8 | AUGUST 2020
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
ALL INCLUSIVE?
White paper explains why we should
care more about inclusive door design
When talking about
inclusive design, many
people immediately think
of those with a disability or
specific, specialist requirements.
While inclusive
design encompasses the
needs of these people, its
key objective is to make
a site inclusive for all,
no matter what. In fact,
despite public perception
and the wheelchair being
the symbol for accessibility,
less than 8 per cent of
disabilities require the use
of a wheelchair*.
Inclusive design is a key
objective for most modern
building environments
today. Yet there is still
evidence that suggests organisations
from across the
supply chain do not fully
understand the benefits to
be gained from meeting
these requirements.
Titled Inclusive design
– why should you care?,
the new white paper from
ASSA ABLOY Opening
Solutions UK & Ireland illustrates
the importance of
inclusive design, and what
the guidelines governing
this state. These include
Approved Document M
and, crucially, BS 8300-1
and 8300-2:2018, which is
a British Standard setting
out how buildings should
be designed, constructed
and maintained to create
an accessible and inclusive
environment for all. It
applies to both new builds
and refurbishments.
The guidelines governing
inclusive design also include
the Equality Act 2010,
which replaced the Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA)
1995 in Great Britain. Many
in the built environment
still refer to the requirements
of the DDA, illustrating
a considerable lack of
understanding and knowledge
about an Act affecting
inclusive design that is now
ten years out of date.
The white paper discusses
the factors that need
to be considered for door
opening solutions too, and
how to ensure solutions
meet the necessary fire
safety standards.
With this knowledge, fabricators
can then educate
their customers on why it
is critical to ensure aluminium
door hardware meets
the demands of an inclusive
environment, helping
to realise new sales opportunities
in the process.
“Everyone should be
able to access and use a
building and its facilities
easily, comfortably and
independently, including
being able to escape in
the event of a fire or other
emergency,” explains Eryl
Jones, Manging Director
of the ASSA ABLOY Door
Hardware Group.
“Key market drivers, such
as an ageing population
and consumer spending
power, are having an
impact on the need for
inclusive building designs.
For example, the UK
government states that by
2037, those over 65 will
account for nearly a quarter
of the population, and
disability charity Purple
reports that businesses are
losing approximately £2
billion a month by ignoring
the needs of disabled
people. The ‘grey pound’
also accounts for £320
billion of annual household
spending, with the over-50s
holding over three-quarters
of the nation’s financial
wealth.
“There are real benefits
to be gained from
buildings implementing
inclusive solutions. This
includes greater consumer
loyalty and spending
opportunities, as well as
increased differentiation,
credibility and brand
awareness. With inclusive
design a top consideration
for buildings, the fabricator
market is in a unique
position to generate new
sales opportunities with
door and hardware solutions
that can meet these
demands.
“Our new white paper
aims to demystify what
the guidelines governing
inclusive design state, providing
all the key details
that those in the building
industry need to know to
deliver accessible and safe
building environments for
everyone.”
Douglas Masterson,
Technical Manager at the
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
(GAI), adds: “It is
refreshing in the current
climate to see accessibility
being placed firmly on the
agenda through this white
paper. At the moment,
the headlines are rightly
dominated by fire safety –
following the Grenfell tragedy
– and on-going issues
related to the Covid-19
pandemic. While these are
of huge importance, accessibility
must always have
room in any discussion
relating to the construction
industry.
“This paper states: ‘All
those involved in the design
and construction of a
building should not simply
be working towards inclusivity
but demanding it
every single time.’ The GAI
is firmly in favour of this
statement, and the correct
specification of hardware
in a building must have
the issues of accessibility
and inclusive design at its
heart.”
Bob Perry, CEO of the
Door Hardware Federation
(DHF), comments: “It’s
really good to see such
an important message
being highlighted in this
white paper. Our society
is changing – both in
its demographics and its
attitudes – and it is clear
that any company that fails
on inclusivity will be left
behind. At the same time,
however, the requirements
around inclusive design
are somewhat opaque and
there is still much confusion
in the industry.
“What this white paper
from ASSA ABLOY does
is present everything the
industry needs to know
about the issue. It outlines
the relevant standards,
explains what they really
mean, and tells them
exactly what they need to
do to make sure their door
hardware is compliant. On
behalf of the DHF, I recommend
that it is essential
reading.”
To download the white paper for free, please visit:
www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/inclusivedesign
*Disability Sport, ‘Facts and Figures About Disabled People in the UK’, http://www.disabilitysport.org.uk/facts-and-figures-about-disabled-people-in-the-uk.html