Access: Improving Accessibility To Historic Buildings and Places

advice series
IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES
access
access
IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES
DUBLIN PUBLISHED BY THE STATIONERY OFFICE To be purchased directly from: Government Publications Sales Office Sun Alliance House Molesworth Street Dublin 2 or by mail order from: Government Publications Postal Trade Section Unit 20 Lakeside Retail Park Claremorris Co. Mayo Tel: 01 - 6476834/37 or 1890 213434; Fax: 01 - 6476843 or 094 - 9378964 or through any bookseller
Government of Ireland 2011 ISBN 978-1-4064-2319-8 All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission provided the source is acknowledged. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the authors accept no liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on the advice contained in this booklet
This publication has been produced with the support of the National Disability Authority
Text by: Shaffrey Associates Architects and Fionnuala Rogerson Architects Editorial team: Helena Bergin, Fingal County Council; Feargus McGarvey, Mitchell + Associates; John Wickham, DoECLG and Jacqui Donnelly, DoAHG All images are by the authors or DoAHG except where otherwise stated Series Editor: Jacqui Donnelly Design: Bennis Design
ACCESS IMPROVINGTHEACCESSIBILITYOFHISTORICBUILDINGSANDPLACES
Contents
INTRODUCTION 1. PRINCIPLES 5 11 11
13
17
20
Gettingthebalanceright Principlesofuniversaldesign Principlesofarchitecturalconservation Rolesandresponsibilities

2. LEGISLATIVECONTEXT
22
23
25
26
27
32
33
33
34
DisabilityAct PlanningandDevelopmentActs NationalMonumentsActs BuildingControlActs EmploymentEqualityActs EqualStatusActs WildlifeActs ForestryAct

3. PREPARINGTOIMPROVEACCESS
35
35
37
38 40 42 43 44 45 47
Adviceandexpertise Theaccessstrategy Theconservationassessment Theaccessaudit Accessoptions Theaccessactionplan Theaccessstatement Maintenance,monitoringandreview Approachestoimprovingaccess
4. IMPROVINGACCESSINTHEEXTERNALENVIRONMENT
54 56 60 72 75 77 78 78 80 80 81 86 97 99 110
111
116
Wayfindingandsignage Accessibleroutes Changesinlevelstepsandgradients Streetfurnitureandlighting Seatingandrestplaces Gardenandlandscapefeatures Gettingaroundlargesites

5. IMPROVINGACCESSINANDAROUNDBUILDINGS
Arrivalandcarparking Approachandentry Overcomingdifferencesinlevel Thefrontdoor Circulationwithinthebuilding Lighting Facilities Emergencyevacuation

6. PROVIDINGACCESSIBLEINFORMATION
119 119 124 126
Previsitinformation Interpretiveinformation Programmesandevents
Introduction
Oneofthekeyrequirementsforaninclusiveandsustainablesocietyisthat everyoneshouldbeabletoparticipateinandenjoythesocial,economic andculturalassetsofthatsociety.Historicbuildingsandplacesarea significantasset,auniqueandirreplaceableresourcewhichreflectsarich anddiverseexpressionofpastsocietiesandformsanintegralpartoflocal, regionalandnationalculturalidentity.Historicbuildingsandplaces, importantinthemselvesfortheirintrinsicculturalheritagevalue,arealso significantbecauseoftheirusesasplaceswherepeoplework,liveand enjoyeverydayactivities. Forsomepeople,barriersexistwhichmakevisitingandusinghistoric buildingsandplacesdifficultorsometimesimpossible.Makingthebuilt heritagemoreaccessibleinanappropriateandsensitivemannercan increaseawarenessandappreciationofitscultural,socialandeconomic value.Itassistsinmeetingsocietysrequirementtoprotectitsarchitectural heritage,whilstalsomeetingtheneedtoprovideequalaccessforall,asfar asispracticable. Thepurposeofthisguidanceistoadvisethosewhoown,manageorcare forbuildingsandplacesofarchitecturalheritagesignificanceonthe optionsavailabletothemtoimproveaccessibility.Italsoprovidesguidance andinformationforanyonewithaninterestorinvolvementinissues surroundingtheaccessibilityofhistoricbuildingsandplaces.Itaimsto: Increaseunderstandingoftheprinciplesofarchitecturalconservation anduniversaldesign Improveawarenessandunderstandingoftherelevantlegislationand policy Provideguidanceonpreparinganaccessstrategy Provideillustratedexamplesofsuccessfulsolutionswhereaccessto historicbuildingsandplaceshasbeenimproved Assistindeterminingthepracticabilityofworkstoimproveaccessto thehistoricbuiltenvironment
ACCESS IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES
In making the built heritage more accessible, it is essential to be aware of peoples different needs and how these needs can be met in a variety of ways. It is important to remember that often the best and most appropriate way to make historic places more accessible is through management solutions which may sometimes require little physical intervention or alteration of historic fabric. Well-planned access strategies, developed at an early stage, can avoid excessive intervention and cost. Where intervention is required, careful, sensitive and elegantly designed solutions should be prepared and carried out by those with the necessary expertise and experience. Consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including local authority access, planning, building control, fire and architectural conservation officers, may assist in developing appropriate solutions. In some cases, it may also be appropriate to consult with users with disabilities. It is important to remember that to successfully improve access to historic buildings and places, it is necessary to address both conservation and accessibility needs in an integrated and balanced manner.
An inclusive environment contains.
Accessible Customer Services.
An Accessible Built Environment.
Accessible Information.
This diagram shows the three fundamental components of an inclusive environment. The provision of accessible customer services and information are of equal importance to an accessible and inclusive built environment.
The types of places and uses to which this guidance applies is wide and may cover sites in public or private ownership, in active use or redundant, including the following: Archaeological sites, often containing ruins. Bank buildings. Designed landscapes. Farm complexes. Harbours. Hospitals and medical clinics. Hotels and guesthouses . Houses, gardens and grounds. Industrial buildings. Institutional complexes including universities. Libraries. Offices. Places of worship. Schools. Shops and restaurants. Town and village centres. Train and bus stations.
The guidance in this booklet applies to a wide range of buildings and places from private homes, places of work, places of worship, places people visit for pleasure and places which provide essential services for everyday living. There are different requirements for accessibility depending on whether the place is a public building or a private home. For private homes, solutions can be tailored to the specific needs of the occupant and the legal requirements are less demanding. For owners or managers of public buildings that come under the requirements of the Disability Act 2005, access solutions to serve all types of needs and abilities will need to be found. Buildings and places which are not in public ownership, but which cater for public use, should also be accessible if the services provided are to meet with equality legislation. However, if works are required which affect the architectural or archaeological significance of the building or place, other statutory requirements apply such as the need for planning permission and/or notification or consent under National Monuments legislation.
Churchesandgraveyardsinactiveuse haveverydifferentaccessrequirements tothosewhicharenolongerinuse
Manyhistoricgardensand demesnesareopento,and visitedby,thepublicandthe accessrequirementsofall visitorsneedtobeconsidered
Georgian terraced houses,for whichmany Irishcitiesand townsare renowned,are particularly challengingto adaptfor wheelchair access
Theapproachtakento adaptingahomeisspecificto aresidentsneedsaswellasto eachproperty
WaterwayssuchastheGrandCanalandRiverBarrowareprotectedfor theirhistoricalandecologicalsignificancebutalsoprovideaneasily accessedrecreationalamenityforall
Whiletheprincipalfocusofthisbookletisonplacesofbuiltheritage significance,someofthesehistoricplacesmayalsobeofnaturalheritage significanceandtheircustodiansshouldtakeaccountofpossibleimpacts onwildlifehabitatsandnaturallandscapeswhenplanningandmanaging forimprovedaccess. Theguidanceislaidoutinfivesections: Chapter1 looksattheprinciplesofarchitecturalconservationandof universaldesignandtheimportanceofgettingthebalancerightbetween thetwo.Italsoexplainsthenecessityofgettingtherightadvicetoensure thattheownersorcustodiansofthebuildingorplacemeettheir responsibilities. Chapter2 outlinessomerelevantlegislation,describingthedifferent responsibilitieswithregardtotheprovisionofaccess,theprotectionofthe builtheritageandotherassociatedlegislationincludingtherequirements ofbuildingregulations. Chapter3 providesinformationontheprocessofplanningforinclusionby developing,implementingandmanagingaccessstrategiesspecifictothe particularbuildingorplace,toensurethattheobjectiveofimproving accessismetwhilemaintainingthesignificantcharacteristicsofthe historicplace. Chapter4 providesrelevantinformationandpracticaladviceondelivering sitespecificandpracticableaccesssolutionsforthehistoricexternal environmentincludingtheprovisionofaccessibleroutesthroughasiteor anurbanareatogetherwiththeprovisionofadequateseating,resting placesandsignage. Chapter5 followsatypicaljourneysequencewhenvisitingahistoric buildingfromarrivalandentryintothebuilding,circulationinandaround thebuildingandmeasuresforensuringsafeevacuationofthebuildingin caseofemergency. Chapter6dealswiththeprovisionofaccessibleinformationforthevisitor, bothinassistinginplanningavisittoahistoricbuildingorplaceandin interpretingthesiteoncethere.Italsodiscussesissuesofaccessibilityin relationtoeventsheldinhistoricbuildingsandplaces.
10
1. Principles
Gettingthebalanceright
Fewhistoricbuildingsandplaceswereoriginallydesignedtobeaccessible toallandmanypresentchallengesinprovidingeasyandindependent access.Indeedsomehistoricsites,suchascastlesandmilitaryforts,were actuallydesignedandbuilttomakeaccessdifficultandthismaybean importantaspectoftheirspecialinterest.Nonetheless,therearemany situationswhereitispossibletoimproveaccesseitherthroughinnovative managementpractices,highqualityandsensitivedesigninterventions,ora combinationofboth. Goodmanagementsolutionsincludetrainingstafftounderstandthe needsofpeopleandtoassistwhennecessary.Appropriatestafftraining andawarenessareparticularlynecessaryinplaceswhereconventional standardsarenotpracticableduetotheimpactsthesemighthave,and wherepersonalassistancemayberequiredforsomeusersorvisitors.Good managementalsoincludestheimplementationofflexible,nonphysical arrangementsandinitiativeswithinabuildingtoaccommodatepeople withadiverserangeofneeds.Itmaysometimesnotbepossibletoprovide physicalaccesstoallpartsofahistoricbuildingwithoutcausingsignificant damagetoitsarchitecture.Insuchcases,theservicesorexperiences providedshould,whereverpossible,bemadeavailableinanaccessiblepart ofthebuilding.Managementsolutionsmayalsoinvolvetheinstallationof portableordemountableaids,forexampleforoneofforinfrequentevents. Sometimesamanagementsolutionisnecessarywhereamorepermanent solutionisnotpossibleorappropriateatthattime,perhapsduetoalackof availablefundingortechnology.Consultationwithstakeholdersanduser groupsmayhelpidentifykeyissuesandevaluatepossiblesolutions. Indeterminingtheextentandapproachestoachievingimproved accessibility,anacceptablebalanceneedstobestruckbetweentheneed toprotecttheparticularqualitiesofthebuilding,townscapeorlandscape thatarevaluedandtheneedtoprovideforgreatersocialinclusionand access.Inmakingdecisionsaboutinterventionandchange,ownersor
11
custodiansshouldrespondtotheneedsoftodaywhilebeingmindfulof theirroleastemporarycustodiansofaheritagepasseddownfrom previousgenerations,whichshouldbepassedontofuturegenerations withitsspecialqualitiesintact. Manybuildingsofarchitecturalheritagesignificancealsoplayarolein peoplesdailylives.Ingettingthebalanceright,adifferentapproachmay
Itisachallengeforanyoneto visittheruinsofthefifteenth centurymedievalMoyneAbbey becauseofitsisolatedlocation, thedifficultyoftheterrainand theconditionoftheruinoussite. Thisispartofeveryvisitors experienceanditcontributesto thespecialqualitiesoftheplace. Anydecisiontoimproveaccess needstobecarefullybalanced withmaintainingtheintegrity andauthenticityoftheabbey anditssetting
TrinityCollegeDublinishometo morethan16,000studentsand staffandisvisitedbyoverhalfa millionpeopleeveryyear.Many ofthebuildings,whichdate fromtheeighteenthand nineteenthcenturies,are accessedacrosscobbledsquares andhaveraisedentrances.The Collegeiscommittedtothe principleofuniversalaccessand hasdevelopedanaccess strategywhichisbeing implementedonaphasedbasis
12
beappropriateforabuildingwhichaccommodatesaneverydayfunction suchasalibrary,church,shoporbank,thanforaheritagesitewhichis opentothepublicasahistoricvisitorattraction. Managementsolutionswhichdonotrequirealterationofthebuildingor placemaybeappropriateinsomeinstancestoensuresufficientaccesstoa particularservice.Suchmanagementsolutionscanbeassistedbyoffsite andadvanceinformationintheformofwebsites,leafletsandaudiovisual information,indicatingwherephysicalaccessislimitedandwhatfacilities andinterpretiveinformationareavailable.Oneofforoccasionaleventsin historicbuildingsandplaces,suchasconcerts,ceremonies,fairs,markets andthelike,mayonlyrequiretemporarymeasureswhichcanbeinstalled inasensitiveandeasilyreversibleway.
Principlesofuniversaldesign
TheprinciplesofuniversaldesigndevelopedbytheNorthCarolinaState Universityin1997are: 1. Equitableuse thedesignisusefulandmarketabletopeoplewith diverseabilities 2. Flexibilityinuseaccommodatingawiderangeofindividual preferencesandabilities 3. Simpleandintuitiveuse useofthedesigniseasytounderstand 4. Perceptibleinformationthedesigncommunicatesnecessary informationeffectivelytotheuser 5. Toleranceforerrorthedesignminimiseshazardsandtheadverse consequencesofaccidentalorunintendedactions 6. Lowphysicaleffortthedesigncanbeusedefficientlyandcomfortably withaminimumoffatigue 7. Sizeandspaceappropriatesizeandspaceisprovidedforapproach, reach,manipulationanduse
13
TheDisabilityAct2005(Section19A)definesUniversalDesignasthe designandcompositionofanenvironmentsothatitmaybeaccessed, understoodandusedtothegreatestpossibleextent,inthemost independentandnaturalmannerpossible,inthewidestpossiblerangeof situations,andwithouttheneedforadaptation,modification,assistive devicesorspecialisedsolutions,byanypersonsofanyageorsizeorhaving anyparticularphysical,sensory,mentalhealthorintellectualabilityor disability.Itisaboutmakingplacesthateveryonecanusethrough applyingastrategicapproachtoplanning,designandmanagement.It promotesinclusionandaccessforallandappliesbothtonewbuildings andtotheadaptationofexistingandhistoricenvironments.Itrelatesnot onlytothemanagementandmaintenanceofabuildingorplacebutalso totheprovisionofinformationandservices. Applyinguniversaldesignprinciplestoensurethathistoricenvironments areaccessibleandinclusiveinvolvesunderstandingthevastrangeof humanabilitiesandfrailtiesatallstagesoflifefromchildhoodtooldage. Thereisnosuchpersonasanaveragepersonandthereareasmany differencesinthecharacteristicsofdisabledusersasthereareamong nondisabled,forexampleheight,strength,dexterity,stamina,and intellectual,visionorhearingabilities. Inseekingsolutionsthegeneralaimistofindonethatisusableby everyone.Howevertherearetimeswhenitisnecessarytoprovide alternatives.Ifasolutiondesignedspecificallyforuseonlybypeoplewith disabilitiescannotbeavoided,thenitshouldbesensitivelyintegrated withintheexistingarchitecturalorlandscapecontext. Toarriveatanacceptablesolution,userconsultationcanbeakeyfactor. Byinvolvingpeoplewithdisabilities,olderpeopleandusergroupsinthe process,itmaybepossibletoensurethatsolutionsarepracticaland prioritiesareaccuratelyidentified. Universaldesignmayincludeassistivedevices;forexample,anassistive hearingdevicemayberequiredinaconcerthallnomatterhowgoodthe acoustics.Personalserviceandassistancemayalsobeneeded;inparticular whereservicesareautomated.
14
Byconsultingwitha rangeofusergroups, includingolder peopleandpeople withdisabilities, decisionsonwhat accessimprovements toprioritisearemore effective
Universaldesignisaninnovativeanddynamicstrategywhichfocuseson constantlyseekingbettersolutionsinacontextwheretechnology, knowledgeandawarenessarerapidlychanging.Thusitisnecessary continuallytoconsidernewsolutionsasameansofminimisingtechnical andenvironmentallimitations.Thepracticeofuniversaldesignis evolutionaryincharacter.Eachhistoricbuildingorplaceisuniqueandthe levelofaccessthatcanbeachievedisdependentonthecharacteristicsof thesiteitself.
15
Auniversaldesignstrategyappliedtoplacesofbuiltheritageshouldaim toincludethefollowinggoalswhereverpracticable: Previsitinformationavailableinaccessibleformatsandproviding informationabouttheaccessibilityofthesiteandservices Stafftrainedindisabilityandequalityawareness Anaccessibleexternallandscape Simpleandintuitivewayfindingandorientation Welldesignedandlegiblesignage Anaccessibleprincipalentrypoint Accessforeveryonetofacilitiesor,wherethisisnotpossible,alternative accessprovided Interpretiveinformationavailableinavarietyofformats Programmesandeventsthatareaccessibletoall Emergencyevacuationforeveryone
Aninclusiveenvironmentiseasytouse,safe,andcomfortableand offerschoicewhereneeded
16
However,becauseofthesensitivityofthebuiltheritage,notallofthese goalswillbeachievableateverysiteand,wheresuchcasesarise,a carefulbalancewillhavetobereached.
Principlesofarchitecturalconservation
Accordingtotheprinciplesofarchitecturalconservation,alterationstothe builtheritageshould: Useexpertadviceatallstagesoftheprocess Protectthespecialinterestoftheplace Promoteminimalintervention Properlyrecordallalterations Respectallpreviousalterationsofinterest Repairratherthanreplacehistoricfabric Promotethelegibilityofnewwork Useappropriatematerialsandmethodsofwork Ensureeasyreversibilityofalterations
Welookafterourhistoricbuildingsandplacesforthosewhocomeafterus. Manyofthesehistoricplaceshaveexistedforgenerationsanditisour responsibilitytohandthemoningoodconditiontoallowfuture generationstoenjoythemtoo.Conservationinvolvescaringforhistoric buildingsandplacesandmanagingchangestotheminawaywhich retainstheirspecialcharacteristics.Itisimportant,therefore,tounderstand thefollowingbasicprinciplesofarchitecturalconservationpracticesothat anychangesundertakendonotdamagethespecialqualitiesofahistoric buildingorplace.
17
Formosthistoricbuildingsandplaces,itiswellestablishedthatthebest waytoprotectthemistokeeptheminactiveuse.Thismayinvolve adaptationsandalterationstokeeptheplaceinuseandsomecompromise maybenecessary;however,thespecialinterestshouldnotbe unnecessarilyaffectedandeveryeffortshouldbemadetominimiselossof, ordamageto,thequalitiesofthebuildingorplace. Beforecommencinganyworksitisimportanttolearnasmuchaspossible abouttheparticularbuildingorplace;forexamplewhatitshistoryhas beenandhowithaschangedovertime.Itshouldberecognisedthatlater alterationsmaybeimportantadditionstothehistoryoftheplace.Ifthe buildingorplacehasbeencaredforandadaptedovertheyears,each generationofchangehasmadeitsowncontributiontoitscharacter.Itis importanttounderstandwhatisspecialabouttheplaceandhowthese specialqualitiescanbeprotectedwhencarryingoutworks.Itisalso essentialtogetindependentadvicefromacknowledgedexpertsinthe relevantfieldofconservationwhenplanningworks.Thesecouldincludea conservationarchitect,engineer,landscapearchitect,archaeologistor ecologist,dependingonthenatureoftheworksrequired.
Thisramphasbeendesigned asacontemporaryintervention insteelandtimberwhichwill weathertoagreycolourto matchthestonework.Theramp isreadilyremovableensuring thattheinterventionis reversible.Aspartoftheworks adoorwaywhichhadbeen blockedupwasreopenedwith thenewdoorrecessed.The originalstepshavebeen broughtforwardandraisedto eliminatethesinglestepatthe doorway.Anyhistoricfabric thatwasremovedhasbeen retainedonthesiteandthe alterationsrecorded
18
Planningshouldtakeplaceinaholisticway,formulatinganoverallplan whichaddressesallnecessaryworkstoconservethedistinctivequalitiesof theplacebutwhichalsoallowsforchange.Workscanthenbe implementedinaphasedmannertoreflectprioritiesandavailable resources.Ideally,interventionsandalterationsshouldbereadilyreversible withoutcausingdamagetothespecialcharacterofthebuildingorplace. Generally,alterationsshouldadoptanapproachofminimalintervention. Goodconservationworksshoulddoasmuchasnecessaryandaslittleas possible(Article3,BurraCharter).Wheremajorinterventionsoradditions arerequired,theseshouldaddtothedistinctivequalitiesofthesiterather thancompetewiththehistoricbuildingorplacesothat,intime,they becomevaluedelementsintheirownright.Insomeinstances,the appropriatedesignsolutionmaybetoadoptthehistoricstyle;however careshouldbetakentoensurehighqualitydetailingandspecification,as poorqualitypasticheversionswoulddetractfromtheoriginal.Oftena contemporarydesignofhighqualityismoreappropriateandtheapproach shouldgenerallystriveforminimalvisualimpactandtheuseofhigh qualitymaterials.Thesenewelementsshouldnotvisuallydominatethe historicbuilding. Junctionsbetweenthehistoricfabricandanynewelementshouldbe carefullydesignedtoavoiddamageandthereshouldbeaclearand elegantdistinctionbetweenthenewandtheold.Respectshouldbegiven tolocaldistinctivenessinmaterial,designandconstructiondetail. Interventionandnewworksshouldnotdamageimportanthistoricfabric andfeaturesorpromotefuturedecay.Whencarryingoutinterventionsthe materials,designanddetailingoftheinterventionshouldbecompatible withthehistoricfabricandshouldnotdamageitsstructuralintegrityand performance.Itisgoodpracticetopreparedrawnandphotographic archivalrecordsofthebuildingorplacebeforeandaftercarryingout works,inadditiontorecordinganyfeatureswhichcometolightduring theproject.
19
Rolesandresponsibilities
Improvingaccessibilityrequirescommitmentatalllevelswithinan organisationresponsibleforthemanagementofahistoricbuildingor place.Thesameistrueforprotectingthearchitecturalheritage. Managementshouldempoweranddelegatestafftoprovideeffective onsitemanagement,operationalproceduresandmonitoring. Forpublicbuildings,theDisabilityActplacesresponsibilityforproviding accesswiththeheadsofcertainpublicbodiesandrequiresthatthose bodiesappointatleastonememberofstaffasanaccessofficer. Withinorganisationswhosepropertyincludeshistoricbuildingsand places,itisimportantthatthoseauthorisedtoactasaccessofficersare madeawareofthevalueofthebuiltheritageofthesite,theprinciplesof architecturalconservation,relevantlegislationandnationalandlocal policies.Itisalsoimportantthattheyaregiventhenecessaryauthorityto workwithotherpeopleanddepartments,bothwithinandoutsidethe organisation,whomayalsohavearoleintheplanning,managingand carryingoutofworkstohistoricpropertieswithintheorganisations ownershipormanagement. Inorganisationswhichownormanagealargeportfolioofhistoric buildingsandplaces,perhapsspreadacrossawidegeographicalarea,it maybeusefultoestablishahistoricpropertycommitteeanditis recommendedthattheaccessofficerandrepresentativesofanyrelevant accessgrouparepartofthiscommittee,inadditiontoincluding committeememberswithbuildingconservationexpertise.Theplanningof anyworkstohistoricpropertiesshouldbecoordinatedbythiscommittee sothataccessibilityissuesareproperlyintegratedinasensitivemanner. Thosewhoownorareinchargeofbuildingsandplacesofarchitectural heritagesignificanceshouldbeawareoftheirdutiesandresponsibilities underthePlanningActsandtheNationalMonumentActs.Theyshould consultwiththerelevantstatutoryauthoritiesbeforeplanninganyworks.
20
STAFFTRAININGINEQUALITYANDINCLUSION Thetypeandleveloftrainingrequireddependsonthenatureofthe organisationandthespecificroleofthestaffmember;howeverallstaff shouldbemadeawareoftheprinciplesofequality,inclusionanduniversal design. Forbuildingsandplaceswherephysicalaccessisdifficulttoprovidedueto thepotentialimpactsitwouldhaveonthearchitecturalheritage,the attitude,awarenessandtrainingofbuildingowners,managersandstaff becomeofmuchgreaterimportance.Theadvantageofgoodstafftraining isthecreationofincreasedawarenessoftheneedsofpeoplewith disabilitiessothat,whereabuildingorplaceisnotfullyaccessible,staff knowhowtoexplainanyaccesslimitations,andtoofferandprovide suitableassistancewhennecessary.Sometimesalittleassistancefroma staffmembercanmakeanotherwiseinaccessiblebuildingaccessiblefor someonewithadisability.Trainedstaffmayalsooftenbeabletoidentify creativeandnondamagingsolutionsformakingheritagesitesmore accessible.
21
2. Legislativecontext
Itisimportanttoestablishatanearlystagewhetherahistoricbuildingor siteisprotectedbylegislationandwhattypesofnotifications,permissions and/orconsentsarenecessarytoobtainbeforeundertakinganyworks.The complexityoflegislativerequirementsdealingwiththeconservationofthe builtheritageandtheimprovementofaccessibilityoftenrequiresexpert advice,togetherwithconsultationandnegotiationwiththerelevant statutoryauthorities. Thefollowingprovidesabriefdescriptionoftherelevantlegislationwhich underpinstheprinciplesofaccessibilityandtheprotectionofhistoric buildingsandplaces.Thissectionisintendedasguidanceonlyandisnota legalinterpretationofthelegislationdiscussed.
TheOfficeofPublicWorkshasbeenassistinggovernmentdepartments meetobjectivestoensurethatpublicbuildingsare,asfarasis practicable,accessibletoeveryone.Heresmooth,pavedaccessroutes fromthepedestriangatestothemainentrancestepswereprovided throughtherelaidsetts.Arampedaccessleadsuptotheentrance podium
22
DisabilityAct2005
TheDisabilityActappliesprincipallytopublicbodies.UndertheAct,public bodiesarerequiredtoensurethattheservicestheyprovidetothegeneral publicareaccessibletopeoplewithdisabilities.Apublicbodyshouldalso ensurethatinformationisavailableinaccessibleformatsonrequestasfar aspracticable. WithinthisActtherearespecificrequirementsforheritagesites.Section29 (1)(a)requiresthattheheadofapublicbodyshall,asfaraspracticable, ensurethatthewholeorapartofaheritagesiteinitsownership, managementorcontroltowhichthepublichasaccessisaccessibleto personswithdisabilitiesandcanbevisitedbythemwitheaseanddignity. However,thisdoesnotapplyiftheworksrequiredtomaketheheritage siteaccessiblewould: (i) Haveasignificantadverseeffectontheconservationstatusofaspecies orhabitatortheintegrityofaheritagesite,or (ii) Compromisethecharacteristicsofthesite.
ForthepurposesoftheDisabilityAct2005,Section29(3)definesa heritagesiteasincluding: a) AmonumentwithinthemeaningoftheNationalMonumentsActs 19302004 b) Aheritagebuildingoraheritagegardenorparkwithinthemeaningof theHeritageAct1995 c) Aprotectedstructureoraproposedprotectedstructure,withany attendantgrounds,oranarchitecturalconservationarea,withinthe meaningineachcaseofthePlanningandDevelopmentAct2000 d) Anaturereservewhichisthesubjectofanestablishmentorderwithin themeaningoftheWildlifeActs1976and2000,and e) AnationalparkownedbytheStateandunderthemanagementand controloftheMinisterfortheEnvironment,HeritageandLocal Government(Note:thesefunctionsweretransferredtotheMinisterfor Arts,HeritageandtheGaeltachtin2011)
23
Accessfor everyonetothe CustomHouse, Dublinisviathe northentrance wherearamped accessroutehas beenprovidedto reachtheentrance podium
Therampis locatedparallel tothepavement, behindrailings withminimal impactonthe Neoclassical faade
Asectionoftherailingsand ofthestoneplinthwere carefullyremovedtogive accesstothebaseofthe ramp.Thesouth,riverside entrance,whichisaccessed viaanimpressivesetofsteps, isnowonlyusedforspecial eventswhenbothentrances areavailableforuse
24
UnderSection25oftheDisabilityAct2005,forpublicbuildingsotherthan heritagesites,publicbodiesarerequiredtoensurethatbuildingsthatare accessedbythepublicarebroughtintocompliancewithPartM2000of theBuildingRegulationsby31December2015.Publicbuildingsmustbe broughtintocompliancewithanyamendmentofPartMnotlaterthan10 yearsafterthecommencementoftheamendment. Section26oftheDisabilityActrequirespublicbodiestoprovide integratedservicestopeoplewithandwithoutdisabilities,where practicableandappropriate.Italsorequiresallpublicbodiestoappointat leastoneaccessofficer.Section27oftheDisabilityActrequirespublic bodiestoensurethatgoodsandservicessuppliedtoitareaccessibleto peoplewithdisabilities,wherethisdoesnotincurunduecostordelay. TheNationalDisabilityAuthorityhasproducedaCodeofPracticefor AccessibleHeritageSitesunderSection30oftheAct.ThisCodeofPractice providesguidancetopublicbodiesonimprovingtheaccessibilityof heritagesitesintheirownership.
PlanningandDevelopmentActs20002010
UnderPartIVofthePlanningandDevelopmentAct2000,abuildingwhich formspartofthearchitecturalheritagecanbeprotectedeitherbybeing designatedasaprotectedstructureorbybeinglocatedwithinan architecturalconservationarea. Whereabuildingisaprotectedstructure,orhasbeenproposedfor protection,orislocatedwithinanarchitecturalconservationarea,theusual exemptionsfromrequirementsforplanningpermissionmaynotapply.In thecaseofaprotectedstructureanyworks,whetherinternalorexternal, whichwouldmateriallyaffectitscharacter,requireplanningpermission. Protectionalsoextendstothelandwithinthecurtilageofthebuildingand tootherstructuresandfeaturesassociatedwithaprotectedstructuresuch asoutbuildings,boundarywalls,paving,andrailings.Inanarchitectural conservationarea,anyworkstotheexteriorofabuildingwhichwould affectthecharacteroftheareaalsorequireplanningpermission.Thismay includeworkstotheexteriorsofbuildingsandtofeaturessuchaspaving, railingsandstreetfurniture.
25
UnderSection57(2)oftheAct,theowneroroccupierofaprotected structureisentitledtoasktheplanningauthoritytoissueadeclaration whichprovidesguidanceinidentifyingworksthatwould,orwouldnot requireplanningpermission. Forgeneraladviceonplanningissuesrelatingtoarchitecturalheritage, refertothestatutoryguidelinesentitledArchitecturalHeritageProtection GuidelinesforPlanningAuthorities (2011)publishedbytheDepartmentof Arts,HeritageandtheGaeltacht.Chapter18oftheseguidelinesdealswith issuesrelatingtoimprovingaccess.
Levelaccesstothisbuilding hasbeenachievedinaside streetbyextendingan originalwindowopeningto streetlevel.Wheresuch entrancesarenotthe principalentranceitis importantthattheyare clearlysignposted, supervisedcloselyandwell maintained.Theyshouldbe locatedascloseaspossible tothemainentrance
NationalMonumentsActs19302004
Alternatively,orinaddition,abuildingorplacemaybeprotectedunderthe NationalMonumentsActsinoneormorewaysasfollows: a) Byreasonofbeinganationalmonumentintheownershipor guardianshipoftheMinisterforArts,HeritageandtheGaeltachtora localauthorityorsubjecttoapreservationorder b) AsamonumententeredintheRegisterofHistoricMonuments c) AsamonumententeredintheRecordofMonumentsandPlaces
26
Inrespectofmonumentstowhich(a)applies,thewrittenconsentofthe MinisterforArts,HeritageandtheGaeltachtisrequiredforanystructural interferenceorgrounddisturbance.Inrespectofmonumentstowhich(b) and(c)apply,twomonthsnoticeinwritingmustbegiventotheMinister ofanyproposedworksatorinrelationtothemonument.Breachofthese requirementsisanoffence. TheRecordofMonumentsandPlaces(RMP)isthemostwidelyapplying provisionoftheNationalMonumentsActs.Itcomprisesalistofrecorded monumentsandaccompanyingmapsonwhichsuchmonumentsare shownforeachcounty.Itcanbeconsultedincountylibrariesandmain localauthorityoffices.TheNationalMonumentsServiceoftheDepartment ofArts,HeritageandtheGaeltachtadvisesontheprotectionapplyingto anyparticularmonumentundertheNationalMonumentsActs.
BuildingControlActs19902007
ThebuildingcontrolsystemiscentredontheparentAct,theBuilding ControlAct1990,whichcomprisesthreeprincipalcategories: ProvidesformakingofBuildingControlRegulations ProvidesforthemakingofBuildingRegulations,and Givespowersofenforcementandinspection
TheActwasamendedin2007;themainprovisionsmadewere: StrengtheningofenforcementpowersoflocalBuildingControl Authorities Registrationoftitlesofcertainbuildingprofessions,and LegaltranspositionofrelevantpartsofEUMutualRecognitionof ProfessionalQualificationsDirective(2005/36/ECofSeptember2005)
27
BUILDINGCONTROLREGULATIONS19972009 BuildingControlRegulations1997firstcameintoforceon1July1998.They applytonewbuildings,extensions,materialalterationsandchangesofuse ofbuildings.TheirpurposeistopromoteobservanceoftheBuilding Regulationsbysupplementingthebasicpowersofinspectionand enforcementgiventoBuildingControlAuthoritiesbydifferentsectionsof theBuildingControlAct1990.TheBuildingControlRegulationsdosoin threeways: Requiringacommencementnoticeofworkstobelodgedwithafee RequiringaFireSafetyCertificateformostbuildings,withtheexception ofhousesandindividualapartments.Theyalsodetailexemptionstothe regulations(nottothetechnicalrequirementsoftheBuilding Regulations),and RequiringaDisabilityAccessCertificateformostnewbuildings,with theexceptionofhousesandindividualapartments,andcertainworks toexistingbuildings.Thiswasintroducedthroughanamendmentto theBuildingControlRegulationsin2009
BUILDINGREGULATIONS19972010 TheprimarypurposeoftheBuildingRegulationsistoprovideforthe health,safetyandwelfareofpeopleinandaroundbuildings.Ingeneral,the BuildingRegulationsapplytotheconstructionofnewbuildings,to extensionsandmaterialalterationstoexistingbuildingsandtocertain changesofuseofexistingbuildings.TheseRegulationsapplytoalltypesof construction. TheBuildingRegulationscomprisebroadfunctionalrequirements,or generalstatementsofintent.TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAtoMgive guidanceonhowtocomplywiththeRegulations. Thesecondscheduleliststhevariousparts(AtoM)andtheRegulations withineachpart.Thethirdscheduleliststhetypesofbuildingsthatare exemptedfromtheBuildingRegulations.Forexample,underClass8ofthe thirdschedule,abuildingsubjecttotheNationalMonumentActsis exemptedfromtheBuildingRegulations.
28
PARTMOFTHEBUILDINGREGULATIONS PartMoftheBuildingRegulationsprovidesforaccessanduseofbuildings. PartMwasamendedin2010andretitledAccessandUse,reflectingan overallaimtofosteramoreinclusiveapproachtothedesignand constructionofthebuiltenvironmenttofacilitatetheneedsofallpeople regardlessofage,sizeordisability.PartMappliestoworksinconnection withnewbuildings,extensionstoexistingbuildings,materialalterationsof existingbuildingsandcertainmaterialchangesofuse.Itgenerallycomes intoforcewitheffectfrom1January2012.Certaintransitional arrangementsapplyandthesearesetoutonpage6ofTechnicalGuidance Document(TGD)M2010. TGDM2010containsguidanceonhowtocomplywithPartMandsets downtheminimumrequirementsnecessarytoensurethat,regardlessof age,sizeordisability: a. Newbuildingsotherthandwellingsareaccessibleandusable b. Extensionstoexistingbuildingsotherthandwellingsare,where practicable,accessibleandusable c. Materialalterationstoexistingbuildingsotherthandwellingsincrease theaccessibilityandusabilityofexistingbuildingswherepracticable d. Certainchangesofusetoexistingbuildingsotherthandwellings increasetheaccessibilityandusabilityofexistingbuildingswhere practicable,and e. Newdwellingsarevisitable
Article11oftheBuildingRegulations1997hasbeenamendedtoextend thedefinitionofmaterialalterationtoincludePartM.Thismeansthat workswhichinvolvealterationstofeaturesrelevanttoaccessanduseof buildings,forexampleentrances,sanitaryfacilitiesandthelike,must complywiththerequirementsofPartM. Article13oftheBuildingRegulations1997hasbeenamendedtorequire PartMtoapplytoanexistingbuildingorpartofanexistingbuilding, whichundergoesamaterialchangeofusetoadaycentre,hotel,hostelor
29
guestbuilding,institutionalbuilding,placeofassembly,shop(whichisnot ancillarytotheprimaryuseofthebuilding),orshoppingcentre. Inthecaseofnewdwellings(which,since2001,mustbevisitableby peoplewithdisabilities)someamendmentshavebeenincludedinTGDM 2010inrespecttoapproachestoadwelling,widthsofinternaldoors,etc. PartMdoesnotapplytoworksinconnectionwithextensionsto,andthe materialalterationsof,existingdwellings,providedthatsuchworksdonot createanewdwelling. TGDM2010,introducedtheconceptofpracticabilitywhendealingwith workstoexistingbuildings,forexampleextensions,materialalterations andcertainmaterialchangesofuse.Itencouragesabalancedand integratedapproachwhendealingwithworkstoexistingbuildings.In determiningthepracticabilityofworkstoanhistoricbuilding, circumstancestoconsiderincludewheretheworkswouldhavea significantadverseeffectonthehistoricalsignificanceoftheexisting building,facilityorenvironsorwhereexistingstructuralconditionsorother physicalorsiteconstraintswouldprohibitmodificationofanexisting feature.Forfurtherinformationrefertosection0.7ofTGDM2010.
DISABILITYACCESSCERTIFICATES(DAC) TheBuildingControl(Amendment)Regulations2009introducedthe requirementforaDisabilityAccessCertificate(DAC),inordertoimprove complianceofbuildingswithPartMoftheBuildingRegulations.ADAC confirmsthat,ifthebuilding(orworks)isconstructedinaccordancewith theplans,calculations,specificationsandparticularssubmitted,itwould complywiththecurrentrequirementsofPartM.ADACisgrantedbya BuildingControlAuthorityandisrequiredfornewbuildingsotherthan dwellings(butincludingapartmentbuildings)andcertainworksin connectionwithmaterialalteration(assetoutinArticle20D(1)ofS.I.No. 351of2009)towhichtherequirementsofPartMapply,whichcommence onorafter1January2010. Whereitisnotconsideredpracticableforahistoricbuildingorplaceto complywithaspectsofPartM,itisnecessarytocommunicatethistothe BuildingControlAuthoritywhenapplyingforaDAC,givingthereasons anddescribinganyproposalstomitigatetherestrictiononaccessoruse.
30
IMPROVING ACCESS TO A PRIVATE HOME There is currently no legal requirement to make an existing private dwelling accessible. For the private house owner who wishes to carry out works to improve access, it may not always be necessary to implement all of the procedures set out in this booklet as alterations can be tailored to meet particular individual needs. Where the private house is a protected structure, a recorded monument, or located in an architectural conservation area, there are statutory requirements under the Planning and Development and National Monument Acts. A conservation assessment is recommended where consents or permissions are necessary; for example, works require planning permission if they would materially affect the character of the building. While, in general, works should comply with Building Regulations, Part M does not apply to extensions and material alterations to existing dwellings provided that such works do not create a new dwelling. However, such works must not create a new or greater contravention of the Building Regulations. Works to dwellings are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Disability Access Certificate but works to the common areas of apartment blocks may require one. It is important to distinguish between homes which are houses and homes which are apartments as there are differences regarding the application of fire safety and Building Control legislation. As with all historic buildings and places, the architectural conservation principles set out in this booklet apply and, where a building is altered to meet the particular needs of an individual, the works should ideally be readily reversible. It is also recommended that suitably experienced and skilled professional advice is used to determine the most appropriate solutions.
31
Mostpeoplewishtoremainintheirhomesastheygrowolderandthe challengesposedbysteppedentrancesneedcarefulandearly consideration.Ifthebuildingisaprotectedstructureplanningpermission willberequiredwheretheworkswouldmateriallyaffectthecharacterof thebuilding.Adeclarationmayberequestedfromtheplanningauthority toestablishwhatmaybeconsideredexempteddevelopmentina particularcase
EmploymentEqualityActs1998&2004
UndertheEmploymentEqualityActs,anemployerisrequiredtotake reasonablemeasures,whichmayincludetheadaptationofpremisesand equipment,toenableapersonwithadisabilitytohaveaccessto employment.Aplaceofemploymentmaybeinahistoricbuildingorplace. Whenconsideringwhatwouldbea'disproportionateburden'onthe employer,accountistakenofthefinancialandothercostsentailed,the scaleandfinancialresourcesoftheemployer,andthepossibilityof obtainingpublicfundingorassistance.
32
EqualStatusActs20002004
TheEqualStatusActsgiveprotectionagainstdiscriminationonthe groundsofdisabilityinnonemploymentareasincludingeducationandin theprovisionofgoods,servicesandaccommodation.Servicesaredefined broadlytoincludeaccesstopublicplaces,bankingandinsuranceservices, entertainment,facilitiesforrefreshmentandtransport. UndertheseActs,apersonsellinggoodsorprovidingservices,providersof accommodationandeducationinstitutionsshoulddoallthatisreasonable toaccommodatetheneedsofapersonwithadisabilitybyprovidingspecial treatmentorfacilitiesincircumstanceswhere,withoutthese,itwouldbe impossibleordifficulttoavailofthegoods,servicesoraccommodation. However,serviceprovidersarenotobligedtoprovidespecialfacilitiesor treatmentwhenthecostinvolvedisgreaterthananominalcost. Thedefinitionofnominalcostdependsonthecircumstancesofeachcase andthesizeoforganisation.Forexample,asmallbusinessmaynothaveto providewheelchairaccessifthecostofdoingsoisdeemedexcessive.If,on theotherhand,theserviceproviderisamajororganisationthecostmay beviewedasavalidnominalcostandthequestiontobeansweredis whetheraccesscanbeprovidedsensitivelyandwithoutadversely affectingthespecialcharacterofthehistoricbuildingorplace.
WildlifeActs19762010
TheseActscontaintheprincipalstatutoryprovisionsfortheprotectionof naturalheritage(bothfloraandfauna)andthecontrolofactivitieswhich mayimpactadverselyontheconservationofwildlife.UndertheseActs areas,speciesandhabitatsdeemedtobeofsignificanceoratriskare designatedforstatutoryprotection.Anyworkswhichmaytakeplacein suchdesignatedareasorwhichmayimpactonprotectedspeciesmustbe carriedoutunderlicencefromtheNationalParksandWildlifeService (NPWS)oftheDepartmentofArts,HeritageandtheGaeltachtandcertain proceduresandmitigationmeasuresmayberequired.Furtherinformation isavailablefromtheNPWS.
33
WicklowMountainsNational Parkhasanextensivenetwork ofaccessibleboardwalks throughtheprotectedareas ofGlendaloughValleywhichis adesignatedSpecialAreaof Conservation.Theboardwalk servestwofunctions:to protecttheecologyofthe placeandtoprovideaneasy tousewalkingroutealong thevalleyfloor
ForestryAct1946
Ifconsideringthefellingoftreesinordertoimproveaccessibility,itis necessarytohaveregardtotherelevantlegislation.UndertheForestryAct, afellinglicencemustbeobtainedfortreesinareasnotinpublicauthority ownership,whichareover10yearsold,otherthaninanumberof prescribedsituations.TheActisadministeredbytheForestServiceofthe DepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFood.Fellinglicencesmustalsobe obtainedforanyworktotreeswhicharelocatedwithinstatutoryprotection areasundertheWildlifeActs.Permissionfromthelocalauthorityisrequired tofelltreeswhichareprotectedbyTreePreservationOrders. Whenatreewhich makesanimportant contributiontoa settingortothe biodiversityofan area,obstructsaccess, alternativeroutes shouldbeconsidered whichavoiddamage tothetree
34
3. PreparingtoImproveAccess
Adviceandexpertise
Itisimportantthattherightadviceistakenfromtheoutsetwhen improvingtheaccessibilityofahistoricbuildingorplace.Goodandtimely adviceoftenresultsinsimpler,morecosteffectivesolutionsinvolving creativeapproacheswhichdeliverhighqualitydesignwherephysical interventionsmaybenecessary.Insomecases,awellconsidered managementsolutionmaylessen,orcompletelyavoid,theneedto physicallyalterabuilding.Gettingtherightadvicealsoassistsinensuring compliancewithlegalrequirementsandobtainingthenecessaryconsents andpermissions. Goodadviceisprovidedbyprofessionalconsultantswithrecognised experienceandqualificationsinarchitecturalconservationandaccessible design.Insomeinstances,aprofessionaladvisormaybeabletoprovide thenecessaryexpertiseinbothdisciplines.However,inmorecomplex situationsitmaybeadvisabletoengageprofessionalspecialistsineachof thesefields. Otherspecialistinputmayberequired,includinginthefieldsof architecture,landscapearchitecture,archaeology,specialistconservation, historiclandscapes,ecology,structuralengineering,buildingservices engineering,fireengineering,emergencyevacuationorgraphicdesign. Aprofessionaladvisorshouldbeabletoadviseontheneedforsuch specialistinputandcoordinateandintegratethedifferentareasofadvice. Consultationisanimportantpartofensuringthattherightapproachesand solutionsaredeveloped.Preliminaryadviceshouldbesoughtfromthelocal authorityarchitecturalconservationandaccessofficersandalsofromthe planning,fireandbuildingcontrolofficers.Usersbothwithandwithout disabilities,localaccessgroupsanddisabilityrepresentativeorganisations mayalsoneedtobeconsulted.Forpublicbuildingsandsites,itmaybe importanttoconsultwithpeoplewhodonotvisitaplacetofindoutwhythis isthecase.This helpstoidentifytheprincipalbarriersandthosewhichshould betackledfirst.Italsodemonstratesacommitmenttoimprovingaccess.
35
Improving Accessibility: Eight actions for delivering well planned and coordinated access. Consultation, which is a critical component in improving accessibility, should generally be an integral part of all these actions
Access Strategy.
Access Audit.
Conservation Assessment.
Access Options.
Access Action Plan.
Statutory Consents.
Implementation.
Maintenance and Review.
* The conservation assessment and access audit are ideally undertaken simultaneously, even if carried out by separate consultants. There should be joint initial visits and both processes should feed into one another. It is only by having a properly integrated approach that appropriate, effective solutions for improving access can be developed.
36
Theaccessstrategy
Anyorganisationseekingtomeetitssocialandlegalobligationstoprovide accessshouldfirstdevelopanaccessstrategy.Theaccessstrategysetsout theorganisationspolicyandcommitmenttodeliveringaccessand inclusion.Itshouldbedevelopedwithinputfrompeopleatalllevelsacross theorganisation.Thestrategyshould: Ensurethattheneedsofallareaddressed,includingemployees,visitors andserviceusers Identifythosepersonsresponsibleforprogressingandmanagingthe implementationofthestrategy Establishpreliminarytimescalesandbudgets Informprocurementbriefsandspecificationstobeusedwhen engagingexternalcontractors,professionalsandspecialistsinorderto ensuretheavailabilityofthenecessaryskillsinbuildingandlandscape conservationandinuniversaldesign Provideforthepreparationofaccessaudits,conservationassessments andaccessplans,ensuringthereisappropriatecoordinationbetween theseandotherrelevantplans,strategiesandpolicies Allowfortheimprovementofaccessasacontinuousandongoing process Ensuremeasuresareinplaceformonitoringandreview
Theaccessstrategyshouldaddresstheissuesofconservationandaccessin anintegratedmanner.Twokeytoolsintransformingtheaccessstrategyfor thephysicalenvironmentintoasetofspecificproposalscontainedinthe accessplanaretheconservationassessmentandtheaccessaudit.Itis importantthatbothoftheseprocessesarerunintandemwitheachother, withcollaborationbetweentheconservationandaccessspecialists.This mightinclude,asaminimum,aninitialjointsitevisittoensuregood communicationandamutualunderstandingofthecriticalissues.
37
Theconservationassessment
Theconservationassessmentprovidesessentialinformationonthehistoric buildingorplacewhichcanassistinplanningforimprovedaccessibility.It shouldincludeacomprehensivedescriptionofthehistoricbuildingor placeasitexists,identifyingarchitecturalstyles,materialsused,itsgeneral constructionaswellasitsrelationshiptothecontextandsetting.Using historicandcontemporaryphotographsanddrawingsitmayalsoprovide anaccountoftheoveralldevelopmentoftheplace,outliningphasesand datesofdevelopmentandassociatedchanges.Theconservation assessmentshouldidentifyanylegalconstraints;forexampleifthe buildingisaprotectedstructure,arecordedmonument,orislocatedinan architecturalconservationarea.Itshouldestablishthesignificanceofthe buildingorplaceintermsofitsoverallimportanceandidentifythe particularaspectsofthebuildingorplacewhichmaybeofspecialinterest (thesecouldincludebuildings,interiors,architecturalelements,elementsof designedlandscapeandstreetscapeelements)aswellasthoseareas whicharevulnerabletochangeandthosewhichmaybecapableof sustainingsomealteration.Whereknown,thenamesofarchitects, engineers,landscapedesignersandanyknowncraftsmen,buildersor gardenersinvolvedshouldbedocumentedaswellasthoseresponsiblefor commissioningitandanysignificanteventsorpersonalitiesassociated withtheplace. Anaccessaudit andconservation assessmentofan architectural conservationarea, suchasthecentre ofahistorictown, areusedto identifythespecial featureswhichare importantto conserveaswellas theaccessbarriers whicharetobe overcome
38
Inarchitecturalconservationareas,theconservationassessmentshould describethespecialcharacterwhichdefinestheareaandtheparticular featureswhichcontributetoit,suchastheprevailingarchitecturalstylesand buildingmaterialsused,thearrangementandrelationshipofindividual buildingstoeachother,thehierarchyofspaces,specialviews,streetfurniture, lighting,plantingandpavingmaterials.Itshouldidentifyareasandelements thatcanorcannotacceptchangewithoutdamagetothecharacterofthe overallarchitecturalconservationarea. Theconservation assessment shoulddescribe thespecial characterwhich definesthearea orbuildingand theparticular featureswhich contributetoit
Professionalswithexpertiseandexperienceinbuiltheritageand/or landscapeconservationshouldcarryouttheconservationassessment. Forsomesitesadditionalspecialistadvicemayberequired.Wherea conservationassessmentisbeingundertakentoinformanaccessplan,itis recommendedthattheprofessionalcarryingouttheassessmenthassome knowledgeandexperienceoftheprinciplesofaccessibilityanduniversal design. Forcomplex,significantorlargehistoricbuildingsandplaces,itmaybe appropriatetodevelopaconservationplan.Theconservationplanisatool formanagingchangeinplacesofheritageimportance.Theplanis generallydevelopedbyamultidisciplinaryteamwhichmaycontain conservationarchitects,architecturalhistorians,archaeologists,landscape architects,ecologists,planners,engineers,specialistconservators,orany otherskillsnecessarytoaddresstheparticularissuesandimportanceof thebuildingorplace.Itdescribestheparticularaspectsoftheplacethat
39
makesitsignificant,identifiestheissueswhichthreatenthissignificance andthendevelopspoliciesandactionsaimedatprotectingwhatis significant.Itshouldinvolveconsultationwithrelevantstakeholdersand identifyresponsibilities,resourcesandprogrammesforimplementation. Whiletheconservationplandoesnotprovideanaccessstrategy,agood conservationplanshouldaddressaccessibilityissuesandinformthe preparationoftheaccessstrategy. Inadditiontoidentifyingthoseaspectsofgreatestsignificance,the conservationassessmentshouldalsoidentifythoseelementswhichcan undergochangeorwhichmaybeoflessarchitecturalheritagevalue. Historicresearchmayidentifyoldroutesoropeningswhichmaybe suitabletoreusewhenimprovingaccessibility.Theconservation assessmentshouldalsoestablishtherequirementswithregardto statutoryconsentsandpermissions.
Theaccessaudit
Theaccessauditisanimportanttoolinidentifyinganddocumentingthe barriersinaservice,buildingorplace,whichcancausedifficultiesforpeople withphysical,sensoryorintellectualdisabilities.Itidentifieswheresuch barriersmaycompromiseaccessandmeasurestheusabilityoffacilitiesand servicesbeingdelivered.Itshouldalsoidentifywhereaccessibilityneedsare becarriedoutbyan currentlybeingsatisfactorilymet.Theauditshould accessspecialistinadvanceofanyproposalstoimproveaccessanditis goodpracticeforconsultationtobecarriedoutwithusersaspartofthe accessaudit.Itisrecommendedthat,inthecaseofhistoricbuildingsand places,thisspecialistshouldalsohaveaknowledgeandexperienceof conservationprinciplesforhistoricbuildingsandlandscapes. Anaccessauditgenerallyfollowsthenormaljourneysequenceoftheuser; howeverthisdependsonthetypeofplacebeingaudited.Itmaytypically includeanassessmentofallorsomeofthefollowing: Previsitinformation Thejourneytothesitebycar,publictransportorothermeans
40
Movingaroundinexternalareasaccessiblepaths,surfaces,methods ofmovementandwayfinding Approachroutes,setdownpointsandcarparking Entrytoanybuildings Horizontalandverticalcirculationwithinbuildings Thefacilities,servicesandinformationwithinthebuildingorplace Communicationssystemsandsigns Proceduresforemergencysituationsandevacuation Management Maintenance
Theaccessauditshouldproviderecommendationswithregardtothe removalofthebarriersidentifiedandaddresstheaccessneedsofallusers. Itshouldalso,wherepossible,prioritisetheissuestobeaddressed.The auditshouldidentifymaintenanceissuesthataffectaccessibilitysothat anyensuingrecommendationscanbeincorporatedintoplanned maintenanceprogrammes.Therecommendationsofanaccessaudit shouldinformtheaccessplan. Ideally,theaccess auditand conservation assessmentshould beprepared simultaneouslyand theauditorand assessor(where thesearedifferent people)should liaisecloselyto developacommon understandingof therelevantissues
41
Accessoptions
Onfootoftheaccessauditandtheconservationassessment,itmaybe necessarytosynthesisetherecommendationsandfindingsofbothand developarangeofoptionswhichcanthemselvesbeassessedforfeasibility ofimplementation.Therecommendedcollaborativeapproachtakenin carryingouttheconservationassessmentandaccessauditassistsinthis processofsynthesiswhichshouldideallybecarriedoutbyaqualified buildingprofessionalorlandscapearchitect,asappropriate,with knowledgeandexperienceinbothconservationanduniversaldesign. Wherethedesignprofessionaldoesnothavesuchexperienceand knowledge,theseskillscanbeprovidedbyspecialists.Itisimportant, however,toensurethatthereiseffectivecollaborationbetweeneachof thesedisciplinesduringthisprocess. Attheoutset,appropriatemanagementsolutionsshouldbeidentifiedas thesemayeliminatetheneedforsome,andpossiblyall,physical interventions.Successfulmanagementsolutionssuchastrainingofstaff, relocationofservicesandfacilitiestoaccessiblelocations,portable solutionsandthelike,aredependentonconsistentandcommitted implementationifaccessibilityistobemaintained.Whenmanagement solutionsarechosenasthemostappropriateapproach,itisvitalthatthey becomeanintegralpartofthedaytodayrunningofanorganisationor serviceandthatthenecessarytrainingofstafftakesplace. Itislikelythatformostbuildingsandplacesacombinationof managementandphysicalsolutionsisrequired.Technicalanddesign studiesshouldexploretheoptionsforaddressingthephysicalbarriers identifiedintheaccessauditwithregardtothelikelycontributionofthese tothearchitecturalheritagesignificance.Thisprocessshouldexplorethe technical,statutoryandconservationfeasibilityofvaryingoptions.It shouldalsoinvolveconsultationwithlocalauthorityofficialsparticularly planning,architecturalconservation,fireandbuildingcontrolofficers. Wheretherearelikelytobeplanningorconsentissuesarisingfrom proposedimprovements,itisrecommendedthatearlypreplanning meetingsareheldwiththelocalauthorityatwhichallkeyofficersattend andparticipate.Dependingonthenatureoftheproject,otherofficial input,forexamplefromtheaccessofficer,biodiversityofficerorparks
42
departmentmaybeuseful.Theadvantageofconsultationisthatany potentiallyconflictingissuesshouldariseearlyonandtherelevantofficers areawareoftheseissueswhenitcomestoassessinganapplicationfor planningpermission,aDisabilityAccessCertificateand/oraFireSafety Certificate.Whererecordedmonumentsordesignatedhabitatsmightbe affected,advanceconsultationwithotherstatutorybodies,inparticularthe heritageservicesoftheDepartmentofArts,HeritageandtheGaeltacht,is stronglyrecommended.Theconsultationprocessisparticularlyusefulfor morecomplexsituations,orwheretheproposedphysicalinterventionsare likelytoleadtoamaterialimpactonthespecialinterestqualitiesofthe buildingorplace.Advanceconsultationismorelikelytoleadtorobustly workedoutandmanageablesolutions. Thisstage,therefore,isoneofthemostcrucialstepsinachievingsuccessful solutions.Itisthestagewheretheskilloftheprofessionalteamisevident indevelopingcreative,welldesignedsolutionswhichareappropriateto theparticularcontextandrequirementsofthebuilding,placeorservice. Inassessingthefeasibilityofoptionsdeveloped,theavailableresources, identifiedprioritiesandtimeframesforplanningandobtainingnecessary consentsneedtobeincorporated.Forexample,theaccessauditshould prioritiseitsrecommendationstoenableimplementationtobecarriedout onaphasedbasiswherefundingmaybelimited.Alternatively,the conservationassessmentmayhaveidentifiedparticularrepairworkswhich areurgenttoprotectthearchitecturalheritage.Allthesefactorsneedtobe integratedwhenselectingpreferredoptionsforimplementation.
Theaccessactionplan
Theaccessactionplanisineffectanactionplanforimplementing improvementstotheaccessibilityofabuildingorplace.Itsetsoutthe variousactionsandprojectsagainsttimescales,resourcesandthose responsibleforimplementation. Theaccessactionplancontinuestheprocessofreconcilingconservation andaccessneedsanditisfundamentalindeterminingthechangesthat arenecessarytoachieveimprovedaccessibilitytothehistoricbuildingor
43
place.Theaccessactionplanshouldnotonlyincludeproposedphysical changes,butalsotheinitiativesforstafftraining,managementand operationalprocedureswhicharetobeimplemented.Typically,the accessactionplanisdiscussedandsharedwithallrelevantstakeholders andshould: Containacomprehensivelistofsitespecific,practicableactionsto deliveraccesswhichcovermanagementsolutionsandphysical alterations Identifywhatactionswould,andwouldnot,requirestatutory permissions,consentsorlicencesandsetinplaceproceduresfor obtainingsuchconsents Incorporateaccessstatements(seebelow)forthosephysicalworks whichwouldrequirestatutoryconsent Programmeimplementationofprojectstoreflectprioritisedaccess needs,otherbuildingdevelopmentandrepairstrategies,andavailable resources.Thustheaccessplanshouldincorporateshorttermand longtermaimsandprojects.Itshouldalsoidentifywheretemporary solutionsmaybeprovidedandthereasonsforthem Allocatebudgetsforprojects Establishmonitoringandreviewprocedures Assignresponsibilitiesforalltheabove
Theaccessstatement
Wherephysicalworksrequirestatutoryconsent,itisadvisablethatanaccess statementshouldformpartofanyapplicationdocumentation.Theaccess statementshouldbeincorporatedwithinanyconservationreportthatforms partofanapplicationforstatutorypermissions/consentswithregardto proposedworkstoprotectedstructuresandrecordedmonuments.
44
Theaccessstatementshouldsetout: Adescriptionoftheproposedworks Theaccessstrategy
Astatementonhowtheymeetaccessneeds
Adescriptionoftheimpactontheheritagesignificance
Themitigationmeasuresproposedtominimisetheimpactofany barrierstoaccesswhichcannotbeovercomethroughmanagement orphysicalintervention Theaccessstatementshouldalsodescribeanyalternativeoptionsexplored inreachingtheparticularproposedsolutionandthereasoningbehindthe selectionofthepreferredoptions.
Themitigationmeasuresproposedtominimisethisimpact,and
Maintenance,monitoringandreview
Improvingaccessisnotaonceoffactivity;itshouldbeseenasanongoing process.Matterstoconsiderincludethemaintenanceofimprovement projects,testingandmonitoringinuseaftercompletion,andreviewingthe ongoingandchangingaccessibilityneedsoftheorganisationwith provisionforsubsequentmodification. Aspartofthecompletionofaproject,itisgoodpracticetoprovidethe ownerormanagerwithanaccesshandbookwhichaddressesthe managementandmaintenanceofaccesstothebuildingorsite.This handbookmightmosteffectivelybeincorporatedaspartofthesafetyfile forthebuilding. Amaintenanceregimeisimportanttoensurethataccessibilityneedsare metandcontinuetobemet.Awellintegratedandregularprogrammeof maintenancebringsbenefitsforallusersandthebuildingownersand managersalike.Regularmaintenanceofexternalenvironmentswhichare exposedtoweatherisnecessary.IntheIrishclimate,pathsandsignagecan veryquicklybecomeovergrownorsurfacesslipperywiththegrowthof mosses.Themaintenanceofsignsandlightingensureplacesarenotjust
45
easilyaccessiblebutsafeaswell.Maintenanceofmechanicalorelectrical installationsneedstobecarriedoutregularlybycertifiedcontractors.Itis importantthatliftsandassistivedevicesarewellmaintainedandregularly tested,particularlyplatformlifts,hearingloopsandsimilar.Wheresuch installationsareusedforamultiplicityofaccessneeds,andarethereforein constantuse,itismorelikelythatanymaintenanceissuesthatariseare promptlyidentifiedandaddressed.Maintenanceofcarparkingareas, accessroutesandfacilities,inparticularaccessiblesanitaryfacilities,isalso critical.Itisimportantthattheseareasareneverusedforthestorageof materialsorequipmentandthenfoundtobeinaccessiblewhenneeded. Poormaintenance ofadownpipehas resultednotonlyin damagetothe physicalfabricof thebuildingbut hasrenderedthis rampinaccessible onwetdays
Itisgoodpracticetoallocateanannualbudgetforimplementationand maintenanceprogrammes.Monitoringandreviewmaynotinthemselves incursignificantcostbuttheyarenecessarytoensurethatongoing accessibilityneedsarebeingmet.Forexample,inurbanareasorlarge multiuseconcourseareas,therecanbeatendencyfortemporarysignsto beinstalledadhocwhichcanposeahazardforpeoplewithvision impairment.Theidentificationandauthorisationofapersonorpersonsto monitorandtakethenecessaryactionshouldbetheresponsibilityofthe headoftheorganisationortheappointedaccessofficer.Theseissuescan beaddressedaspartoftheaccessplanningprocess.Morecomplexagain canbethemonitoringofinstallationsbydifferentutilitycompaniesinan urbanarea(suchastelephonecables,watermains,orundergroundpower lines),toavoidhazardsandensurethattheseinstallationsareappropriately locatedanddesignedinthemselves.Again,awellmanagedinstallationis likelytoservebothaccessibilityandconservationneedswell.
46
Monitoringandreviewproceduresshouldallowforthemodificationof existingmeasureswheretheyarenotworkingsatisfactorily,wheretheremay bebettersolutionsavailablewhichcanbeimplementedwithoutimpacting negativelyontheconservationpriorities,orwhereatemporaryprovision needstobereplacedbyapermanentsolution.Managementsolutionsmay alsoneedtobereviewedtoassessif,andhow,theseareworking;forexample, whereexistingstaffneedupdatingofskillsandwherenewstaffneedtraining. Feedbackfrombothstaffandvisitorsalikecanbeanimportantpartofthe reviewprocess.Itisrecommendedthatorganisationsfindwaystogetboth positiveandnegativefeedbackfromuserstoguidetheongoingreview. Platformliftsare particularlysusceptible topoormaintenance regimesandare frequentlyfoundtobe outoforderwhen needed
Approachestoimprovingaccess
Eachhistoricbuildingandplacepresentsuniqueaccessproblemsand challengesandtheuseofstandarddesignguidanceisrarelyappropriate. Examplesofgoodsolutionscanbeprovidedtoillustratehowrequirements maybemet,butthesemaynotbesuitableinallcircumstances.Ingeneral, successfulsolutionsshowanattentiontodesigndetail,material specificationanddesignquality.Otherexamplesshowhowimproved accesscanbedeliveredthroughgoodmanagementandtheprovisionof appropriateinformation.Examplesofphysicalsolutionsincludethosethat aretemporary,easilyreversibleorpermanent.Toensurehighquality solutionsareachieved,thefollowingparagraphshighlightsomeimportant pointsthatshouldbeobserved.
47
MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS Itisimportantfirsttoconsidermanagementsolutionswhichmayavoidthe needforanyphysicalalteration.Stafftraininginequalityanddisability awarenesscanovercomemanybarrierstoaccessbymeansofappropriate managementandgoodpractice.
BESPOKESOLUTIONS Solutionsshouldbedesignedtomeetthespecificconditionsofthe historicbuildingorplace.Whilestandardsolutionsmaysometimesbe applicable,moreoftenabespokesolution,onespecificallytailoredtoa particularsituation,isrequiredforhistoricplaces.Thismaynotnecessarily costmorebutitdoesrequirecareful,informeddesignofahighstandard thatmayleadtoaninnovativesolution.Durabilityandperformanceover timeaswellasfunctionalityandappropriatenessforthespecificcontext shouldbeconsidered.
Highqualitycontemporarydesignsolutions,suchasthiselegantramp inthePetitPalaisinParis,maynotalwaysfollowstandardguidance. Nonethelesstheymayprovidesafeandconvenientaccessandbe appropriateinhistoricsettings
48
INTEGRATEDDESIGNSOLUTIONS Anintegratedandholisticapproachisrecommendedwhenplanningto improveaccess.Whencarryingoutanyworksofaphysicalnature, considerationshouldbegiventohowaccesscouldbeimproved.Tackling thephysicalelementsofimprovedaccesswithinalargerscopeofworks mayprovideopportunitiesforbettersolutions.Forexample,theremaybe anopportunitytoregradegroundlevelswithoutdamagetounderlying archaeologyorlandscapefeatureswhenlayingundergroundservicesin externalareaswhichmayeliminateorreducetheimpactoframps. Opportunitiesmayalsoarisetoundopreviousinterventionswhichdetract fromthehistoricbuildingsandplaces.
Thereplacementofcobblesovertheyearsinfrontofthisbuilding resultedintheraisingofthegeneralpavinglevelandtheloweststepto thisdoorwasalmostconcealedbelowgroundlevel.Whenproviding rampstothedoorsthebottomstepwasraisedthuseliminatingthe stepatthedoorthresholdandreducingtheheightandlengthofthe ramp.Theexistinggranitestoneswerepreservedanddamagedstones werereplacedwithstonesofmatchinggranite.Bypaintingtherampsin stonegreythenegativeimpactonthefaadehasbeenminimised. However,abettervisualcontrastbetweentherampandthehandrails wouldhavebeenachievedbypaintingthehandrailsinatonally contrastingshadesuchasadarkgrey
49
COMBININGMANAGEMENTANDPHYSICALSOLUTIONS Anintegratedapproachmeansgivingconsiderationtobothmanagement andphysicaladjustments,ratherthantoeachinisolation.Forexample, considerationoftheoptimuminternallayoutofahistoricbuildingwhichis tobeadaptedforanewusemaysuggestthattheprincipalentrypointbe relocatedandthismightalsoeliminatetheneedtoprovidearampor platformliftwheretherearestepsuptoahistoricentrance.Inmakingsuch analteration,thedisruptiontothehistoriclayoutandunderstandingofthe buildingneedstobeconsideredandinsomecases,suchalterationsmay notbeacceptable.Itmaynotalwaysbepossibletoachieveuniversal accesstoeveryfloorlevelofabuildingwithoutsignificantdisruptionto historiclayouts.Forexample,convertingamedievaltowerhousetoa nondomesticusemayrequireliftshaftsandfirelobbiesorexcessive alterationtoachieveaccessibleopeningorcirculationwidths.Itmaybe possible,however,toprovideservicesandfacilitiesatgroundfloorlevel, towhichlevelaccesscanbeachievedthroughanexistinglevelentryor byprovidingaramporplatformlift.
CONSULTATION Consultationwithendusersisusefulwhendevelopingbespokesolutions tocheckappropriateness,testeffectivenessandallowfortheirrefinement. Whenimprovementsareplanned,particularlyinthecaseofapublic building,itmaybeappropriatetoconsultwithaccessibilitygroupsand userstoestablishtheirpriorities.Itisimportanttoensurethatconsultation iseffective,takesintoaccountallpotentialusersandhasregardtothe diversityofneeds.
USERNEEDS Theneedsofallusersshouldbeconsideredwhendevelopingdesign solutions.Thebestdesignedphysicalsolutionsseektomeetmany requirements.Forexample,providingarampatasteppedentrancecan assistwithdeliveriesofheavyloadsaswellasaccommodatingvisitorswith childrensbuggiesorwheelchairs.Ifusedbymany,theseinterventionsare morereadilyacceptedandlikelytobebettermaintained.

50
Accesssolutionsthat facilitatemanyusers, suchasaramped accessinadditionto existingsteps,are generallythe preferredoption
USINGTECHNOLOGY Whendesigningaccesssolutions,ongoingdevelopmentsintechnology shouldbeconsideredwhichmayrequirelessphysicalinterventionintothe historicfabric.Thismayresultinoptingforatemporarysolutionasan interimmeasure.Recentadvancesin,forexample,GlobalPositioning Systems(GPS),Bluetoothtechnologyandotherapplicationstoaid navigationmayreducetheneedforphysicalaidsbutthesetechnologies arenotyetavailabletoeveryoneandmayonlysuitsomepeople.
USINGMOCKUPSANDMODELS Whenconsideringtheintroductionofnewelements,suchashandrailsor ramps,inarchitecturallysensitivebuildingsandplaces,itmaybehelpfulto producefullscalemockupstoassessimpactpriortofinalisingdecisions. Alternatively,andforlargerelements,theuseofadvancedcomputer generatedimagescanprovidehelpfulillustrationsofdesignproposals.
ONGOINGMAINTENANCE Accessibilityissuesneedtobetakenintoaccountwhencarryingout routinemaintenance.Almostallroutinemaintenanceprovidesan opportunitytoimproveaccess.

51
CASESTUDY DundalkGaolwasbuiltinthemidnineteenthcenturyandisaprotected structure.TheGaolwasconvertedtoaRegionalResourceCentrefor ComhaltasCeoltirireannin2008.Themainentrancedoorinthegable wasreachedbyasteepflightofstepsandallthecelldoorsofthemain centralspacewereverynarrowandhadstepsattheirthresholds.Itwas clearthattheinternalgalleriesandcelldoorswereessentialcharacteristics oftheprotectedstructureandshouldnotbealtered. Anewentrancewasformedtothesideaccessedbyabridge.Asingle doorwaywaswidenedtoallowaccessintotheatriumandintothecellson theotherside.Anaccessibletoiletwasprovidedattheentrylevel.Thecells wereinterlinkedbyopeningupthepartywallsbetweenthemthus allowingpublicaccesstonewfacilitieswithoutalteringthewallofthe atrium. Thefirstfloorcontainsanumberofroomsusedasoffices,archive,research, dressingroomsandsanitaryfacilities.Themainpublicfacilityonthislevel wasthearchive/researcharea.Tocreatewheelchairaccesstothislevel wouldhaveinvolvedverysignificantalterationstothebuildingfabric whichwouldhavebeendetrimentaltoitsspecialcharacter.Toavoidthis,it wasdecidedtoprovideadedicatedresearchroomonthegroundfloor adjacenttotheadministrationofficewhichcouldbeusedbyanybodywho wasunabletoaccesstheupperlevel.Thisroomiselectronicallylinkedto thearchiveandthusaresearcherwithmobilityimpairmentcanaccessall thenecessaryfacilitiesfromgroundfloorlevel (ImagescourtesyofDeatonLysaghtArchitects)
52
53
4. ImprovingAccessinthe
ExternalEnvironment
Thehistoricplaceembracesawidevarietyofexternalenvironmentswhich rangefromcentresofcities,townsandvillagestosignificanthistoricgardens. Italsoincludesarchaeologicalsitesandearlyecclesiasticalsitesaswellas largeinstitutionalcomplexessuchasuniversities,harbours,andindustrial heritagesiteswhichcancompriselargeopenareasbetweenbuildings.Some placesareprimarilyofarchitecturalheritagesignificance,forothersthe heritagesignificancemayincludenaturalaswellasbuiltheritage.People engagewiththehistoricoutdoorenvironmentforavarietyofreasons:for social,recreationalandhealthreasons,toconductbusiness,asameansof gettingfromoneplacetoanother,toenjoynature,ortolearnmoreabout theirhistoryandculturalidentity.Usershavedifferentexpectationsand requirementsdependingonthepurposeoftheirvisit.Equally,responsibility formanagementoftheseexternalareaslieswithawiderangeofbodies includinglocalauthorities,statedepartments,semistateorganisations, privatecompaniesandprivateindividuals.Withinthiswiderangeofexternal situations,therearemanyissuesofaccessibilitytoaddress. Itshouldbeborneinmindwhenundertakingmaterialalterationstothe externalenvironmentthatPartMoftheBuildingRegulationsappliestothe approachroutestobuildingsaswellastothebuildingenvironsandtothe routesbetweenbuildingsandfacilities.Thesamelevel ofconsiderationis Theuseofscooters hasgreatly increasedthe mobilityofmany peoplewhen travellingtoand aroundasite.The implicationsof theiruseshouldbe consideredwhen planningto improveaccess
54
DunLaoghaireHarbourin CountyDublinisapopularand historicrecreationalresource whichisusedbypeopleofall ages.Facilitieswhichenable morepeopletoavailofitinclude appropriateseating,signage, interpretiveinformationand sanitaryconveniences.Thesecan beprovidedinlocationsandto designswhichdonotdisturbthe specialcharacter requiredforworkstotheexternalenvironmentastothebuildingitselfto achieveanappropriatesolution. Inplanninganddesigningaccessimprovementsintheexternal environmentitisimportanttoprovidearangeofoptionssothatpeople canchoosethebestoptionforthemselveswhilealsoensuringthespecial characterofthehistoricplaceismaintained.Considerationofdifferentuser needsassistsindeterminingwhatfacilitiesarerequired,forexamplethe provisionandlocationofaccessibletoilets.Inprovidingforsomeusers,for examplebicycleracksforcyclists,otherproblemscanbeovercome;the propersitingoftheracksensuresthatbicyclesdonotblockpathwaysor getlockedtogates. Bicyclesalso increasemobility butcareisneeded toensuretheydo notblockaccessto rampswhenparked
55
Wayfindingandsignage
WAYFINDING Wayfindingistheinstinctivewaypeopleusetheirsensesandcognitivepowers tonavigatefromplacetoplace.Familiaritywiththehistoricorderofthe manmadeenvironmentisoftendeeplyembeddedinpeopleandthis knowledgeisusedintuitivelywhenfindingoneswayaroundanewplacefor thefirsttime.Findingoneswayeasilyaroundthehistoricenvironmentrequires clear,directroutesandtheprovisionofwelldesignedandlocatedsigns.In recentyears,technologicalsolutionstowayfindinghavegreatlyimproved. GlobalPositioningSystems(GPS),Bluetoothtechnologyandmobilephone applicationshavebeendevelopedspecificallytoassistalluserstoorient themselvesandtonavigatefromplacetoplaceandthesemayhelpreduce dependenceonphysicalsigns,audibleinformationandguidancepaths.These technologieshavetheadvantageinhistoricsitesofhavinglittleornophysical impactontheplace.
SIGNAGE Indevelopingastrategyforsignagewhetherinsideabuildingorinthe externalenvironment,itisnecessarytoidentifythenumberofsignsrequired, theirpurposeandwheretheyshouldbelocated.Signageshouldbecarefully integratedintothebuildingorplaceensuringthattheresultdoesnot obstructordamageanimportantaspectoftheheritagewhilstatthesame timeprovidingsufficientlegibleinformationtoensurethattheenvironment isaccessible.The designofthesigns,thechoiceoflocation,fixing methodologiesandlightingdesignallneedcarefulconsideration.Wall mountedsigns,should,whereappropriate,beplacedateyelevel.Insensitive locations,theuseoffreestandingsignsmayavoiddamagetohistoricfabric. Wheretheintroductionofsignagewouldresultinanunacceptableimpacton thecharacterofthebuildingorplace,trainedstaffassistancemaybean acceptablealternative. Intheexternalbuiltenvironment,thesignagerequirementsforanurban centredifferfromthoseforahistoricgarden,oramedievalruininarural setting.Thereareoften existingsignswhicharethemselvesofhistoricinterest
56
andshouldberetained,forexampletheVictorianwardboundarysignsin DublinCityandthesurvivingclearandsimpletraditionalnamesignsatthe entrancestotownsandvillages. Tactilemapscanassistblind andvisionimpairedpeopleto navigatethebuiltenvironment. InthisItalianexample,asimple andstraightforwardstreetplan hasbeenprovided.Careful considerationshouldbegiven tothedesignandsitingofthis typeofsign
Wherenewsignsareintroduced,theyshouldbecarefullyintegratedwithany survivinghistoricsignage.They shouldfollowtheprinciplesofwellordered, logicalcirculation.Oftentheexternalurbanenvironmentisclutteredwith signs,introducedinanadhocmanner,makingitdifficultformanypeopleto understandandseeandobstructingcirculation.Awellplannedandmanaged approachtosignageandwayfindinginthepublicrealmgenerallyinvolves thecoordinationofseveralorganisations.Generally,fewersignsarebetter, bothintermsofaccessibilityandminimisingvisualimpactonthehistoric builtenvironment.Ongoingmonitoringandmaintenanceofsignsinthe publicrealmarealsonecessary. Duallanguagesignsshouldbemadelargertoaccommodatetheadditional asite,signsideally textratherthanuseunacceptablysmallfont.Within indicatedistancestokeyfeaturesorplacesandthepresenceofpossible barriersalongtheroutesuchassteps,thegradientofanyslopes,andwhether assistanceisavailable.
57
Thetypesofsignsthatmightberequireddependontheuseoftheplaceand theextentofpublicaccessandmayincludenamesigns,directionalsigns, mapsandemergencysigns.Indetermininganapproachtosignage, considerationshouldbegivento:
Theretentionandreuseofanyexistinghistoricsignsofnote Theconsistencyofsigndesignanditsappropriatenesstoitslocation Theavoidanceoffixingtoimportantfeaturesorfinishes Theavoidanceofvisualimpactorobstructionofimportantfeaturesand Thereversibilityoftheworks
Foraccessibilitythefollowingprinciplesareimportant: Signsshouldbelocatedwheretheyareclearlyvisible Apersonwithlowvisionmaybeabletoreadasigniftheycanapproachit forcloseupviewing Effortsshouldbemadetolocatesignswherethereaderdoesnotobstruct circulationpaths Thereadabilityofasignisinfluencedbyitsposition,size,viewingdistance andcolourcontrastbetweentheletteringandbackground.Asthe distancebetweenthesignandreaderincreases,ideallysoshouldthesize ofthelettering.Upperandlowercaseletteringareconsideredmore legiblethancapitalsalone Colourandcontrastoftheletteringandthebackgroundshouldbe consideredandshouldbeappropriatetothelocation.Reflectioncanbe avoidedbyusingmattsurfaces Whereilluminationofasignisneeded,thelightsourceshouldbeshielded fromtheviewertopreventglare Textshouldbekeptshortandsimpleanduserecognisedsymbolsfor standardfeatures Sansserifletteringshouldbeusedinpreferencetoserif
58
Fingerpostsignsatthe NationalMuseumin CollinsBarracks,Dublin combineanumberof directionalsignsand areunobtrusiveyet easytoread
Clearsignageanddirectionalinformationwithletteringofsufficient heightforthedistancefromwhichitisread.Generallytheuseofupper andlowercaselettersispreferable.Peoplewithimpairedvisioncanoften recogniseawordfromitsshape;forexampleletterssuchasgory havingalowerhookanddandlhavingatallerprofilethantheother letters.Thismeansthatthereisashapeto aparticularwordanditmaybe possibleforpeopletoguesswhatitmightbefromthecontextorbya processofelimination.Ifblockcapitalsareused,theymayblurtogether intoanunrecognisablerectangularblock
59
Accessibleroutes
Routeswithinasiteshouldbeidentifiedwhichsuitthewidestpossible varietyofusers.Thesemaybewheelchairusers,peoplewithbuggies, peoplewhocannotwalkveryfarorpeoplewhoareblindorhavevision impairment.Forsomeitmaybetheshortestroute;forothersitmaybethe routewiththeshallowestgradientorthebestsensorialinformation. Theaccessibleroute tothewalledgarden isfinishedinwell compactedcrushed stone
Identificationofa wheelchairaccessible routemaybe necessaryifother routesarenot suitable.Sucharoute mayalsobehelpful forthosewith childreninbuggies
Inmanyinstancesthebestroutesarethehistoricroutes.Insome situations,wheresuchroutesareunsuitableforeasyaccess,alternative routescanbeprovidedinamannerwhichrelatestothearchitecturaland landscapecharacteristicsoftheplace.Newroutesshouldonlybe consideredwheretheywouldnotdamagesignificantfabricorcharacter. Managementsolutionsmayeliminateorreducetheneedforphysical interventions.
60
Ongoingmonitoringandmaintenanceofroutestoremoveanytemporary obstaclesarenecessary.Thisappliestoallaccessibleroutes,inareasas diverseasurbanstreetswheresignsandotherstreetfurnituremayneedto berationalised,orwildlifetrailswherenaturalvegetationmayneedtobe regularlycutback.Careshouldbetakenincuttingbackvegetationnotto damageanyimportantplantingorprotectedfloraorfauna.Coordinated planningandmanagementoftheseissuesshouldbeaddressedinan accessplanandalwaysrequireallocationofresponsibility,stafftraining andregularvigilance. Maintenanceof accessibleroutesis critical.Evensmall potholescanbecome hazardousforelderly people,peoplewith visionimpairment andwheelchairusers
WORKSTOACCESSIBLEROUTESWITHINTHEPUBLICREALM Coordinationofinstallationandmaintenanceworksaffectingpublic utilities,whetherinurbanareasorwithinlargeinstitutionalcomplexes, shouldbeaddressedtoeliminatehazardsandobstaclesasaresultofpoor planningormaintenance/installationprocedures.Inplanningsuchworks, historicstreetfurnitureshouldberetainedinitsoriginallocationassuch fixturesformpartoftheoverallcharacterofthesetting.Oftenthese elementsaremadeofmorefragilematerials,forexamplecastiron,which canbeeasilydamagedbyattemptstomovethem.Whereitisdeemedto benecessarytomovehistoricstreetfurniture,onlysuitablyskilled operativesshouldcarryoutthiswork.Thenewlocationselectedshould provideanappropriatesettingfortheparticularpieceofstreetfurniture. Manyelementsofhistoricstreetfurniture,evenpavingslabs,maybe protectedstructuresandplanningpermissionmayberequiredbeforethey
61
canbemovedoraltered.Similarly,ifthelocationiswithinanarchitectural conservationarea,theplanningauthorityshouldbeconsultedbeforeany suchworksareplannedorcarriedout.
Inthisexample,anaccesspathleadingtotheformermainentranceof thebuildinghasbeenconstructedusingmodernmaterialswhichare sympathetictothehistoricenvironment
TYPESOFACCESSIBLEROUTES Thereareseveraltypesofaccessiblepathsandrouteswhichmaybe suitableforusewithinahistoricexternalenvironment. Boardwalks maybeusedinareasofnaturalheritageorarchaeological significanceoversensitivesites,wetorunevenground.Thesearenot suitableforallenvironmentsandtherouteofaboardwalkneedsto balancetheobjectivetoprovideaccesstoafeatureofinterestagainstthe visualandphysicalimpactitwouldhave,notjustonthefeatureitself,but itssetting.Forexample,wherehandrailsarerequiredtheymaycreate unacceptablevisualclutter.Whereboardwalksarecreated,theynotonly provideanaccessibleroute,buttheyhavetheadvantageofprovidinga designatedrouteforallvisitorswhichprotectsthevulnerableheritage,on orunderthegroundsurface,fromdamagecausedbyfoottrafficovera widerareaofthesite.
62
Routesformedwithboardwalksacrossarchaeologicalsites,asinthis examplefromSpain,bothprotectthearchaeologyandfacilitateaccess
Grasspaths maybeappropriateinaparklandsettingbutneedregular andcarefulmaintenanceandalternativeroutesshouldbeprovidedwhere possible.Grassmaybethehistoricsurface,forexamplewithinthe designedlandscapeofahistorichouse.Thereareanumberofgrassbased systemswhichcombinenaturalgrasswithsyntheticmaterialstoprovidea morerobustsurface.Thesecanwithstandintensivepedestrianuseand vehicularuse.Someofthesesystemsaremoresuitableforpeoplewith disabilitiesthanothersanditisimportanttoconsidersuitabilityofuse whenmakingaselection.Itisalsoimportanttoascertainthelevelof maintenancerequired;somesystemsmaybecomehazardousifnot maintained.Ifconsideringtheuseofhybridgrasssurfacesinhistoric settings,theirimpactonthehistoriccharacterofthesiteshouldbe assessed.
63
Compactedselfbindinggravel,preferablylocallysourced,welllaidand maintained,maybeacceptableinsomeareas. Resinbondedgravel, whilstmorecontemporaryinappearance,maybe appropriateinheavilytraffickedareas.Howeverincomparisonwithmost historicgroundssurfacesitcanappearquiteuniformandblandandmay notalwaysbeappropriateforthisreason. Paving includinggranite,limestoneorsandstoneflags,andsomesettsmay beacceptablewheretheyareslipresistant,levelandevenwithminimal undulation.Thechoiceofstoneshouldhaveregardtotraditionalmaterials usedinthearea.Limestoneisacommonlyusedlocalpavingmaterialin Irelandwhichlendsgreatcharactertothestreetscape.Itdoeshowever becomeslipperywhenwet,wearseasilyandrequiresreworkingtoachieve slipresistance.
Inthisexample,themainsurfacehasbeenlaidusingacarefullyselected colouredbituminousmacadam.Drainagechannelshavebeenformed reusinghistoriccobbles.Areasofnewpavingacrosstheyardandaround theperimeter,allcarefullydetailedandselected,maketheentireprecinct accessibletoall
64
Accessiblesurfaces
Accessiblesurfacesshouldbeevenandslipresistant.Manyhistoricpaving surfacesareperfectlysuitableinthisregard,forexamplethegraniteor limestonepavingflagsstillfoundinmanyhistoriccitiesandtowns.Historic streetsurfacescontributegreatlytotheparticularidentityofaplace.Often themateriallimestone,granite,sandstonespeaksofthelocalgeology andcomplementsotherhistoricbuildingmaterials.Thereforewhere historicsurfacessurvive,everyeffortshouldbemadetoretainandreuse them.However,insomeinstanceshistoricsurfacessuchasloosegravel, settsorcobbles,whiletheymaybeanintrinsicelementofthecharacterof theplace,canbeunevenunderfootandimpossibleforsometouse.In thesecircumstancesitmaybepossibletorelayorrebedthehistoric materialtoanevenfinishortointroduceacarefullydetailedevenpath aroundoracrossthehistoricprecinct.Decisionsonreplacingsuchhistoric surfacesneedtobeweighedagainsttheiraestheticandsensoryqualities suchastexturesunderfoot,theintensityofuseandtheopportunityfor alternativeroutes.Thevisualimpactontheoverallsettingneedstobe consideredastheintroductionofapathislikelytoalterthehistoric patternsandtextures.Thereplacementofhistoricsurfacesinarchitectural conservationareasorwithinthecurtilageofaprotectedstructureislikely torequireplanningpermission.Thearchitecturalconservationofficerinthe localauthorityshouldbeconsultedwhenconsideringsuchworks. Inselectingnewmaterialstoinsertintoahistoricpavingsurface, considerationshouldbegiventotheaestheticimpact,localdistinctiveness andcrafttechniques,aswellastodurabilityovertime.Thenewmaterial shouldbehaveinasimilarwaytothehistoriconeanditisgenerally preferabletousealocalmaterial,whereitisavailable.Anacceptable solutionforareasofgravel,cobblesorsettsmightbetointegrateareasof smoothpavingofacomplementarymaterial,toformalogicalaccessible route.Itmayalsobepossibletorelayhistoricsettswithtighterjoints, providedthefinishedsurfaceisreasonablysmooth,levelandslipresistant. Historicpavingflags,includinglimestone,whichhavebecomeunevenor slipperythroughyearsofusecanoftenbereworkedbysuitablyskilled masonstoprovideanacceptablelevelandslipresistantfinish.Thismay includeturningflagsoversothattheunwornundersideisused.
65
Thesehistoric graniteflags havebeen maintainedand repairedby craftsmenwho haveskilfully integrateda rampwiththe historicfootpath
Whenhistoric pavingflagshave becomeunevenit maybepossiblefor skilledmasonsto liftandreworkthe flagsbeforere layingthem.In doingsoitis importantthat appropriatejoint sizes,beddingand pointingmaterials areused
Theuseofmodernfinishes,suchasresinboundsurfaces,coloured bituminousmacadamorconcrete,needstobecarefullyconsideredforthe impactonthehistoriccharacterofaplaceandisnotalwaysacceptable.In somecases,whenappropriatelychosenandspecified,itcanimprove accessibilitywhileminimisingvisualimpact.Anynewpavingmaterials introducedshouldbecapableoffollowingtheoftenirregularbasesof historicstructuresinasympatheticmanner. Inmanyhistoricplacessuchasruincomplexes,archaeologicalsitesand graveyardsorsitesofnaturalheritagesignificance,theuseofmore informalpathsurfacesmaybethemostsensitivesolutionandinkeeping withthehistoriccharacter.Compactedlimestonegravelandquartziteused
66
insteadofloosegravelcanprovideevensurfaceswhicharepossibleto negotiateforwheelchairsandbuggiesalike.Forsuchsurfaces,themost suitableaggregatesarethosewhichareoflocalmaterialsorwhichare visuallyconsistentwiththesetting.Thesesurfacesarealsopermeable whichmaybenecessarytodealwithsurfacewaterdrainageina sustainableway.Regularmaintenanceisessentialandshouldbeplanned toensureongoingaccessibility. Wellcompactedgravel maybesuitableformost usersincertainsettings andcandealwithsurface waterdrainagebutregular maintenanceisrequired. Themostsatisfactory surfaceisawell compactedlimestoneor sandstoneaggregatethat containsadequatefine materialforbinding
NATURALENVIRONMENTS Inareasofnaturalheritagesignificanceorwherethegroundisunevenor wet,timberboardwalkscanbeused,sometimeswiththeboardswrapped ingalvanisedwiremeshorwithtactileinsertstoprovideslipresistance. Wheretheseboardwalksareelevatedorinclined,theneedforhandrails shouldbebalancedagainstthepotentialvisualimpactonthelandscape. Regularrestingpoints,shelteredandwithseating,maybeprovided.These needtobeassessedandlocationschosenwithregardtoimportantviews and,wherehandrailsaredeemednecessary,simple,secure,metalortimber uprightsandhandrailsareusuallythemostappropriate,withhandrails whichareeasytogrip.Handrailsmaybeneededwheretheleveldrop betweenboardwalkandgroundconstitutesahazard.Araisedkerbor tappingrailintheboardwalkshouldbeconsidered.Thisisparticularly importantwhereaboardwalkisraisedandtherearenohandrails.The visualimpactofnewelementsintoanimportantlandscapeshouldbe minimisedwhileensuringtheyarefitforpurpose.
67
Theuseofstapledchicken wiretoimprovetheslip resistanceofaboardwalk isaneconomicalsolution butrequiresregular maintenance.Italsohasto beusedwithcautionto avoidbeingthecauseof tripsandfalls
Aboardwalk,madefromrecycledplasticlumber,hasbeenlaidacrosspart ofaraisedbog.Awalkacrosstheboardwalkprovidesawonderful sensoryexperience.Inthislocation,theimpactofhandrailscouldbe detrimentaltothesensitiveenvironmentbuttheadditionofkerbsorrails atlowlevelcouldassistastappingrailsforblindpeopleaswellas providingsomesecurityforwheelchairusers.Passingspacesmaybe requiredatreasonableintervals(ImagecourtesyofMitchell+Associates)
68
KERBS Inhistoricurbanstreetscapes,existingroadkerbsareusuallyhighenough toallowpeoplewithvisionimpairmenttodistinguishbetweenthe carriagewayandpavement.Insomelocationssuchasthemaincommercial streetsofsomehistorictowncentres,sharedsurfaceshavebeen introducedinwhichvehiclesandpedestrianssharethesamesurface.Such projectsshouldnotrequiretheremovalofhistorickerbsandpavingflags norradicallyalterthespatialcharacterofthestreet.Thedesignshould avoidintroducingnewbarriersforpeoplewithdisabilities.Where consideringsuchalterationstothepublicrealm,theimpactonthehistoric settingandfabricshouldbeaddressedandtheneedsofpeoplewith visionimpairmentandmobilitydifficultiesshouldbeanticipated. Wheredishingofkerbsisrequiredatroadcrossings,anysurvivinghistoric kerbstonesshouldberetainedandshouldberelaidflushatthecrossingsor reusedtoreplacedamagedkerbswithinthearea.Unevenorrough kerbstonescanusuallybereworkedbysuitablyskilledmasonstoprovidean acceptablefinish.Alternativelyitmaybepossibletoreversethekerbstone wheretheunwornsideremainseven.Whenresettinghistorickerbstones, careshouldbetakentoensuretheyarenotsettoohighthuscreatinga barrierforsomeambulantdisabledpeople.Careisalsorequiredinlifting historicpavingtoavoiddamageandanyreworkingofpavingslabsshould avoiddamagetohistoricsurfacesandmarkingssuchasmasonsmarks. Theremaybesomeinstanceswherethehistoricsurfaceisofgreat significanceduetoitsrarityandalternativeaccessibleroutesshouldbe foundtoavoidtherequirementfordisturbingthehistoricsurface. Wherekerbdishingsare formedusingthehistoric flagstones,careisneeded whencuttingthemtoensure thedishingiscorrectly located,thestonesand channelsarewelllaidand pointed,andtactilepavingis included,wherenecessary
69
TACTILEPAVING Newtactilepavingwithinahistoricsettingshouldbewelldesignedto coordinatewiththesurroundingstreetscape.Thecolourofthetactile pavingshouldharmonisewithadjoininghistoricmaterialswhilstproviding sufficienttonalcontrastforpeoplewithvisionimpairment.Newtactile guidanceandhazardpavingcanbeformedinstoneorotherappropriate materialeithercutorcasttothecorrectprofileswithslipresistantmetal studsorbars;appliedorinserted.Selectingtheappropriatetypeoftactile pavingcanbecomplexbearinginmindthatdifferentprofilesareusedto signaldifferentconditions,forexampleatroadcrossings,attrafficlights (signalledcrossings),atunsignalledcrossings,toprovidehazardwarningat externalchangesinlevel,andtoprovidedirectionalguidancewhen negotiatingwideopenspaces.Incorrectuseoftactilesurfacesisadangerto peoplewithlowvisionorhearingimpairmentsaswellastoblindpeople. Itgivespeoplethewrongclueswhichdefeatstheobjectiveofusingtactile surfaces.CurrentlythestandardsusedinIrelandaresimilartotheUKbut differenttootherpartsofEurope.Itisimportanttherefore,thatthose responsibleformanagingexternalenvironmentsfollowapprovedstandards andtakeprofessionaladvice. Themethodchosenforinstallingtactilepavingisdependentonthenature ofthelocationwhereitistobeinstalled.Mechanicalfixingofstudsandbars isusuallythemostreliablebuttherearesituationswherethisisnot appropriate,particularlywhereirreversibledamagewouldbecausedto historicpaving,andalternativemethodsandmaterialsshouldbeexplored. Thecuttingofthesurfaceofhistoricpavingorstepstocreateatactile surfaceisnotrecommendedasthiscausesirreparabledamagetothe stonework.Resinbondedtactileprofilesareavailablewhichcanbeapplied tothehistoricsurface.Theyshouldonlybeusedincaseswheretheywould notdamagethehistoricfinish,wouldbereadilyreversibleandwouldnot wearinsuchaswayastocreateahazard.Wheretheexistingpavingsurface israreorauniquesurvivingexampleofitstype,itshouldnotbealtered.
70
Tactilesurfacescanbeuncomfortablefor somepeopletouseandpresentsliportrip hazards,particularlyifsmoothmetalprofiles areusedinwetconditions.Studsusedto formthestandardblisterprofilefor crossingpointsshouldbetestedfortheir slipresistanceandtheirdesignandlayout shouldcarefullyfollowcurrentguidelines withrespecttotheirprofile,height,spacing andlocation
Blisteredpavingisusedat crossings.Thecolourand qualityofthiscastironpaving blendswellwiththehistoric stonesurfaceyetiscleartosee. Minimumwidthsshouldbe observedtoensurethepaving canbedetected
Metalstudsandtactilestrips harmonisewellwithnatural stonebuttheyshouldnot becomeslipperywhenwet.In thisexampleinCopenhagen,a singlebronzetactileguidance stripcombinedwithbronze studsattheroadcrossingare usedtofacilitateorientation. Thestripsarelaidwithgaps betweenthemtopreventa buildupofdirtandtoallowfor drainage.Whilstthematerialis appropriate,researchhas shownthatasinglelineis difficulttodetect
71
Changesinlevelstepsandgradients
RAMPS,HANDRAILSANDSTEPS Changesinlevelregularlyhavetobenegotiatedinhistorictownsand parklands.Theselevel changesexisteitherasaresultofthenatural topographyoraspartoftheoriginaldesignandlayout.Whencarryingout alterationstoovercomelevelchanges,itisimportanttohaveregardtothe originaldesignintentioninordertodevelopsolutionsspecifictothe characteroftheparticularplace.Insomeinstances,alternativeroutescanbe providedwhichavoidtheselevelchanges;howeverthisisnotalways possible.Forminorgradients,itmaybepossibletoregradethegroundto eliminateorreducegradientssothattheinstallationofarampisavoidedor thescaleoftherampisreduced.Indoingso,oneneedstobeawareof potentialdisturbance,forexampletoundergroundarchaeology,andto ensurethatthenecessarylicencesorconsentsareinplace.
Significantchangesinexternal levelscansometimeswarrantthe constructionofafullexternallift, asattheLifetimeLabonthesite oftheoldCorkCityWaterworks (ImagecourtesyofJackCoughlan Architects)
Inthisformalwalledgarden,a shortriseisovercomeby extendingthepath.Thefine granitegravelsurfaceiseasily distinguishablefromthe adjoininglawnbutcanbe difficulttonegotiateforsome people
72
Thevisualimpactofhandrailsalongslopingpathsinmanyhistoric externalenvironmentscanbesignificant.Insomeinstancesthegradient maybeveryshallowmakingitpossibletoomithandrails.Wherehandrails aretobeomitted,itisrecommendedthattheseareasaremonitoredto ensuresafeaccessisbeingprovided.Dependingontheplace,itmaybe necessarytoprovidetrainedpersonnelforassistance.Wherehandrailsare provided,theyshouldbecomfortabletohold,evenincoldweather.Where addingto,oraltering,historichandrailsitmaybeappropriatetouse materialsandprofileswhichmatchtheexisting.Alternatively,orwhenthe handrailisanentirelynewaddition,theuseofhighqualitymetalallowsfor slimandelegantprofiles.Highsheenmetalfinishesaregenerally inappropriateduetovisualimpactandglare.Itmaysometimesbepossible andappropriatetoprovideasingle,centrallylocatedhandrailwherethe pathorstepsaresufficientlywide. Highlightingthenosingsofstepscangreatlyimprovesafetyforeveryone andinparticularforvisionimpairedpeople.However,suchworksshould becarefullydesignedtobeinkeepingwiththehistoricenvironment. Wherepossiblethenosingsshouldprovideadefinitecontrastwiththerest ofthetreadorstep.Thiscanbedonetonally,anddoesnothavetobein differentcolours,providedthelightreflectancevaluesofthetwotonesare sufficientlydifferent.Thechangeinlevelcanalsobeindicatedbyachange intexturewherethisisappropriate.Whereatexturalchangeinsurface finishisusedtomarkchangesinlevelitisimportantthatthesamechange isexperiencedthroughoutthesite. Ahandrailwouldbe inappropriateinthis particularsettingbuta restingpointwouldbe ofgreatvalue.Thedeep rutformedinthe compactedgravel followingheavyrain highlightstheneedfor regularmaintenanceso thattheaccessibilityof surfacesismaintained
73
Theadditionofhandrailstoany flightofstepsnotonlyimproves safetybutitpermitsmanypeople tousestepswhomightotherwise beexcluded.Handrailsare requiredonbothsidesto facilitateapersongoingbothup anddownandwhomayhaveuse ofonlyonehand.However,the visualimpacthastobecarefully weighedupandothersolutions toovercomingthechangeinlevel mayneedtobeexplored
Providing informationon gradientsso thatpeoplecan plantheirroutes isalwayshelpful
Handrailprofilesshouldbe comfortabletouse.Intheoutdoor environmentthematerialshould weatherwellandrequirelittle maintenance
Thissimplemodernpainted steelhandrailintegrateswell withinitssetting
74
Streetfurnitureandlighting
Historicelementsofstreetfurnituresuchascastironpostboxes,water pumpsandtelephoneboxesmakeasignificantcontributiontolocal identityandplacemaking.Theyareoftenfondlycaredforbylocal communitiesandtheirretentionisimportantinordertomaintainthe distinctivecharacterofaplace.Wherehistoriclightfittings,pavement coalholecoversandotherironworkretainthemanufacturersstamp, theseprovideaconnectiontoplaceandhistory,forexamplethe remarkablecollectionofnineteenthandearlytwentiethcenturyironwork inDunLaoghaire,CountyDublinmostlyoriginatedfromtwoGlaswegian companies,andnotonlyformsasignificantcollectioninitselfbutalso providesimportantinformationonthehistoryofthetown. HistoricphotographsofIrishtownsandcitiesgenerallydepictuncluttered urbanspaceswithfewfixtures.Todaytheurbanenvironmentisoftenfilled withsigns,litterbins,parkingmetersandotherstreetfurniturewhichcan makeitdifficultforpeoplewithdisabilitiestonegotiateandwhichaffect thequalityofpublicspaces.Astrategicapproachshouldbetakento signageandstreetfurnitureinhistoricenvironments.Itshouldbeinformed byanunderstandingofthehistoriccharacterandconsiderationsofsafety, designqualityandaccessibility.Itshouldallowforarationalisationofstreet furnitureandaneliminationofunnecessaryelements,whileidentifying andretainingthehistoricstreetfurnitureofsignificanceandprovidinga moreaccessibleenvironment.Forthosewithvisionimpairment,ina wheelchairorwithachildsbuggy,clutteredpavementscanbedifficultto negotiate.Inahistoricstreetscape,goodpracticewouldensurethatthe necessarystreetfurniture,bollardsandlighting,litterbins,telephone kiosks,ticketdispensers,andseatingarearrangedinanorderedand rationalmanner,withineasyreachoftheaccessibleroutes. Itisdesirablethathistoricfurnitureandlightingberetainedinuseandin itsoriginallocation,asitformspartoftheparticularcharacterofaplace. Therelocationofanyhistoricelementsshouldbeavoidedunless absolutelynecessary.Whereunavoidable,worksshouldbecarriedoutwith duecareandskilltoavoiddamage.Sometimeshistoricfurnitureand lightingaresufficienttomeetuserneeds,oritmaybenecessaryto augmentthemwithnewfittings.Anoveralldesigncoherencebetweenthe
75
historicandthenewshouldbetheaim.Insomelimitedsituations,the appropriatedesignsolutionfornewstreetfurnitureistoreplicatethe historicelements;howevercareisneededtoensureauthenticityofdetail designandmaterial,aspoorqualitypasticheversionsonlydetractfrom theoriginal.Oftenacontemporarydesignispreferable,fabricatedusing highquality,longlastingmaterials.Thepotentialforvisualimpactshould beadeterminingfactorasthenewelementsshouldgenerallynotvisually dominatethehistoricones. Thetraditionaltelephonekioskmay beanimportant,andincreasingly rare,elementofhistoricstreet furniturebutcanpresentan obstacleinapavementunless carefullysited.Providedthereis sufficientroomtopassandto accessthekiosk,ifstillinuse,there isnoneedtorelocateit.For pedestrianswithvisionimpairment, traditionalkiosksareeasilydetected bycaneandsothereisnoneedto provideachangeofsurfaceonthe surroundingfootpath
Somemanholecoversandotherpavementelementssuchas weighbridgesmaybeimportanttoretainandifnecessarytheaccessible routedirectedaroundthem
76
Thelightingofpublicpathwaysandaccessibleroutesshouldcomplywith currentstandardsandideallybeeven,avoidingdarkspotsandglare.Itmay bepossibletoupgradehistoriclampstandardstotakemodernfittingsto provideanimprovedqualityandintensityoflight.Somehistoricplaces maybeclosedtothepublicafterdarkand,intheseinstances,thelighting requirementsmaybeless.Sometimesitmaynotbepossibleordesirableto provideincreasedlevelsoflighting,forexamplewheretheinstallationof cablingmaydamagesubsurfacearchaeologicalremains.Manyhistoric environmentsarealsohabitatsforprotectedspecies,suchasbats,andthe impactoflightingontheseshouldtobetakenintoaccountandspecialist advicesought.
Seatingandrestplaces
Alongaccessibleroutes,restareasareimportantformostpeople, particularlythosewhotireeasilyandneedtorestmoreoften.Where possibletheseshouldbeprovidedatintervalsofbetween50mand150m dependingonthesetting.Ideally,seatingshouldhavebackandarmrests. Generally,timbersittingsurfacesarewarmerandmorecomfortableforall users.Restplacesshouldaimtoprovideprotectionfromprevailingwinds, belocatedinsunnyspotsandcreatecomfortablemicroclimates.Thismay oftenbebestachievedbyintegratingrestplaceswithinexistingsheltered areas,suchasundertreebranches.Newsheltersshouldbedesignedand locatedtoavoidanyadverseimpactuponthesetting. Thisrestingplace, withaviewover anornamental garden,islocated inasunnyand shelteredspot
77
Gardenandlandscapefeatures
Manydesignedlandscapes,includinghistoricdemesnes,gardensandparks, incorporatefeaturessuchasfollies,bridges,glasshouses,gatesandstiles, whicharepartofthehistoricplace.Accesstoandaroundthesestructuresis desirable.Similarprinciplesintermsofcirculation,paths,overcomingsteps andgradientsneedtobeaddressedinawaywhichdoesnotdamagethe historicfabricandcharacter.Insomeinstancesitmaynotbepossibleto provideaccesstoallpartsofthesestructuresandsuitablevantagepoints withaccessibleinformationcouldbeprovidedasanalternative.
Gettingaroundlargesites
Inlargehistoriccomplexeswherelongdistancesmustbetravelledto reachfacilities, servicesandhistoricfeatures, onsitetransportmaybe required.Wheelchairsandotherpersonalmobilityaidsmaybesufficient but, insomecases, theprovisionofmotorisedbuggiesorwheelchair accessibleminibusesmaybeappropriatewhereroutescanbecarefully plannedtoavoiddamagetotheheritageofthesite. Driversofsuch AtBelvedere HouseinCounty Westmeath,a motorisedbuggy isavailableto transportvisitors withlimited mobility
78
vehiclesmayrequirespecifictrainingforthepurpose. Provisionshould bemadetoallowforbookinginadvanceoronsite, wherenecessary. Whereindependenttransportisanoption, designatedparkingshould, wherepossible, bedistributedthroughoutthesite. Whereitisnotpossibletoprovideonsitetransportfacilitieswithinalarge site,orwhereeasyaccesstopartofthehistoricplaceisnotachievable,an alternativemaybetoprovidesuitableviewingpointsfromwithinthe accessiblepartsofthesitewhilstavoidinganyadverseimpacton, importantlandscapefeaturessuchasspecimentrees,historicwallsor designedplanting.
Thissuspension bridgewithina historicgardenis locatedona markedaccessible routeand providesaperfect vantagepoint fromwhichto viewtheriver
Atthishistoricsite,a designatedandwellused cornerisprovidedfordogs withwaterbowls,amatanda railtowhichtosecurethem. Guidedogsarepermittedto remainwiththeirownersin theadjacentcaf.Forthe benefitofallusers,facilities fordogsshouldalsoinclude theprovisionofpooper scoopersthroughoutasite anddesignatedsoilingareas
79
5. ImprovingAccessInand
AroundBuildings
Arrivalandcarparking
Thearrivalpointtoahistoricbuildingorplaceiswherethevisitorsfirst impressionisformed.Arrivalshouldbeaneasyanddignifiedexperience. Ideally,everyoneshouldbeabletoaccesstheprincipalentrance.Where thismaynotbepossible,alternativeentranceswhichallowcomfortable andindependentaccessshouldbeprovidedandclearlysigned. Generally,thelocationofdesignatedaccessiblecarparkingandsetdown areasshouldbeasclosetothebuildingorsiteentranceaspossible.Where thisisnotpossible,theprovisionofsetdownareaswhichminimisetravel distancetotheentrance,orsomeformofshuttleservicebetweenthe parkingareaandtheentrance,maybenecessary.Itisalsoimportantto ensurethatanyaccesscontrolstoparkingareasareeasytooperateandin anaccessiblelocation.Carefulconsiderationisneededwherecarparkingis tobeprovidedwithinahistoricsetting.Inadditiontothepotentialimpact oflargepavedareasonthehistoricenvironment,theneedforlightingcan haveasignificanteffectonasensitivehistoricgardenorlandscapeandon thesettingandappreciationofbuildings.Inareaswherethepredominant groundsurfaceisloose,suchasgravelsurfacesinruralareasorthe Designated accessible parkingis locatedadjacent tothemain entrancetothe National Museumat CollinsBarracks inDublin
80
groundsofhistorichouses,afirmsurfaceshouldbeprovidedforaccessible routeswherethisispossibletoachieve.Designatedbicycleparkingmaybe necessarytoavoidtheinformaluseofrailingsandgatesforsecuring bicyclesastheyformanobstacleaswellasdamaginghistoricfabric. Wheredesignatedparkingbaysandsetdownareasareprovided,there shouldbesufficientspacetothesideandreartoallowfortransfertoand fromwheelchairsinaccordancewithgoodpracticestandards.Routesfrom thedesignatedspacesandsetdownareasshould,wherepracticable,be welllit,accessibleanddirect.Inhistoricplaceswhereitisdesirableto minimisethevisualimpactsofsurfacemarkingsandlinings,thesecanbe effectivelyachievedusingnarrowerwidthsofmarkingsandmoremuted colourtonesthanarestandard.
Approachandentry
Theentrytoahistoricbuildingoftenposesthegreatestdesignchallenge foraccessibility,inparticularwheretheentranceishigherthantheexternal ground.Thisisoftenthecaseinmanyhistoricbuildingsandmaybedueto avarietyofreasons:toallownaturallightandventilationofalowerground level,tocreateanimposingsetting,orforprotectionagainstdampand wateringress.Stepsuptotheprincipalentranceofahistoricbuildingare oftenanessentialarchitecturalfeature. Oneofthekeyprinciplesofuniversaldesignistoprovideeaseofuse, dignityandindependenceforallpeopleusingthebuildingorplace.Thisis mostpertinentattheentrancetoabuilding;theoptimumsolutionbeing toprovideonedoorforall.However,formanyarchitecturallysignificant buildingstheretentioninuseoftheprincipalhistoricentrancemaybea keyconservationobjective.Thereareincreasingnumbersofinnovativeand highqualitydesignsolutionswhichsitcomfortablyandelegantlywithin sensitivehistoriccontexts.Thekeyistoobserveandsurveythe architecturalcharacteristicsandfeaturesanddevelopthedesigncarefully toaddressthespecificcontext.However,wheretheinterventionsrequired tofacilitateaccessthroughthehistoricentrancewouldpermanentlyaltera particularlysignificantarchitecturalelement,anacceptablesolutionmay betoprovideanalternativeaccessibleentrancewhichallowsforeaseand independenceofuse.
81
AttheBodeMuseuminBerlintwoplatformliftshavebeeninstalled givingfullstepfreeaccesstothemainentrance,withalmostnovisual intrusion.Thesystemworksbyremovingasectionofthestepsand installingaconcealedmountingframewithplatformliftandretractable stepswhichareoperatedfromacontrolpanel.Thestepsand liftareclad inthehistoricormatchingmaterialandarealmostindistinguishable fromthesurroundingsurface.Theprovisionofinformationonthe controlsandclearinstructionsforuseisessentialwithaninstallationof thistypewherethemeansofaccessisnotimmediatelyobvious
AsecondshortflightofstepsattheBodeMuseumalsohasaconcealed platformliftandretractablestepswhichallowuseofthefullwidthofthe flightwhentheliftisnotrequired.Forthosenotfamiliarwiththesystem aninformationpanelmaybenecessaryandthecontrolpanelclearly identifiedsoasnottopresentahazard(ImagescourtesyofMorna Gannon)
82
CHOOSINGTHEACCESSIBLEENTRANCE Inchoosingtheaccessibleentrancetothebuilding,variousscenariosmay needtobeconsideredbeforeafinaldecisioncanbemade.Theseinclude: Maintainingtheuseofthehistoricmainentrancewhichissuitablefor alluserswithoutphysicalintervention CollinsBarracks inDublin,now partofthe National Museum,has equalandlevel accesstothe centralcourtyard fromeachof threesides TheHughLane Galleryhas maintainedits principal entranceanda ramphasbeen installedtothe sideofthe entrancepodium
Maintainingthehistoricmainentrancefollowingacceptablealterations tomakeitaccessible Whereahistoricbuildinghasseveralentranceswithnohierarchy, selectingoneoftheentrancestobeaccessible(withorwithout physicalalteration) Wherethehistoricmainentrancecannotbemadeaccessiblewithout requiringunacceptablealterations.Insuchacase,themainentrance couldberelocated,eithertoanexistingentranceortoanentirelynew entrancethatservesallusers;thehistoricmainentrancewouldthen becomeasecondaryoroccasionalentrance/exit.
83
TwolevelaccessroutestotheparliamentbuildinginCopenhagen havebeencreatedfromstreetlevel,oneoneithersideofanimposing flightofsteps.Liftaccessinternallywithinthebuildingleadstothe chamberlevel.
AtNos.7980StStephensGreen,DublintheDepartmentofForeign Affairsislocatedintwoadjoiningbuildings.Theentranceporticoto IveaghHouse,thewhitestonebuildinginthebackground,wouldhave beenverydifficulttoadapt.Instead,afullyaccessibleentrancehas beenachievedtoNo.79,theredbrickbuildingintheforeground;the twobuildingshavebeenlinkedinternallysincetheoriginal constructionofNo.79in1881
84
Thehistoricmainentranceismaintainedinuseandaneworalready existingsecondaryentranceismadeaccessible.Whilethisisgenerallythe leastdesirablesolution,theremaybesomecircumstanceswhereitisthe onlyappropriatesolutionduetotheunacceptableimpactanaltered entrancewouldhaveonthearchitecturalintegrityofthebuilding. Itmaysometimesbepossibleandpreferabletodealwithalevelchange internallyratherthanconstructaramporliftontheoutsideofthe building.
Herethehistoricmainentranceis retainedinuseandanalternative secondaryentranceisprovided totheside.Theprovisionofclear signageindicatingthe alternative,accessibleentranceis veryimportantwherethistypeof solutionisused
Asinglestepatthesideentrance ofthischurchhasbeen overcomeusingawellintegrated andeasilyreversiblemetalramp. However,asthereisnotop landingexternally,thisrampcan onlybeusedwhenthedooris openandthereforeonlyworksas partofamanagementsolution
85
Itisimportanttoconsidertheinternallayoutofthebuildinginrelationto whatlevelofintervention,ifany,mightbenecessarytoensureaccessibility. Itshouldbeachievedwithoutdamagingthearchitecturalcharacterand integrity.Considerationshouldalsobegivenastowhethertheappropriate solutionistobetemporaryorpermanent.Itisimportantthatthesedecisions aremadeinthecontextoftheaccessstrategyforthewholebuilding. Inallofthesescenarios,itishelpfultoconsultwithexistinguserswith disabilitiesand/ordisabilityorganisationsandthelocalauthorityaccess, architecturalconservation,buildingcontrolandplanningofficersbefore reachingafinaldecisiononhowtoproceed.
Overcomingdifferencesinlevel
Anumberofentrancefeaturesoccurinhistoricbuildingsofwhichsome,or several,needtobeaddressedwhenovercomingdifferencesinlevel.The followingisalistofsomeofthemorecommonones. Railedenclosuressurroundingsunkenbasementareaswithaflightof stepscrossingthebasementareaandlinkingstreetleveltoentrance door.ThisisafeatureofmanyGeorgianand Victorianterracedtown housesandruralcountryhouses.Manyofthesebuildingsremainintheir originalresidentialuseandtheneedtomakesignificantalterationsto overcometheseleveldifferencesmaynotbenecessaryorpracticable Formalflightsofstepsleadingtothemainentrance.Thesemayinvolve arelativelyminorleveldifferenceormayextendtoafullstoreyheight. Manyhistoricpublicbuildingssuchascourthousesortownhallsmay incorporatethisfeature Architecturalfeaturessuchasporticosandarchitraveswhichmightbe executedinstoneorrenderandwhichitmaybeinappropriatetoalter Wroughtandcastironrailings Plinthsandstringcoursesofstoneorrenderwhichrunalongtheedge ofpropertyanduptothemainentrancedoorway Therangeofsolutionsforovercomingleveldifferencesatthemain entrance(whereanalternativeaccessibleentranceisnotavailable) includesvariationsandcombinationsofthefollowing.
86
Therailedenclosuresto basementareasofGeorgian terracedhousesare sometimesusedinavarietyof waystocreateaccesseitherto basementortoentrancelevel bymeansofeitherarampor platformlift.Bothsolutions canhavesignificantimpacton thefaade,thebasement roomsandfeaturesandon thefabricofthebuilding althoughanumberof carefullydetailedand successfulinterventionshave beencompleted Whenconsideringalterations toahistoricbuildinginorder toimproveaccessthe necessitytoretainand conservesignificant elementssuchasthestone plinths,railingsand bootscrapersshouldbe addressed
87
STEPS Entrancestepsareacommonfeatureinmanyhistoricbuildingsandthere ismuchvariationindesign.Theycanbehighlysignificantarchitectural features.Forsomepeople,stepsmaybeeasiertonegotiatethanlong ramps.Foreaseofaccess,itmaybenecessarytoprovideassistanceinthe formofhandrails,visualcontrastatchangesinlevel,andrestingpointsfor longflights.
Theentrancetothissymmetricalbuildinghasaflightofstepsonboth
sides,eachwithanexistingsinglehandrail.Hencethereisnoneedto
providearailontheoutersideasthechoiceisavailabletotheuser
whichsidetouse
RAMPS Rampsaregenerallypreferabletomechanicalsolutions,suchaslifts, particularlywherelevelchangesaresmallorwherethereissufficientspace tointegratearamp.Theydo notrequirethesamelevelofmaintenanceand maybeeasilyusedbybothambulantpeopleandwheelchairusers.However, rampsarenotsuitableforeveryoneandstepsmayberequiredalsoasan alternativeforsomeuserswithmobilitydifficulties.Inmanysituations,the existingstepsmeettherequirements.

88
Rampscanbepermanent,semipermanent(ordemountable)ortemporary (orportable).Apermanentrampwillbecomeanintegralandirreversible featureofthebuildingandaccordinglyshouldbedesignedand constructedtoahighquality.Asemipermanent,ordemountable,rampis onethatiscapableofbeingreadilyremoved,orreversed,atalaterstagein thebuildingshistoryshouldanalternativesolutionbecomeavailable.A semipermanentrampmaybeinplaceforaconsiderablelengthoftime andsoshouldbedesignedandconstructedtoahighqualityusingdurable materials.Atemporary,orportable,rampisusuallylightweightandoften capableoffoldingforeaseoftransportandstorage. Rampsofanykindoftenhaveahighvisualandphysicalimpactona historicbuildingandthisisoneofthekeyfactorsindeterminingwhere andhowtolocatetheaccessibleentrance.Anew,permanentrampshould besensitivelydesigned.Itisimportanttounderstandandappreciatethe existingarchitectureandconsiderthejunctionwheretheedgeofthe rampmeetstheexistingbuilding.Wheretherearelevelsectionswithinthe lengthoftheramp,theseshouldbearrangedwherepossibletoalignwith existingarchitecturalrhythmsandfeatures.Themostsuccessfulsolutions arethosewheretherampappearsaspartoftheexistingbuilding.
Thispermanentramphasbeenconstructedinmatchingstonetothe originalstepsandisfreestandingthusensuringnodamagewasdoneto thebaseofthebuilding.Theraised kerbisgradeddowntothelevelof theentrancestepatthejunctionwiththetopoftherampandfroma distanceappearsasonecontinuousplane
89
Acarefullydesignedpermanentrampandstepsweresuccessfully integratedwithanexistingbuildinganumberofyearsago.Studded granitetactilepavingwasincorporatedtoalertonetothepresence ofstepsandramps.Ifinstalledtoday,itwouldbemorecorrecttouse corduroypavingofthehazardwarningtypeatthetopofthesteps togetherwithhandrails,inaccordancewithcurrentguidanceonthe useoftactilepavingsurfaces Whereasemi permanent, demountableramp meetsahistoricstep therecanbeslight differencesinlevelas aresultofuneven wearofthestep.Itis importanttohighlight theseontheramp
90
Thechoiceofmaterialsmaybeinfluencedbythedesignapproach;for examplewhethertherampistobereadasanextensionoftheground surfaceoraspartofthebaseofthebuilding.Thematerialschosenforthe baseoftherampandanysidewallsshouldgenerallymatchor complementthoseofthebuildingorpavement. Insomeinstancesatemporaryrampmaybeanappropriatesolution,for examplewherefundingisnotimmediatelyavailabletoexecuteapermanent orsemipermanentrampofsufficientquality.Portablerampsarerarelyan acceptablelongtermaccessiblesolutionexceptperhapsinalittleused buildingwhereassistanceisalwaysavailable.Theycanbeappropriateina situationwhereaoneoffeventisheldinadwellinghouse. Temporaryportable ramps,suchasthis smallthreshold ramp,areeasily removedandcan provideashortterm management solutionwhilemore permanentorsemi permanent installationsare beingdeveloped Whetherpermanent,semipermanentortemporary,arampshould generallybedesignedforeasyreversibilityasitallowsforreinstatementof theoriginalfeaturesshouldabettersolutionariseatalaterstage.Where possibletherampshouldbefixedindependentlyofthehistoricfabricwith separatingmembranesusedbetweenhistoricandnewlayers.Wherethis maynotbepossible,fixingsshouldavoiddamaginghistoricfabricwhich cannoteasilyberepaired.Toinstalltherampmayrequiretheremovalof significantexistingfeaturessuchassectionsofwroughtorcastironrailings orstoneplinths.Wherethisremovalisconsideredacceptable,itisgood practicetoensurethattheyarecarefullydismantledbyskilledcraftsmen andstoredsafelyforpossiblefuturereinstatementorreuse.Asinother situationswhereoriginalorhistoricfeaturesarebeingaltered,survey recordspriortodismantlingshouldbeprepared.
91
Whilereversibilityisthepreferredsolution,insomeinstanceswhereahigh qualitydesignandexecutioncanbeguaranteedandwherethereare unlikelytobeanyfuturealternatives,itmaybepossibletoachievean acceptable,permanentsolutionthroughgreaterandirreversible intervention.Aswithmostrampinterventions,suchsolutionsrequire planningpermissionandadvanceconsultationwiththearchitectural conservationofficerisrecommended. Demountable,semipermanent rampsavoiddamageor alterationtothearchitectural fabric.Theyhavetheadvantage ofbeingreadilyreversible shouldabettersolutionbecome availableatafuturedate.Often demountablerampsremainin placeformanyyearssocareful considerationshouldbegiven totheirdesignequaltothat giventoapermanentramp
HANDRAILS Oneofthemainimpactsonthehistoricbuildingislikelytobethehandrail fixedtotherampandsteps.Forshortramps,atsmalllevelchanges,itmay bepossibletoavoidtheadditionofhandrailswherethereistrainedstaff availableforassistance.Fornewstepsandramps,dependingonthe design,itisgenerallypreferablethathandrailsarefixedtothenew structureratherthantothehistoricbuildingfabric.Wherefixingtohistoric fabriceffortsshouldbemadetoensuretheworksarereversibleandif possibletofixintoexistingjoints.Fixingsshouldnotbemadethatdamage decorativefeatures.Generallyitispreferablethatanewhandrailisslender anddoesnotobscurethearchitecturaldetailofthehistoricbuilding. Handrailsshouldbeprovidedforuseonbothsidesofthestepsorramp wherecircumstancesallow;however,forstepswherethereissufficient widthitmaysometimesbepreferable,inordertolessentheimpact,to locateasinglehandrailinthecentreoftheflightofsteps.
92
Acontemporaryrampand stepsconstructedinstone andstainlesssteelhas beeninstalledtoaccess thismuseum.Thestone stepspansthegutterand hasnotinterferedwith thedrainageofthe courtyard.Whilethisisan elegantsolution,some userswouldbenefitifthe handrailsextended furtherbeyondthelast step.Thehighsheenfinish tothemetalworkmay causeproblemswithglare
Intheexternalenvironment, simplehandrailsareoftenthe bestsolutionwhilstobserving thebasicprinciplesofhandrail design.Thewhiterail hereis clearlyvisibleagainstthestone backgroundyetitdoesnot impingeonthestonedoorcase
Wherethestepsarewideenough acentralhandrail,eithersingleor doublesided,mayreducethe needforhandrailstobothsides. Itwouldbeoffurtherbenefitif thehandrailextendedbeyond thebottomandtopsteps
93
REGRADINGGROUND Thismaybeasolutioninitselforpartofasolutionwhichreducesthe extentofleveldifferencetobeovercome.Itmaybeconsideredaspartof largerworksprogrammeandmayrequirethecooperationofthelocal authoritywhereitwouldinvolveworkstoapublicfootpathorroadway. However,carefulconsiderationshouldbegiventothemediumandlong termeffectsofsuchworks.Wherethereareventilationgrillesinthe externalwallofthebuilding,designedtoprovideessentialventilationtoa timberfloor,thesemustnotbecomeblockedinanyway,norshouldany regradingofthegroundlevelincreasethelikelihoodofsurfacewater enteringthebuildingthroughthesegrilles.Regradingworksshouldnot directsurfacewatertowardsthebuildingwhereitmightsaturatethe externalwallsnorshouldthegroundlevelberaisedtotheextentwhereit mightcausedampproblemsinsidethebuilding. Regradinggroundlevelsto providelevelaccessmay sometimesbepossible.Care needstobetakento physicallyseparateany raisedgroundlevelsor structurefromthefabricof thebuildingandshouldnot beundertakenwhereit wouldblockorimpede ventsinthewallorcause internaldampproblems
MECHANICALLYOPERATEDLIFTSYSTEMS Thereareseveraltypesofliftsystemsavailableandthisisanareaof ongoingtechnicaldevelopment.Generally,itisbestifanewliftcanservea multiplicityofuses,makingitmorelikelytobeusedandacceptabletoall. Inaddition,themorealiftisused,theeasieritgenerallyistoensurethatit iswellmaintainedasproblemsquicklycometolightallowingthemtobe addressedpromptly.Considerationshouldbegivenastohowuserscan
94
evacuateabuildingintheeventofanemergencyandtheinstallationof evacuationliftsmaybeappropriate.Varioustypesofliftincludevertical andinclinedplatformliftsandstairlifts.Generally,stairliftsarenot recommendedforuseattheentrancetopublicbuildingsduetotheir physicalandvisualimpactsandtheirlimitedbenefit.Inclinedplatformlifts haveseveraldrawbacks;theycanbevisuallyobtrusiveandarenotuseable byallwheelchairusers.However,theycanberelativelyeasilyreversedifa moreappropriateaccesssolutionisfound.However,duetotheir unacceptabilitytosomeusers,inclinedliftsshouldonlybeusedasalast resort.Wherealiftisconsiderednecessary,consultationwithpotential usersandthearchitecturalconservationofficerinthelocalauthorityis recommendedtoinformdecisionsonthelocationandtypeoflift. Liftsshouldbedesignedforindependentuse.Whereaplatformliftis provided,afacilitytoseekassistanceshouldbeavailable.Theliftshouldbe locatedinaplacewherethereisspacefortheusertowaitforaresponse. Thetrainingofstafftoassistwithentrytoabuildingmayberequired, particularlywherefullaccessibilityislimited.
Mechanicallyoperatedshortriseliftsystemsusinghighqualitymaterials canbesensitivelyintegratedifwelldesigned
95
Improvingaccessprovisions withwelldesignedsolutions cansometimesprovidethe opportunitytoremoveearlier inappropriateinterventions. Theoriginalstonestepsseen behindthisplatformlifthad previouslybeenconcealedby agalvanisedsteelstair
Whereassistanceisnecessary asignshouldbeprovided
Externalplatformlifts,suchasthisinclinedlift,canquicklybecome obsoleteunlesstheyarekeptinuseandmaintainedonaregularbasis. Theyaregenerallyvisuallyintrusive,notsuitableforwheelchairusers andshouldbeconsideredonlyasalastresort
96
Thefrontdoor
Visitorsshouldbeableeasilytoidentifythefrontdoorormainentrance whenapproachingthebuilding.Useofstrongcolourcontrast,where appropriate,canhelpinmakingadoorclearlystandoutfromits background.Astrongcolour,suchasadeepredorbluecolour,canmake thedoorstandoutfromabrickorstonefaade. Manydoorstohistoricbuildingsarelargeandheavyandcanbedifficult foradisabledpersontooperate.Whereappropriate,suchdoorscanbe heldopenusingasimpledoorstopwhilethebuildingisinuse.The automationofheavydoorscansometimesbesuccessfullyachievedwith relativelylittleinterruptionandgenerallylittlevisualdisturbancetothe frontofthebuildingasthemotorisedopeninggearisfixedtotheinner faceofthedoor.However,incertaininstancesforexamplewherethe doorortheentrancehallinteriorisofparticularsignificanceorfragility thistypeofsolutionmaynotbeappropriate. Someentrancehallseitherhave,orcaneasilyaccommodate,innerdoors whichmayallowtheprincipaldoortobeleftopen.Theinnerdoorsmay thenbeautomated.Often,however,theentrancehallwasdesignedand decoratedtocreateaparticularimpressiononarrivalanditmaynotbe possibletoaccommodateinnerdoorswithoutdisruptingthischaracter. Theseconsiderationsmayinfluenceadecisiononwheretolocatethemain accessibleentranceifautomationoreasyoperationofthehistoricmain doorisnotpossible.Dependingontheusageofthebuilding,itmaynotbe appropriatetoleavethefrontdooropenandallvisitorsmayberequiredto ringadoorbellandhavethedooropenedfrominsidethebuilding. Inmanyhistoricbuildings,themaindoorhassufficientwidthfor accessibility.Insomebuildings,particularlymoremodestvernacular buildings,thedooropeningsmaybetoonarrowanditmaynotbe possibletowidenthemwithoutunacceptabledisruption.Inthesecases,an alternativemainaccessibleentrancemayneedtobeprovided. Wherehistoricironmongerysurvivesonthedoor,forexampledoorknobs whichmaybedifficulttouse,itispreferabletoleavetheseonthedoor. However,theymaynolongerbesuitableasthesolemeansofopeningand closingthedoorandalternativeautomaticorremotecontrolledaccess maybenecessary.
97
Theadditionofanautomaticdoor openeronthisheavyGeorgian doorhasbenefitedeveryone
Powerassisteddoorsmaybe essentialespeciallywhenthe doorcontrolsareinaccessibleor thedoorcloserstoostrongor wheredoorhandlesaretoohigh Somehistoricdoor furnituremaybedifficult touse,suchasthislock caseinFitzwilliam Square.Itshould neverthelessberetained insituandanalternative meansofopeningthe doorprovided
Whencarryingoutthealterationstoraise thelandingandprovidewheelchairaccess tothisbuildingtheexistingoutward openingdoubledoorswhichhadbeenfitted inthe1980swereremovedandasinglenew doorandfanlightbasedonthedesignofa preexistingdoornearbywasinstalled, therebyprovidingsufficientspaceatlanding levelforachairtoturn.Animportant considerationwastherelationshipofthe newlandingleveltothedoorframeand otherelementsofthefaade
98
LIGHTINGATTHEBUILDINGENTRANCE Lightingattheentrancetoabuildingshouldavoidcausingglare. Sometimesrecessedlightfittingscanbeintegratedwithinanewrampor steps,whichprovidelightontotheroutewithoutcausingglare.The selectionofhighquality,energyefficientfittingswhicharerobustandeasy tomaintainisadvised.Itshouldbeborneinmindthatexistingstreetlights adjacenttoabuildingentrancemayprovidesufficientilluminationbut maythrowshadowbetweentheuserandthedoor.
Circulationwithinthebuilding
Forimprovedaccessibilitytheimportanceofgoodoverallplanningand layoutcannotbeoveremphasisedandshouldalsoassistinimproved functioningofthebuilding.Thisisparticularlythecasewhenadaptingan existingbuildingforanewuse.Whenalteringanexistinglayout, considerationshouldbegiventothesignificanceofhistoricroomfunctions totheoverallintegrityofthebuildingandhowtheproposednewfunction mightaffectthis.Otherconsiderationsincludeidentifyingthemost appropriateaccessiblecirculationroutesthroughoutthebuilding,takinginto accountminimumwidthrequirementsandtheproximityofaccessible facilitiestotheseroutes.Forexample,accessibletoiletsshouldideallybe locatedclosetoamainentranceandtoaccessiblelifts.However,inahistoric buildingthismaynotalwaysbepossibletoachieveandinsuchcases,the provisionofclearsignagetotoiletfacilitiesisveryimportant. Circulationwithinbuildingsalsomeansthemovementaroundthe building,bothhorizontalmovementand,wherethereismorethanone floorlevel,verticalmovement.
HORIZONTALCIRCULATION Accessiblecirculationroutesshouldbefreeofobstaclesandprojections, wideenoughtoallowwheelchairuserstomanoeuvreandwithsufficient spacetopassorturn.Suchwidthsmaynotexistinahistoricbuildingand,
99
wherethisisso,managingcirculationofwheelchairsisanacceptable solution.Thiscouldinvolverestrictingthenumberofwheelchairusersor usersofsomemobilityaidsonaparticularrouteorpartofthebuildingat anygiventime,providingalternativeroutesorensuringthatthereisa continuouscirculationroutewhichmaybefullyaccessibleifusedinone directiononly.Incaseswherecirculationisveryrestricted,itmaynotbe possibletoprovideaccessforwheelchairusers,orusersofsomemobility aids,tocertainpartsofthebuildingorfacility.Thiskindofblanketrestriction shouldbealastresort,andshouldonlybeconsideredwhenallother reasonableoptionsforprovidingaccesshavebeenruledout.Wherethe buildingisavisitorattraction,andwhereaccesstopartsofthefacilityis restrictedoneitherapermanentortemporarybasis,considerationshould begiventoprovidingacomparableexperienceinotherways,suchas virtualrealitytechnology,theuseofvideo,orsimilar.
SURFACES Accessiblefloorsurfacesshouldbefirm,level,slipresistantandfreefrom triphazards.Whilemanyhistoricfloorsurfacesposenoaccessproblems, looserugs,matsandunevenfloorboards,stoneflagsortilesmaycause difficulties.Itmaybepossibletorestrainlooserugsfrommovement throughthelocationoffurnitureortheuseofnondestructiveconcealed tapes.Rectifyingunevenboards,flagstonesortilesmaybemore challengingastheymaybeanimportantfeatureofthebuildingscharacter andpatinaofage.Whereappropriate,itmaybepossibletoachievean acceptablesurfacebyturningthefloorboards.Gettingsuitableexpert adviceisnecessaryandcanleadtocreative,informedsolutionsrequiring minimalintervention.Insomebuildingsthresholdscanformatriphazard. Insuchsituationsportablethresholdswithbevelledleadingedgesorsmall rampsmayovercometheleveldifferenceandallowforeasyreversibility. Inlargeopenareas,forexamplearailwayterminalortheentrancefoyerto apublicbuilding,manypeopleincludingthosewithvisionimpairmentsor learningdisabilitiesmayhavedifficultyinfindingadirectroutethrough. Toaddressthis,itmaybehelpfultoprovideguidedrouteswithadifferent surfacetexture,colourorsymbolsandusetactilewalkingsurface indicators,wherethesewouldnotcauseatriphazardandwherethey
100
wouldnotdamageanimportanthistoricsurface.Theseroutesshouldbe laidoutinacoherentmanner,toavoidadverseimpactsonanyimportant historicfeatures.Inthesesituationstherapidlydevelopingtechnologies suchasGlobalPositioningSystems(GPS),Bluetoothandmobilephone applicationsmayprovidealternative,nonphysicalsolutions,althoughthe availabilityofthesesystemstoallalsoneedstobetakenintoaccount. Visualcontrastbetweenthehorizontalfloorsurfaceandverticalwallsis importantforpeoplewithvisionimpairment.Manyhistoricbuildingswith paintedskirtingboards,doorarchitraves,ordadopanellingreadilymeet suchrequirements.Wherethereisinsufficientcontrast,anewdecorative schemewouldoftenallowsuchcontrasttobecreated,throughrepainting orcarpeting.Visualcontrastdoesnotrequiretheuseofspecificcolours providingthereissufficienttonalcontrast.Howeveritisimportantnotto alterordamageimportanthistoricdecorativefinishesandtobearinmind that,whereasignificantdecorativeschemeexists,planningpermission mayberequiredtoalterit. Whereaccesscontrols areinstalledon circulationroutes provisionshouldbe madeforwheelchairs, buggiesandpeople withwalkingaids
DOORSANDOTHEROPENINGS Toprovideforaccessibility,internaldoorsshouldprovideaminimum effectiveclearwidthwhichisaswideaspossiblebutnotlessthan750mm. Thisisoftenreadilyprovidedinhistoricbuildingswithoutalteration.Where thiswidthisnotavailable,forexampleinamedievalbuildingwithstone lineddoorwaysoraGeorgianbuildingwithjibdoors,carefulconsideration
101
ofimpactsandconsultationwiththerelevantstatutoryauthoritiesis advisablebeforedesigninginterventionstowidenorprovideanew entrance.Amanagementsolutionwhichprovidesaccessibleservicesand facilitiesinamoreeasilyaccessedroommaybeacceptable. Somehistoricironmongerymaybedifficulttooperate,forexampleknobs requireanabilitytograsp,turnandpullwhichisnotpossibleforeveryone. Whereprovidingnewdoorfurnitureconsiderationshouldbegiventoits design,location,easeofuse,colourcontrastwiththedoorandtype. Itshouldbenotedthatwhileleverhandlesandpushplatesaregenerally recommendedforaccessibility,thesemaynotbeacceptableforuseona historicdoor.
Oftentheoriginaldoorfurniture isfinelycraftedtoprovideease ofuse.Inthiscasetheleverdoor handlecanbeusedwith minimaleffort Historicdoorcasesareoften generousinproportionand frequentlyprovidegoodcolour contrasttoaidintheirlocation. Whendoorknobsaredifficultto use,itmaybepossibletoensure thedoorremainsopen
102
Somehistoricdoorscanberelativelyheavyandsoopeningandclosing canbedifficult.Aswithmainentrancedoors,discussedabove,thesimplest optionwiththeleastimpactwouldbetoholdthedoorsopenusingadoor stop.However,wherethisisnotpossible,theautomationofexistingdoors maybeanappropriatesolution.Inwhichcasethehistoricironmongery, whichissooftenaprimefeatureofthedoor,canbeleftinplace.Where linkedtothefirealarmandwiringsystem,thesedevicescanalsoensure compliancewithfiresafetyregulations.Theuseofelectromagnetichold opendevicestoachieveimprovedaccessshouldavoidtheneedtoprovide glazedpanelsinhistoricdoorswhichwouldrarelybeacceptable.
VERTICALCIRCULATION Smallchangesoflevel Inmanyhistoricbuildingstheremaybeminorchangesoflevelwithin floorsaswellasthelargedifferenceswhichoccurbetweenonefloorand thenext.Thesesmallchangesmayarisefromdifferentdevelopment phasesofabuilding,bearesponsetothenaturaltopographyofthesite,or maybeaconsideredpartoftheoriginaldesign,forexamplein courthousesandtheatres.Sometimessmalllevelchangescanbe addressedwithrampsorplatformlifts.Rampsaregenerallypreferableas theydonotbreakdownandinvolvelessmaintenance;howevertheycan takeupalotofspaceandsotheirimpactonthehistoricinteriorandfabric needstobeconsidered.Insomeinstances,forexamplewherespaceis restricted,aplatformliftmaybeamorepracticalsolutionprovidingthe visualimpactisacceptable.Gradientsoframpsshouldbeasshallowas possible;iftoosteep,theymaynotbeuseableforsomewheelchairusers. Wherethedifferenceinlevelisgreaterthan300mmandarampisbeing provided,thenideallystepsshouldbeprovidedalsoassomeambulant disabledpeoplemaybeunabletousearamp.Aproposedrampshouldbe designedwithregardtoexistingproportionsanddecorativefeaturessuch asskirtings,plinthsanddadopanelling.Sometimesitmaynotbepractical toprovidearamp,forexampleinsomeGeorgiantownhousesthatinclude ashortflightofstepsdowntoareturn.
103
Thiscourthousehasbeenfittedwithawitnessboxwitharisingfloor. Thisallowsawheelchairuseraccessthewitnessboxandalsoallowsa disabledclerktoaccesshispositionthroughadoorattherearofthe box.Thetopimageshowstheliftwiththeplatformlevel withthemain floorofthecourtroomwhilethelowerimageshowstheliftinthe processofbeingraised
Inthisexample,the changeinfloorlevel betweendifferentparts ofabuildinghasbeen overcomebyproviding ashortriseplatformlift, usinghighquality finishes,andwelllit stairs
104
Semipermanentandtemporaryramps Atemporaryrampmaybetheacceptablesolutionfordealingwithsmall changesinlevelwhereonlyoccasionalaccessisrequiredorasaninterim solution.Inbuildingswithlowlevelsofuse,portablerampswhichcanbe easilyandquicklyinstalledmaybeacceptable.However,evenwhere temporaryorportable,thevisualandphysicalimpactsoftherampneedto beconsideredaswellasdignityandsafetyinuse,ongoingmanagement andthepossibleneedforstafftraining.
Theuseofsemipermanentor temporaryrampsmaybe acceptablewherethereare smallchangesinlevelbutfor somepeopleevenasmall changecouldbechallenging withoutsupport.Monitoring ofsuchadaptationsinuseand consultingwiththeusersmay provideinformationon whethertheyareworkingin practice(Imagecourtesyof HelenaBergin)
Platformlifts Therehavebeenmanyimprovementsinthedesignofverticalplatform liftswhichallowthemtobeelegantlydesignedandmoreeasilyintegrated withinahistoriccontext,forexamplewhereliftpitsizesarereducedand thesafetyrailsandoperationcontrolsarevisuallylessobtrusivewhile ensuringcomplianceandusability.Again,whereunacceptabledamage wouldresultfromintervention,amanagementsolutionmaysuggest alternativeaccessarrangementsoritmaybepossibletoprovideaccessible servicesandfacilitiesinotherpartsofthebuildingwhichcanbemore easilyaccessed.Platformliftsmaybeopenorenclosedverticalliftsor
105
inclinedlifts.Inclinedplatformliftstendtobealessacceptableoptionboth visuallyandinusebuttheremaybeoccasionswheretheyprovidetheonly optiontoimproveaccess.Inallcasestherequiredspeedofoperation needstobetakenintoconsiderationasplatformliftsaregenerallyslowto use.Hencetheyarenotsuitablewherelargevisitornumbershavetobe accommodated.
Largerchangesinlevel Toovercomelargerdifferencesinlevel,forexamplefromfloortofloor,a combinationofsolutionsmaybepossible.Thismightinvolveupgrading stairstohigherstandardswhereappropriate,aswellastheprovisionofa fullpassengerlift. Oneofthemostchallengingsituationsisthetypicalhalfstoreylevel changewithinatypicalGeorgianorVictoriantownhouse.Suchlevel changesaretoogreattoallowforrampsandtheplanformmaynoteasily accommodatealiftservingalllevels,especiallyifthebuildingrequiresfire compartmentationalso.Inthesecircumstancesitmayonlybepossibleto providepartialaccesstothebuildinginteriorwithoutpersonalassistance. Thereforeservicesandfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedintheaccessibleareas.
Staircases Insomehistoricbuildingsthemainstaircaseisaprominentarchitectural featureandanyalterationisrarelyappropriate.Whereitisconsidered acceptable,theworksneedtobecarefullyintegratedwithintheexisting handrailsofhistoricstairsaresignificantdesign design.Thebalustradesand elementsofthestaircaseandmaynotalwaysconformtocurrentstandards fornewbuildingsintermsofheightorhandrailshape.Itmaybepossibleto fixanewhandrailtotheexistingwhichprovidestherequiredheightanda suitablegrip.Iffixingasecondhandrailagainstawallitmaybeappropriate tofollowthedetailofthehistorichandrail,orprovideasimplemodern profile.Alternativelyonawidestaircase,itmaybepossibletoincludea centralhandrail.Whenaddinghandrails,theopportunitycouldbetakento provideadditionallightingtothestairsconcealedwithinthenewhandrail.
106
Newtimber handrailshavebeen installedonboth sidesofthis staircaseaswellas downthecentre
Somehistoricbuildingshavesecondarystaircasesoflesssignificance whichmaybemoreeasilyupgradedtoprovideanaccessiblestairthrough improvedhandrailsupport,slipresistanttreadsandbetterlighting.Tonal contrastattopandbottomofstairsmayalreadyexistthroughthechoice ofhistoricfloorandstairfinishes.Nosingscansometimesbehighlightedto improvesafetythroughcarefullightingorthesensitiveadditionof reversiblepaintsortapes.
Internallifts Insertinganewpassengerliftinahistoricbuildingcanbebothexpensive andchallengingasaliftisamajornewelementrequiringaconsiderable amountofspacenotonlyfortheliftshaftbutalsoforthemachineryand liftpit.Theinstallationofaliftcanalsobeverydisruptiveofthefabricof thebuildingrequiringextensivealterationofwallsandfloors.Forsome historicbuildings,asuitablelocationforaverticalshaftthrough,or attachedto,thebuildingmaybestraightforwardtoidentify.Areaswhich
107
haveundergonepreviousalteration,arelaterextensionsorwhichhave particularroomlayoutsandsize,arethefirstareaswhichshouldbe considered.Inchoosingalocationforanewpassengerliftwithinahistoric building,considerationshouldbegiventothepotentialimpactontheroof, particularlytheexternalprofile.Thereareanumberofsuccessfulexamples wherealifthasbeeninsertedintothecentralwellofahistoricstaircase andtheseincludecontemporaryglassliftswhichcancontrastwellwiththe historicarchitectureandberelativelylightinimpact.However,thistypeof solutionwillnotbeappropriateinallcases.Itshouldbeborneinmindthat somefullheightclearglassliftcarsmaycauseanxietyinsomeusersand canbedifficulttouseforthosewithvisionimpairment.Whileglassliftscan havealowvisualimpactinhistoricspaces,carefulconsiderationshouldbe giventotheirdetaildesigntoensuremaximumusability. Insomeinstances,itmaybenecessarytoconstructanextensionto accommodateanewlift.Thismayoftenbeacceptablewhereitcanbe locatedtotherear,orawayfrom,principalfaadesordoesnotimpede importantviewsofthebuilding.Ifconstructingaliftextension,itis importanttoconsiderevacuationneeds,particularlyforpeoplewith mobilityimpairments.Theremayalsobeanopportunitytoaccommodate otherfacilitiesintheextensionsuchasaccessibletoilets.Anevacuationlift facilitatessafe,independentanddignifiedevacuationandshouldbe consideredatthisstage.However,anevacuationliftrequiresaseparate, securepowersupplyandconsiderationmustbegiventothelocationand impactofthegeneratorandfuelsupply. Inclinedplatformlifts,fixedtoanexistingbalustrade,wallorfreestanding rail,aresometimesinstalledtoexistingstairswhereitisnotfeasibleto provideapassengerlift.Whilethesecanbevisuallyobtrusiveandarenot suitableforallwheelchairuserstheyaregenerallyrelativelyeasilyreversed andmaybeanacceptableinterimsolution.However,astheyare unacceptabletosomeusers,theyshouldonlybeconsideredasalast resort. Theuseofmodernlifttechnologycanreduceoravoidtheneedfor overrunsandliftpitssoitisimportanttoresearchthoroughlynew developmentsinlifttechnologyforthemostappropriatedesignsand systems.Installationofanewlift,whetherinternalorexternal,toa protectedstructuremayrequireplanningpermission.
108
Theinsertionofaliftinahistoric buildingisusuallyverydifficult withoutsignificantalteration.This lifthasbeensuccessfullyinsertedin theovalstairwellwithacarefully designedandbespokesolution.The useofhighqualitymaterials,well designed,canaddtothelayersofa historicinteriorandnotdetract fromthearchitecturalcharacterof thebuilding
AttheCustomHouse,Dublinanew liftwasconstructedwithinan internalcourtyard.Accessintothe buildingateachlevelwasprovided throughthealterationofexisting windowopenings.Theliftshaftwas cladinstoneexternallymatching thestonecoursingoftheoriginal building
Astairliftisoftenvisually intrusiveinahistoricinteriorand usersaremorelikelytorequire assistance
109
Lighting
Thequalityoflightwithinahistoricbuildingcanbeoneofthedefining aspectsofitsarchitecturalcharacter.Mosthistoricbuildingswerenot designedtobeilluminatedwithevenlightingwhichistheidealcondition foraccessibility.Toalterthelightingcharacter,therefore,canhavea profoundimpactontheoverallarchitecturalcharacter. Effortsshouldbemadetoavoidstrongcontrastsbetweendarkandlight whichcanbeproblematicforolderandforvisionimpairedpeople.This maybedifficultwithoutsignificantalterationofcharacter,forexamplein historicchurcheswheretheoriginalintentionwastocreatedramatic contrastsoflight.Insuchsituationsitmaybepossibletoprovide transitionallightingwhichreducesanyabrupttransitionbetweendifferent areasandlightinglevels.Historiclightfittingsofnoteshouldberetained, lampfittingsmaybeupgradedoradditionallightfittingsprovidedto ensuresufficientqualityandintensityoflightisavailable.Whenadding lightfittingsconsiderationshouldbegiventothehistoriclayoutoffittings andavoidfixingintohistoricdecorativefeatures.Thequalityofthedesign andmaterialsusedinthenewfixturesareimportantfactorsindeciding whetherornottheywouldbeacceptable. Whenenteringabuilding,theoftendramaticchangeinthequalityoflight experiencedbythevisitorcanmakeitdifficultforsomepeopletoadjust theirvision.Thelightqualityintransitionspacessuchasreceptionareas shouldthereforetrytoeliminatestrongcontrast.Thiscanbedifficultto reconcileinsomehistoricbuildings,wheretheexperienceofmovingfrom lighttodarkandthecreationofshadowwerepartoftheoriginal architecturalintentandparticularcharacterofthespacewhichispartof whatmakesitspecial. Considerationshouldalsobegiventohowandwherewiringshouldbe installedandhowthismightalsoimpactonthehistoricfabricofthe building.Therehavebeenconsiderableadvancesintheareaofwireless technologyforbuildingsandthesemayprovidealessinvasivesolution. Equally,freestandinglightfittingsmaybesuitablebecauseoftheireasy reversibilityandportability.Careshouldbetakentoensurethat freestandingfittingsandassociatedcablingdonotformatriphazard.
110
Facilities
Theextentandrangeofaccessiblefacilitiestobeprovideddependsonthe typeofbuildinganditsintendeduse.Thefollowingaresomeofthekey facilitieswhichmostbuildingsneedtoprovideforbothstaffandvisitors.
RECEPTIONFACILITIES Receptionfacilitiesshouldideallybelocatedneartheentrancewithaclear, evenlylitandunobstructedroutefromtheentrancetothereceptionarea. Inahistoricbuildingthismaynotalwaysbepossibletoachieve.Tactileand tonallycontrastedguideroutesappliedtothefloorsurfacemayhelpto guideallvisitorstowardsthereceptionwheretheentranceareaisawide openspace.Theseguideroutesareparticularlyhelpfulforpeoplewith visionimpairments.Itwouldnotbeappropriatetoinsertsuchroutesinto anarchitecturallyfinefloorfinish. Foraccessibility,thereceptiondesk,whereprovided,shouldideally incorporatealowerlevelcountertopwithlegroomunderneathwhichcanbe usedfromeithersidebysomeoneinawheelchairorbypeopleofshort stature.Goodmanagementisneededtoensurethatthelowsectionisnot blocked,forexample,bycomputerscreens.Historicfittings,nowusedas receptiondesks,mayormaynotbesuitableforalteration.Ifnot,itmaybe possibletoextendthesedesks,orprovideaseparateaccessibledeskarea. Whereverpossible,lightingatthereceptionareashouldbeevenandallowfor lipreading.Locatingthereceptiondeskawayfromnoisyareasandproviding inductionloopsystemsfacilitatespeoplewithahearingimpairment. Notallbuildingshavemannedreceptiondesksandinsuchsituationsitis necessarytoprovidesufficientsignsandotherwayfindingtoolstoensure thenecessaryguidanceandinformationisavailable.Guidanceonsigns andwayfindingisprovidedinChapter4. Wherepossiblereceptionareasshouldproviderestingareaswithseating andsomewheretorestabagorstick.Theprovisionofrestingplaces elsewhereshouldbeconsidered,particularlyinlargebuildingssuchas galleries,hallsorhospitals,whererestingplacesinthepublicspaces,along publicroutesandatstaircasesmaybenefitmanyusers.
111
Inthisexample, thereceptionand informationdesk hasbeen designedtobe accessiblewitha lowlevelsection atoneend.It curvesgently withthecircular planoftheroom
Aninductionloop hasbeeninstalled atthereception countertogether withsignageto indicateits presenceandthis isimmediately visibleonentry
Manyvenues whichreceive visitorswhere theremaybelong traveldistances,or limitedseating arenowproviding onloan,notonly portableseatsbut alsobuggiesand wheelchairs
112
SANITARYFACILITIES Accommodatingwheelchairaccessibletoiletscanbechallengingina historicbuildingasthesefacilitiesareconsiderablylargerthanstandard ones.However,theyaregenerallyanessentialprovisioninrelationtothe useofabuilding.Wherepossible,accessiblefacilitiesshouldbeprovidedin closeproximitytostandardones.Ifnecessary,existingsanitaryfacilities shouldbealteredtoprovideaccessibleones.Wherespaceislimitedandit isnotpossibletoprovideseparateaccessiblefacilities,consideration shouldbegiventoprovidingaccessibletoiletstobeusedbyeveryoneby reducingtheoverallnumberofstalls. Routestoaccessibletoiletsshouldbelevelandofsufficientwidth.Insome situations,therefore,itmaybenecessarytolocatetheaccessibletoilet awayfromothertoiletfacilities.Clearsignsshouldbeprovidedtoindicate itslocation.Areaswheretherehavebeenpreviousinterventionsmaybe appropriatelocationsforfurtheralterationtoaccommodatesanitary facilities.Insomesituations,andpossiblyinconjunctionwithproviding othernewfacilitiessuchaslifts,accessiblestairsoranewmainentrance,all mightbeaccommodatedwithinanewextension.Thedesignofanynew extensionislikelytohaveamajorimpactonthehistoricbuildingand requiresplanningpermissionandpossiblyotherstatutoryconsents. Inadditiontotoilets,itmaybenecessarytoprovideaccessibleshowers, changingareas,assistedtoiletsandadultchangingfacilities.Theselatter facilitiesmayberequiredinsomelargepublicbuildingsandplacesof assembly,including: Concerthalls,theatresandcinemas Museumsandculturalcentres Airportsandlargerailwaystations Shoppingcentres
Thestandardsandrequirementsforallthesefacilitieshaveadvanced considerablyinrecentyearsanditisparticularlyimportanttoensurethat thediverseneedsofpeopleareprovidedforwithinsanitaryfacilities. Wheresanitaryfacilitiesareaccommodatedwithinexistingroomsand wheretherearedecorativefinishesofnote,thenecessarycolourcontrasts
113
canpossiblybeprovidedthroughcarefulselectionofthenewfittings, ratherthanbychangingtheexistingdecorativeschemeoftheroom. Wherealarmsarerequiredinaccessibletoiletstheuseofwirelessoptions mayminimisedisruptionofthebuildingfabric. Wheresubdividinganexistingroomtoprovidetoiletcompartments,any physicalimpactonarchitecturalfeaturessuchascornicesandwall panellingshouldbeavoided.Reversibilityofalterations,thelocationof piperuns,andpotentialforwaterdamagearisingfromfutureleaksshould beconsideredinthesesituations.
Itmaynotalwaysbe necessaryto subdivideanexisting roomforsanitary accommodation.In thiscaseafullroom wasgivenovertoan accessibletoilet providingample spaceforassistance
Clearsymbolscaneliminatethe needfortext
114
RESTAURANT,CANTEENS,STAFFFACILITIESANDSHOPS Thesefacilitiesareoftenbestlocatedinthelessarchitecturallysensitive partsofbuildingsastheycanrequireahighlevelofintervention.Indeed, sometimesnewbuildingsorextensionsmaybeanappropriatesolutionto housesuchfacilities. Effortsshouldbemadetoprovidesufficientclearwidthstonegotiate aroundfittings,tablesandseating.Goodtonalcontrastshouldbecreated tominimiseobstaclesandhazards.Backgroundnoiseandreverberation canoftenbeaprobleminheavilyused,hardsurfacedspaces.Thelocation ofcounters,informationdesksandtea/coffeestationsshouldbeseparated fromthemorenoisyareas,whereverpossible,withprovisionofclearly indicatedinductionloopsystemstoassistpeoplewithhearing impairment.Ideallythereshouldbeevenlightingtoassistwith,for examplelipreading,atcountersandservicedesks;lowlevelcountertops withopenareasunderneathforkneespaceforwheelchairusersand sufficientspacearoundthecountersforwheelchaircirculationspace.
Thiscaf,inthecellarofahistoricbuildinghasbeenlaidoutwithgood circulationspace,goodlighting,seatingwitharmsupportsandnoiselevels havebeencontrolledthroughtheuseofsoftfurnishingsincertainareas
115
However,inexistinghistoricbuildings,suchspacerequirementsmaynot beavailableandmanagementsolutionsmayberequired,forexample, providingstafftrainedtoofferassistancetopeoplewithdisabilities.
TEMPORARYFACILITIES Whenplanninganddesigningtemporaryfacilities,thekeyobjective shouldbeeasyreversibility.Evenwheretheuseisonlyshortterm,for exampleaweekofconcertsinahistorichouse,thesameprinciplesof accessforallwithdignityapplyandanaccessstrategyshouldbe developedinadvancetoguidetheapproachestoprovisionoffacilities.
Emergencyevacuation
Emergencyevacuationofabuildingisofequalimportancetoproviding accessintothebuilding. Planningformeansofescapeintheeventofanemergencymayinvolve physicalworksbut,mostimportantly,requiresongoingactive managementandstafftraining.Whereverpossible,theaimshouldbeto provideindependentevacuationofthebuildingforeveryonewhilstatthe sametimerecognisingthatsomepeoplemaytakelongertobeevacuated fromabuildingthanothersandmayalsoneedassistance. Dependingonthebuildingandtheextentandnatureoftheaccessible circulation(especiallyverticalcirculation)whichcanbemadeavailable, provisionforsafeemergencyevacuationmaylimitareasornumberswho cansafelyaccessthebuilding.Thesefactorsneedtobeconsideredat planningstage,particularlyifitisintendedtomaketheupperlevels accessible,andmayhaveasignificantinfluenceondecisionsmadein relationtoabuildingsuse.Evacuationliftsallowforsafe,independentand dignifiedevacuationfromupperlevels.Ifanevacuationliftisnotavailable, expertadviceshouldbesoughttoconsideroptionsforusingnon evacuationliftsincertaincircumstances.Thiscanbethelowestrisk approachinsomesituations.Anydecisionsaboutrestrictingaccessfor
116
evacuationreasonsshouldonlybeconsideredafterallotherpossible optionshavebeenexhausted. Escaperoutesneedtobeclearlysignedand,wherepossible,bestepfree andincludesaferefugeswhererequired,thatiswithsufficientspaceoff theescaperoutewhereapersoncanwaitsafelyuntilcollectedbya designatedpersontrainedtoassistwithevacuation.Robustproceduresare requiredtoensurethatdetailsofanybodyleftwaitingatarefugeareaare communicatedtothefireservicesonarrival.Inaddition,andcritically,the proceduresandpoliciesforevacuationneedtobewellcoordinatedand communicatedtodisabledusersandthosestaffmemberswhoare chargedwithresponsibilityinthisarea.Ensuringthatpeoplearefully aware,onenteringthebuilding,oftheproceduresforemergency evacuationgreatlyenhancetheirconfidenceinusingthebuilding.Forstaff orregularusers,managementshouldprepareaPersonalEmergency EvacuationPlan,orPEEP,toagreeanddocumenttheevacuationprocedure fortheindividual. Astherehavebeensignificantadvancesintheareaofmanaging evacuation,professionaladviceisessential.Phasedandzonedevacuation planningmightbeappropriateinlargerbuildings.Aspeoplegenerally expecttoleavebythesamedoortheyenteredabuilding,itisessential thatalternativeroutesareclearlyidentifiediftheyaretobefollowedfor escapepurposes.Forpublicbuildingsitisimportanttobeawarethatitis theresponsibilityofbuildingmanagerstoensurethesafeevacuationfrom thebuildingofpeoplewithdisabilitiesandthereforeappropriate managementpolicies,includingstafftrainingandmaintenanceprocedures areinplaceandaremonitored. Firealarmsystemsmustbecapableofalertingallbuildingoccupants. Alarmsshouldbebothvisibleandaudible.Intermsofescapesignsand alarmfittings,thereareregulationsgoverninglocation,symbols,lighting standards,andthelike.Howevertherearemanyrangesavailablewhich comply,someofwhicharemoresuitableforhistoricsettings,bothinterms oftheirdesignandfixingdetails.Otherequipment,suchassoundalerts, flashingbeacons,vibratingpagers,ealertsystems,poweredwayfinding systemsandevacuationchairs,canbeusedtosupportmanagementwhen evacuatingpeoplewithdisabilitiesfromabuilding.Theirusedependson individualcircumstances.
117
Assistedevacuationfrom abuildingispossiblefor wheelchairusersusinga varietyoftechnicalaids includingstairclimbers andevacuationchairs.Itis essentialthatfulltraining isprovidedtoallstaff designatedtohelpin evacuation.Inparticular, staffneedtounderstand thelimitationsofthe devicesavailableand shouldnotassumethat allevacuationchairsare suitableforallwheelchair users
118
6. ProvidingAccessibleInformation
Previsitinformation
Thissectiondealswiththeprovisionofinformationawayfrom,andin advanceof,anyvisittoahistoricbuildingorplace. Goodprevisitinformationishelpfulforallvisitorsandassistsindelivering animprovedserviceorvisitorexperiencewherethebuildingorplaceis opentothepublic.Whenplanningavisititisimportantforpeopletoget informationonwhichpartsofthebuildingorplacemayhaveonlylimited, orno,accessandthelevelofaccessibilitytoexpect.Inthiswaypeoplecan makeinformeddecisionsastowhetheritisaccessibletothem. Itisgoodpracticetoprovideusefulinformationinaclear,conciseand positivemanner,ratherthandescribingafacilityasnotwheelchair accessible. Possiblebarriersshouldbedescribed;forexample thedistance fromthedesignatedcarparkingtothemainentranceis100m.Thegradient overmostoftherouteis1:10andtherearetwo100mmhighstepsatthedoor. Somewheelchairusersmaybeabletoaccessthiswithassistanceand someambulantdisabledpeoplemaynotbut,ifgiventheright information,peoplecandecideforthemselves. Previsitinformationcanalsobeprovidedfortowncentres(someofwhich mayformpartofanarchitecturalconservationarea)topromotebest practice.Thesearemorecomplexareasthansingleownersitesanditmay beappropriateforlocallybasedorganisations,suchasthelocalauthority, touristofficeorchamberofcommerce,tocoordinatethisinformation.
119
WHATINFORMATIONTOPROVIDE Thedetaildependsonthetypeoffacilityandservicebeingprovided. Informationcouldincludeinformationonsome,orall,ofthefollowing: Accessibletransportoptionstothebuildingorplace Parkingfacilities Howtoenter Accessibleroutes Hazardsandbarriers Circulationwithinthebuildingorplace,and Accessiblefacilitiesandservicesonsiteoradjacenttoit
Previsitinformationcouldindicate: What,ifany,facilitiesareavailableforguidedogs Whetherthereareaudioenhancementfacilities Whatlanguagesareavailable(whetherspokenorinprintedoraudio formats),or Whetherwheelchairsareprovided
Inprovidingprevisitinformationtoexternalareassuchasparksandurban areasitmaybenecessarytocoordinateinformationforanumberofplaces andfacilitieswithinthesiteorarea.Theinformationcouldbeprovidedin textand/orinvideoform. Wherethereisonlypartial,limitedornoeasyphysicalaccesstoahistoric place,theprevisitinformationshouldclearlystatethisandprovideany relevantinformation.Suchinformationmayrelatetoaparticularservice whichisaccommodatedinthebuildingandwhichcanbeaccessedinan alternativelocation.Alternatively,itmayrelatedirectlytothehistoric buildingorplace,forexampleanarchaeologicalfieldmonumentwhich mayonlybeaccessiblethroughfieldsbutwhereinformationontheplace maybeavailableonawebsiteorinaninterpretivecentreorlocallibrary.
120
ACCESS IMPROVINGTHE ACCESSIBILITYOF HISTORICBUILDINGSANDPLACES
HOWTOPROVIDETHEINFORMATION Websitesareanincreasinglyusefulaidtoprovidingprevisitinformation andcanhostavarietyofcommunicationmodes.Websitescanprovide: Text,graphic,audioandvideoinformation Virtualtoursofthebuildingorplace InformationtobedownloadedinaccessibleformatssuchasBrailleor largeprint Linkstoinformationonotherrelevantbuildings,sitesorservice locations
Websiteinformationshoulduseplainlanguagewithsimpleandlogical navigationaltoolsandprovideflexibilitytoallowgreaterusercontrolover thewebsite.Thereisguidanceavailableonthedesign,layoutandtypesof websitesforgoodaccessibilityandwebsitesshouldhaveatleastLevelAA conformancetotheWebContentAccessibilityGuidelines. However,noteveryonehasaccesstoacomputerortheinternetandso previsitinformationneedstobeprovidedinavarietyofaccessible formats.Thesemayincludelargeprintandeasytoreadleaflets.Previsit informationmayalsobeprovidedviatelephoneorthroughlocal informationcentressuchaslibraries,touristofficesorlocalauthority offices.
www.cliffsofmoher.ieis anexampleofawebsite whichprovides informationonthe accessibilityofthe buildingandsite,its facilitiesandservicesas wellasanyaccess restrictions.The accessibilityinformation providedisreproduced onthefollowing2pages
121
Accessibility
Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience Accessibility Information
DISABLED PARKING Disabled parking bays for disabled parking permit holders are available beside the visitor centre building on the cliffs side of the road. Drivers should enter by the coach entrance and press the intercom button at the barrier. When this is answered please advise that you wish to use the disabled parking bays. Additional overflow disabled parking bays are available in the car park on the opposite side of the road at the point in the car park nearest to the pedestrian crossing. However, visitors should note that the gravel surface and terrain may make it difficult for wheelchair users and where possible the nearer disabled parking bays should be used. BUILDING & SITE ACCESSIBILITY The new visitor centre building has been designed to meet and exceed current building regulations and guidelines embracing the general philosophy of universal access. Within the Atlantic Edge exhibition all visitors will use the ramp which provides access to the exhibits, which have been designed to appeal to all of the senses. Included among the measures taken within the building are Induction loops at the main desk, help desk and the Admission kiosks as well as in the theatre. Staggered counter heights have been introduced at reception areas. Generously sized accessible toilets/baby changing facilities are provided on all floor levels. While the natural terrain makes it difficult to provide full independent access to all areas outdoors, specifically elevated views at the Hags Head side and OBriens Tower and the new cliffs edge works have sought to provide a reasonable level of access to the outdoor
122
experience. Access is readily available from both the ground and first floor levels of the building as well as from the main concourse to the picnic area and cliff edge. Coin operated telescopes, including an accessible reduced height version, on the viewing areas provide a commentary in a variety of languages. As above the access to more elevated views at the Hags Head side and OBriens Tower is impinged by the incline of the natural terrain. A hard surfaced wheeled access path is provided to these areas but the path has sections where gradients imposed by the natural gradient of the terrain exceed the levels required for wheelchair access. Visitors may wish to use these paths with assistance at their own risk. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The centre has a golf buggy for operational use and this may be available to help bring visitors who need assistance to the cliff edge area. Please enquire at the main Reception in the visitor centre building to see if this is available. As we have only one golf buggy please accept our apologies in advance if it is already in use. A number of manually operated wheelchairs are available for visitors to borrow from the visitor centre building and from the car park cabin. Staff will receive disability awareness training and are available for assistance in making your visit to the Cliffs of Moher as enjoyable as possible. WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION The site follows certain guidelines and standards to ensure that this site can be used effectively and as easily as possible by all users.
123
Interpretiveinformation
Interpretiveinformationshouldinformvisitorsaboutaplaceitselforabout itscontents,itsarchitectureoritsservices.Oftenculturalbuildingsand placeshostexhibitions,bothtemporaryandpermanent.Sometimesthese exhibitionsareincidentaltotheprimaryuseofthebuildingorplace,in othercases,exhibitionsordisplaysmaybepartofthedisseminationof informationrelatingtotheongoingservicesoftheplace,forexamplethe localauthorityoffices,andinothersexhibitionistheprincipalfunction. Thereisarangeofapproachesavailabletoensurethattheinformation providedinallthesecasesisaccessible.Informationshouldbedesignedto beaccessibletoasmanypeopleaspossiblebothintermsofsensoryand intellectualaccess.Thesemethodsmayinclude: Pictorialsymbols Annotatedmapsandmodels Tactileguides Hapticmodels:theseare3Dmodelsofobjectswhichcommunicate informationabouttheobjectthroughtouchtopeoplewithvision impairment Audioguides Inductionloops PlainEnglishleaflets Easytoreadleaflets
Thesearejustsomeofthecommunicationstoolswhichcanhelpthose withvisionandhearingimpairmentsorintellectualdisabilitiesaswellas thosewhomaybeunfamiliarwiththelanguage.Thebenefitsofassistive technologies,suchasaudioguides,transcendmanyusergroupsinthat informationcanbegiventotheviewerorvisitorwhiletheyarelookingat theexhibit. Inhistoricplaces,forexampletowncentres,guidedwalksledbyguides orwithaudioguidescanbehelpfulandserveawideaudience.Ongoing developmentinmobilephonetechnology(suchasBluetoothtechnology
124
anddownloadableaccessibilityapplicationsallowingtheuseofexisting screenreadingsystemswhichareinplaceinmanymobilephones)is providingawiderangeofaccessibleapplications.Thesecanassistin negotiatingunfamiliarterritoriesandthisisanareaoftechnological innovationthatwillcontinuetoadvance.Digitalguides(audio,video, virtualreality)canalsobemadeavailableonwebsitesandonpublic terminals.Videoandvirtualrealityallowforpersonalexperienceofaplace whichitmaynotbepossibletomakefullyaccessible. Thelayoutofexhibitionswithinhistoricbuildingsshould,wherever possible,makeeffortstoprovideclearwidthsandlevelcirculationroutes withtonalcontrastbetweenthecirculationroutesandexhibits.Lighting shouldideallybeevenandwithoutcausingglare.However,inhistoric buildings,thestandardsofspaceandlightingavailablemaynotmatch thoseobtainableinpurposebuiltspace.Thismayaffectthedesignofan exhibition.
Exhibitsmountedataheight suitableforwheelchairusers canalsocapturetheinterestof youngchildren
Byusingnewtechnologieswith simplewrittenandspoken languageinformationcanbe conveyedinexcitingandeasily understoodways.Audioinduction loops,withtheappropriatesymbol, canalsobefittedtoexhibitsto helppeoplewithaTswitchon theirhearingaid.Touchscreen technologyisnotaccessibleto peoplewithvisionimpairments andneedstobecombinedwith alternativemethods
125
Childrenlovetotouch displaysandinthe InformationCentreat WicklowMountains NationalParkasignatthe entranceencourages childrenandothersto touchtheanimals.Notall exhibitsaresuitableto touchhowever,andin someinstanceitmaybe possibletoprovidereplicas toprovidesensoryaccess, andalternativemediato provideintellectualaccess
Programmesandevents
Historicbuildingsandplacesareoftenusedforspecialevents.Thesemight includeanoutdoorconcertinahistoricgardenorparkoreventswithina historicbuildingsuchasacivilmarriageceremonyorabooklaunch. Makingeventsmoreaccessibletodisabledpeopleimprovesservicesforall customers.Notallhistoricplaceslendthemselvestosucheventsanditis goodpracticetocarryoutanimpactassessmenttoinformthedecisions made.Suchanimpactassessmentexaminesthesensitivityoftheplaceand thelikelyriskofdamagearisingfrombothprovidingthefacilitiesforthe eventandthepeopleattheeventitself.Someplaces,therefore,maynotbe suitableforcertaintypesofevent. Ifthesiteissuitable,anaccessplanshouldbepreparedtoinformthe locationandextentofaccessiblefacilitiestobeprovided.Thisshouldbe precededbyanassessmentofthelikelyimpactsonthecharacterand fabricofthebuildingorplace.Theprincipleofeasyreversibilityofany alterationsshouldinformtheapproachtoinstallingtemporaryfacilities. Forlargeevents,advanceconsultationwiththearchitecturalconservation, fireandbuildingcontrolofficersinthelocalauthoritywouldbeadvisable andhelpful.Itmayalsobenecessarytoobtainconsents,permissions, notificationsorlicencesforsuchuses.
126
Whendealingwithlargescaleevents,itwillbenecessarytoprovide advanceinformationonaccessibilityandtheonsitefacilitiesavailableat previsitstage.Itmaybenecessarytoengagesuitablytrainedstaffforthe event.Theaccessneedsofattendeesshouldideallybeclarifiedwhen bookingsarebeingmade.Whereahistoricbuildingorplaceistobe regularlyusedforevents,itisadvisabletopreparesuitablemanagement policies.However,flexibilitymaybeneededonthesepolicies,forexample notallwheelchairusersmaywishto(ormayneedto)stayindesignated areas.Temporaryeventstaffshouldbetrainedindisabilityandequality awarenessandpoliciesforemergencyevacuationneedtobeinplace.Itis usuallypreferabletoadoptacautionaryapproachforinitialeventspriorto consideringanysignificantinterventions.Monitoringoftheeventsmay leadtorevisedfutureapproachesandpolicies.
127
Useful contacts
If the building is a protected structure or located within an architectural conservation area, the architectural conservation officer in the local authority should be the first person to contact with queries regarding works. Other useful contacts include: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Custom House, Dublin 1 Architectural Heritage Advisory Unit National Monuments Service National Parks and Wildlife Service
Telephone: (01) 888 2000 Web: www.ahg.gov.ie Heritage Council, ras na hOidhreachta, Church Lane, Kilkenny Telephone: (056) 777 0777 Web: www.heritagecouncil.ie
Irish Georgian Society, 74 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Telephone: (01) 676 7053 Web: www.igs.ie
Irish Landscape Institute, P.O. Box 11068, Dublin 2 Telephone: (01) 662 7409 Web: www.irishlandscapeinstitute.com
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Telephone: (01) 676 1703 Web: www.riai.ie
128
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4 Telephone: (01) 608 0456 Web: www.universaldesign.ie
DeafHear, 35 Frederick Street North, Dublin 1 Telephone: (01) 817 5700 Web: www.deafhear.ie
Irish Wheelchair Association, ras Chchulainn, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3 Telephone: (01) 818 6400 Web: www.iwa.ie
National Council of the Blind Ireland, Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 Telephone: 1850 334353 Web: www.ncbi.ie
National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4 Telephone: (01) 608 0400 Web: www.nda.ie
People with Disabilities in Ireland, 4th Floor, Jervis House, Jervis Street, Dublin 1 Telephone: (01) 872 1744 Web: www.pwdi.ie
129
Further reading
Barker, Peter and Fraser, June. Sign Design Guide a guide to inclusive signage. London: Centre for Accessible Environments (2000) Bright, Keith et al. Buildings for All to Use 2. London: CIRIA (2004) Bright, Keith et al. Colour Contrast and Perception. Reading: University of Reading (2004) CADW. Overcoming the Barriers: providing physical access to historic buildings. Cardiff: CADW (2002) Cave, Adrian. Making Existing Buildings Accessible: Museums and Art Galleries. London: RIBA Publishing (2007) Citizens Information Board. Accessible Information for All. (2009) Available to download from www.citizensinformationboard.ie/publications Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. The Principles of Inclusive Design. London: CABE (2006) Available to download from www.designcouncil.org.uk/documents Countryside Agency. By all reasonable means: inclusive access to the outdoors for disabled people. Cheltenham: Countryside Agency (2005) Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Architectural Heritage Protection: guidelines for planning authorities (2011) Available to download from www.ahg.gov.ie English Heritage. Easy Access to Historic Buildings. Swindon: English Heritage (2004) English Heritage. Easy Access to Historic Landscapes. Swindon: English Heritage (2005) English Heritage. Streets for All. Swindon: English Heritage (2005)
130
Fieldfare Trust. A Good Practice Guide to Countryside Access for Disabled People. CD edition. Fife: Fieldfare Trust (2005) Foster, Lisa. Access to the Historic Environment. Shaftesbury: Donhead Publishing Ltd. (1997) Grant, Alison. Access Audit Handbook. London: Centre for Accessible Environments (2005) Hillis, Catherine. Access for Blind & Partially Sighted People to Outdoor Heritage Sites - research report. London: Royal National Institute of Blind People (2005) Historic Scotland. Managing Change in the Historic Environment Accessibility. Edinburgh: Historic Scotland (2010) Kerr, James Semple. Conservation Plan. Sydney: The National Trust of Australia (fifth edition 2000) Martin, Eric. Improving Access to Heritage Buildings: a practical guide to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Canberra: Australian Council of National Trusts and Australian Heritage Commission (1999) National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Guidelines for Accessibility of the Built Environment. Available to download from www.ncbi.ie/information-for/architects-engineers/ National Disability Authority. Access Handbook Template: a tool to help manage the accessibility of the built environment. Dublin: NDA (2006) National Disability Authority. Ask Me - Guidelines for Effective Consultation. Dublin: NDA (2002) National Disability Authority. Building for Everyone. Dublin: NDA (2002) Revised edition pending 2011 National Disability Authority. Code of Practice for Accessible Heritage Sites. Dublin: NDA (2011) National Disability Authority. Guidelines for Access Auditing of the Built Environment. Dublin: NDA (2006)
131
National Disability Authority. Safe Evacuation for All a planning and management guide. Dublin: NDA (2011) Penton, John. Widening the Eye of the Needle. London: Church House Publishing (Revised edition 2001) Rayner, Ann. Access in Mind towards the inclusive museum. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland (2005) W3C. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Available from www.w3.org
132
The Advice Series is a series of illustrated booklets published by the Architectural Heritage Advisory Unit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The booklets are designed to guide those responsible for historic buildings on how best to maintain, repair and adapt their properties.
advice series
advice series
advice series
advice series
A GUIDE TO THE REPAIR OF HISTORIC ROOFS
roofs
A GUIDE TO THE REPAIR OF HISTORIC BRICKWORK
bricks
windows
A GUIDE TO THE REPAIR OF HISTORIC WINDOWS
THE REPAIR OF WROUGHT AND CAST IRONWORK
iron
advice series
advice series
advice series
worship
places of
THE CONSERVATION OF PLACES OF WORSHIP
maintenance
A GUIDE TO THE CARE OF OLDER BUILDINGS
energy
IN TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS
Government of Ireland 2011 Price 10

Access: Improving Accessibility To Historic Buildings and Places

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Access: Improving Accessibility To Historic Buildings and Places

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

advice series

IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES

Gettingthebalanceright Principlesofuniversaldesign Principlesofarchitecturalconservation Rolesandresponsibilities

DisabilityAct PlanningandDevelopmentActs NationalMonumentsActs BuildingControlActs EmploymentEqualityActs EqualStatusActs WildlifeActs ForestryAct

Adviceandexpertise Theaccessstrategy Theconservationassessment Theaccessaudit Accessoptions Theaccessactionplan Theaccessstatement Maintenance,monitoringandreview Approachestoimprovingaccess

Wayfindingandsignage Accessibleroutes Changesinlevelstepsandgradients Streetfurnitureandlighting Seatingandrestplaces Gardenandlandscapefeatures Gettingaroundlargesites

Arrivalandcarparking Approachandentry Overcomingdifferencesinlevel Thefrontdoor Circulationwithinthebuilding Lighting Facilities Emergencyevacuation

119 119 124 126

Previsitinformation Interpretiveinformation Programmesandevents

ACCESS IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES

An inclusive environment contains.

Accessible Customer Services.

An Accessible Built Environment.

ACCESS IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES

Churchesandgraveyardsinactiveuse haveverydifferentaccessrequirements tothosewhicharenolongerinuse

Manyhistoricgardensand demesnesareopento,and visitedby,thepublicandthe accessrequirementsofall visitorsneedtobeconsidered

Theapproachtakento adaptingahomeisspecificto aresidentsneedsaswellasto eachproperty

WaterwayssuchastheGrandCanalandRiverBarrowareprotectedfor theirhistoricalandecologicalsignificancebutalsoprovideaneasily accessedrecreationalamenityforall

Byconsultingwitha rangeofusergroups, includingolder peopleandpeople withdisabilities, decisionsonwhat accessimprovements toprioritisearemore effective

However,becauseofthesensitivityofthebuiltheritage,notallofthese goalswillbeachievableateverysiteand,wheresuchcasesarise,a carefulbalancewillhavetobereached.

TheOfficeofPublicWorkshasbeenassistinggovernmentdepartments meetobjectivestoensurethatpublicbuildingsare,asfarasis practicable,accessibletoeveryone.Heresmooth,pavedaccessroutes fromthepedestriangatestothemainentrancestepswereprovided throughtherelaidsetts.Arampedaccessleadsuptotheentrance podium

Therampis locatedparallel tothepavement, behindrailings withminimal impactonthe Neoclassical faade

TheActwasamendedin2007;themainprovisionsmadewere: StrengtheningofenforcementpowersoflocalBuildingControl Authorities Registrationoftitlesofcertainbuildingprofessions,and LegaltranspositionofrelevantpartsofEUMutualRecognitionof ProfessionalQualificationsDirective(2005/36/ECofSeptember2005)

ACCESS IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES

ACCESS IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES

Access Action Plan.

Maintenance and Review.

Theaccessstatementshouldsetout: Adescriptionoftheproposedworks Theaccessstrategy

Themitigationmeasuresproposedtominimisetheimpactofany barrierstoaccesswhichcannotbeovercomethroughmanagement orphysicalintervention Theaccessstatementshouldalsodescribeanyalternativeoptionsexplored inreachingtheparticularproposedsolutionandthereasoningbehindthe selectionofthepreferredoptions.

MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS Itisimportantfirsttoconsidermanagementsolutionswhichmayavoidthe needforanyphysicalalteration.Stafftraininginequalityanddisability awarenesscanovercomemanybarrierstoaccessbymeansofappropriate managementandgoodpractice.

Highqualitycontemporarydesignsolutions,suchasthiselegantramp inthePetitPalaisinParis,maynotalwaysfollowstandardguidance. Nonethelesstheymayprovidesafeandconvenientaccessandbe appropriateinhistoricsettings

Accesssolutionsthat facilitatemanyusers, suchasaramped accessinadditionto existingsteps,are generallythe preferredoption

ONGOINGMAINTENANCE Accessibilityissuesneedtobetakenintoaccountwhencarryingout routinemaintenance.Almostallroutinemaintenanceprovidesan opportunitytoimproveaccess.

Thetypesofsignsthatmightberequireddependontheuseoftheplaceand theextentofpublicaccessandmayincludenamesigns,directionalsigns, mapsandemergencysigns.Indetermininganapproachtosignage, considerationshouldbegivento:

Theretentionandreuseofanyexistinghistoricsignsofnote Theconsistencyofsigndesignanditsappropriatenesstoitslocation Theavoidanceoffixingtoimportantfeaturesorfinishes Theavoidanceofvisualimpactorobstructionofimportantfeaturesand Thereversibilityoftheworks

Fingerpostsignsatthe NationalMuseumin CollinsBarracks,Dublin combineanumberof directionalsignsand areunobtrusiveyet easytoread

Identificationofa wheelchairaccessible routemaybe necessaryifother routesarenot suitable.Sucharoute mayalsobehelpful forthosewith childreninbuggies

canbemovedoraltered.Similarly,ifthelocationiswithinanarchitectural conservationarea,theplanningauthorityshouldbeconsultedbeforeany suchworksareplannedorcarriedout.

Inthisexample,anaccesspathleadingtotheformermainentranceof thebuildinghasbeenconstructedusingmodernmaterialswhichare sympathetictothehistoricenvironment

Inthisexample,themainsurfacehasbeenlaidusingacarefullyselected colouredbituminousmacadam.Drainagechannelshavebeenformed reusinghistoriccobbles.Areasofnewpavingacrosstheyardandaround theperimeter,allcarefullydetailedandselected,maketheentireprecinct accessibletoall

Theuseofstapledchicken wiretoimprovetheslip resistanceofaboardwalk isaneconomicalsolution butrequiresregular maintenance.Italsohasto beusedwithcautionto avoidbeingthecauseof tripsandfalls

Blisteredpavingisusedat crossings.Thecolourand qualityofthiscastironpaving blendswellwiththehistoric stonesurfaceyetiscleartosee. Minimumwidthsshouldbe observedtoensurethepaving canbedetected

Significantchangesinexternal levelscansometimeswarrantthe constructionofafullexternallift, asattheLifetimeLabonthesite oftheoldCorkCityWaterworks (ImagecourtesyofJackCoughlan Architects)

Inthisformalwalledgarden,a shortriseisovercomeby extendingthepath.Thefine granitegravelsurfaceiseasily distinguishablefromthe adjoininglawnbutcanbe difficulttonegotiateforsome people

Providing informationon gradientsso thatpeoplecan plantheirroutes isalwayshelpful

Handrailprofilesshouldbe comfortabletouse.Intheoutdoor environmentthematerialshould weatherwellandrequirelittle maintenance

Thissimplemodernpainted steelhandrailintegrateswell withinitssetting

Somemanholecoversandotherpavementelementssuchas weighbridgesmaybeimportanttoretainandifnecessarytheaccessible routedirectedaroundthem

TwolevelaccessroutestotheparliamentbuildinginCopenhagen havebeencreatedfromstreetlevel,oneoneithersideofanimposing flightofsteps.Liftaccessinternallywithinthebuildingleadstothe chamberlevel.

Herethehistoricmainentranceis retainedinuseandanalternative secondaryentranceisprovided totheside.Theprovisionofclear signageindicatingthe alternative,accessibleentranceis veryimportantwherethistypeof solutionisused

Asinglestepatthesideentrance ofthischurchhasbeen overcomeusingawellintegrated andeasilyreversiblemetalramp. However,asthereisnotop landingexternally,thisrampcan onlybeusedwhenthedooris openandthereforeonlyworksas partofamanagementsolution

Thispermanentramphasbeenconstructedinmatchingstonetothe originalstepsandisfreestandingthusensuringnodamagewasdoneto thebaseofthebuilding.Theraised kerbisgradeddowntothelevelof theentrancestepatthejunctionwiththetopoftherampandfroma distanceappearsasonecontinuousplane

Intheexternalenvironment, simplehandrailsareoftenthe bestsolutionwhilstobserving thebasicprinciplesofhandrail design.Thewhiterail hereis clearlyvisibleagainstthestone backgroundyetitdoesnot impingeonthestonedoorcase

Wherethestepsarewideenough acentralhandrail,eithersingleor doublesided,mayreducethe needforhandrailstobothsides. Itwouldbeoffurtherbenefitif thehandrailextendedbeyond thebottomandtopsteps

Improvingaccessprovisions withwelldesignedsolutions cansometimesprovidethe opportunitytoremoveearlier inappropriateinterventions. Theoriginalstonestepsseen behindthisplatformlifthad previouslybeenconcealedby agalvanisedsteelstair

Externalplatformlifts,suchasthisinclinedlift,canquicklybecome obsoleteunlesstheyarekeptinuseandmaintainedonaregularbasis. Theyaregenerallyvisuallyintrusive,notsuitableforwheelchairusers andshouldbeconsideredonlyasalastresort

Theadditionofanautomaticdoor openeronthisheavyGeorgian doorhasbenefitedeveryone

HORIZONTALCIRCULATION Accessiblecirculationroutesshouldbefreeofobstaclesandprojections, wideenoughtoallowwheelchairuserstomanoeuvreandwithsufficient spacetopassorturn.Suchwidthsmaynotexistinahistoricbuildingand,

Inthisexample,the changeinfloorlevel betweendifferentparts ofabuildinghasbeen overcomebyproviding ashortriseplatformlift, usinghighquality finishes,andwelllit stairs

Newtimber handrailshavebeen installedonboth sidesofthis staircaseaswellas downthecentre

AttheCustomHouse,Dublinanew liftwasconstructedwithinan internalcourtyard.Accessintothe buildingateachlevelwasprovided throughthealterationofexisting windowopenings.Theliftshaftwas cladinstoneexternallymatching thestonecoursingoftheoriginal building

Astairliftisoftenvisually intrusiveinahistoricinteriorand usersaremorelikelytorequire assistance

Theextentandrangeofaccessiblefacilitiestobeprovideddependsonthe typeofbuildinganditsintendeduse.Thefollowingaresomeofthekey facilitieswhichmostbuildingsneedtoprovideforbothstaffandvisitors.