Hendry Building Surveying Consultants have issued advice on recent major changes in the disability access provisions for buildings in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010.

These enhancements, they say, have substantially harmonised the BCA with the Disability Discrimination Act, and as a result, the integration of the disability access code with the BCA carries significant implications for building owners and tenants generally.

The consultants note:

“While Aged Care facilities tend to be better designed for mobility needs and access due to their design intent and the needs of their occupants, Aged Care facility owners and providers may also find that additional Disability Access requirements need to be met if new buildings or alterations to existing buildings are planned.

“The Premises Standards contain detailed disability access information specifying the circumstances and types of building where the Standards apply, and they apply to a new building, a new part of an existing building, and the affected part of an existing building. A BCA Access Audit should be performed by a building surveyor before commencing any design work.”

They add that “there is no doubt that the provisions for Disability Access code compliance have been significantly strengthened, and the scope for dispensations significantly curtailed.

“These new disability access provisions will ultimately impact on most building owners and tenants, and while full compliance at this point in time may not be the objective, disability access appraisals can be conducted to establish the Aged Care facility’s current Disability Access position, and assistance can be given in formulating the strategy and the costings necessary to move progressively toward an acceptable future compliance outcome.”