Braille & Tactile Signs

The Building Code of Australia (BCA/NCC) contains requirements and standards for braille and tactile signage in section D3.6. of the code.

It is highlighted that not all braille and tactile signs are the manufactured the same way. The signage industry both here and overseas is full of manufacturers who use inferior production methods and materials to produce poor quality braille and tactile signs.

This results in poor quality signs entering the Australian market due to the cost saving factors they offer to those who purchase them. It is important that clients understand the unforeseen replacement costs that may arise when they fail. In many cases clients choosing cheaper products risk their signs being non-compliant to relevant standards or codes. 

When purchasing from braille and tactile signs we highly recommend Bractile Signs who are a fully compliant trusted brand which supply high quality manufactured signs at a reasonable price.

Bractile Signs provides braille and tactile signs that are:

• Manufactured from PVC to a depth of 3mm (no backing panel is required);

• Injection moulded so that all graphics are of a continuous nature for hygiene purposes;

• Moulded signs mean that adhesive failure on symbols, letters and braille dots is impossible which in turn extends the life of each sign;

• Silver signs are coated with a micro metallic silver acrylic lacquer to give the appearance of clear anodized aluminium that is also UV resistant; and

• Comply with BCA Specification D3.6 and AS1428.1-2009.

Slip Resistance Requirements

As of the 1st of May 2014, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) introduced amendments to include specific requirements surrounding slip resistance for buildings. These requirements were introduced to help enhance building designs to minimise the risk of slips to and within buildings and extended to ramps, stairways and landings.

Parts of buildings required to comply may be found under Part D2.10, D2.13 and D2.14 of Volume one & Part 3.9.1.4 of Volume Two with slip resistance materials to comply with AS4586 – 2013 (Slip Resistance Classification of new pedestrian surface materials).

BCA SLIP-RESISTANCE CLASSIFICATION

• Ramp steeper than 1:14 must have P4 or R11 for dry conditions and P5 or R12 for wet conditions

• Ramp steeper than 1:20 but not steeper than 1:14 must have P3 or R10 for dry conditions and P4 or R11for wet conditions

• Tread or landing surface must have P3 or R10 for dry conditions and P4 or R11 for wet conditions

• Nosing or landing edge strip must have P3 for dry conditions and P4 for wet conditions

Where the application of slip resistances occurs outside the BCA i.e. Bathroom floors, these are not actually regulated by the BCA. However, we do recommend that a best practice approach is considered when designing all buildings for accessibility.

For wet areas, including Ambulant and Unisex Sanitary facilities, we recommend adopting a slip resistance not less than that specified in the Standards Australia Handbook – Guide to the Specification and testing of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces (HB198), which includes bathroom Floors must have P3 using a wet pendulum test and R10 or B oil wet inclined platform test.

ACAA Conference 2019

The ACAA Conference 2019 will be held in Sydney at the Luna Park Conference Venue between the 14-16 August. The conference is specifically catered for access consultants and all people working to establish inclusive communities. Access 2019 will provide a forum to share and learn about the many aspect and elements that enable inclusive communities.

The conference will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences on a range of topics that bridge the gap – from Access to Inclusion:

• Verifying performance-based design in a DDA context

• The role of the NDIS in building Inclusive Communities and through Specialist Disability Accommodation.

• Liveable – Adaptable – Accessible Visitable Housing – What’s the difference and where to from here?

• Using Technology that enables Inclusive Access

• The journey to inclusive access, research and standards development

• Inclusive Access – Plan Design Build neighbourhoods, public transportation and communication systems.

• Inclusive egress and fire safety measures.

• Inclusive live, educate, work, play leisure and tourism

• NDIS planning – capacity building – assistive technology

• Moving beyond the minimums in the pursuit of inclusion

The conference will also incorporate an exhibition of products and services that support and bring it all together to create inclusive environments.

If further information is required, visit the website https://www.accessconference.com.au/.

Compliant Internal Handrails

The problem we regularly see on site is that the first ascending riser needs to be setback into the next flight of stairs the distance of one tread (or going). This ensures that the internal handrail transitions around over the landing and maintains a consistent height throughout the stair landing.

AS1428.1-2009 Clause 11.2(c) says that “Handrails shall have no vertical sections and shall follow the angle of the stairway nosings, as shown in Figure 28(b)”.

AS1428.1-2009 also says in Clause 12(e) that “The height of the top of the handrail, measured in accordance with item (d), shall be consistent through the ramp (or stairs) and at any landing”.

If a stair isn’t designed in this way, then the internal handrail will have a steeply angled section, which could result in a near vertical section of handrail to make up the height of the first rise or step in this flight.

The only way for the internal handrail to comply when the first ascending riser is not set back the distance of one tread (or going) is to increase the depth of the stair landing (1250mm deep) to allow the handrail at the top of the first flight to extend the distance of one going, before turning 180 degrees and going up the second flight. This is another method to keep the handrail at a consistent height.

BCA/NCC 2019

Changes being introduced in NCC 2019 are almost here. As seen in the public comment draft released last year, there’s lots to take in! Read on to find out more about key changes, dates and what’s available to help you understand it.

What’s changed?

Performance

Quantifying many of the NCC Performance Requirements to provide more performance-based compliance options is a key feature of NCC 2019.  You’ll see more Performance Requirements quantified with the introduction of 20 new Verification Methods (VMs). 

Readability

The ABCB’s readability project aims to improve the NCC requirements to be more readily understood. Introducing consistent NCC Governing Requirements is the first step of this major piece of work with all three Volumes of the NCC having the same requirements from 2019. Significant changes have also been made to the structure of NCC Volume Three, the Plumbing Code of Australia. 

NCC Volumes One and Two

Safety

New VM for construction in bushfire-prone areas.

Health and amenity

New condensation management provisions.

Accessibility

New VMs for access to and from a building and for ramps.

Sustainability

Energy efficiency changes are subject to a 1 year transition period from 1 May 2019, during which time, either the NCC 2016 or NCC 2019 requirements may be used.

New heating and cooling load limits for residential buildings using the NatHERS DTS compliance pathway.

NCC Volume One only

Safety

Fire sprinklers
New DTS Provisions for fire sprinkler systems, for apartment buildings and other residential buildings (i.e. Class 2 and 3 buildings) 4 storeys and above and up to 25 metres in effective height (generally those buildings 4 to 8 storeys).

Occupiable outdoor areas

New DTS Provisions clarifying requirements for occupiable outdoor areas, such as roof-top bars and cinemas. 

Fire safety VM

A new, non-mandatory VM for fire safety introduced (NCC Schedule 7). This VM can be used for developing a Performance Solution for up to 24 Performance Requirements. Its adoption will be delayed until 1 May 2020 to allow time for training and support. 

Sustainability

Energy efficiency
The commercial building energy efficiency requirements (i.e. Section J) are significantly changed, including new VMs for NABERS and Green Star. This change is subject to a 1 year transition period from 1 May 2019, during which time, either the NCC 2016 or NCC 2019 requirements may be used.

Accessibility

Accessible adult change facilities (AACF)

AACFs are sanitary facilities with additional features to assist people with more profound or complex disabilities who are unable to independently use standard accessible facilities. New requirements mean these facilities are required in certain new or redeveloped public buildings such as shopping centres, museums, theatres, sporting venues and airports.

NCC 2019 Key Dates

Preview released - February 2019

NCC 2019 adopted - May 2019

Energy efficiency transition ends - May 2020

FSVM adopted - May 2020

Accessible Change Facilities

Where is an Accessible Adult Change Facility required?

Accessible Change Facilities are required to be installed in specific shopping centres, sports venues, museums, art galleries, theatres and passenger areas within airports. The trigger for the requirement to install an Accessible Change Facility is as follows:

• Shopping centres with a design occupancy of at least 3,500 building occupants, including a minimum of 2 retail units.

• Sport venues with a design occupancy of at least 35,000 spectators or where a swimming pool of at least 70m in perimeter is provided and requires an accessible entry/exit under the BCA Part D3.1.

• Museums, art galleries, theatres with a minimum design occupancy of 1,500 building occupants.

• Passenger use areas in domestic or international airports.