This British Standard gives recommendations for the design of accessible and adaptable general needs housing, whether in the form of flats or individual houses. It covers car parking, external access routes to blocks of flats or individual houses, common circulation areas in blocks of flats, circulation areas within dwellings, and the provision of key rooms and facilities.
This British Standard is intended to be used for new dwellings that are designed to be accessible and adaptable. The recommendations can also be used for assessing the accessibility and adaptability of existing dwellings and, where practicable, as a basis for their improvement. The extent to which the recommendations apply to renovations, refurbishments and conversions (including listed and historic buildings) is determined on a case-by-case basis.
This British Standard does not cover the design of public buildings, which are covered in BS 8300:2009+A1. It does not cover purpose-designed wheelchair housing, purpose-designed housing for older people such as "extra care",
"close care", "assisted living" etc., or other types of housing which include assistance or care facilities.
This British Standard does not provide comprehensive advice on the external environment.