Disability Access certificate requirement

pauleggs

I am considering applying for planning permission for change of use of a first floor office premises to a dental surgery. Access to the first floor is by stairs, a lift will not be possible.

Given that it is not a new building (approx 50 years old), will i require a disability access certificate under the building control acts?

Can a disability access cert still be granted even if wheelchair access will not be possible.? I do not intend employing a chair lift

All thoughts welcome,thanks

BryanF

pauleggs wrote: »

I am considering applying for planning permission for change of use of a first floor office premises to a dental surgery. Access to the first floor is by stairs, a lift will not be possible.

Given that it is not a new building (approx 50 years old), will i require a disability access certificate under the building control acts?

Can a disability access cert still be granted even if wheelchair access will not be possible.? I do not intend employing a chair lift

All thoughts welcome,thanks

If the floor area of the first floor is more than 200msq then yes you may be expect to provide a lift.
If not, you still need to make every effort to comply with TGD M (albeit without the lift)
Have a chat with your local building control, its still a relatively new process so they should be approachable. you should not have any major problems, just be made jump through a few hoops:)

I would recommend you apply for the DAC when applying for the FSC.

pauleggs

Thanks Bryan, excuse my ignorance but whats TGD M?
Its only 80 sq m so i should be okay for a lift.
What other requirements might be necessary?
Can fines/penalties be imposed for commencing works and practice without a DAC.?

BryanF

excuse me Paul, my bad, I presumed you were firmiliar with the general requirements.
TGD M is 'technical guidance documents part M' http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

ie Building regulations (note the 2000 version is being phased out with the new 2010 coming in January

your first concern is planning permission (PP) for the 'change of use', then fire cert (FSC), and IMO sort out the disability access cert (DAC) at that stage.*

* the DAC is only required before opening, but its best to have it through before you do any major work, just in case that building control demand certain things ( a certain corridor width for example)

following PP, FSC and imo DAC you submitt a commence notice and can start a week later.

there are other statutory requirements like Health & safety that you as the owner have ultimately got responsibility for, the is a design stage and construction stage requirement. maybe a Building energy rating (BER) also

simple answer regarding the penalties: any of the above can carry fines and penalties.

my advice employ an Architectural technician (AT). if its not a major job then it wont be major money, there are fixed costs associated with submissions of the above items, but your AT can advise you further. beware the councils may/will attach development charges and possibly larger rates