Accessibility Compliance Inspection

Per EN 17210 and ISO 21542, accessible parking spaces must be provided at the closest practical distance to the building entrance. Accessible spaces must have minimum dimensions of 3600 mm wide (including a 1200 mm access zone) and 5000 mm long per EN 17210. The route from accessible parking to the building entrance must be step-free with a maximum gradient of 1:20 (5 %) and a maximum cross-fall of 1:50 (2 %). The surface must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant per EN 17210 Clause 6.2. Accessible spaces must be clearly marked with the International Symbol of Access.

1. Count the number of accessible parking spaces and verify compliance with the minimum provision ratio per EN 17210 and applicable national regulations

2. Measure accessible space dimensions — minimum 3600 mm width including 1200 mm marked access zone and 5000 mm length

3. Verify the accessible route from parking to building entrance is step-free, measuring gradient (maximum 1:20) and cross-fall (maximum 1:50) using a digital inclinometer

4. Check surface conditions along the accessible route for firmness, stability, and slip resistance — no loose gravel, uneven paving, or drainage grates with gaps exceeding 13 mm

5. Confirm accessible spaces are clearly marked with the International Symbol of Access on the ground surface and on a vertical sign visible when the space is occupied

- Accessible parking spaces located too far from the building entrance or blocked by bollards and street furniture

- Access zone between spaces obstructed by kerbs, columns, or landscaping elements preventing wheelchair transfer

- Gradient on the route from parking to entrance exceeds 1:20 without provision of a compliant ramp with handrails

- Surface deterioration creating trip hazards or drainage grates aligned parallel to the direction of travel

Per EN 17210 Clause 7.2 and ISO 21542, the principal entrance must be accessible to all users. The minimum clear opening width for doors must be 850 mm per EN 17210, with a minimum 300 mm nib wall on the pull side of the door to allow wheelchair users to reach the handle. Door opening force must not exceed 30 N for internal doors and 40 N for external doors. Thresholds must not exceed 20 mm in height and must be bevelled where they exceed 5 mm. Automatic doors must comply with EN 16005 for safety of use.

1. Measure the clear opening width of the principal entrance and all doors on accessible routes — minimum 850 mm per EN 17210

2. Check nib wall provision on the pull side of each door — minimum 300 mm clearance between the door handle and any adjacent wall or obstruction

3. Measure door opening force using a force gauge at the leading edge — maximum 30 N internal, 40 N external per EN 17210

4. Inspect thresholds for maximum height (20 mm), bevelled profile, and colour contrast with the adjacent floor surface

5. Verify automatic doors comply with EN 16005, including safety sensors, hold-open time sufficient for slow-moving users, and visible and audible warnings

- Clear opening width reduced below 850 mm by projecting door hardware, draught seals, or frames

- Nib wall missing on the pull side, making it impossible for wheelchair users to reach and operate the door handle

- Door closers adjusted to excessive force, exceeding the 30 N maximum for internal doors

- Thresholds too high or not bevelled, creating a trip hazard and barrier for wheelchair users

Per EN 17210 Clause 7.3 and ISO 21542, corridors on accessible routes must have a minimum clear width of 1500 mm to allow two wheelchair users to pass. Where the corridor width is less than 1500 mm, passing places of minimum 1800 mm x 1800 mm must be provided at maximum 25 m intervals. The minimum headroom must be 2100 mm throughout. Floor surfaces must be slip-resistant per EN 13845 and provide a light reflectance value (LRV) contrast of at least 30 points between floor and walls for orientation by visually impaired users.

1. Measure corridor clear widths at the narrowest points, accounting for radiators, fire extinguishers, and other projections — minimum 1500 mm per EN 17210

2. Where corridors are narrower than 1500 mm, verify passing places of minimum 1800 mm x 1800 mm are provided at maximum 25 m intervals

3. Check headroom throughout the accessible route — minimum 2100 mm clear height, with any projection below this protected by a detectable barrier at floor level

4. Verify LRV contrast between floor and wall surfaces is at least 30 points using a colour contrast analyser or LRV data from product specifications

5. Inspect floor surfaces for slip resistance, flatness, and absence of hazards such as loose mats, raised edges, or changes in level exceeding 5 mm

- Corridor width reduced below minimum by retrospectively installed radiators, display boards, or temporary storage

- Headroom compromised by suspended signage, exposed services, or sloping soffits without cane-detectable protection

- Insufficient LRV contrast between floor and walls, making corridor boundaries indistinguishable for visually impaired users

- Loose floor mats or rugs creating trip hazards and impeding wheelchair movement

Per EN 17210 Clause 7.5 and ISO 21542, ramps on accessible routes must have a maximum gradient of 1:12 (8.3 %) for rises up to 500 mm and 1:20 (5 %) for longer ramps. Level landings of minimum 1500 mm length must be provided at maximum 10 m intervals and at every change of direction. Handrails must be provided on both sides at heights of 900 mm and 700 mm per EN 17210. Stairs must have uniform risers (maximum 170 mm) and treads (minimum 280 mm), with contrasting nosings and tactile warning surfaces at the top landing per EN 17210 Clause 7.4.

1. Measure ramp gradient using a digital inclinometer — maximum 1:12 for rises up to 500 mm, maximum 1:20 for longer ramps per EN 17210

2. Verify level landings are provided at top, bottom, and at maximum 10 m intervals, with minimum dimensions of 1500 mm x 1500 mm

3. Check handrails on both sides at 900 mm and 700 mm heights, extending 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the ramp, with a profile diameter of 40–50 mm

4. Inspect stair nosings for minimum 55 mm depth contrasting strip with LRV difference of at least 30 points from the tread and riser

5. Verify tactile warning surfaces (800 mm deep, full width) at the top of each flight of stairs per EN 17210 Clause 7.4

- Ramp gradient exceeds 1:12 due to insufficient space allocation during design, making independent wheelchair use impossible

- Handrails missing on one side, not extending beyond the ramp, or having an uncomfortable grip diameter

- Stair nosing contrast worn away or originally insufficient, creating a fall hazard for visually impaired users

- Tactile warning surfaces missing at the top of stairs or installed with incorrect dimensions or positioning

Per EN 81-70 and EN 17210 Clause 7.6, accessible passenger lifts must have a minimum car size of 1100 mm wide x 1400 mm deep for a single wheelchair user. The clear door opening must be minimum 900 mm. Controls must be mounted between 900 mm and 1200 mm above floor level, with tactile markings and Braille per EN 81-70 Annex E. An audible and visual floor indicator must be provided. Platform lifts, where permitted, must comply with EN 81-41 with a minimum platform size of 900 mm x 1400 mm.

1. Measure lift car internal dimensions — minimum 1100 mm x 1400 mm for a standard accessible lift, or 2000 mm x 1400 mm where stretcher access is required per EN 81-70

2. Verify door clear opening width is minimum 900 mm and door dwell time is sufficient for slow-moving users (minimum 8 seconds)

3. Check control panel mounting height (900–1200 mm above floor level), tactile numbering, and Braille markings per EN 81-70 Annex E

4. Confirm audible floor announcements and visual floor indicators are functioning correctly inside the car and at each landing

5. Inspect the 1500 mm x 1500 mm clear manoeuvring space in front of lift doors at every landing per EN 17210

- Lift car dimensions too small for a wheelchair user to enter, turn, and reach the controls independently

- Control panel mounted too high or recessed behind a narrow opening, inaccessible from a seated position

- Door dwell time too short, closing on slow-moving users before they have fully entered or exited the car

- Audible announcements disabled or inaudible, and Braille markings on controls worn or missing

Per EN 17210 Clause 8.3 and ISO 21542, accessible WC compartments must have minimum internal dimensions of 1700 mm x 2200 mm to allow lateral wheelchair transfer. The WC pan centre must be positioned 450–500 mm from the side wall. Grab rails must be provided on both sides — a fixed horizontal rail on the wall side and a hinged drop-down rail on the transfer side — both at 680 mm above floor level per EN 17210. The wash basin must be wall-mounted at a rim height of 800 mm with knee clearance beneath. An emergency assistance alarm with a pull cord reachable from floor level must be provided.

1. Measure the accessible WC compartment internal dimensions — minimum 1700 mm x 2200 mm clear of all fittings and fixtures per EN 17210

2. Verify WC pan position at 450–500 mm from centre to the adjacent wall, with the seat height at 460–480 mm above floor level

3. Check grab rail positions — fixed rail on wall side and hinged drop-down rail on transfer side, both at 680 mm height, capable of supporting 1.5 kN load

4. Confirm the emergency assistance alarm has a pull cord reaching within 100 mm of floor level, with reset capability only from within the compartment

5. Verify the wash basin rim height (800 mm), knee clearance beneath, and lever-type or sensor-operated taps accessible from a seated position

- Accessible WC compartment used for storage, reducing the clear manoeuvring space below the required minimum

- Drop-down grab rail tied up or missing, preventing lateral transfer from a wheelchair

- Emergency alarm pull cord cut short or tied up out of reach from floor level, rendering it useless in an emergency

- Door opening inward, reducing internal space and potentially trapping a person who has fallen

Per EN 17210 Clause 9 and ISO 21542, signage must be provided at key decision points along all accessible routes. Signs must have a minimum character height calculated from the intended viewing distance per EN 17210, with an LRV contrast of at least 30 points between text and background. Tactile and Braille information must be provided on room identification signs, mounted at 1400–1600 mm height on the wall adjacent to the door handle side. Wayfinding systems must incorporate visual, tactile, and audible elements to serve users with different sensory abilities per Directive (EU) 2019/882.

1. Verify signage is provided at all key decision points — corridor junctions, stairwells, lift lobbies, and accessible facility locations per EN 17210 Clause 9

2. Check character height and LRV contrast — minimum 30 points contrast between text and background, with sans-serif font and non-reflective finish

3. Inspect tactile and Braille room identification signs for correct mounting position (1400–1600 mm height, on the door handle side wall)

4. Confirm the International Symbol of Access is used consistently to identify all accessible routes, facilities, and parking spaces

5. Verify wayfinding continuity — check that an accessible route can be followed from arrival point to all key destinations using the signage system alone

- Signage mounted too high, at inconsistent heights, or behind open doors where it cannot be read

- Insufficient LRV contrast between text and background, particularly in artificially lit corridors

- Tactile and Braille signs missing from room identification, or mounted on the wrong side of the doorway

- Wayfinding system incomplete, with gaps at critical decision points leaving users unable to navigate independently