New Part & Affected Part – Existing Buildings
Access Solutions National Pty. Ltd. (ASN) are often asked to provide clarification relating to the ‘New Part and Affected Part’ requirements of the Access to Premises Standards. The below content is solely to provide clarification on the disability access provisions and compliance requirements. Note: this information is not to be copied or replicated without the written permission of ASN.
The Access to Premises Standards (formed under the Disability Discrimination Act) states that there are essentially two (2) elements within an existing building where building works are proposed – ‘New Part’ and ‘Affected Part’. The ‘New Part’ is any building works that trigger a building permit and the ‘Affected Part’ is the areas of the building from the ‘New Part’ to the principal entrance to the building and/or tenancy.
Therefore, any works to be undertaken within the building and/or tenancy itself constitutes as the ‘New Part’ and the disability access requirements are that the ‘New Part’ must comply with the minimum requirements and the area (the continuous accessible path of travel) from the ‘New Part’ to the principal entrance to the building and/or tenancy must also meet minimum requirements.
The extent to which the obligations for disability access extend, is to the principal entrance of the tenancy and does not extend through common areas or to the principal entrance to the building itself where there are multi-tenancies. These areas are to be negotiated with the base building owner and are not technically enforceable.
To further clarify the extent to which this requirement is to be implemented, refer to the below figures.
Figure 1:Disability Access New & Affected Parts
In this scenario the disability access requirement is:
To ensure the red area (New Part) complies and that there is a continuous accessible path of travel (Affected Part) to the principal entrance.
The ‘affected part’ is to be compliant with the path of travel requirements. In this case both of the 90o turns would need to be 1500mm x 1500mm.
There is no requirement to ensure the continuous accessible path of travel reaches the allotment boundary.
D2 must meet minimum doorway requirements.
Figure 2Disability Access New & Affected PartsFigure 2:
In this scenario the disability access requirement is:
To ensure the red area (New Part) complies and that there is a continuous accessible path of travel (Affected Part) to the principal entrance.
The ‘affected part’ (green area) is to be compliant with the path of travel requirements. In this case D2 circulation spaces and the 90o turn of 1500mm x 1500mm to align with the principal entrance must be provided.
There is no requirement to ensure the continuous accessible path of travel reaches the allotment boundary.
D2 and D3 must meet minimum doorway requirements.
Figure 3Disability Access New & Affected PartsFigure 3:
In this scenario the disability access requirement is:
To ensure the red area (New Part) complies and that there is a continuous accessible path of travel (Affected Part) to the principal entrance.
The ‘affected part’ (green area) is to be compliant with the path of travel requirements. In this case D2 circulation spaces and the 90o turn of 1500mm x 1500mm to align with the principal entrance must be provided.
There is no requirement to ensure the Lift, Stairway, Sanitary facilities or that the continuous accessible path of travel reaches the principal entrance to the building.
D2 and D3 must meet minimum doorway requirements.
It is important to highlight that the New Part and Affected Part is technically not applicable in all States and Territories as, for example, the Victorian building regulations reference the new and affected parts, whilst others do not.
With this being the case, it is always advisable to assess the level of disability access to areas required to be accessible. For example, although the lift does not technically need to be upgraded, it should still be assessed against current requirements as well as the requirements relevant at time of installation.
This advice is given for information purposes only and is not to be used without the written consent of ASN.
Should you require anything further or explanation of anything contained herein please feel free to contact us.
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