Disability Discrimination Act 1995 The Background Dec 1996 Unlawful to treat disabled less favourablyDec 1996 Unlawful to treat disabled less favourably Oct 1999 Service providers to make reasonable adjustments – Extra helpOct 1999 Service providers to make reasonable adjustments – Extra help Oct 2004 Make other reasonable adjustments – Barriers to accessOct 2004 Make other reasonable adjustments – Barriers to access (Extended to cover service providers & all Employers) (Extended to cover service providers & all Employers)

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 The Documents BS5839 part - 1 :2002BS5839 part - 1 :2002 Approved Document ‘M’ of Building RegulationsApproved Document ‘M’ of Building Regulations BS8300:2001 Design of buildings & their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people – Code of practiceBS8300:2001 Design of buildings & their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people – Code of practice

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Alarm warnings for people with impaired hearing

BS5839 part –1 : 2002 More concerned with the specification, installation & monitoring of products employed than guidance on when & where to apply products More concerned with the specification, installation & monitoring of products employed than guidance on when & where to apply products

BS5839 part – 1 : Fire alarm warnings for people with impaired hearing Commentary Commentary In circumstances, such as buildings with a significant number of people with impaired hearing, buildings in which one or more persons with impaired hearing work in relative isolation, & buildings in which one or more persons with impaired hearing tend to move around the building, additional means of giving warning might be appropriate. In circumstances, such as buildings with a significant number of people with impaired hearing, buildings in which one or more persons with impaired hearing work in relative isolation, & buildings in which one or more persons with impaired hearing tend to move around the building, additional means of giving warning might be appropriate.

BS5839 part – 1 : Fire alarm warnings for people with impaired hearing Commentary Commentary If the occupants in question tend to be located for a large proportion of their time within a limited area of a building, visual alarms might be appropriate in that area (& associated toilets). If the occupants in question tend to be located for a large proportion of their time within a limited area of a building, visual alarms might be appropriate in that area (& associated toilets). If they sleep in the building, tactile devices, with or without associated visual alarm devices might be considered. These devices, which may for example, be placed under pillows or mattresses, may be wired into the fire alarm devices circuit or be triggered by radio signals. If they sleep in the building, tactile devices, with or without associated visual alarm devices might be considered. These devices, which may for example, be placed under pillows or mattresses, may be wired into the fire alarm devices circuit or be triggered by radio signals.

BS5839 part – 1 : Fire alarm warnings for people with impaired hearing Recommendations Recommendations Visual alarms ccts monitored & fire ratedVisual alarms ccts monitored & fire rated Tactile devices may be fixed, moveable or portableTactile devices may be fixed, moveable or portable Fixed – Control panel Moveable – Table top & operates vib pad Portable – Radio pager

Building Regulations Approved Document M (ADM) All bedrooms to have a visual & audible alarm signalAll bedrooms to have a visual & audible alarm signal All sanitary accommodation to have a visual & audible alarm signalAll sanitary accommodation to have a visual & audible alarm signal Not mandatory and alternative solutions, which may be more appropriate to the building, can be adopted Not mandatory and alternative solutions, which may be more appropriate to the building, can be adopted

BS8300 : 2001 Design of buildings & their approach to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice BSI document used as the base standard for many of the requirements in Approved Document M BSI document used as the base standard for many of the requirements in Approved Document M

BS8300 : 2001 Design of buildings & their approach to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice Audible & Visual alarm signal required in:Audible & Visual alarm signal required in: KitchensKitchens Sanitary FacilitiesSanitary Facilities BedroomsBedrooms Accessible Internal Spaces Accessible Internal Spaces –Common spaces e.g corridors, seminar rooms Consideration given to use of under pillow vibrating alerts to wake sleepersConsideration given to use of under pillow vibrating alerts to wake sleepers

Manual Call Points BS5839 part 1 provides guidance on reduced travel distancesBS5839 part 1 provides guidance on reduced travel distances BS8300 suggests max. mounting height of 1000 – 1200 mmBS8300 suggests max. mounting height of 1000 – 1200 mm

Fire Doors ADM suggests corridor doors held open with electro-magnetic device, but self close on activation of fire alarm or mains failureADM suggests corridor doors held open with electro-magnetic device, but self close on activation of fire alarm or mains failure BS8300 suggest same but states Newton force maximumsBS8300 suggest same but states Newton force maximums

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Legislation is about applying reasonable & even handed judgementLegislation is about applying reasonable & even handed judgement What may be reasonable for one may not be reasonable for anotherWhat may be reasonable for one may not be reasonable for another Many opinions & little hard facts e.g. beacon spacing & output levelsMany opinions & little hard facts e.g. beacon spacing & output levels BS8300 & ADM not cross referenced to BS5839 part 1BS8300 & ADM not cross referenced to BS5839 part 1

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 What’s Clymac’s Advice? Compliance with Building Regs (ADM) as a minimum.Compliance with Building Regs (ADM) as a minimum.

Building Regulations Approved Document M (ADM) All bedrooms to have a visual & audible alarm signalAll bedrooms to have a visual & audible alarm signal All sanitary accommodation to have a visual & audible alarm signalAll sanitary accommodation to have a visual & audible alarm signal Not mandatory and alternative solutions, which may be more appropriate to the building, can be adopted Not mandatory and alternative solutions, which may be more appropriate to the building, can be adopted

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 What’s Clymac’s Advice? Incorporate BS8300Incorporate BS8300 –Radio based tactile alerts to support visual alarms in selected bedrooms –Accessible spaces e.g corridors & common rooms (visual or tactile) –Kitchens