Owning a commercial property in the UK comes with responsibility. Part of that responsibility is providing suitable wheelchair access to your store, café, or other public building. In the UK, disabled access doors should be fitted to your commercial premise. Failure to make alterations means that you are not complying with the Equality Act, and heavy fines are being given to those who fail to make the necessary adaptations to their premises.
When fitting disabled access doors to your commercial premise, it is important that you comply with the stringent regulations set down by UK laws. For this reason, you should always use a registered and reputable company for the installation of your doors. Simply adding sliding doors like those you find at all large stores may not be enough. There are regulations on the width of the doors you fit, and the access to your doors.
Disabled Access Doors : Choosing a Design
When you are going to make the necessary adaptations to your commercial premise, you should consult your professional mobility and disability team. They will visit you at your premise to check just what changes need to be made. Your disabled doors need to be wide enough for wheelchair use, and the width of the doors will depend on the approach up to them. For example, if a wheelchair user needs to turn at the top of your disabled access ramp in order to enter your store, the doors may need to be wider to accommodate how the wheelchair will turn.
The design of your doors will depend on the amount of space you have, as well as on the design of your existing doors. Some doors can be automated, but in many instances you will need to add a completely new system. Sliding doors are the perfect solution, but in some cases a sliding door may not be possible. If your doorway is narrow, and you have a single opening door, it may be possible to automate your door. A push button will be added at a height that is accessible to wheelchair users. This type of system will only work if you have enough space in front of your door, and may not be suitable if you have a short ramp that leads up to your entrance doors.
The best solution for disabled access doors is sliding doors that open automatically when someone approaches. These kinds of doors have been used for many decades in large stores and supermarkets. These doors will also alert you to when someone comes in to your premise, acting as an extra security measure. Closing behind the person who comes in your store, they will also ensure you don’t waste money on heating or air conditioning bills, the temperature always staying constant within your store.
Disabled access doors are just one necessary adaption for your commercial premise. You should also supply disabled parking, disabled bathrooms, and a DDA compliant wheelchair access ramp. Grants are available for your adaptations, and you will be given a reasonable timescale within which you will be required to complete your renovations and ensure that your premise is entirely wheelchair-friendly.