Maldives Stipulate Access for All in Buildings Over Five Storeys

An ageing population and increasing awareness of disability issues mean that accessibility has become a key word in planning issues, be it a new park, leisure centre or office block. In the UK, any building with public access that is two storeys or more is required to have lifts in order to provide everyone with easy access.

We’re seeing a change in attitudes across the world now too, which is good news for anyone with mobility problems. In recent weeks, the government in the Maldives has issued new regulations stipulating that all buildings over five storeys must have elevators. In the Maldives, many buildings are constructed to include a lift shaft, but few have actually had a lift installed. In the US, new laws mean that all public pools need to be equipped with a pool lift. There’s no point making the building accessible if people can’t actually get into the pool.

 

Improving Access for All

So public opinion is shifting, and this is being echoed by relevant legislation. Why should anyone with mobility issues be prevented from enjoying life in the same way everyone else does? According to the UK government’s Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Practice Guide, an estimated 20% of the adult population, some 11.7 million people, have a disability. Furthermore, it is anticipated that over the next 40 years the number of people over 65 is set to rise by 40%, while the population as a whole is set to increase by only 7%. And, in fact, being accessible doesn’t simply include people in wheelchairs or on mobility scooters. People with small children, or carrying luggage or with a temporary mobility problem all benefit from what the government describes as an ‘accessible environment’.

Of course, life would be a lot easier if we were to knock every single building down and start again, but naturally this isn’t feasible, much less desirable. The UK has many heritage buildings, and we’re lucky enough to have a rich architectural heritage dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. So providing lift access in a new-build is no problem at all. The problems really arise when it comes to retro-fitting lifts, as building a lift shaft is very often not possible – sometimes for planning reasons (if a building is listed, for example) or if there isn’t sufficient space to install a lift shaft.

 

Complying with Legislation

Many companies and building owners are turning to platform lifts as their preferred solution in order to be DDA compliant, which includes complying with current Building Regulation Part M legislation. These can be installed with minimal impact to a building and minimal disruption, which means that platform lifts are ideal solutions for historical and listed buildings, as well as buildings where space constrictions rule out a traditional lift and shaft. At The Platform Lift Company we specialise in this area, helping new and existing buildings comply with regulations, including the Disability Discrimination Act (2005). And additionally, all our work is compliant with British and European safety standards BS6440 and EN81-41.

Get in touch to talk through
your access requirements

Contact us