Basic conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination for access to urbanized public spaces

17/06/2011
GMV

Nowadays, it is becoming common to see elevators or even escalators in cities or towns where there are steep slopes.

This is largely due to the fact that in a century the proportion of older people has increased from 4% to 18% (*). On the other hand, there is a growing awareness of the need to eliminate architectural barriers to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination of older people or people with disabilities. All these factors have led to the creation of laws and urban regulations that are concerned with guaranteeing these rights.

In this case we are talking about Order VIV/561/2010, of February 1, published in the BOE of March 2010. This technical document sets out the basic conditions for accessibility and non-discrimination of people with disabilities in accessing and using urbanised public spaces.

Table of Contents

What is its scope of application for improving basic accessibility conditions?

This Order is mandatory in all urbanized public spaces and the elements that compose them located in the territory of the Spanish state. It applies to pedestrian areas, living areas, urban elements and pedestrian routes included in urbanized public spaces.

In consolidated urban areas, when it is not possible to meet any of these conditions, alternative solutions will be proposed to guarantee maximum accessibility.

And what is the application regime?

The Technical Document approved by this Order shall not be of obligatory application to new urbanized public spaces, the plans and projects of which are definitively approved during the first six months following its entry into force.

In relation to urbanized public spaces already existing upon the entry into force of this Order, the contents of the Technical Document will be applicable from January 1, 2019, in those that are susceptible to reasonable adjustments, through the modifications and adaptations that are necessary and appropriate and that do not impose a disproportionate or undue burden.

Article 16 – Regarding elevators:

Elevators linked to an accessible pedestrian route must ensure their non-discriminatory use by all persons.
There may not be any gap between the pavement of the accessible pedestrian route and the lift access. There may not be a gap greater than 35 mm wide between the floor of the cabin and the exterior pavement.
The minimum dimensions inside the cabin will be calculated according to the number and position of the doors available:
a. Single-door cabins: 1.10 × 1.40 m.
b. Two-door cabins facing each other: 1.10 × 1.40 m.
c. Two-door corner cabins: 1.40 × 1.40 m.
The doors will open automatically and be partially transparent, allowing visual contact with the outside. They will leave a minimum free passage width of 1.00 m and will have a closing sensor along the entire height of the side.
Handrails shall be fitted to the walls of the car where there are no doors. The handrail gripping area must have a cross-sectional dimension of between 30 and 45 mm, with no sharp edges. The free space between the wall and the gripping area must be at least 35 mm. The height of the upper edge of the gripping area must be between 900 ± 25 mm measured from the car floor.
The exterior and interior push-button panels of the lift will be located between 0.70 m and 1.20 m high. On the outside, the floor number in Braille must be placed on the jambs, and on the inside, the control buttons will be provided with Braille numbers. In both cases, they will be accompanied by raised Arabic characters with a chromatic contrast to the background. The button corresponding to number 5 will have separate tactile signals.
The cabin will have an audible and visual stop indicator and floor number information. It will also have a magnetic induction loop.
Outside the cabin and adjacent to the doors there must be a space where a circle with a minimum diameter of 1.50 m can be inscribed, free of obstacles, which does not invade the accessible pedestrian route.
Outside the cabin, directional indicator tactile paving strips will be placed transversely to the direction of travel in front of the elevator door, on all levels, following the parameters established in article 46.
In addition to the provisions of this article, they shall comply with the essential health and safety requirements relating to the design and manufacture of lifts and safety components specified in Royal Decree 1314/1997 of 1 August, laying down the provisions for the application of Directive 95/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on lifts.