Liftways in buildings
The building regulations set out legal requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. A series of approved documents provide general guidance about how different aspects of building design and construction can comply with the building regulations.
Approved document M provides guidance for satisfying Part M of the building regulations: Access to and use of buildings, which requires the inclusive provision of ease of access to, and circulation within, buildings, together with requirements for facilities for people with disabilities.
Approved document M, Volume 1: Dwellings (2015 edition incorporating 2016 amendments) defines a liftway as a:
| Vertical route linking all floors of a dwelling accommodating (or capable of accommodating) a lift or lifting platform. |
In wheelchair accessible and wheelchair adaptable dwellings, the approved document may require the installation of a liftway 1100mm wide and 1650 mm long internally, linking circulation areas at every floor level of the dwelling. However, in wheelchair adaptable dwellings it may permit the liftway to be used for another purpose (such as storage) providing that it would be easy to convert the liftway to use without the need for structural modifications and without compromising other requirements of the regulations.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Accessibility in the built environment.
- Approved document M.
- Disabled access lifts.
- Equality Act.
- Firefighting lift.
- Hoists.
- Lift Standards: EN 81-20 and EN 81-50.
- Lifts.
- Lifting device.
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
- Lifting platform.
- People with disabilities.
- Ramps.
- Wheelchair platform stairlifts.
Featured articles and news
Read our introductory article on how to layout a building.
New cross-party report calls for combustible cladding ban to be extended to all high-rise residential buildings.
Dr Nicholas Falk, director of the URBED Trust, explains why metro cities are the future of urbanisation.
From next week, UK firms can bid for a share of a £12.5m fund to boost productivity, performance and quality.
A right to light generally refers to the right to receive sufficient light through an opening.
Interference and compatibility - the effects of electromagnetic fields in the workplace.
Important action is being taken to inspire young people to train as engineers.
A survey of Leicester’s historic buildings resulted in local listing being taken more seriously.
Demolition is the most high risk activity in the construction sector. Read our introductory article here.
BSRIA report on the domestic boiler market, with China recording the most 'dynamic market uptake'.