Approved Document M - Access and the use of buildings - Masterclass from NAPIT

This article sets out to explain how electrical installation work in new buildings should be carried out to meet the specified requirements of Approved Document M, which came into force on the 1st May 2004.The first part of the article deals with buildings other than dwellings, which will be of interest to electricians involved with commercial installations. The last part looks at dwellings.

Part M of the Building Regulations 2000 requires reasonable provision to be made to enable people to gain access to and use a building and its facilities. It includes guidance for people with visual and physical disabilities.

Buildings and other dwellings Let’s start by looking at Section 4 of Approved Document M, which covers facilities in buildings other than dwellings, such as:

• lecture and conference facilities
• entertainment and leisure
• social venues
• refreshment facilities and bars
• a proportion of sleeping accommodation, e.g. hotels, motels and student accommodation

Within this section a part is devoted to the position of switches, outlets and controls. When an electrical installation is being designed and installed, consideration must be given to the ease of identification and use, without obstruction of switches, socket outlets, other outlet points, such as TV and telephone, thermostats and programmers for heating systems, door intercoms and doorbell pushes.

To read full article please download below attachment...