 11.1(f) and (g) of AS 1428.1;

 (b) every passenger lift must comply with clause E3.6;

 (c) accessways must have:

 (i) passing spaces complying with AS 1428.1 at maximum 20 m intervals on those parts of an accessway where a direct line of sight is not available; and

 (ii) turning spaces complying with AS 1428.1:

 (A) within 2 m of the end of accessways where it is not possible to continue travelling along the accessway; and

 (B) at maximum 20 m intervals along the accessway;

 (d) an intersection of accessways satisfies the spatial requirements for a passing and turning space;

 (e) a passing space may serve as a turning space;

 (f) a ramp complying with AS 1428.1 or a passenger lift need not be provided to serve a storey or level other than the entrance storey in a Class 5, 6, 7b or 8 building-

 (i) containing not more than 3 storeys; and

 (ii) with a floor area for each storey, excluding the entrance storey, of not more than 200 m2.

D3.4 Exemptions

  The following areas are not required to be accessible:

 (a) an area where access would be inappropriate because of the particular purpose for which the area is used.

 (b) an area that would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability.

 (c) any path of travel providing access only to an area exempted by this clause.

D3.5 Accessible carparking

  Accessible carparking spaces:

 (a) subject to (b), must be provided in accordance with Table D3.5 in:

 (i) a Class 7a building required to be accessible; and

 (ii) a carparking area on the same allotment as a building required to be accessible; and

 (b) need not be provided in a Class 7a building or a carparking area where a parking service is provided and direct access to any of the carparking spaces is not available to the public; and

 (c) subject to (d), must comply with AS 2890.6; and

 (d) need not be designated where there is a total of not more than 5 carparking spaces, so as to restrict the use of the carparking space only for people with a disability.

Table D3.5 Carparking spaces for people with a disability

D3.6 Signage

  In a building required to be accessible:

 (a) braille and tactile signage complying with Part D4 and incorporating the international symbol of access or deafness, as appropriate, in accordance with AS 1428.1 must identify each:

 (i) sanitary facility, except a sanitary facility within a sole‑occupancy unit in a Class 1b or Class 3 building; and

 (ii) space with a hearing augmentation system; and

 (b) signage including the international symbol for deafness in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided within a room containing a hearing augmentation system identifying:

 (i) the type of hearing augmentation; and

 (ii) the area covered within the room; and

 (iii) if receivers are being used and where the receivers can be obtained; and

 (c) signage in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided for accessible unisex sanitary facilities to identify if the facility is suitable for left or right handed use; and

 (d) signage to identify an ambulant accessible sanitary facility in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be located on the door of the facility; and

 (e) where a pedestrian entrance is not accessible, directional signage incorporating the international symbol of access, in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided to direct a person to the location of the nearest accessible pedestrian entrance; and

 (f) where a bank of sanitary facilities is not provided with an accessible unisex sanitary facility, directional signage incorporating the international symbol of access in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be placed at the location of the sanitary facilities that are not accessible, to direct a person to the location of the nearest accessible unisex sanitary facility.

D3.7 Hearing augmentation

 (1) A hearing augmentation system must be provided where an inbuilt amplification system, other than one used only for emergency warning, is installed:

 (a) in a room in a Class 9b building; or

 (b) in an auditorium, conference room, meeting room, room for judicatory purposes, or a room in a Class 9b building; or

 (c) at any ticket office, teller’s booth, reception area or the like, where the public is screened from the service provider.

 (2) If a hearing augmentation system required by subclause (1) is:

 (a) an induction loop, it must be provided to not less than 80% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt amplification system; or

 (b) a system requiring the use of receivers or the like, it must be available to not less than 95% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt amplification system, and the number of receivers provided must be not less than:

 (i) if the room or space accommodates up to 500 persons, 1 receiver for every 25 persons (or part thereof), or 2 receivers, whichever is the greater; and

 (ii) if the room or space accommodates more than 500 persons but not more than 1 000 persons, 20 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 33 persons (or part thereof) in excess of 500 persons; and

 (iii) if the room or space accommodates more than 1 000 persons but not more than 2 000 persons, 35 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 50 persons (or part thereof) in excess of 2 000 persons; and

 (iv) if the room or space accommodates more than 2 000 persons, 55 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 100 persons (or part thereof) in excess of 2 000 persons.

 (3) The number of persons accommodated in the room or space served by an inbuilt amplification system must be calculated according to clause D1.13 of the BCA.

 (4) Any screen or scoreboard associated with a Class 9b building and capable of displaying public announcements must be capable of supplementing any public address system, other than a public address system used for emergency warning purposes only.

D3.8 Tactile indicators

 (1) For a building required to be accessible, tactile ground surface indicators must be provided to warn people who are blind or have a vision impairment that they are approaching:

 (a) a stairway, other than a fire-isolated stairway;

 (b) an escalator;

 (c) a passenger conveyor or moving walk;

 (d) a ramp other than a fire-isolated ramp, a step ramp, a kerb ramp or a swimming pool ramp; and

 (e) in the absence of a suitable barrier:

 (i) an overhead obstruction less than 2 m above floor level, other than a doorway; and

 (ii) an accessway meeting a vehicular way adjacent to any pedestrian entrance to a building, excluding a pedestrian entrance serving an area referred to in clause D3.4, if there is no kerb or kerb ramp at that point;

 except for areas exempted by clause D3.4.

 (2) Tactile ground surface indicators required by subclause (1) must comply with sections 1 and 2 of AS/NZS 1428.4.1.

 (3) A hostel for the aged, nursing home for the aged, a residential aged care building, Class 3 accommodation for the aged, Class 9a health‑care building or a Class 9c aged care building need not comply with paragraphs (1) (a) and (d) if handrails incorporating a raised dome button in accordance with the requirements for stairway handrails in AS 1428.1 are provided to warn people who are blind or have a vision impairment that they are approaching a stairway or ramp.

D3.9 Wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings

  Where fixed seating is provided in a Class 9b assembly building, wheelchair seating spaces complying with AS 1428.1 must be provided in accordance with the following:

 (a) the number and grouping of wheelchair seating spaces must be in accordance with Table D3.9; and

 (b) in a cinema:

 (i) with not more than 300 seats — wheelchair seating spaces must not be located in the front row of seats; and

 (ii) with more than 300 seats — not less than 75% of required wheelchair seating spaces must be located in rows other than the front row of seats; and

 (iii) the location of wheelchair seating is to be representative of the range of seating provided.

Table D3.9 Number of wheelchair seating spaces in Class 9b assembly buildings

D3.10 Swimming pools

 (1) Not less than one means of accessible water entry/exit in accordance with Part D5 must be provided for each swimming pool required by Table D3.1 to be accessible.

 (2) An accessible entry/exit must be by means of:

 (a) a fixed or movable ramp and an aquatic wheelchair; or

 (b) a zero depth entry at a maximum gradient of 1:14 and an aquatic wheelchair; or

 (c) a platform swimming pool lift and an aquatic wheelchair; or

 (d) a sling‑style swimming pool lift.

 (3) Where a swimming pool has a perimeter of more than 70 m in length, at least one accessible water entry/exit must be provided by a means specified in paragraph (2) (a), (b) or (c).

 (4) Latching devices on gates and doors forming part of a swimming pool safety barrier need not comply with AS 1428.1.

D3.11 Ramps

  On an accessway:

 (a) a series of connected ramps must not have a combined vertical rise of more than 3.6 m; and

 (b) a landing for a step ramp must not overlap a landing for another step ramp or ramp.

D3.12 Glazing on an accessway

  On an accessway, where there is no chair rail, handrail or transom, all frameless or fully glazed doors, sidelights and any glazing capable of being mistaken for a doorway or opening, must be clearly marked in accordance with AS 1428.1.

Part D4 Braille and tactile signs

D4.1 Scope

  This Part sets out the requirements for the design and installation of braille and tactile signage as required by clause D3.6.

D4.2 Location of braille and tactile signs

  Signs including symbols, numbering and lettering must be designed and installed as follows:

 (a) braille and tactile components of a sign must be located not less than 1 200 mm and not higher than 1 600 mm above the floor or ground surface;

 (b) signs with single lines of characters must have the line of tactile characters not less than 1 250 mm and not more than 1 350 mm above the floor or ground surface;

 (c) signs identifying rooms containing features or facilities listed in clause D3.6 must be located:

 (i) on the wall on the latch side of the door with the leading edge of the sign located between 50 mm and 300 mm from the architrave; and

 (ii) where (i) is not possible, the sign may be placed on the door itself.

D4.3 Braille and tactile sign specification

 (1) Tactile characters must be raised or embossed to a height of not less than 1 mm and not more than 1.5 mm.

 (2) Sentence case (upper case for the first letter of each main word and lower case for all other letters) must be used for all tactile characters; and

 (i) upper case tactile characters must have a height of not less than 15 mm and not more than 55 mm; and

 (ii) lower case tactile characters must have a height of 50% of the related upper case characters.

 (3) Tactile characters, symbols, and the like, must have rounded edges.

 (4) The entire sign, including any frame, must have all edges rounded.

 (5) The background, negative space or fill of signs must be of matt or low sheen finish.

 (6) The characters, symbols, logos and other features on signs must be matt or low sheen finish.

 (7) The minimum letter spacing of tactile characters on signs must be 2 mm.

 (8) The minimum word spacing of tactile characters on signs must be 10mm.

 (9) The thickness of letter strokes must be not less than 2 mm and not more than 7 mm.

 (10) Tactile text must be left justified, except that single words may be centre justified.

 (11) Tactile text must be Arial typeface.

D4.4 Luminance contrast

  The following apply to luminance contrast:

 (a) the background, negative space, fill of a sign or border with a minimum width of 5 mm must have a luminance contrast with the surface on which it is mounted of not less than 30%;

 (b) tactile characters, icons and symbols must have a minimum luminance contrast of 30% to the surface on which the characters are mounted;

 (c) luminance contrasts must be met under the lighting conditions in which the sign is to be located.

D4.5 Lighting

  Braille and tactile signs must be illuminated to ensure luminance contrast requirements are met at all times during which the sign is required to be read.

D4.6 Braille

  The following applies to braille:

 (a) braille must be grade 1 braille (uncontracted) in accordance with the criteria set out by the Australian Braille Authority;

 (b) braille must be raised and domed;

 (c) braille must be located 8 mm below the bottom line of text (not including descenders);

 (d) braille must be left justified;

 (e) where an arrow is used in the tactile sign, a solid arrow must be provided for braille readers;

 (f) on signs with multiple lines of text and characters, a semicircular braille locator at the left margin must be horizontally aligned with the first line of braille text.

Part D5  Accessible water entry/exit for swimming pools

D5.1 Scope

  This Part contains the requirements for types of accessible water entry/exit for swimming pools.

D5.2 Fixed or moveable ramp

  A fixed or moveable ramp must:

 (a) have a slip‑resistant surface; and

 (b) have a maximum gradient of 1:14; and

 (c) have handrails complying with the requirements for ramps in AS 1428.1, installed on both sides of the ramp; and

 (d) have kerbs in accordance with the requirements for ramps in AS 1428.1; and

 (e) extend to a depth of not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 100 mm below the stationary water level; and

 (f) have landings in accordance with the requirements for ramps in AS 1428.1, with a landing located at the bottom and top of each ramp and a landing must be located at a level between 900 mm and 1 100 m below the stationary water level.

D5.3 Zero depth entry

  A zero depth entry must have:

 (a) a slip‑resistant surface; and

 (b) a maximum gradient of 1:14; and

 (c) a single handrail complying with the requirements for handrails in AS 1428.1, from the top of the entry point continuous to the bottom level area; and

 (d) a level area:

 (i) 1 500 mm long for the width of the zero depth entry at the entry point; and

 (ii) located at the bottom of the zero depth entry at a level between 900 mm and 1 100 mm below the stationary water level.

D5.4 Platform swimming pool lift

  A platform swimming pool lift must be:

 (a) capable of being operated from the swimming pool surround, within the swimming pool, and on the platform; and

 (b) located where the water depth is not more than 1 300 mm; and

 (c) designed to withstand a weight capacity of not less than 160 kg and be capable of sustaining a static load of not less than 1.5 times the rated load.

D5.5 Sling‑style swimming pool lift

  A sling lift must comply with the following:

 (a) a sling lift must be located where the water depth is not more than 1 300 mm;

 (b) when the sling is in the raised position and in the transfer position, the centreline of the sling must be located over the swimming pool surround and not less than 450 mm from the swimming pool edge;

 (c) the surface of the swimming pool surround between the centreline of the sling and the swimming pool edge must have a gradient of not more than 1:50 and must be slip‑resistant;

 (d) a clear space:

 (i) not less than 900 mm x 1 300 mm; and

 (ii) with a gradient of not more than 1:50; and

 (iii) a slip‑resistant surface; and

 (iv) located so that the centreline of the space is directly below the lifting point for the sling;

  must be provided on the swimming pool surround parallel with the swimming pool edge on the side remote from the water (see Figure D5.7);

 (e) a sling lift must be capable of being operated from the swimming pool surround, within the swimming pool and from the sling;

 (f) the sling must be designed so that it will submerge to a water depth of not less than 500 mm below the stationary water level;

 (g) a sling lift must be designed to withstand a weight of not less than 136 kg and be capable of sustaining a static load not less than 1.5 times the rated load.

D5.6 Aquatic wheelchair

  An aquatic wheelchair must comply with the following:

 (a) the height of the top surface of the seat must be not less than 430 mm;

 (b) the seat width must not be not less than 480 mm;

 (c) a footrest must be provided;

 (d) armrests must be located on both sides of the seat and must be capable of being moved away from the side of the chair to allow a person to transfer on and off the seat.

Figure D5.7 Clear pool surround space for sling lift

Part E3 Lift installations

EP3.4 Performance Requirement

  When a passenger lift is provided in a building required to be accessible, it must be suitable for use by people with a disability.

E3.0 Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions

  Performance Requirement EP3.4 is satisfied by complying with:

 (a) clause E3.6; and

 (b) for public transport buildings, Part H2.

E3.6 Passenger lifts

  In an accessible building, every passenger lift must:

 (a) be one of the lift types identified in Table E3.6 (a), subject to the limitations on use specified in the table; and

 (b) have accessible features in accordance with Table E3.6 (b); and

 (c) not rely on a constant pressure device for its operation if the lift car is fully enclosed.

Table E3.6 (a) Limitations on use of types of passenger lifts

Table E3.6 (b) Application of features to passenger lifts

Part F2 Sanitary and other facilities

FP2.1 Performance Requirement

  Suitable sanitary facilities for personal hygiene must be provided in a convenient location within or associated with a building, to the degree necessary, appropriate to:

 (a) the function or use of the building; and

 (b) the number and gender of the occupants; and

 (c) the disability or other particular needs of the occupants.

F2.0 Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions

  The Performance Requirement of clause FP2.1 is satisfied by complying with:

 (a) clauses F2.2 and F2.4; and

 (b) for public transport buildings, Part H2.

F2.2 Calculation of number of occupants and fixtures

  The number of persons accommodated must be calculated according to clause D1.13 of the BCA if it cannot be more accurately determined by other means.

F2.4 Accessible sanitary facilities

  In a building required to be accessible:

 (a) accessible unisex sanitary compartments must be provided in accessible parts of the building in accordance with Table F2.4 (a); and

 (b) accessible unisex showers must be provided in accordance with Table F2.4 (b); and

 (c) at each bank of toilets where there is one or more toilets in addition to an accessible unisex sanitary compartment at that bank of toilets, a sanitary compartment suitable for a person with an ambulant disability in accordance with AS 1428.1 must be provided for use by males and females; and

 (d) an accessible unisex sanitary compartment must contain a closet pan, washbasin, shelf or bench top and adequate means of disposal of sanitary towels; and

 (e) the circulation spaces, fixtures and fittings of all accessible sanitary facilities provided in accordance with Table F2.4 (a) and (b) must comply with the requirements of AS 1428.1; and

 (f) an accessible unisex sanitary facility must be located so that it can be entered without crossing an area reserved for one sex only; and

 (g) where two or more of each type of accessible unisex sanitary facility are provided, the number of left and right handed mirror image facilities, must be provided as evenly as possible; and

 (h) where male sanitary facilities are provided at a separate location to female sanitary facilities, accessible unisex sanitary facilities are only required at one of those locations; and

 (i) an accessible unisex sanitary compartment or an accessible unisex shower need not be provided on a storey or level that is not required by D3.3(g) to be provided with a passenger lift or ramp complying with AS 1428.1.

Table F2.4 (a) Accessible unisex sanitary compartments

Table F2.4 (b) Accessible unisex showers

Part H2 Public transport buildings

Note:  Part H2 contains Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions for Class 9b and Class 10 public transport buildings additional to those contained in Parts D3, E3 and F2 that apply to public transport buildings.

H2.1 Application of Part

 (1) The Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions of this Part apply to the passenger use areas of a Class 9b or Class 10 building used for public transport.

 (2) The Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions of this Part take precedence where there is a difference to the Deemed‑to‑Satisfy Provisions of Parts D3, E3 and F2.

 (3) For an airport that does not accept regular public transport services, as defined in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, only clauses H2.8, H2.9, H2.10, H2.11, H2.12 and H2.13 of this Part apply.

 (4) Subparagraph A3.3 (a) (i) of the BCA does not apply to this Part.

H2.2 Accessways

 (1) An accessway must comply with AS 1428.2.

 (2) If an accessway branches into 2 or more parallel tracks:

 (a) the ends of each track must be on the main pedestrian traffic routes; and

 (b) the parallel tracks must have equal convenience and be located as close as practicable to the main pedestrian branch.

 (3) The minimum unobstructed width of an accessway must be 1.2 m, except that:

 (a) the minimum unobstructed width of a moving walkway forming part of an accessway may be not less than 850 mm; and

 (b) the minimum unobstructed width of a doorway in an accessway may be not less than 850 mm.

 (4) Poles, columns, stanchions, bollards and fixtures must not project into an accessway.

 (5) Obstacles that abut an accessway must have a luminance contrast with a background of not less than 30%.

 (6) Manoeuvring areas that allow a 180 degree wheelchair turn must comply with clause 6.2 of AS 1428.2.

 (7) A passing area must be provided at least every 6 metres along any two‑way accessway that is less than 1 800 mm wide.

 (8) Ground and floor surfaces must comply with clause 9 of AS 1428.2 and AS 1428.1. Supplement 1 provides criteria for the selection of floor surfaces.

 (9) The requirements of subparagraph D3.3 (c) (ii) do not apply to Class 9b or Class 10 public transport buildings.

H2.3 Ramps

 (1) A ramp forming part of an accessway must comply with clause 8 of AS 1428.2.

 (2) The requirements of paragraph D3.11 (a) do not apply to Class 9b or Class 10 public transport buildings.

H2.4 Handrails and grabrails

 (1) A handrail must comply with clause 10.1 of AS 1428.2.

 (2) Handrails must be placed along an accessway wherever passengers are likely to require additional support or passive guidance.

 (3) A grabrail must comply with clause 10.2 of AS 1428.2.

 (4) A grabrail or handrail must be provided at fixed locations where passengers are required to pay fares.

H2.5 Doorways and doors

  Doorways and doors must comply with clause 11 (except clause 11.5.2) of AS 1428.2.

H2.6 Lifts

  Lift facilities must comply with AS 1735.12.

H2.7 Stairways

  Stairs must comply with:

 (a) clause 9.1 of AS 1428.1, including the notes; and

 (b) clause 9.2 of AS 1428.1; and

 (c) clause 13.2, 13.3 and Figures 8 and 9 of AS 1428.2.

H2.8 Unisex accessible toilet

  If toilets are provided, there must be at least one unisex accessible toilet without an airlock that complies with AS 1428.1 clause 10, sanitary facilities.

H2.9 Location of accessible toilets

  Accessible toilets must be in the same location as other toilets.

H2.10 Symbols and signs

 (1) The international symbols for accessibility and deafness in accordance with clauses 14.2 and 14.3 of AS 1428.1 must be used to identify an accessway and which facilities and boarding points are accessible.

 (2) Signs must be placed in accordance with clause 17.4 of AS 1428.2.

 (3) The size of accessibility symbols must comply with Table 1 of AS 1428.2.

 (4) The symbol for accessibility must incorporate directional arrows and words or, if possible, pictograms, to show passengers the way to accessible facilities such as toilets.

 (5) Signs must comply with clause 17.1 and Figure 30 of AS 1428.2.

 (6) If a sign incorporates raised lettering or symbols, they must be at least 0.8 mm above the surface of the sign.

 (7) If an operator or provider supplements a notice with braille characters, they must be placed to the left of the raised characters.

H2.11 Tactile Ground Surface Indicators

  Tactile ground surface indicators must be installed in accordance with AS 1428.4 on an accessway and must indicate changes of direction in accordance with clause 18.1 of AS 1428.2.

H2.12 Lighting

  Any lighting provided must comply with minimum levels of maintenance illumination for various situations shown in the notes to clause 19.1 of AS 1428.2.

H2.13 Hearing augmentation

  If a public address system is installed, it must comply with clause 21.1 of AS 1428.2.

H2.14 Emergency warning systems

 (1) If an emergency warning system is installed, it must comply with clause 18.2.1, 18.2.2 and 18.2.3 of AS 1428.2.

 (2) In the event of an emergency, provision must be made for people with vision impairment to locate the exit path.

H2.15 Controls

  Controls must comply with clause 11 of AS 1428.1.

1. All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.