Posted By Homer
Need some help please from an expert on the DDA, building regs Scotland

We have relocated into a new facility which has been joined onto an existing older building, the new facility ticks all the boxes as regards DDA. The facility has a ground and first floor as does the old er building. Where new facility meets old facility on first floor there is a small staircase of three treads which leads to a meeting room, cleaners cupboard, 'able bodied' toilets, staircase to ground floor and staircase fire escape. The new faccilty has lift between floors, disabled toilets etc.

To cut a long story short our Designer has boobed and on plans the three step staircase has a stair lift. If we fit this it will narrow access and egress to 700mm which is unacceptable.

We have tried reasoning with Building Control using argument of safety during fire for both able and disabled and that there are more than adequate disabled facilities in new part.

They are not buying it and I think they are being unreasonable.

HELP!!!

Posted By FAH
Hi Homer

Perhaps it would be helpful to read the other thread that discusses the DDA in conjunction with this one. And, there's a great deall of info available via various web-sites.

However, you should be aware the Building Regs also take precedence over the DDA and retro-active application of DDA measures will always be subservient to the Building Regs - especially to Approved Document B - Fire Safety.

Whilst it may appear that the Local Planning Authority are being unnecessarily unreasonable; from your post the building appears to have been completed & the fault would appear to be primarily that of your Project Designer; although there are a range of others [including the Client & the Contractor] who must share the fault as they really should have stepped in a lot earlier to identify & remedy the problem.

Unfortunately, this is going to cost money to remedy!!!

Frank Hallett