http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/arch...needs-20130402

Published April 02, 2013

Building accessibility code up for review, to factor parents' needs

By Teo Si Jia


THE Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has drafted a revised version of the Code on Accessibility for the Built Environment, this time with consideration for parents of infants.

In the current and fourth review, the code's review committee has put forth the suggestion of mandatory family-oriented features such as child-friendly toilets and lactation rooms for buildings frequented by the public, on top of its continued emphasis on the elderly and handicapped.

The committee comprises of representatives from BCA, HDB, Land Transport Authority, Singapore Institute of Architects and the Handicaps Welfare Association, among others.

It has proposed a higher ratio of toilet compartments and urinals for ambulant disabled users in office buildings and buildings with high human traffic, a hearing enhancement system for people with hearing disabilities and the provision of Braille and tactile information of public toilets and storey level for the visually impaired.

The draft code is open for a month-long public consultation ending April 30 via its website, to receive feedback before it makes the the final amendment.

BCA said it will confer with government agencies, voluntary welfare organisations, industry players and groups with interest on the revision as well.

The revised code will be implemented in the first quarter next year. During this time, industries have at least six months to take the new requirements into account in their plans for new building projects.

The code was last amended six years ago to better improve the accessibility of the elderly and the handicapped by reducing barriers in public spaces for better mobility between buildings and infrastructures.

Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said in a blog posting yesterday that the completion of the barrier- free accessibility programme in November has made the HDB neighbourhood more age-friendly. "In fact, almost all public buildings, including community clubs and MRT stations have achieved some level of basic accessibility. And nearly nine in 10 buildings along Orchard Road now provide some accessibility features," he said.