Singapore moves closer to requiring "friendlier, more accessible" buildings

Accessibility code now under fourth review.

In a release, the government announced that the Accessibility Code Review Committee convened by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has drafted a revised version of the Code on Accessibility for the Built Environment (Code).

The draft Code, which is in its fourth review, will be opened for public consultation from 1 April 2013 to 30 April 2013.

The Committee's proposals for the key changes to the Code include:

• Mandatory family-friendly features such as child-friendly toilets and lactation room for nursing mothers in buildings frequented by public.
• More elderly-friendly features such as higher ratio of toilet compartments and urinals that are suitable for ambulant disabled users in selected buildings including office buildings.
• Provision of hearing enhancement system that enables audio signals to be transmitted to persons with hearing disabilities.
• Additional supportive measures for visually impaired such as Braille and tactile information for public toilet signs, staircases and ramps to indicate storey level.
• Wider accessible routes, corridors or paths in buildings frequented by the public.

The new Code is expected to be ready for implementation in the first quarter of 2014 after giving a grace period of at least six months to the industry. This is to allow the industry to have enough time to consider the new requirements while planning for new building projects.

BCA's Chief Executive Officer Dr John Keung said, "Buildings and public spaces are shared among all Singaporeans. Through the Code on Accessibility, we want to make them more accessible and friendlier for all. All of us have family, relatives and friends who may be elderly, parents with infants or the disabled. We share a stake in our built environment. So, we are inviting Singaporeans from all walks of life to give us your comments and build an inclusive Singapore together."

Comprising representatives from government agencies, industry associations and many voluntary welfare organisations, the tripartite Accessibility Code Review Committee began the review at the end of 2010. In reviewing the Code, the Committee's proposals placed greater emphasis on Universal Design concepts and requirements that will benefit more Singaporeans. The needs of the young and parents with infants were also considered so that buildings and public spaces meet a minimum standard of accessibility.