VIET NAM CONSTRUCTION STANDARD

TCXDVN 264 : 2002

HOUSES AND BUILDINGS BASIC RULES OF ACCESSIBLE

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES

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 Presidents Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities (PCEPD) and the Vietnam Assistance for
Handicapped (VNAH).

VIETNAM CONSTRUCTION STANDARD

264:2002

TCXDCN

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 PWDs accessibility and use
QCXDVN 01:2002
4. General regulations
4.1. Requirements on design of houses and buildings for ensuring
PWDs accessibility and use must be in accordance with
regulations in table 1.

TCXDVN 264: 2002

Table 1: Design components of houses and buildings

Type of buildings
1
Different
levels
of
people
committees
offices,
Tribunal,
Prosecutors Institutes ,
Offices
of
State
administration bodies
and organizations
Culture, sport works
such
as:
Parks,
entertainment
areas,
zoos,
theaters,
cinemas,
museums,
exhibition,
cultural
buildings,
clubs,
libraries, tourism areas,
vestiges,
picturesque
landscapes, stadiums,
sport/gym
grounds,
contest halls....
Public
service
buildings: hotels, rest
houses,
boarding
houses, shops, and
eating/drinking
services, post offices,
trade centers, super
markets,
markets,
banks.

Scope of areas to be
designed for ensuring
PWDs accessibility and
use
2
- Walking ways, car
parking grounds;
- Entry, exit gates;
- Reception desks and
public activity areas;
- Working seats and
specific equipment
- Walking ways, car
parking grounds,
- Entry, exit gates,
- Reception desks and
public activity areas,
- Emergency
escape
when accident occurs
- Helping equipment
- Spectators area

- Walking ways, car

parking grounds,
- Entry, exit gates
- Reception desks and
public activity areas,
business activity areas,
- Emergency
escape
when accident occurs,
- Helping equipment
- Rooms area

Public health buildings: Scope

of
hospitals, centers for patients
orthopedic
and

use

by

Basic requirements
3
Arrangement
of
structure and function
of buildings parts for
ensuring
PWDs
accessibility and use.
- Meeting, conference
venues needing seat
arrangement for PWD
- Arrangement
of
structure and function
of buildings parts for
ensuring
PWDs
accessibility and use.
- Reading
rooms,
spectators
rooms,
tribunes
must
be
arranged with seats for
PWD
- Arrangement
of
structure and function
of buildings part for
ensuring
PWDs
accessibility and use.
- Lift must be available
on all service storeys.
- At shops, bazaars,
there must be sloping
paths
in
entry/exit
doors,
in
seats,
reception places.
- Beds, equipment and
facilities
must
be
arranged
in
rooms
reserved to PWD
- Arrangement
of
structure and function
of buildings parts for

functional restoration,
disease
consultation
and treatment units,
sanatorium centers.
Educational buildings:
different
levels
primary
schools,
vocational
schools,
colleges/ universities,
specialized secondary
schools
Collective houses

Transport
building
works:
roads,
sidewalks, stations for
vehicles,
railway
stations,
airports,
passengers transport
harbors,
car-waiting
spots

ensuring
PWDs
accessibility and use
- Walking ways, car - Arrangement
of
parking grounds
structure and function
of buildings parts for
- Entry, exit gates
ensuring
PWDs
- Class- rooms, labos.
accessibility and use.
- Students seat places
and specially used - In classrooms, there
must be seat places
equipment.
for PWD
- Walking ways, car - Arrangement
of
parking grounds
structure and function
of buildings parts for
- Entry, exit gates
ensuring
PWDs
- Spaces
in
house
accessibility and use
interior
- Arrangement
of
equipment, furnitures
Scope
of
use
by - Arrangement
of
passengers
structure and function
of buildings parts for
ensuring
PWDs
accessibility and use
- Lines of ways/paths
for
PWDs
accessibility
and
circulation

Note:
1) Structure and function of buildings 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 PWDs 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.
5

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 PWDs
wheelchairs, just adjacent to sloping way or to entry/exit path
of the buildings. There must be guiding posts at parking
places of PWDs 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 lifts 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
4.6. On entrance way, entry path to buildings and in public spaces
in buildings, for ensuring PWDs 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 PWDs 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
wheelchairs are calculated for design as follows:

using

- 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)
6

Fig.1: Slope plan outside the

Fig.2: Slope plan with landing in

the corner
- 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.

Fig.4: Entrance way with

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)

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:
sq.m/vehicle

from

2,35sqm/vehicle

to

- 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
5.3.2. At car waiting spots, it
streaks or sloping paths
transport means. Details
sloping parks are stipulated

is necessary to design sloping

ensuring PWD accessibility to
for design of sloping streaks,
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.
10

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.
11

In case of closed door or locked door, there dimensions are

extended with additional 300mm.

Fig 10: Modes for opening

door

Directly opened
doors

Both doors
opened to inside

Doors
opened from
a side

Toward frontal walkway, pull side

Doors opened
to
tow
different
directions

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
Direction of
walkway

Clearance space, not less than, in mm

Door face

Perpendicular to
door

Under the lock

parallel to the
door

From front side

Pull

1 500

500

From front side

Push

1 200

From hinge side

Pull

1 500

12

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.

13

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.
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.

14

Fig 13: Width of passage

way

Fig 14: Width of corridor changing

5.5.5. Clearance direction
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
15

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.
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)

16

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:
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 surface to

Distance from
floor surface to
under the knees
17

Place for feet

putting

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

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

18

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

5.6. Handrail

Fig 24: Reach of arm to the side with

barrier

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
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.

19

Fig 25: Details for designing

handrail

Figup
26:
Position
for arranging two handrails
5.7. Staircase,
and
down steps
on one side
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.
- 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

20

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

21

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
Handrails must be arranged
on both sides

Continuous handrail around

Fig 29: dimensions of

staircase

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.

22

Fig 30: Lifting equipment

23

Fig 31: Lifting

equipment

In cases of high rise

buildings, it is necessary to
install system for lifting or
lowering by specialized
devices fastened on
balustrade or pulley

24

Fig 32: Specialized

devices
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 door (mm)

Width in the
interior of lift
cabin (mm)

Dimensions of
depth 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

25

Middle opening door

Control
buttons

Side opening door

Control
buttons

Fig 33: Lift cabins

dimensions
Control buttons

Control buttons

5.8.3.
Area
of

waiting space before entering lift being no less than

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.

26

Fig 34: Symbols and signals on lift entry for

blind persons
5.8.6. Call buttons in front of lift cabin door are installed in a
height not over 1,200mm and 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

27

5.9. Floor and ground

5.9.1. Floor or ground surface in the clearance space for
wheelchair moving must be flat, plane, unslippery.
28

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.
Walking directions
5.9.5. Shoes and sandals wiping mat
at the door must not be thicker
than 20mm.
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
PWDs 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
29

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.
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 rooms 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).

30

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)

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):

31

Fig 39: Dimensions for arranging handrails in

toilet
room handrail at the side wall has a length not
First
horizontal
less than 1,000mm and at 300mm distance from hindwall;
- 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.

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

32

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 40: Dimensions for arranging deviated hand rail in
toilet room

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)
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.
33

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 Fig 42: Elevation for installing
900mm from floor surface to
lavatory
upper rim of the looking glass.
5.11. Bathing room
5.11.1. Clearance space dimensions of bathing room for PWD are
as follows:
a) Door swing to outside:
1,200mm x 800mm.

dimensions

not

less

than

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 PWDs 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.

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;

34

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

5.11.6. Fig
In bathing
room
with bathtub,
it is innecessary
to install
46: Place
for installing
hand rails
bathing room
handrails for ensuring
accessibility
and use by PWD.
with
shower
Dimensions for installation are as follows:
35

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
36

than 40mm from the adjacent wall. Width of chair surface

is 350mm 400mm (see fig 49)

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 Fig 50: Dimensions for
with-standing a horizontal or installation of L- shaped
vertical force
of 1,100N chair
(110Kg.m/s2)
5.11.11.
I
n 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
37

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)

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.

38

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.
Places with adequate visual scope for
chair arranging

Pace for wheelchairs

Places adequate to wheelchairs

Space with adequate visual scope

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

conference hall

39

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.

Parallel entries

Perpendicular entries

Fig 54: Public phone for

PWDS 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.
40

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
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
41

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/s 2) 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
42

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.
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
43

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

Over 18

110 x 110
200 x 200 to 450 x 450

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
required (m)

Minimum height of
alphabets (mm)

44

12

20

25

12

40

25

80

35

100

40

130

50

150

45

Fig 57: Examples on guidance posts for

PWD

Appendix A
Basic parameters of wheelchair user
crutches, stick
A1. Basic parameters of wheelchair
Table A1 Basic calculated parameters of wheelchair
Unit: mm
Overa
ll
width

Widt
h
whe
n
folde
d

Width
in the
interio
r

Elevati
on
from
seat
plane
to
handra
il

Wheel
diamet
er

Elevati
on
from
floor to
handra
il

Lengt
h of
wheel
chair

540

290

370

170

510

920

560

300

390

220

510

590

300

420

220

610

300

440

650

300

710

320

Widt
h of
seat

Weigh
t (Kg)

980

350

14

920

1100

430

14

510

920

1100

430

14

220

510

920

1100

430

14

450

220

510

920

1100

430

14

480

240

510

920

1100

450

16

46

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

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

47

Fig A3: Effective space for stick guiding sight

impairment people

48