FEBRUARY, 2016 Government of India MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT FEBRUARY, 2016 Government of India MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MESSAGE I am very happy that the ministry of Urban Development has brought out the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for persons with Disability and Elderly Persons’. India is a signatory to the United Nation Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2008. We all need to work to realize human rights and development for persons with disabilities by removing barriers to their equal access. These guidelines have been framed to guide design of spaces to ensure equitable, easy access to persons with disabilities. Equitable access would translate into access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications. Universal accessibility leads to increased opportunities for people with disabilities to access employment and to fully participate in the social, cultural, recreational, economic life of India. I hope that these guidelines will be of great help to State Town and Country Planning Departments, Urban Development Authorities, Urban Local Bodies, and various other Institutions. The State Governments should proactively adopt these Guidelines as also recommended in the Model Building Bye Laws, 2015 and include them in the preparation of plans for all urban areas. Ministry of Urban Development will always be keen to assist the State Governments in adoption of the Guidelines. I congratulate the team members for framing the first document of its kind and for paving the way for a universally accessible and inclusive India. MINISTER OF STATE FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MESSAGE It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the launch of the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for persons with Disability and Elderly Persons’. These guidelines have been prepared by Ministry of Urban Development after extensive consultative process with various Central Government Ministries/ Agencies/ Bodies/ National Institutions/ State Governments. A new paradigm has been envisioned in these Guidelines and they provide a practical framework to facilitate design of spaces for persons with disability and cover a wide range of disability groups. Inclusive design of public and private spaces will ensure greater accessibility for persons with disabilities and empower them to participate actively in the society. I congratulate the team members for formulating a pioneering document and strongly urge the State Governments to adopt the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for persons with Disability and Elderly Persons’, 2015. I am confident that it would lead the cities and towns of our country into a new era of accessible design and make them inclusiveliving places. PREFACE Barriers to accessibility are obstacles that make it difficult for Person with Disabilities to move around in public places and access buildings. There are several barriers, both visible and invisible. Persons with disabilities face discrimination and barriers restrict them from participating in society on an equal basis in everyday life. In recent years, there has been a remarkable change in approach to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same standards of equality, rights and dignity with the rest. Harmonization of the three guidelines viz CPWD Guidelines 1998, Bureau of Indian Standards, National Building Code, 2005, Manual on Barrier Free Environment, O/o the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, 2002 was undertaken by Ministry of Urban Development with the guidance of the Central Coordination Committee constituted under the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities (EOPRFP) Act 1995. Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India constituted a Committee that comprised of expert organizations that helped in preparing the present guidelines. Most of the recommended guidelines have been tested in developed countries and have proven to be effective. Team of officers of the Ministry, Committee members, representatives from NGOs, IIT Roorkie, National Trust and Ministry of SJ & E and TCPO have worked painstakingly along with the various stakeholders across the country for formulating these Guidelines. The Guidelines are intended to be a reference for various aspects of planning by State Governments, Development Authorities, Planning Organizations and the Private Sector. Government of India ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In pursuance to the Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full participation) Act, 1995 and to make built environment fully accessible, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India took upon itself the task of preparation of the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards on Barrier Free Built Environment for Persons with Disability and Elderly Persons, 2015’. These Guidelines intend to address the needs of persons with disabilities and elderly persons with a wide range of accessibility elements and standards and not limited to disabilities only, thus paving the way for universally accessible and inclusive India. These Guidelines are the outcome of a participatory approach through widespread consultations with various Central Government Ministries, Civil Society Organisations, National Institutes and State Governments. The exercise of formulation of these Guidelines was done under the overall leadership and guidance of Shri Madhusudan Prasad, Secretary, with support from Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Additional Secretary, Shri Neeraj Mandloi, Joint Secretary and Shri Parmod Kumar, Director (UD) of the Ministry of Urban Development. Mention also needs to be made for the tireless work put in by the officers of Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) particularly, Shri Anil Kumar Rathore, Associate Architect under the supervision of Shri K.K. Joadder, Chief Planner and also the officers of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) including Shri R.K. Thathu, ADG, Architecture. The Ministry of Urban Development acknowledges the work of Ms Anjlee Agarwal, Executive Director, Samarthyam, National Center for Accessible Environments, New Delhi, the member of the committee constituted by the Ministry who painstakingly updated and compiled the guidelines. The Ministry also acknowledges the contribution of other committee members from The Bureau of Indian Standards, Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, National Trust, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, IIT Roorkee and Svayam. This compilation would not have been possible without the valuable inputs and suggestions provided by so many other participants and contributors. It is not possible to mention every ones name but their contribution is duly acknowledged. BACKGROUND The Government of India enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) (PWD) Act, 1995 and signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. Unlike the PWD Act, which defines disability in relation to medical conditions and degrees of impairment, the UNCRPD, sees disability as an interaction of impairments and barriers that hinder effective participation in society. To realize accessibility as the rights issue for persons with disabilities as stipulated in the PWD Act and the UNCRPD, many agencies had laid down norms and standards for design of spaces for persons with disabilities, viz. Central Public Works Department (CPWD) Guidelines, National Building Code and Manual by the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE). Need was felt to compile the three guidelines into a comprehensive document for ready reference. This was noted during the 13th meeting of the Central Coordination Committee constituted by MSJE, held on 21st July, 2009 at the behest of the then Addl. Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO). With the intention to ensure that everyone, including the persons with disabilities and elderly should have equal access to all services and facilities in all public buildings, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India constituted an th Committee in 2009, vide O.M. dated 17 September 2009, comprising of experts from organizations which helped in harmonizing “Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons, 1998” with the UNCRPD. The Committee was chaired by Joint Secretary (UD), Ministry of Urban Development, Director (UD) as Member Secretary and with members from Town & Country Planning Organisation (TCPO), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Samarthyam National Centre for Accessible Environments, Bureau of Indian Standards, Svayam, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, National Trust, IIT Roorkee and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The Guidelines are the outcome of a participatory approach through widespread consultations with various Central Government Ministries/ Agencies/ Bodies/ National Institutions/ State Governments. Comments and suggestions of Civil Society Organizations in the field have been appropriately incorporated. The guideline has been published after technical vetting by TCPO and CPWD. The Harmonised Guidelines are comprehensive guidelines inclusive of all provisions updated and harmonized to act as an easy reference Practitioner’s Guide for Barrier Free Designs with universal access, responding to the varying needs of the persons with disabilities. Some line drawings/ illustrations from Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons, 1998 are retained in this version. The Guidelines build over the existing manuals, such as:  Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons, CPWD, 1998  Manual on Barrier Free Environment, MSJE, 2002  Annex D, National Building Code, Bureau of Indian Standards, 2005 These Guidelines explicitly covers universal accessibility standards and responds to the varying needs of all users including those with reduced mobility. The Guidelines are effective tool for the executing agencies, planners, designers, contractors, civic agencies, development authorities and urban local bodies, etc. to pave the way for inclusive and accessible built environment. CONTENTS CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... iii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......................................................................................... vi ACRONYMS .............................................................................................................. ix 1 PREAMBLE ......................................................................................................... 1 2 APPLICABILITY ................................................................................................... 3 3 ANTHROPOMETRICS ........................................................................................ 4 3.1 Mobility Devicesand Space Allowances .................................................................................. 4 3.2 Reach Range ............................................................................................................................ 7 3.3 Vision Zone ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.4 Heights and widths ............................................................................................................... 10 4 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS ................................................................... 12 4.1 General categorisation of building typologies ...................................................................... 12 4.2 Other categories ................................................................................................................... 14 5 UNIVERSAL DESIGN ELEMENTS WITHIN BUILDING PREMISES ................ 17 5.1 Site Planning .......................................................................................................................... 17 5.2 Space allowances .................................................................................................................. 22 5.3 Floor surfaces ........................................................................................................................ 23 5.4 Approaches ........................................................................................................................... 23 5.5 Internal Corridors and Accessible Routes ............................................................................. 25 5.6 Gratings ................................................................................................................................. 26 5.7 Doors ..................................................................................................................................... 26 5.8 Windows ............................................................................................................................... 32 5.9 Handrail/ Grab Bars............................................................................................................... 32 5.10 Controls and Operating Mechanism ..................................................................................... 34 5.11 Seating Spaces ....................................................................................................................... 36 5.12 Other Facilities ...................................................................................................................... 37 5.13 Signage .................................................................................................................................. 39 5.14 Level Changes ........................................................................................................................ 39 5.15 Toilets .................................................................................................................................... 39 5.16 Parking .................................................................................................................................. 39 6 SIGNAGE .......................................................................................................... 40 6.1 Signage Provisions ................................................................................................................. 40 iii | P a g e 6.2 Types of Signages .................................................................................................................. 41 6.3 Location ................................................................................................................................. 43 6.4 Universal Signage .................................................................................................................. 43 7 LEVEL CHANGES ............................................................................................. 56 7.1 Kerb Ramps ........................................................................................................................... 56 7.2 Ramps .................................................................................................................................... 57 7.3 Stairs ...................................................................................................................................... 60 7.4 Lifts ........................................................................................................................................ 61 7.5 Wheelchair Stair-lift and Platform Lift .................................................................................. 64 8 ACCESS TO TOILET FACILITY ........................................................................ 65 8.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 65 8.2 Unisex Accessible Toilets (multi-use) .................................................................................... 65 8.3 Toilet Cubicle for Wheelchair Users ...................................................................................... 66 8.4 Toilet cubicle for Ambulatory Disabled ................................................................................. 66 8.5 Toilet Doors ........................................................................................................................... 66 8.6 Water Closet ......................................................................................................................... 68 8.7 Water Closet Grab Bars ......................................................................................................... 68 8.8 Washroom Accessories ......................................................................................................... 69 8.9 Urinals ................................................................................................................................... 69 8.10 Signage of accessible toilets .................................................................................................. 70 8.11 Shower Cubicles .................................................................................................................... 71 8.12 Public toilets .......................................................................................................................... 72 9 FIRE EVACUATION NEEDS ............................................................................. 74 9.1 Alarm Panels ......................................................................................................................... 74 9.2 Alerting Systems .................................................................................................................... 74 9.3 Evacuation Plans ................................................................................................................... 74 9.4 Emergency Evacuation Routes .............................................................................................. 74 9.5 Provision of Refuge Areas ..................................................................................................... 75 10 ALIGHTING AND BOARDING AREAS .......................................................... 77 10.1 Car Parks ............................................................................................................................... 77 10.2 Taxi/Auto Rickshaw Stands ................................................................................................... 78 10.3 Bus Stops ............................................................................................................................... 80 10.4 Railway Stations and Airports ............................................................................................... 81 10.5 Piers and Jetties .................................................................................................................... 84 iv | P a g e