For Professionals
(7) Wheelchair Accessibility
There should be space for turning a wheelchair in dining areas and living rooms and adequate circulation space for wheelchairs elsewhere.
Stated specifications and dimensions required to meet criterion
A turning circle of 1500mm diameter or a turning ellipse of 1700mm x 1400mm is required in dining areas and living rooms.
Frequently asked questions - Criterion 7
Q Are turning circles required in kitchens and bathrooms?
A No, turning circles are only required in living rooms, and dining areas (where provided). They are not required in bathrooms, kitchens, or other rooms.
Q Is a space of 1000mm between kitchen units adequate for manoeuvrability in a kitchen?
A Although a 1500mm turning circle is not a Lifetime Home requirement in a kitchen, we would advise a minimum distance of 1200mm between the front edge of kitchen units or appliances and a fixed obstruction opposite as this would enable a wheelchair user to turn to face the unit / appliance. It would be expected that if a wheelchair user was to begin using the kitchen some adaptation to create knee spaces under the sink and other key functional spaces would occur. These, together with a minimum 1200mm clear width between units should enable basic adequate circulation within the Lifetime Home kitchen.
Q Is the turning circle requirement in living and dining areas clear of optimum furniture layouts?
A It is acceptable to allow some minor rearrangement of typical furniture layout such as removal of centrally placed coffee tables, repositioning of a dining table against a wall, to enable the turning circles, providing adequate furniture provision for occupancy levels can be maintained.
Additional good practice recommendations
(i) Provide a turning circle of minimum1500mm diameter, or an ellipse at least 1700mm x 1400mm at floor level within kitchen / kitchen areas. This may encroach under work surfaces that have clear space below.
(ii) Provide in at least one main bedroom, a 1500mm clear turning circle.
(iii) Provide a bathroom layout that meets the requirements of Criterion 14 and provides a 1500mm clear turning circle if the bath is removed and replaced with an accessible shower facility.