Perhaps you own a new business and you are thinking about constructing a building. Or you already have an existing building that you just would like to remodel to cater your business needs. Before you jump into making an “aesthetically-pleasing” building design, there are some important things you need to take into account. Apparently, a building should not just be all about being presentable, it must also be fully functional and accessible.
Building construction may not be as easy. One important thing to consider is determining the appropriate entrances and exits that will be efficient for your building facility. Considering accessible doors to accommodate people with disabilities is also another factor to consider when designing your building entrances or exits. While this may take a lot of effort, time and careful research, these are all essential. In fact, they are imperative.
When you go into an establishment the first thing that would greet you will be the doors. Imagine getting into a building with bad entrance design – doorways that are too restricted or doors that require extra effort to open. It will definitely give you a bad impression. It would feel as if the building owners do not want you in or they don’t want to make any sorts of business with you. Isn’t that frustrating? Would you still want to go back into that building if you can find other better options?
Now, think about the level of frustration that those people with disabilities will experience given the same scenario. When instead of helping these people get the most convenient services as much as possible, a poorly designed and unwelcoming building entrances are utterly inconvenient specially to the handicapped people.
Thanks to various groups lobbying the rights of handicapped people to full participation such as the Council for Canadians with Disabilities, handicapped people are now experiencing better privileges. In addition, through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005, individuals with disabilities are granted better universal access. This has somehow slowly helped ease the handicapped people’s burdens and eliminate the barriers that will hinder them from enjoying full service as normal people would ordinarily experience.
The 7 Principles of Universal Design
Where the design should be useful and applicable to all users
Where the design should be able to accommodate the various needs, abilities and preferences of all users
Where the design is practically easy to understand
Where the design easily conveys the right information to any groups of users
Where the design caters to measures that minimizes hazards and injuries resulting from accidents
Where the design allows any group of users to enjoy the facility or service comfortably and easily without too much exertion of effort
Where the design takes consideration of the appropriate space or measurements to cater any individual’s needs
Learning and understanding these 7 key principles in universal access and design should help you get the right decision when it comes to the construction of your building doors.
Accessibility is an important consideration in building construction. An awesome entrance way and door design is useless if it doesn’t serve its main purpose of providing easy access for all individuals.
Among the efficient ways to provide better entrances and exits accessibilities include:
- Installing an Automatic Door Opener
Public and business establishments should ensure they install at least one automatic door for handicapped tenants or users. The buttons, where applicable, should be clear and easy to reach for people using wheelchairs.
- The installation of Accessible Doors
Building designers should make it a point to provide accessible doors to disabled individuals who are not capable of self-service including opening the doors for themselves. These accessible doors should be wide enough to allow easy access for wheelchair users.
- Providing enough entrance or door clearances measurements
- Installing a ramp near the entrances or exits when applicable
In the business perspective, avoiding financial risks as much as possible is crucial. It is no secret that accessible doors can be downright expensive. Even the mere thought of the pricey regular maintenance needed can be really overwhelming. Regardless though, having handicap accessible doors at your business is a must.
Despite the cost and extra effort required, the significant purposes of accessible doors are things that you should not just downplay. If you are unsure how or where to get started, don’t worry there are actually a number of companies available to help you achieve the right accessible doors suitable for your building as well as your business needs. The key is finding the right company to help you achieve the right door types and quality products for your building without unnecessarily draining your budget.
Start by determining what you would actually want to be catered or taken into account for your door construction. Consider various factors such as the appearance, would you like a glass door which is more expensive or an equally functional simple door? How about your expected flow of traffic or number of visitors or patrons you expect to enter or exit from your building? Will you be needing few large automatic doors or several doors spread acrossparticular points only?
When it comes to door constructions, there are several things to consider. It’s important to remember that aside from being presentable, your building entrances and exits should be able to serve their main purpose – providing effortless access to the building users regardless of their physical abilities.