- Introduction:
Entrances act as barriers to buildings and especially when disabled people are concerned. Proper design case is usually needed to ensure that this barrier is broken. Key considerations have been taken and especially in Secondary School to address such issues and ensure inclusiveness in the entrance are attained.
- Principles of College Design:
Design principles address different issues and characterization of accessibility is one of the factors which these principles are based upon. In this principle, disabled people should have the access to the building independently without any assistance and using the same entrance the non-disabled people are using without issues of discrimination. Proper signage is key for the building to enhance proper entrance without conflict. Color selection and manifestation of the signboards is required. Lastly, according to Bright et al., (2004), proper shelter is a crucial design provision at the entrance. Since delay can happen during the entry period, people need to be protected against harsh weather conditions.
Design Aspect of Door:
Doors are key in the entry to the buildings and from the Drawing 7, three doors having a width of 2000 mm are provided for each entrance therefore allowing easy access and space for maneuvering around. The provision to have the automatically operated sliding doors for buildings with heavy traffic is provided (British Standard, 2009). In addition, as provided on figure 18, glassed sliding doors color will be provided and therefore a manifestation of between 1400 mm and 1600 mm as well as from 850 mm to 1000 mm above the door will be provided to enhance the visual contrast with background. The manifestations on both zones are key to alert children as well as people of short stature (British Standards, 2009). In addition, in order to enhance safer entrance and exiting, automatic activation devices which will be adjusted to open at minimum of 1400 mm from the door will be provided. Additionally, manual activation will be provided on case of failure of the automatic activation and they will be positioned at a height of between 750 mm and 1000 mm above the floor level. An example of the manual activated devices include the motivation pads which are manually operated will be provided (British Standards, 2009).
In order to allow easy access, all doors in the school will have a minimum width of 950 mm. vision panels will also be provided to alert people on presence of other when approaching the doors for alert on fire instances on rooms with smoke. As in figure 18, the internal door will have a minimum vision area of 500 mm and 1500 mm above the floor and minimum width of 100 mm (British Standards, 2009).
The use of lever handles and “D-shape” will be utilized on all the internal doors which will be one-handed door opening furniture. The handles will be will be positioned 900 mm above the floor level and between 700 mm and 1000 mm respectively. Kick plates will be securely fixed at 400 mm deep and adjusted at the bottom of the doors in order to reduce the injury risks. Fittings will be regularly maintained to enhance durability (British Standards, 2009).
4.4 Maneuvering:
In front and inside maneuvering space is important for the entrance doors. The provision of the width of 2000 mm and 950 mm for the external and internal doors respectively will be provided. Also, an unobstructed are of almost 300 mm will be provided on the edge of the doors and return walls (British Standards, 2009).
Additionally, in order to achieve easy maneuvering will be attained through appropriate selection of the flooring system for the reception area where carpet is necessary and availability of debris. Therefore the carpet will be firmly fixed on a firm backing.
4.5 Reception Desk:
Accessibility of the reception desk will be enhanced for all users as seen in figure 21. In addition, slip-resistant surface will be provided on the reception desk area. The reception desk area will have the dimensions are provided on figure 21. Additionally, two h3ights will be provided to enhance accessibility for wheelchair users.
The area in the reception desk is key and will be adequate. A movable chair will be provided which can be used from the wheelchair user’s companion. From the reception area, proper signage for the lifts, WCs, staircases and circulation routes will be provided and easily and universally accessed together with induction loops.
Nevertheless, the provision of the induction loop is not sufficient. Staff members will have additional training to fulfill the disabled people needs. This will be through providing them with enough information and also learning to interact with them.
Lastly, in order to enhance easy access and comfortability on the reception area to all, the area will be fitted with movable and fixed seats with or without arms. According to British Standard, (2006), the seats will have a height of between 450 mm and 475 mm.
