VIET NAM CONSTRUCTION STANDARD

TCXDVN 264 : 2002

HOUSES AND BUILDINGS ÷ BASIC RULES OF ACCESSIBLE

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES

1
 FOREWORD
TCXDVN 264: 2002 is compiled on the basis of the Ordinance on
PWD:

Article 26.- “The investment for new construction or reconstruction of

dwelling houses, of public amenities and for design, manufacture of
domestic furnitures, of transport and communication means ... must take
into account the needs for convenient use by PWD, firstly of mobility and
sight PWD, and at the same time have to comply with construction codes,
standards issued by competent state agencies”.

TCXDVN 264: 2002 is compiled by the Research Institute for

Architecture – Ministry of Construction and Panel for elaborating “Building
Codes and Standards of Construction Accessibility for People With
Disabilities”, submitted by the Department of Science and Technology -
Ministry of Construction, has been approved, signed and issued by the said
Ministry for enforcement.

The Standards have been compiled with the cooperation and

financial assistance by President’s Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities (PCEPD) and the Vietnam Assistance for
Handicapped (VNAH).

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VIETNAM CONSTRUCTION STANDARD
TCXDCN 264:2002

Houses and Building - Basic rules of accessible design and construction for PWD.

1. Scope of Application
1.1. This standard is applied in the new construction of works for ensuring the accessibility
and use by mobility and sight PWD.
In cases of need for reconstruction, upgrade of works with requirements for ensuring
accessibility and use by PWD, the regulations of this standard must be enforced.
1.2. When applying regulations in this standard, the regulations of building codes ensuring
accessibility and use by PWD must be respected.
1.3. It is mandatory to ensure safety on walking paths and facilities for PWD accessibility to
and use of works according to Article 2.1 of Building codes.
2. Standard cited
- Vietnam Building Codes
- Building code of construction accessibility for people with disabilities
- TCXD 228:1998 - Walking paths for PWD in buildings. Part 1. Walking paths for
wheelchair users. Requirements on design.

3. Terminology - Definition
Terms used in this standard are stipulated in the Building code for construction in view
of ensuring PWD’s accessibility and use QCXDVN 01:2002
4. General regulations
4.1. Requirements on design of houses and buildings for ensuring PWD’s accessibility and
use must be in accordance with regulations in table 1.

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TCXDVN 264: 2002
Table 1: Design components of houses and buildings

Scope of areas to be designed

Type of buildings for ensuring PWD’s Basic requirements
accessibility and use
1 2 3
Different levels of people - Walking ways, car parking - Arrangement of structure and
committees’ offices, Tribunal, grounds; function of building’s parts for
Prosecutor’s Institutes , Offices - Entry, exit gates; ensuring PWD’s accessibility
of State administration bodies - Reception desks and public and use.
and organizations activity areas; - Meeting, conference venues
- Working seats and specific needing seat arrangement for
equipment PWD
Culture, sport works such as: - Walking ways, car parking - Arrangement of structure and
Parks, entertainment areas, grounds, function of building’s parts for
zoos, theaters, cinemas, - Entry, exit gates, ensuring PWD’s accessibility
museums, exhibition, cultural - Reception desks and public and use.
buildings, clubs, libraries, activity areas, - Reading rooms, spectators’
tourism areas, vestiges, - Emergency escape when rooms, tribunes must be
picturesque landscapes, accident occurs arranged with seats for PWD
stadiums, sport/gym grounds, - Helping equipment
contest halls.... - Spectators’ area
Public service buildings: hotels, - Walking ways, car parking - Arrangement of structure and
rest houses, boarding houses, grounds, function of building’s part for
shops, and eating/drinking - Entry, exit gates ensuring PWD’s accessibility
services, post offices, trade - Reception desks and public and use.
centers, super markets, markets, activity areas, business activity - Lift must be available on all
banks. areas, service storeys.
- Emergency escape when - At shops, bazaars, there must
accident occurs, be sloping paths in entry/exit
- Helping equipment doors, in seats, reception
- Rooms’ area places.
- Beds, equipment and facilities
must be arranged in rooms
reserved to PWD

Public health buildings: Scope of use by patients - Arrangement of structure and

hospitals, centers for orthopedic function of building’s parts for
and functional restoration, ensuring PWD’s accessibility
disease consultation and and use
treatment units, sanatorium
centers.
Educational buildings: different - Walking ways, car parking - Arrangement of structure and
levels’ primary schools, grounds function of building’s parts for
vocational schools, colleges/ - Entry, exit gates ensuring PWD’s accessibility
universities, specialized - Class- rooms, labos. and use.
secondary schools - Students’ seat places and - In classrooms, there must be
specially used equipment. seat places for PWD

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Collective houses - Walking ways, car parking - Arrangement of structure and
grounds function of building’s parts for
- Entry, exit gates ensuring PWD’s accessibility
- Spaces in house interior and use
- Arrangement of equipment,
furnitures
Transport building works: roads, Scope of use by passengers - Arrangement of structure and
sidewalks, stations for vehicles, function of building’s parts for
railway stations, airports, ensuring PWD’s accessibility
passengers’ transport harbors, and use
car-waiting spots - Lines of ways/paths for PWD’s
accessibility and circulation
Note:
1) Structure and function of building’s parts comprise slopes, entry/exit gates/doors, corridors, walkways,
staircases, lifts (elevators), toilets, bathrooms, special public spaces such as seat places, reception
desks, telephone booths.
The concrete arrangement must be based on requirements to define it properly.
2) Regarding reconstructed works, it must be based on actual state of works for selecting appropriate
solutions.
3) Regarding works specially reserved to PWD, it is possible to refer to this standard for adequate
design.

4.2. In housing areas, in public buildings or in densely populous zones, it is necessary to

have at least one entrance way for ensuring PWD’s accessibility and use. The height
of entrance way must be the same with that of the house floor or of the soil surface. If
these heights are different, there must be adequate slope.
4.3. If the entrance way has footsteps, it is necessary to arrange handrails in both sides so
that people who move with difficulty on crutches, on sticks could walk through.
4.4. In car parking grounds, places must be arranged for PWD’s wheelchairs, just adjacent
to sloping way or to entry/exit path of the buildings. There must be guiding posts at
parking places of PWD’s wheelchairs.
4.5. Lifts in buildings must ensure following requirements:
a) Serving all floors;
b) Convenient entry path for wheelchairs;
c) Clearance dimensions of lift cabin must ensure accessibility and use by PWD;
d) System of lift’s switchboards must be adequately accessible to wheelchair users
and blind people;
e) There must be handrails at lift cabin walls;
f) In lift cabin there must be sound devices, raised symbols and Braille raised dots for
blind people

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4.6. On entrance way, entry path to buildings and in public spaces in buildings, for ensuring
PWD’s accessibility and use, signposts, guiding posts according to international
convention must be arranged and put in easily visible recognizable places
5. Design requirements
5.1. Sloping ways
5.1.1. Entrance ways to buildings for ensuring PWD’s accessibility and use must be flat,
plane, unrugged, unslippery and without brusque change of level. Where there is
brusque change of level, it is necessary to design sloping way.
5.1.2. Sloping ways of entrance reserved to PWD using wheelchairs are calculated for
design as follows:
- Slope: - Not over 1/12 for public buildings
- From 1/10 to 1/20 for collective houses.
- Width of sloping way no less than 1,000mm to 1,200mm;
- Where length of sloping way being over 9,000mm, it is necessary to arrange
landing place. Length of landing place being not less than 2,000mm; landings are
arranged with equal distances not exceeding 9,000mm (see fig. 1 and fig. 2)

Fig.1: Slope plan outside the house

Fig.2: Slope plan with landing in the

- corner

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 - At the two sides of sloping way, handrails must be arranged. Details for design of
handrails are shown in article 5.6.
Note:
1) When sloping way changes direction, it is necessary to arrange L-form landing with each
length of 2,000mm ....
2) Regarding reconstructed, upgraded buildings, allowed slope in sloping way in 1/10, and
allowed length is 6,000mm
5.1.3. At the top and end of sloping way, it must be a free space with not than 1,500mm
long for wheelchair moving.
5.1.4. Balustrade, handrail must be arranged at both sides of sloping way. Where a side of
sloping way has an empty space, then in the lower part of balustrade, handrail, it is
advised to arrange safety relief with height not less than 50mm or barring fence, see
fig.3.

Fig.3: Safety balustrade of sloping way

5.2. Entry path

5.2.1. For buildings with preservation requirement or buildings where it is impossible to
arrange sloping ways, it is necessary to build entry path with steps for people having
difficulties in moving on crutches, sticks and blind men. Entry path with steps must
ensure following requirements (see fig. 4)
- Height of steps: less than or equal to 150mm;
- Width of step surface no less than 300mm;
- Not to use half-open steps;
- Landing to be arranged at top step;
- Where there are more than 3 steps, handrails must be arranged on both sides of
steps. Details for design of handrails are shown in article 5.6.
Note: For collective houses, it is permitted that the step height being 120mm to
160mm. Width of step surface: 250mm to 400mm.

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 Fig.4: Entrance way with steps
1. Smallest dimensions of space before entrance way: 1500mm x 1,500mm; 2. Door
of entrance way laid in the gorge of wall; 3. Handrail prolonged at the extremity
slope; 4. Handrail prolonged at the end of slope; 5. Entrance way with steps; 6.
Sidewalk; 7. Handrail arranged at a height of 900mm; 8. Sloping way with slope of
1/12, 1200mm wide
5.2.2. Entrance way to hall, corridor with different heights must be arranged with sloping
path. Slope must not exceed 1/12. Width of sloping path being not less than 900mm
(see fig 5,6 and 7)

Fig 5: Perspective of sloping path (wide base)

Fig 6: Perspective of sloping path (prolonged)

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 Fig 7: Perspective of sloping path with continued sidewalk
5.3. Car parking grounds and car waiting spots
5.3.1. Data for calculating parking places for PWD are as follows:
- Wheelchair, motorbike: from 2,35sqm/vehicle to 3 sq.m/vehicle
- Bicycle: 0,9sqm/each
- Car: from 15sqm to 18sqm/vehicle
Note: Regarding place for car, it is necessary to arrange a clearance space beside
or behind the car for Wheelchair user could ascend and descend. Width being from
900mm to 1,200mm (for bus, it is 2,500mm). If two cars are adjoining, it could be so
arranged as having a common space for wheelchairs in - between (see fig.8)

Fig 8: Dimensions prescribed for a parking place

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5.3.2. At car waiting spots, it is necessary to design sloping streaks or sloping paths
ensuring PWD accessibility to transport means. Details for design of sloping streaks,
sloping parks are stipulated in article 5.1.2.
5.4. Doors
5.4.1. Doors in buildings to ensure PWD use must be arranged at convenient and safe
passage ways. Where the building is equipped with lift, doors must be arranged near
the lift cabin.
Note: Doors comprise gate, entrance way without door, entry/exit door to and from
hall.
5.4.3. Inside and outside the door, it must be a clearance space with dimensions 1,500mm
x 1,500mm.
5.4.4. If the door comprises two layers, the clearance interval between layers must be no
less than 1,200mm.
5.4.5. It is advised to use doors opening to both sides and automatically opened, closed
doors, pushed doors and rotary doors instead of doors opened by hand. Not to use
too heavy door or many-winged revolved doors. Width of door being not less than
800mm for houses, 900mm for public buildings; not to arrange doors close to wall
corners.
Note: Force deployed for opening, closing all types of
doors shall not exceed 30N (3Kg.m/s2) and could open
doors up to an angle of 900.
5.4.6. Door knobs must be easily/smoothly operated and close to
key holes. Door knobs must rotate clockwise and
arranged at 800mm to 1,100mm from the floor surface.
5.4.7. Where door opening opposite to the direction of walk path,
it is necessary to arrange a clearance space with a width
over 500mm on the side of door knob/see fig.9)
Fig 9: Direction for access to door
5.4.8. Not to put door sill or salience on the inner side for door with clearance space less
than 800mm
Note:1) It is only permitted to put door-sill on the inner side for doors with clearance
space over 800mm, but not with height over 10mm;
2) Modes for opening the door (see fig 10)
5.4.9. Regarding pulled door, slide door, accordion door, the clearance spaces for each
type are calculated according to tables 2, 3.
Note: Regarding building works with doors width exceeding or equal to 1,100mm
such as doors of rooms in hospitals, these requirements on dimensions are not
prescribed.
a) Pulled doors: clearance space for wheelchairs as in fig 11.
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 In case of closed door or locked door, there dimensions are extended with additional
300mm.

Fig 10: Modes for opening door

Directly opened Both doors opened Doors opened Doors opened to

doors to inside from a side tow different
directions
Toward frontal walkway, pull side
Toward frontal walkway, push side

Toward hinge walk way, pull side Toward hinge walk way, push side

Fig 11: Clearance space for ordinary pulled doors

Table 2: Clearance space for wheelchair v.s. pulled door
Type of door Clearance space, not less than, in mm
Direction of walkway Door face Perpendicular to Under the lock parallel
door to the door
From front side Pull 1 500 500
From front side Push 1 200

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From hinge side Pull 1 500 900
1 300 1 000
From hinge side Push 1 000 1 300
From lock side Pull 1 200 600
From lock side Push 1 000 600
b) Slide door and accordion door: Clearance space for wheelchair moving is shown
in table 3 and fig 12
Table 3: Clearance space for wheelchair regarding slide door and accordion
door
Direction of walk way Clearance space, not less than (mm)
Perpendicular to door Parallel to door
From front side 1200
From hinge side 1000 1300
From lock side 1000 600

Fig 12: Clearance space regarding push-door and accordion door

c) For entrance ways without door: Clearance space for wheelchair moving with
entrance way under 800mm must be 1,200mm.
d) For two opposite doors: Clearance space for wheelchair moving between the two
doors when they are opened toward two different directions must be not less than
1,200mm plus the width of door. Doors in the same range/row could be opened
to a same direction or two different directions
5.4.10. Regarding automatic doors, a clearance space of 900mm must also be ensured.
On the face of automatic doors there must be guiding posts, moreover there must
be contact surface on both sides of doors for warning and also sound signal for
blind people.
5.4.11. Door accessories such as knobs, pulling devices, lock blocks, keys and other details
ensuring accessibility and use by PWD must be installed at a height of 800mm
÷1,100mm from the floor or ground surface. Regarding slide doors, the accessories
of doors must be fit to work from both sides.
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 Note: Locks must be used only for security purpose, not for ordinary activities
anywhere.
5.4.12. Time interval for closing/opening door from position of door open 900 to 120 must
not be less than 5 seconds.
5.4.13. Time interval for closing/opening door with spring hinges from position of door open
700 to closing position must not be less than 1.5 second.
5.4.14. Regarding glass door, an arrow must be marked along the vertical position of door
for warning the users. There must be colour contrast between the wall and the door
for easy distinction.
5.4.15.Vision hole arranged on the door must be installed at a height of not more than
1000mm above the floor level.
5.5. Corridor, passage way
5.5.1. Clearance width of corridor, passage way is as follows:
- For passage of one wheelchair: not less than 1,200mm;
- For passage of one wheelchair and one pedestrian from opposite direction: not
less than 1,500mm
- For passage of two wheelchairs: not less than 1,800mm (see fig.13)
5.5.2. At the spot where a corridor changes direction, the corridor must be 900mm wide,
and 1,200mm wide if there is a door. (see fig.14)
5.5.3. Where at two sides of corridor there is wall salience, the clearance width must be as
stipulated in clause 5.5.1.
5.5.4. Handrails must be arranged in two sides of passage way at 900mm height. Rotation
angle at turning points must be round-arched wall or right angle wall.
Where at the extremity of passage way or at the end, it appears a level difference
with floor surface or ground, there must be a balustrade, a shield plate/salience,
and safety signpost shall be arranged accordingly.

Fig 13: Width of passage way

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 Fig 14: Width of corridor changing direction
5.5.5. Clearance dimensions for wheelchair moving in corridor, passage way, are regulated
as follows:
a) Direct, right angle entrance way (see fig 15): clearance dimensions being
1,200mm x 900mm.

Fig 15: Direct, right angle entrance way

b) Parallel entrance way (see fig 16): clearance dimensions being 1,500 mm x 800
mm.

Fig 16: Parallel entrance way

5.5.6. On passage ways, it is permissible that

salience could be protruded up to 100mm out
of the wall and installed at a height of 600mm
above the floor surface, and if they protrude
from the ceiling, it is 2,000mm over the floor
surface (see fig 17)
Note: Handrail of staircase and sloping way
could be allowed to protrude at most by
115mm.
Fig 17: Allowed limit for salience in passage way.

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5.5.7. Objects being fastened/stuck on axles such as ad posters, public pay phones, letter
boxes.... are allowed to be protruded 300mm on each side and installed at 600mm
and over 2,000mm from the floor surface (see fig 18).

Fig 18: Allowed limit for salience of objects fastened on axles

5.5.8. Passage way with gradually lowered clearance height and less than 2,000mm width
must be protected by shield bar. Height for installing shield bar in at least 700mm
from floor surface (see fig 19)

Fig 19: Gradually lowered clearance height

5.5.9. Clearance space under the knees and place for feet putting of wheelchair user are
regulated as follows (see fig. 20):
- Distance from floor surface to above the knees: 650mm;
- Distance from floor surface to under the knees: 500mm;
- Place for feet putting: 200mm
5.5.10. Reach of arm by wheelchair user (from the floor surface or the ground) is as follows:
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 a) Where there is not frontal barrier: max 1200mm and min 400mm (see fig 21)
b) Where there is frontal barrier protruding to 500mm, then the maximum reach of
arm is 1,200mm; if the frontal barrier protrudes to more than 500mm and less
than 650mm, the reach of arm shall be 1100mm (see fig 22)

Distance from floor Distance from floor Place for feet putting
surface to above the surface to under the
knees

Fig 20: Space for knees and feet

Fig 21: Upper reach of arm of

Wheelchair user without barrier

Fig 22: Height of arm reach by

Wheelchair user when there is
frontal barrier
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 c) Where there is no barrier on both sides, the
maximum reach of arm being 1,200mm, and
the minimum being 400mm (see fig 23)
d) Where there is barrier on both sides, and
the salience of barrier being 250mm, then
the maximum height of reach of arm should
be 1,200mm
If the barrier protrudes to more than 250mm and
less than 600mm, then the maximum height of
reach of arm shall be 1150mm (see fig 24)

Fig 23: Reach of arm to the side without barrier

Fig 24: Reach of arm to the side with barrier

5.6. Handrail
5.6.1. Handrail must be arranged continuously at both sides of sloping way, entrance way
with graded steps and corridor.
Handrail must be easily grasped and firmly fastened with walls. It is advised to
adopt round handrails with diameter from 25mm to 50mm, and installed at a height
of 900mm from the floor surface. Distance between handrail and the wall being not
less than 40mm. Details for designing handrail are shown in fig 25.
Note: it is possible to arrange two handrails at a side of sloping way. The lower
handrail is installed at a height of 700mm to 800mm from floor surface for
wheelchair user (see fig 26)
5.6.2. Handrail at the extremity and the end of sloping way must be prolonged by 300mm

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5.6.3. Handrail shall not rotate in its fastening connections and be made by materials
ensuring a force resistance of 1,100N (110 Kg.m/s+2+0 at any points.

Fig 25: Details for designing handrail

Fig 26: Position for arranging two handrails on one side

5.7. Staircase, up and down steps

5.7.1. Staircases for ensuring accessibility and use by people with moving difficulties are
regulated as follows:
- No use of semi-circled, spiralled staircases;
- Width of stair flight not less than 1,200mm
- Stair surface should not be slippery, and no square edged stair is adopted;
- Grooved staircases are not adopted.
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- Handrails must be arranged continuously and at 900mm height. At the extremity
and the end of staircase, handrails are prolonged with an additional 300mm.
Details of handrails are stipulated in article 5.6.
Note: Where carpet is spread on staircase, it must be firmly lined. The carpet edge
must be fastened to the floor for not being an obstacle to PWD. The stair-toe must
not be receding to entangle shoe-caps or crutches.
5.7.2. The width of stair surface is no less than 300mm. Height of stair must not
exceed 150mm (see fig 27).

Fig. 27: Width of stair surface and height of stair

5.7.3. Stair-toes are designed to not exceed 25mm. If stair toes protrude from stair
body, they must be curvilinear or rounded (see fig. 28)

Fig. 28: Stair toes

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 5.7.4. Height of one stair flight shall not exceed 1,800mm and landing must be
arranged. Width of landing is not less than 1,200mm. Distance between handrails’
upper face with the first stair surface and the end stair must not exceed 1,000mm
by vertical direction (see fig 29)

Width of stair case

extremity being 1,200mm

Fig 29: dimensions of staircase

ous handrail around

5.7.5.

Regarding reconstructed buildings where lift could not be installed, a system of lift
platform by specialized devices fastened on balustrade or pulley could be adopted
(see fig 30,31 and 32). Handrails at 900mm height should be arranged on both
sides of staircase.

Fig 30: Lifting equipment

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Fig 31: Lifting equipment
21
 In cases of high rise
buildings, it is necessary to
install system for lifting or
lowering by specialized
devices fastened on
balustrade or pulley

Fig 32: Specialized devices

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5.8. Lift/elevator
5.8.1. Safety requirement when installing and using lift or electric lift must abide by
regulations in standards TCVN 5744: 1993 Lift - Safety requirement and use, and
TCVN 6395:1998 Electric lift - Safety requirement on construction and installation
5.8.2. Lift door is opened laterally and clearance dimension when opening is not less than
900mm. Depending on door position, clearance dimensions in the interior of lift cabin
are adopted as per regulations in table 4 and fig 32.

Table 4: Smallest dimensions of lift cabin door

Door position Clearance width of Width in the interior Dimensions of depth

door (mm) of lift cabin (mm) between hind wall
and fore wall (mm)
Middle arranged 900 2,100 1,300
Side arranged 900 1,800 1,300
Any where 900 1,400 2,100
900 1,500 1,500

Control Control
buttons buttons
Middle opening door Side opening door

Fig 33: Lift cabin s dimensions

5.8.3.
Area of
waiting
Control buttons Control buttons
space
before
entering
lift
being
no less
than

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 1,500mm x 1,500mm
5.8.4. Lift door is equipped with automatic close/open devices. Time interval for
closing/opening must be over 20 seconds.
5.8.5. Switchboard in lift cabin is installed at level not over 1,200mm and not under 900mm
from the floor surface of lift to the center of the highest button. On control buttons,
there must be symbols or touch sensitive signals and Braille raised dots for blind
persons. Symbols and Braille raised dots are shown in fig 34.
Note: Lift control system includes emergency button, alarm whistle, fire alarm
constituting a group arranged under the switchboard.

Fig 34: Symbols and signals on lift entry for blind

personsin a height not over 1,200mm and
5.8.6. Call buttons in front of lift cabin door are installed
not under 900mm from the floor surface. This height being counted from the
center of call buttons.
5.8.7. Raised symbols and Braille dots system shall be arranged right in the left side of
corresponding buttons. Modes of identification of symbols and raised dots are
stipulated in table 5.
5.8.8. In lift cabin, it is advised to install both acoustic signals and visible figures for
identifying position of the floor to be reached by the lift.
Acoustic signal shall be emitted once for ascending direction and twice for
descending direction or by spoken announcement stressing “up” or ”down”.
Acoustic signal will have maximum frequency of 1,500 Hz. Acoustic signal emitted
through spoken words is at least 10 dBA, but not exceed 80 dBA as measured at
call button in the hall. This signal will automatically announce the floor number
where the lift stops.
5.8.9. The extent/level of lighting at the switchboard of lift, at floor surface, threshold and
waiting space in front of lift cabin must not be less than 60 lux.
Table 5: Symbols of call and control buttons in lift

24
25
5.9. Floor and ground
5.9.1. Floor or ground surface in the clearance space for wheelchair moving must be flat,
plane, unslippery.
Where there is brusque change of level, it is necessary to arrange proper sloping
way. If there is carpet spreading on floor surface, it must be firmly fastened. The
outer rim of carpet must be stuck in the floor.
5.9.2. Floor surface for Wheelchair to move must be flat, plane, without inclined slope.
Where surrounding floor being not on the same level, then a 300mm high
balustrade or shield bar must be arranged.
5.9.3. Floor surface must be solid, constructed by rigid, unslippery materials.
5.9.4. A change in vertical level of 6mm at most is permissible, as well as a slant versus
slope not more than 1:2.
Note: Changes of height over 15mm must create slope as regulated in clause 5.1.2.
5.9.5. Shoes and sandals’ wiping mat at the door must not be thicker than 20mm.
Walking directions

5.9.6. Dimensions of rain water draining hole on

paving slabs arranged on routes, outside
buildings and in entry/exit door... must not
be larger than 20mm x 20mm to prevent
PWD’s crutch/stick ends being sunk into.
5.9.7. On floor surface in toilet areas, if there are
grooves/slots, the diameter of there
grooves/slots shall not exceed 10mm to
15mm. Dimensions of these could be
prolonged and in right angle with walking
direction (see fig 35)
Fig 35: Arrangement of grooves
on floor surface of toilet areas

5.9.8. Before the beginning and ending points of the threshold steps and in front of
entry/exit door for using lift, it is advised to make use of sensitive paving slabs for
warning blind persons to be aware of it.

5.10. Toilet areas

5.10.1. Clearance space dimensions of the toilet room for ensuring accessibility and use by
PWD shall be not less than 1,500mm x 1,400mm for door opened to outside and
1,800mm x 1,400mm for door opened to inside (see fig 36). Space for moving from
wheelchair to water closet might be to the right or the left of water closet.

26
 Note: Clearance space in toilet room comprises also places for hand support,
sanitary paper box, walking way, empty floor or other furniture areas and
wheelchair moving area.
5.10.2. Doors in toilet areas are preferably those opened to outside or sliding doors. It is
only permissible to use door opened to inside where toilet room’s space is
sufficiently large. Width of door is not less than 800mm.
5.10.3. Toilet room for PWD must be installed with water closet according to “English chair
manner”. It is possible to arrange drawn curtain or boarded partition for separating it
from other parts.

Fig 36: Toilet room for Wheelchair user

5.10.4. Elevation for installing water closet is 400mm to 450mm from floor surface. Distance
from the fore-front of closet to hind wall of toilet room must not be less than
760mm. Distance from the axis of closet to the farthest wall side face must not be
less than 960mm (sec fig. 37).

Fig 37: Layout of toilet room for wheelchair

user

5.10.5. Sanitary paper box is placed at 180mm to 230mm from the fore-front of closet and
at not less than 400 mm, not over 1,200mm from the floor surface.
Sanitary paper box is placed at no less than 40mm from under the handrail and at
no less than 300mm from above the handrail (see fig. 38)

27
 Fig. 38: Place for arranging sanitary paper box.

5.10.6. On the wall around the closet, there must be arranged safety handrail capable to
withstand the body weight. Details of handrails are in accordance with regulation
in article 5.6. of this standard. Dimensions of handrails are as follows (see fig 39):

Fig 39: Dimensions for arranging handrails in toilet room

First horizontal handrail at the side wall has a length not less than 1,000mm and
at 300mm distance from hind-wall;
- Second horizontal handrail at the hind-wall has a length not less than 600mm,
right above and in front of the closet. Where space is available, this handrail
could be prolonged on a distance of more than 300mm from the closet;
- First vertical handrail is arranged at 300mm from the fore-rim of closet;
- Second vertical handrail is arranged at 450mm from axis of closet to wall
farther from closet.
Horizontal handrails are installed at elevation of 900mm, whilst vertical handrails are
installed at elevation from 850mm to 1,300mm, from the floor surface. It is also permitted to
arrange vertical handrails from floor to ceiling.

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 Note: Regarding toilet rooms with length: 1,400mm to 1,500mm and width:
900mm, no need for installing vertical handrail, if horizontal handrail could be
deviated by an angle of 300 to 450 with a length of 700mm (see fig 40)

Handrail

Water tank

Sanitary papes box

Fig 40: Dimensions for arranging deviated hand rail in toilet room

5.10.7. Where toilet area has urinal, there must be handrail for PWD. Dimensions of
handrail are shown in fig 41. Elevation for installing urinal in seating position or
fastened to wall shall not be more than 400mm from the floor surface.

Fig 41: Dimensions for installing suspended urinal and handrails for PWD

5.10.8. Lavatory is installed at an elevation not over 800mm from the upper rim of lavatory
to floor surface. Lavatory could be arranged in or out of toilet room (see fig 42)

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 Note: When installing lavatory, attention must be paid on clearance space under the
knees and the feet-putting place of wheelchair user as stipulated in clause 5.5.9.
Water supply and sewerage pipes under the lavatory must be enveloped for
preventing any harm/injury to PWD. Under the lavatory there must not be sharp,
pointed prominence.

5.10.9. Water flushing or wash tap/faucet fittings

must be handle manipulated or automatic
for ensuring the use by PWD.
Automatically closed/opened taps will
maintain the opening function in a time
interval of at least 10 seconds.
5.10.10. Hooks and clothe hangers are arranged
in toilet room at an elevation of 1,100mm
to 1,200mm from the floor surface.
5.10.11. Looking glass in toilet room is suspended
at an elevation not exceeding 900mm from
floor surface to upper rim of the looking
glass.

Fig 42: Elevation for installing

lavatory
5.11. Bathing room
5.11.1. Clearance space dimensions of bathing room for PWD are as follows:
a) Door swing to outside: dimensions not less than 1,200mm x 800mm.
b) Bathing room with movable shower: dimensions not less than 1,200mm x
1,800mm (see fig 43)
c) Bathing room with shower plus lavatory: dimensions not less than 1,500mm x
1,500mm (see fig 44).
d) Bathing room with bathtub : dimensions not less than 1,500mm x length of
tub(see fig 45)
5.11.2. Bathing room arranged for ensuring PWD accessibility and use must be located at a
convenient palace for entry/exit. In bathing room area, there must be available
surface for wheelchair to turn around.
5.11.3. For separating PWD’s bathing area from other parts, drawn curtains or movable
partitions are usually adopted.
5.11.4. In bathing room, firm, safe hand rails must be installed.
5.11.5. Regarding bathing room with shower and chair, hand rails are fastened on three
sides of wall. Distance from hand rails to an adjacent wall is not over 150mm, Places
for installing hand rails are shown in fig 46.

30
Note:
1) When installing a chair in the bathing room with shower, the hand rail at lateral
wall should not top this chair and not be arranged behind this chair;
2) Handrail and wall surface or hand rail proximity should not present any sharp,
pointed details.
3) Handrail should not rotate around connections and should be made from materials
withstanding a force of 1.100N (110 Kgm/s2)

Fig43: Bathing room wilt movable shower Fig44: Bathing room combined wilt lavatory

Length of bathtub Length of bathtub

Fig 45: Bathing room with bathtub

Fig 46: Place for installing hand rails in bathing room with shower

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5.11.6. In bathing room with bathtub, it is necessary to install handrails for ensuring
accessibility and use by PWD. Dimensions for installation are as follows:
a) Bathtub with fixed chair: handrails are installed on wall, along the tub. The
upper handrail is fastened at 850mm ÷900mm from the floor. The lower one is
fastened at 250mm from the upper rim of bathtub. These handrails are distant
by not over 350mm from the wall surface on the head side, and not over
300mm from the wall surface on the feet side. Another 600mm long is arranged
on the wall surface, feet side (see fig 47)

b) Bathtub without fixed chair: handrails are fastened on wall as regulated in a).
Besides, on the wall at the head side, is installed a 300mm long handrail (see
fig 48).

Fig 47: Dimensions for installation of handrails in bathing room with bathtub
and fixed chair

Fig 48: Dimensions for installation of handrails in bathing room with

bathtub and movable chair
5.11.7. In bathing room, it is necessary to arrange seat for PWD. L-shaped and rectangular
chairs are fastened or assembled in fixed or non fixed block. In bathing room with
shower, chair is assembled in the form of folding chair to be fixed on wall. For
bathing room with bath-tub, chair is arranged at the head side of the tub or at the
surface of the tub. Chair must be safely fastened, not sliding in the process of use.
Chair surface is at 400mm ÷450 mm from floor surface.
5.11.8. In installing the rectangular chair, the rear rim of chair must be not over 65mm from
the adjacent wall. For bathing room with mobile shower, the side rims of chair are
not less than 40mm from the adjacent wall. Width of chair surface is 350mm
÷400mm (see fig 49)

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 Fig 49: Dimensions for installation of rectangular chair

5.11.9. In installing L- shaped chair, the rear rim of

chair is not over 65mm from the adjacent
wall. Width of chair: 350mm ÷400mm. The
rear rim of chair at the corner of L is no
more than 40mm from the adjacent wall.
The L end is distant from the floor by
550mm to 580mm (see fig 50)

5.11.10. Chair are made from materials for with- Fig 50: Dimensions for
standing a horizontal or vertical force of installation of L- shaped chair
1,100N (110Kg.m/s2)
5.11.11. In bathing room it is necessary to arrange movable shower and a device for
mixing hot/cool water. Taps/faucets and control devices must ensure the use by
PWD. Control devices are installed above handrails, but not distant from floor by
more than 1,200 mm, and at 350mm from the central line of chair on the right or
left side indifferently.
5.11.12. Where there is a door threshold in bathing room, its permissible elevation being
10mm to 12mm .

5.12. Other public space in facilities:

5.12.1. Seat
5.12.1.1. Clearance space reserved to wheelchair parking in facilities’ public space must
ensure a width of no less than 900mm. Where there are several wheelchairs
moving at a time, the width must not be less than 850mm for each wheelchair.
Where wheelchair could move in (a facility) from the frontal side or from behind, the
area reserved to wheelchair must be not less than 1200mm. Where wheelchair
could move in from both sides, it is permitted to be 1,500mm (see fig 51)

33
 Fig 51: Dimensions of toilet area for Wheelchair user

5.12.1.2. In waiting area, it is mandatory to arrange seats for PWD. Commonly used chairs
are elbow chairs or folding chairs ( adequate to narrow places). Elevation for
arranging elbow chairs is 450mm ÷500mm from floor surface to seating plane,
and 500mm ÷600mm for folding chairs.
5.12.1.3. Area for arranging seat in waiting spot must be inside the scope of observation
and have signal system by acoustic devices and signposts.
5.12.1.4. In theaters, cinemas, sport contest establishments, conference/meeting rooms,
lecture halls, it is necessary to arrange seats and displacement space for
wheelchair users. Seating places for Wheelchair users are usually arranged near
the lowest passage way or close to entry/exit path in upper floor and must ensure
visual range of Wheelchair user (see fig 52)
Clearance space dimensions of seat for wheelchair users has a width of 800mm
÷900mm and a length of 1,100mm ÷1,400mm (see fig 53)
Note: The number of seats for wheelchair users in conference hall, meeting room,
stadium is regulated in construction code of facilitation ensuring the use by PWD.

34
 Places with adequate visual scope for Pace for wheelchairs
chair arranging

Places adequate to wheelchairs

Space with adequate visual scope

Fig 52: Visual scope of wheelchair users in spectators room, conference hall

Fig 53: Dimensions for arrangement of seats to wheelchair users.

5.12.5. Beside the area reserved to wheelchair there must be at least a double chair for
PWD could move to or for the companion could make use of.
5.12.2. Reception place
5.12.2.1. For public buildings/facilities with reception, contact area, it is necessary to make
available space, signpost, indication post, waiting spot and other facilities to assist
PWD.
5.12.2.2. In from of places for receiving visitors being PWD, there must be a space before
the counter/desk not less than 1,200mm. Elevation of reception surface is 700mm
÷800mm, length not less than 600mm, depth under the counter not less than
400mm.
5.12.2.3. In the reception area, it must be at least a public phone arranged at an elevation
shown in fig 54.

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 Parallel entries

Perpendicular entries

Fig 54: Public phone for PWD S

use
5.12.3. Other spaces
5.12.3.1. Spaces and rooms for PWD in facilities such as hotels, rest houses, boarding
houses, dwelling houses must be arranged in ground floor, near entrance and exit
ways, directly related to public space in the facility.
5.12.3.2. Functional rooms such as living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms must ensure a
clearance space with a radius no less than 1,500mm for wheelchair to move.
5.12.3.3. All dwelling rooms must be fully lighted, spacious and fresh/cool.
5.12.3.4. In arranging beds, a 1,500mm x 1,500mm space must be reserved in one side of
beds for PWD could turn the wheelchair or move it. Beds are in an elevation
adequate to PWD, usually 450mm or less. Bedroom must be so arranged as
conveniently adapted to other rooms of the building (see fig 55)

Fig 55: Lay out for arranging bed room

5.12.3.5. Regarding office/bureau, working place for PWD must be arranged near entry/exit
way or at the ground floor. Dimensions of working desks must ensure clearance

36
 space for wheelchair moving, and space under the knees and toes as stipulated in
article 55. Elevation of desk surface from floor is 700mm ÷800mm.
5.12.3.6. Elevation for installing windows and electrical appliances, furniture in living room
and dwelling room must take into account safety requirements and dimensions of
arm reach by PWD in the building.
5.12.7. Regarding the system of built-in cupboard, support, clothes hanger, working desk in
rooms of hotel, dwelling house, boarding house, it is necessary to have sufficient
space for knees, feet, shoes’ caps not to run counter the working planes- Trays,
shelves must be arranged in several levels at different elevations for PWD using.
Appropriate elevation is from 1,000mm to 1,200mm.
Chest shelves, desk drawers are likely to be in the form of pulling or sliding.
5.12.3.8. Where in the building, there is kitchen arranged, all kinds of kitchen supports must
have adjustable elevation. The intervals between all these supports, and
apparatuses or between opposite walls... are not less than 1,000mm.
5.12.3.9. Whenever on the three walls’ sides, there are supports, boards and apparatuses,
the intervals between them and between opposite walls are not less than
1,500mm. The depth of built-in cupboards should not be more than 300mm.
Attention must be paid on space around the knees of wheelchair users accessing
to equipment as stipulated in clause 5.5.9.
5.12.10. Elevation for installing wash basins in kitchen area is stipulated in article 1.10.8
5.12.11. Stores of kitchen or in dwelling house area must have dimensions no less than
1,500mm x 1,500mm for wheelchair users to move.
5.12.12. Control devices in kitchen area must be easily accessible. It is absolutely
prohibited to use apparatuses manipulated by nuts, by rotation.
5.12.13. Water flushing equipment or washing faucets must be types with tiny rod or
automatic for ensuring the use by PWD. Plate-and -dish washing machine with
swing door not influencing other activities must have clearance space near-by.
5.12.14. Public service areas must create safety and comfort conditions for PWD. Using
or controlling apparatuses only need the impact of a small force about 30N
(3kg.m/s2) for button pressing, turning or rotating. Apparatuses must be easily
handled, firm, and installed at adequate elevation.
5.12.15. On apparatuses must be symbols or Braille raised dots for blind people to
identify by senses or by touch.
5.12.16. In areas with assistance means or public services, there must be guidance
posters with concise, simple interpretation and using easily comprehensible
images.
5.12.17. Heating, ventilating system must ensure safety for users and be installed at
places not impeding PWD and hurting blind persons. Hot water supply system
must ensure heat safety (to avoid burn by contact with high temperature
equipment). Equipment/ apparatus details of sharp, pointed edges are prohibited.
37
5.13. Emergency ways
5.13.1. On emergency ways there must be place reserved to PWD in the same level, and in
the end of emergency way, it is necessary to install pedestrian staircase.
5.13.2. Width of emergency way must be 900mm ÷1,200mm. At crowed places, it must be
1,800mm. On emergency way, there must not be change of elevation. If automatic
doors are used or magnetic tickets are adopted, these doors must be automatically
opened when there is fire.
5.13.3. It is a must to ensure luminosity from 0,1 to 0,2 lux on emergency ways. At entry/exit
doors and at upstairs/downstairs, it is also necessary to ensure lighting.
6. International conventional symbols on PWD
6.1. In buildings/facilities, for ensuring PWD accessibility and use, it is necessary to
orientate the attention of users to assistance means for PWD. International
conventional symbol for PWD (hereinafter abbreviated as conventional image) is
employed and expressed for indicating the place of various assistance means to
PWD in the building. The conventional image is shown in fig 56.
Note: At places where is change of direction or in spots with assistance means to
PWD, it is necessary to represent conventional image.

Fig 56: International

conventional symbol for PWD.

6.2. Colour of conventional symbol is prescribed as white on light blue background

6.3. Dimensions of conventional symbol and observation distance are as stipulated in
table 8.

Table 8: Dimensions of international conventional symbol on PWD

Observation distance (m) Dimensions (mm)
Up to 7.0 60 x60
From 7.0 to 18.0 110 x 110
Over 18 200 x 200 to 450 x 450

38
6.4. Conventional symbols are placed at spots as follows:
- Entrance way to buildings/facilities, entry path;
- Car parking ground, car waiting spot;
- At main corridors or at main transport nodes in the building;
- Sanitary areas;
- At other locations accessible to PWD
Note: At spots where there is a change in direction or at places with assistance
means to PWD, it is necessary to arrange conventional symbols.
6.5. Building/indication posts are for showing directions and providing information as
follows:
- To indicate entrance/exit ways of buildings and emergency escaping way;
- To indicate internal and external passage ways of the building;
- To indicate specialized space location
- To indicate location with entrance way on wall (see fig 57)
6.6. The height of alphabets/letters on signposts depends on observation distances and
complies with stipulations in table 9.
Table 9: Height of alphabets on signposts

Observation distances Minimum height of

required (m) alphabets (mm)
2 6
3 12
6 20
8 25
12 40
25 80
35 100
40 130
50 150

39
Fig 57: Examples on guidance posts for PWD

40
 Appendix A
Basic parameters of wheelchair user
crutches, stick
A1. Basic parameters of wheelchair
Table A1 Basic calculated parameters of wheelchair
Unit: mm
Widt Width in Elevatio Elevatio Length
Overal h the n from Wheel n from of Width Weight
l width when interior seat diamete floor to wheel of (Kg)
folde plane to r handrail chair seat
d handrail
540 290 370 170 510 920 980 350 14
560 300 390 220 510 920 1100 430 14
590 300 420 220 510 920 1100 430 14
610 300 440 220 510 920 1100 430 14
650 300 450 220 510 920 1100 430 14
710 320 480 240 510 920 1100 450 16

Fig A1: Example illustrating dimensions of wheelchair

A2. Regarding people on crutches, on stick:

- With one crutch: Width needed being 750 mm
- With two crutches: width needed being from 800mm to 950mm
41
 Fig A2: Minimum width for passing through of people on crutches and on stick

A3. Effective space of guiding stick for sight impairment persons.

Width of space for stick’s lateral sweeping is not less than 900mm, and length of
space for stick’s longitudinal sweeping is from 900mm to 1,500mm, in the process of
displacement.

Fig A3: Effective space for stick guiding sight impairment people

42