1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Inadequate space inside the elevator cab.
High position of switches, buttons and control panel.
Narrow entry doors.
Insufficient opening time interval.
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To provide well-dimensioned elevators, that disabled people can use conveniently.
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
 The accessible elevator should serve all
floors normally reached by the public.
Key-operated elevators should be used only in
private facilities or when an elevator operator is present.
Wide elevator cabs are preferable to long
ones.
3.2 Elevator cab
The minimum internal elevator dimensions,
allowing for one wheelchair passenger alone, are 1.00 m x 1.30 m (fig. 1).
The door opening should not be less than 0.80
m.
The inside of the elevator should have a
handrail on three sides mounted 0.80 to 0.85 m from the floor (fig. 2).
The maximum tolerance for stop precision
should be 20 mm.
3.3 Control panel
The control panel can be mounted at one of
the alternative locations shown in figure 3.
For ease of reach, the control panel should
be mounted 0.90 m to 1.20 m from the floor (fig. 2).
Control buttons should be in an accessible
location and illuminated. Their diameter should be no smaller than 20 mm.
The numerals on the floor selector buttons
should be embossed so as to be easily identifiable by touch.
3.4 Call buttons
For ease of reach, call buttons should be
mounted 0.90 m to 1.20 m from the floor (fig. 4). 3.5 Floor identifiers
Tactile numerals should be placed on both
sides of the door jambs at an approximate height of 1.50 m to help a lone sightless
passenger to identify the floor reached (fig. 4). 3.6 Hall signal
The elevator hall signal should be placed at
an approximate height of 1.80 m (fig. 4).
3.7 Door re-opening activators
The door opening interval should be no less
than five seconds. Re-opening activators should be provided.
3.8 Audiovisual signals
The elevator should signal arrival at each
floor by means of a bell and a light to alert sightless and hearing-impaired passengers
simultaneously.
3.9 Floor surface
The floor of the elevator and the area in
front of the elevetor on each floor should have a non skid resilient surface or a low-pile
fixed carpet.
3.10 Colour
The colour of the elevator door should
contrast with the surrounding surface so as to be easily distinguishable by persons with
visual impairments.
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
The minimum acceptable size of an existing
elevator cab, allowing for a single wheelchair passenger, is 0.95 m x 1.25 m. Smaller cabs
should be replaced.
The minimum acceptable width of an existing
elevator door opening is 0.75 m.
Call buttons and control panels mounted
higher than the recommended height may be left in place if they are within 1.40 m of the
floor, this being the maximum reach of a wheelchair user.
Controls mounted higher than 1.40 m should be
replaced.
Where there are two identical control panels,
only one need be replaced. |
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