A recent update to The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (DAPS) came into effect on November 23, 2024. Among the changes was the inclusion of a reference to the 2021 edition of ‘AS 1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility, Part 1: General Requirements for People with Disabilities‘ replacing the 2009 edition. What do these changes mean for practitioners, and how do they interact with the National Construction Code?
Our position is that practitioners typically work towards building approval, which relies on compliance with the relevant parts of the National Construction Code (NCC) and Building Code of Australia (BCA). Therefore, unless a performance solution is used to demonstrate compliance, the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the relevant BCA volume should be employed.
Documentation that aligns with AS 1428.1 (2009) will comply with all provisions of the updated Premises Standard, with the exception of clause F2.4(c) where a sanitary compartment for people with ambulant disabilities must be provided. If a raked or cranked grabrail is specified, a conflict exists between the 2009 and 2021 editions of AS 1428.1. This is due to a change to the permissible length of the grabrail (700mm min. for 2009 and 400-450mm for 2021).
It should be noted, however, that no raked or cranked grabrail currently available on the market will comply with the 2021 edition. Most practitioners opt for a 90° grabrail, as this typically requires less space within a cubicle.
We have observed the following changes to each document listed below.
*ABCB’s notification outlines that the changes to the Premises Standard may yet need to be ratified through the required “parliamentary process.” However, the Federal Register of Legislation website shows the most recent compilation, dated 23 November 2024, as the current edition.
ABCB advises that if the revised Premises Standard is not repealed, an immediate amendment shall be made to the NCC to reflect the changes within it.
The current edition of AS 1428.1 2021 Design for Access and Mobility, Part 1: General Requirements for People with Disabilities mostly introduces marginal changes and incremental improvements. We note over 50 minor changes to text or figure content to clarify the previous intent or expand compliance options.
The most significant changes are contained within the sections relating to accessible sanitary facilities, where the 2021 edition expands the content to show more examples of arrangements that can comply. In contrast, the former edition was understood (but never intended) to demonstrate only a single absolute arrangement. This coincides with further incremental changes to support modern construction methods and local compliance requirements for non-access-related elements (specifically plumbing and health-related elements).
The prominence of notes regarding the need to allow additional space for construction variations and tolerance is undoubtedly welcomed, as we often see many projects where the use of minimum “stud-to-stud” dimension where zero allowance is made, frequently culminating in undersized rooms and spaces.
Another much-welcomed addition is the description of how the opacity of visual glazing bands is measured.
The following summarises our findings.
Minor changes and clarification to definitions.
This section (formerly Section 5 Dimensions) is now referenced repeatedly throughout the standard to emphasise the requirement to allow any required tolerance on top of the minimum dimension to achieve the required.
3.6 Clarification on the required performance of visual indicators on glazing.
3.7 inclusion of section for glazed viewing panels (resurrected from 2001) Also, Figure 36(A).
4.2 (revised) Figure 7 has been revised, now in two parts. 7A replicated the former Figure 7, and 7B is now provided and shows tolerances for timber decking and boardwalks.
4.3.1 (revised) item renamed. The thickness dimension was revised for clarity.
Figure 8 has been revised and expanded. New detail for floor cover trims (new options).
4.4 (revised) new item (c) added, providing clarity around the max opening where the long dimension of the opening is not transverse to the path of travel.
4.5 (new) inclusion of timber decking tolerance range. See also Figure 7(B)(new).
Minor note additions throughout for clarity, typically regarding Braille shown in figures is not to scale.
General
7.1 (revised) minor changes were made to (d), and a new note was added to the clause.
Walkways
7.2 (revised) (a)(iii) item revised for clarity and new note added to clause.
Ramps
7.3 (j) is added to clarify that a kerb or kerb rail is required when handrails serving ramps are not supported or fixed to an adjacent wall. This cross-references figures to add weight to the requirement.
Figure 15A now provides examples of freestanding and wall-mounted handrail extension and termination combinations. (a) shows kerb rails where freestanding, and the dotted line indicates optional post locations where required for structural rigidity. (b) shows where a wall is mounted.
Figure 15B includes a revised detail to demonstrate any termination is required outside of any required extensions.
Curved walkways, ramps and landings
7.4 (revised) clause expands on the definition and limit of a curved ramp. It now specifies where the internal radius exceeds 5m; this is no longer considered a curved ramp.
7.4(f) clarifies the requirement for “straight” landings on curved ramps. Emphasis is required on the centreline of each to align.
7.4(k) Figure 13(c) was revised to clearly demonstrate the 1500mm required width for a curved ramp and a minimum 600mm straight landing before entering an intersecting landing area for the required turning space.
Threshold ramps
7.5 (e & f) clarifies the requirement for sharp transitions on threshold ramps for the top and bottom of the ramp surface and for tapered and splayed edges.
Figure 21 includes a new detail for the provision of tapered and splayed edges/ends. It clarifies that a 20mm offset is to be excluded from the max length.
Step ramps
7.6 clarifies the requirement for step ramps to be aligned with the path of travel, for sharp transitions on step ramps for the top and bottom of the ramp surface, and for tapered and splayed edges.
Figure 22B(a) shows a revised minimum height for a kerb at a landing serving a step ramp (now 150mm, formerly 450mm, also applies to side extension for walkways).
Figure 22B(b) shows a continuous and consistent width for the step ramp and landing where a side approach to a doorway is required. Formerly, the diagram showed a splayed landing and ramp arrangement.
Kerb Ramps
Figures 24(B)&(C) now include the required minimum 600mm surface for a walkway and demonstrate how this interacts with a kerb ramp (no longer can provide only 1500 turns at top or bottom).
Stair construction
8.1(b) (revised) text amended for clarity.
Figure 26(C) now includes a greater number of termination styles/options (wall and freestanding examples).
Figure 27(A &B) clarifies that the contrast strip must be continuous, not multiple thin strips.
Figure 27(C) (new) now shows where a stair nosing with a turndown exceeding 10mm can be used, with limitations for contrasting strips.
Stair handrails
8.2(g) now allows a limited range of tolerance for height variations and refers to clause 9(e).
Figure 28 expands on stair handrail arrangements. It must be noted that a landing that does not have a setback is included; however, the lack of a dimension to clarify a minimum of 1000mm between handrails may cause confusion.
9(e) expands the allowable tolerance for handrail heights. 3 elements are specified.
Figure 29(a) & (b) is revised to allow typically available handrail material sizes (now 30-52mm) and increases the clearance below a handrail from 15mm to 25mm.
Doorway identification
10.1 (revised) new notes to clause for clarity.
Clear opening of doorways
10.2 reintroduces the specification of 300mm max. reveal depth. Previously included in 2001, but omitted for 2009.
Figure 30, now includes the details of max. 300mm reveal depth.
Power operated doorways
10.3.4 (revised) text revised and now does not specify only power operating sliding doors.
Door controls
Design and performance
10.4.2(b) expands the required performance criteria of door handles and the required clearance through the operational range of a handle.
Figure 35(A) now includes multiple door handle details for reference.
Location
10.4.3 now specifies that each type of door control must be located at least 500mm from an internal corner, a reduction of 1000mm.
11.1 now includes a broader description of “controls” and includes heating and cooling controls, ventilation controls, security controls or “similar”.
12.2 accessible unisex sanitary facilities.
Water taps
12.2.1(revised) revised text to include a wider range of tapware control options.
Seat
12.2.3 now includes the specific requirement to allow a WC pan seat to stay in the upright position.
Backrest
12.2.4 clarifies the WC pan backrest requirements and references the requirement to maintain the seat to stay upright. Also now states the backrest must be capable of being removed and refitted in accessible SOUs.
Figure 39 expands and clarifies the parameters for a WC pan backrest.
Flushing controls
12.2.5 clarifies the flushing control location requirements (specifically clearance to flushing controls) in Figure 40.
Toilet paper dispenser
12.2.6 clarifies the maximum projection of toilet roll holders.
Grabrails
12.2.7 and Figure 42 clarify the grabrail installation requirements for accessible WCs. Changes to height range and offsets from the WC pan.
Circulation space
General
12.2.8.1 clarifies WC pan circulation and redefines some encroachments (and the relevant limits).
Washbasins
General
12.3.1 clarifies washbasin encroachment (introduces the previously allowed encroachment into a shower circulation space (not the recess).
Figure 44(A) clarifies washbasin installation parameters (minor change to allowed height ranges for a vanity basin mounting and allowance of knee/toe clearance can project beyond the line of the wall (pending construction methods) in order to provide the required clearance.
Showers
12.5.1(revised) text clarifies the shower installation parameters, including circulation height and floor waste arrangements. Refer also to Figure 47A & B.
Figure 48A shower seat height & water outlet height range (in lieu of 700±10) grabrail.
Floor waste outlet
12.5.2(revised) amended to allow the use of linear(channel) grates.
Grabrails
12.5.4(revised) change to specification. Allows range for tolerance.
Shower head support grabrail
12.5.5(revised) change to specified height allowance for tolerance. See also Figure 48A.
Shower head and rose
12.5.6(revised) change to specified zone for water outlet. Refer also to Figure 48A.
Shower taps
12.5.8(revised) change to specified zone taps. Refer also to Figure 48A.
Folding seat
12.5.9(revised) change to specified height allowed. Refer also to Figure 48A.
Backflow prevention device and restrictor device
12.5.11(new) clause included to tie requirement between plumbing code and building code.
Defines that a backflow prevention device(BPD) or hose restrictor may be used.
Note: There is a very limited range of positions that a restrictor device may be placed in order to allow compliance for people with disability.
Unpublished guidance (from parties developing this standard) states the position must not affect the functionality of the hose or limit the reach of the shower head to the lower limbs of a seated user.
Combined sanitary facilities
(revised) Text revised regarding circulation spaces; see also Figures 50(A) & (B).
Figure 50 now demonstrates multiple arrangments as examples of overlapping circulation and shows where a restrictor or BPD may be required. Figure 50A includes showers, and Figure 50B shows only the WC and basin. These are not intended to limit overall design and layouts, only to inform how the allowable encroachments may be used to reduce the overall size of a room while still providing the required total circulation spaces.
General
13.1 (revised) text amended for clarity regarding seat height and projection.
Grabrails
13.2 (revised) change to specified range allowed for tolerance.
Figure 52(A) shows a reduced length of grabrail within an ambulant WC where a “raked/cranked” grabrail is selected.
*An ambulant grabrail complying with AS 1428.1(2009) would no longer comply with the Premises Standard and a grabrail from AS 1428.1(2021) would not comply with the current BCA. (NCC/BCA 2022).
(Revised) a new note to the section for clarity.
(Revised) changes to text, emphasis and expanded details of the procedure for assessing luminance contrast.
The former summary of specifications for walkways, ramps and landings has been deleted.
New Appendix C is included to expand on vision impairment.
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