Accessible facilities
The accessible facilities required in any particular building are defined by the Building Act and the Building Code.
A Building Code-compliant building will always have an accessible route into the building from the car parking area and footpath. This accessible route will continue through the internal spaces of the building and include the accessible facilities.
When older buildings are upgraded, the accessible entrance is sometimes not the main entrance. In these situations, directional signs at the main entrance should indicate where the accessible journey into the building begins.
Fig 15 ISA step sign
This sign on the steps of a heritage building shows clearly that an accessible entrance is available elsewhere.
The accessible features on an accessible route within a building will depend on the type of building and may include:
Fig 16 Entrance
An accessible entrance beside the main entrance steps in a historic building. The well-signed sliding glass door leads to a lift - the beginning of the accessible route within the building.