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Lifetime Homes Design Criteria

Below are described the key elements of the life time homes criteria. They are brief description of the minimum required criteria to meet the standard, further information can be found at the Lifetime Homes Website.

1          Parking

1 a       Non Communal

Where a dwelling has car parking within its individual plot (or title) boundary, at least one parking space length should be capable of enlargement to achieve a minimum width of 3300mm.

1b       Communal

Where parking is provided by communal or shared bays, spaces with a width of 3300mm, in accordance with the specification below, should be provided.

2          Approach to dwelling from parking

The distance from the car parking space of Criterion 1 to the dwelling entrance (or relevant block entrance or lift core), should be kept to a minimum and be level or gently sloping. The distance from visitors parking to relevant entrances should be as short as practicable and be level or gently sloping.

3          Approach to all entrances

The approach to all entrances should preferably be level or gently sloping, and in accordance with the specification below.

4          Entrances

All entrances should:

a) Be illuminated

b) Have level access over the threshold; and

c) Have effective clear opening widths and nibs as specified below.

In addition, main entrances should also:

d) Have adequate weather protection

e) Have a level external landing.

5          Communal Stairs and Lifts

5a        Communal Stairs

Principal access stairs should provide easy access in accordance with the specification below, regardless of whether or not a lift is provided.

5b       Communal Lifts

Where a dwelling is reached by a lift, it should be fully accessible in accordance with the specification below.

6          Internal Doorways and Hallways

Movement in hallways and through doorways should be as convenient to the widest range of people, including those using mobility aids or wheelchairs, and those moving furniture or other objects. As a general principle, narrower hallways and landings will need wider doorways in their side walls. The width of doorways and hallways should conform to the specification below.

7          Circulation Space

There should be space for turning a wheelchair in dining areas and living rooms and basic circulation space for wheelchair users elsewhere.

8          Entrance level living space

A living room / living space should be provided on the entrance level of every dwelling (see Appendix 1 for definition of ‘entrance level’).

9          Potential for entrance level bed-space

In dwellings with two or more storeys, with no permanent bedroom on the entrance level, there should be space on the entrance level that could be used as a convenient temporary bed-space.

10        Entrance level WC and shower drainage

Where an accessible bathroom, in accordance with Criterion 14, is not provided on the entrance level of a dwelling, the entrance level should have an accessible WC compartment, with potential for a shower to be installed – as detailed in the specification below. (See Appendix 1 for definition of entrance level).

11        WC and bathroom walls

Walls in all bathrooms and WC compartments should be capable of firm fixing and support for adaptations such as grab rails.

12        Stairs and potential though-floor lift in dwellings

The design within a dwelling of two or more storeys should incorporate both:

a) Potential for stair lift installation; and,

b) A suitable identified space for a through-the–floor lift from the entrance level to a storey containing a main bedroom and a bathroom satisfying Criterion 14.

13        Potential for future fitting of hoists and bedroom / bathroom relationship

Structure above a main bedroom and bathroom ceilings should be capable of supporting ceiling hoists and the design should provide a reasonable route between this bedroom and the bathroom.

14        Bathrooms

An accessible bathroom, providing ease of access in accordance with the specification below, should be provided in every dwelling on the same storey as a main bedroom.

15        Glazing and window handle heights

Windows in the principal living space (typically the living room), should allow people to see out when seated. In addition, at least one opening light in each habitable room should be approachable and usable by a wide range of people – including those with restricted movement and reach (see Note 1).

16         Location of service controls

Service controls should be within a height band of 450mm to1200mm from the floor and at least 300mm away from any internal room corner.