Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation

Annex U – Housing for Varying Needs: Summaries of design criteria example

As noted within Chapter 2 of this consultation paper, we do not intend to include ‘summary of design criteria’ tables within the update to Part 1 of the guide so as to avoid any confusion about what the minimum standard for homes delivered to Housing for Varying Needs standards might be.

By way of example, clauses 14.10.1 to 14.10.3 of Part 1 of the current guide contain the following information with respect to the use of hoists in dwellings for wheelchair users:

14.10.1 Some people will need to use a ceiling mounted hoist to transfer them to the bath and/ or WC from a bed. To allow for this it should be possible to install a track between the bed position and the bath and WC. The plan of the dwelling, the probable position of a bed and layout of the bathroom should be arranged to allow for this.

14.10.2 With a hoist double doors will be required between the bedroom and the bathroom, with a cut-out at the head of the door to suit the particular track. It is not anticipated that such doors will be installed unless they are needed by an occupant, but they should be allowed for in the initial design. A ‘knock out’ section in the partition is useful. This should be 1200mm in width and 400mm in from the back wall. The track should preferably be straight, though a curved track with a minimum radius of approximately 1000mm is possible.

14.10.3 The installation of a hoist will require a structure designed to take the weight and the roof or upper floor structure above this area should allow for this. The normal ceiling and roof construction in new build housing will usually be of adequate strength, though this must be checked and strengthening added if necessary. Where strengthening is needed it should be extensive enough to accommodate different hoist arrangements as the precise location of the track will depend on the individual needs of the occupant.

However, the ‘summary of design criteria’ table for wheelchair users at the end of this section of the guide refers only to ‘Allowance for a ceiling mounted hoist’. Guidance on (a) the plan of the dwelling (b) the requirement to allow for the future installation of double doors in the initial design and (c) the fact that normal ceiling and roof construction in new build housing should be of adequate strength to take the weight of a hoist would therefore be lost if sections 14.10.1 to 14.10.3 were not consulted