Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation
This consultation aims to improve housing accessibility through the review of Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide and by introducing a Scottish Accessible Homes Standard through updates to building standards and guidance.
Annex Q – Section 17 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide: Heating, ventilating and water services
The clauses within Section 17 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide are set out in the table starting on the next page. Where a clause relates to dwellings specifically for older and disabled people, dwellings for wheelchair users, or dwellings specifically for older or disabled people, this is highlighted within the table.
Column 3 of the table shows our proposal for each clause for the update to Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide. In the case of the clauses that we are proposing to retain within the updated guide, the design criteria that we are proposing to include ‘as standard’ in future dwellings delivered to Housing for Varying Needs standards through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for each category of need – and to accommodation delivered through the Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund (or subsequent funding) where the standard is relevant in Gypsy/Traveller accommodation – are highlighted in the third column of the table.
Informed by the proposals detailed in Chapter 3, column 4 shows which clauses are proposed to be introduced into building standards and guidance to implement the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard, along with those that are not applicable for inclusion.
It is important to note that the final proposals contained in the table will be subject to change based upon the outcome of the consultation.
17 Heating, ventilating and water services
17.1 Heating
17.1.1 General standards for heating are those given in BS 5449 [15] or as set by the National House Builders Council [16].
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – superseded by Building Standards Technical Handbook: Domestic, Standard 3.13 and Section 6 Energy.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception A Clause already identified as being included in or superseded by building standards.
17.1 Heating
17.1.2 The lower running costs of energy efficient housing are of benefit to everyone and particularly to people who spend a great deal of time at home. Guidance on designing energy efficient buildings can be obtained from the Energy Design Advice Scheme (EDAS) [17].
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – superseded by Building Standards Technical Handbook: Domestic, Section 6 Energy.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception A Clause already identified as being included in or superseded by building standards.
17.1 Heating
17.1.3 Radiators must be carefully positioned so that they do not prevent a sensible furniture arrangement and do not obstruct circulation in passages or rooms. They should have individual thermostatic controls. The controls should have clear, bold markings, be of a type that can be easily grasped and positioned at the top of the radiator at a height of 600mm – 800mm from the floor.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain – although the word ‘passages’ would be replaced with ‘corridors’ in the updated guide.
Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).
17.1 Heating
17.1.4 A radiant heat source in the living area, additional to the main heating system, is liked by many people and can provide alternative heating should the main heating system fail.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain – although the words ‘radiant heat source’ would be replaced with ‘secondary heat source’ in the updated guide.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Not standard design criteria
17.1 Heating
17.1.5 The main heating programmer must be easily read and set and should therefore be positioned at a height 900mm – 1050mm from the floor. Access to this should be unobstructed as users may need to be close to it when adjusting it.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain – although the updated guide would make clear that not all heating programmers require to be fixed to a wall.
Please note that the requirement for the main heating programmer to be easily read and set, with unobstructed access, would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future, as would the height position requirement in cases where the programmer could be fixed to the wall.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).
17.1 Heating
17.1.6 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: The heating system should be capable of giving a temperature throughout the whole dwelling of 21oC when the outside temperature is -3oC.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Please note that this design criterion would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older and disabled people.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.1 Heating
17.1.7 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Low surface temperature radiators may be considered necessary when occupants are likely to have sensory impairment and be in danger of unknowingly coming into contact with the radiator surface. However, such radiators require to be larger than standard radiators and take up valuable wall space. Radiators in bathrooms must have a low surface temperature unless they can be positioned where a person cannot accidentally come into contact with them. Alternatively guards can be fixed to radiators as and when needed.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.1 Heating
17.1.8 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Radiators should preferably have rounded tops for safety.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.2 Ventilation
17.2.1 Consideration should be given to the occupant's ability to control the opening and closing of windows and trickle ventilation, which is usually located in the window head. A person of below average height will have difficulty reaching beyond 1800mm from the floor and it should be possible for all adult occupants to control ventilation while standing on the floor. (See also 16.3)
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Please note that the following design criterion would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future:
‘It should be possible for all adult occupants to control ventilation while standing on the floor.’
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).
17.2 Ventilation
17.2.2 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Trickle ventilators are required by the Technical Standards [3], Part K, to be at a height above 1750mm.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – Building Standards does not specify a minimum height in this context.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.2 Ventilation
Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Additional trickle ventilators positioned at a height where they are more easily reached and controlled may be of benefit.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.2 Ventilation
17.2.3 Dwellings for wheelchair users: Particular attention should be given to the ventilation of the bathroom. This is likely to be of ‘wet’ design and in use for comparatively long periods of time. It can therefore be a considerable source of moisture. Mechanical ventilation with an extraction rate in excess of that required by the Technical Standards, Part K, may be desirable. Passive stack ventilation should only be used where the designer is confident that it will give sufficient air change (see BRE Information Paper IP 13/94 [18]).
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – superseded by Building Standards Technical Handbook: Domestic, Clause 3.14.9.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.3 Water supply
17.3.1 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: The provision of an electrically operated stopcock on the mains water supply will allow this to be operated by all occupants.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Please note that this design criterion would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older and disabled people.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.4 Hot water
17.4.1 All showers must be fitted with anti-scald devices.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – superseded by Building Standards Technical Handbook: Domestic, Clause 4.9.5.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception A Clause already identified as being included in or superseded by building standards.
17.4 Hot water
17.4.2 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: People with impaired mobility or who use a wheelchair may also have sensory impairment and therefore all exposed hot water pipes which could be touched accidentally should be lagged to prevent scalding. This notably applies where knee space is provided below the wash basin and kitchen sink. The sink bowl should also be insulated.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain – although the following text would not be included the updated guide: ‘People with impaired mobility or who use a wheelchair may also have sensory impairment and therefore’.
Please note that the following design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older and disabled people:
‘All exposed hot water pipes which could be touched accidentally should be lagged to prevent scalding. The sink bowl should also be insulated.’
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.4 Hot water
17.4.3 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Hot water emitting from a tap at a scalding temperature is a danger to sensory impaired people and frail and confused older people. All showers should have a thermostatic control, but thermostatic mixing valves should also be fitted to bath taps when needed for the safety of a particular occupant.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Remove – superseded by Building Standards Technical Handbook: Domestic, Clause 4.9.5.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.5 Taps
17.5.1 All taps and shower controls should be of a type that can be easily grasped, even with wet soapy hands. The heads therefore should be of crosshead or lever design and not cylindrical. It is beneficial if tap heads are interchangeable and can be selected to best suit a particular user.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Please note that the design criteria set out in the first and second sentences would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception B Clause falls out of scope of building regulations.
17.5 Taps
17.5.2 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Lever operated quarter turn taps will best suit people who lack dexterity. A short lever, approximately 75mm, will usually suffice but some people's particular needs may require a lever of 150mm or so. On the other hand large crossheads may be preferred and are more easily recognised as taps by people with dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.5 Taps
17.5.3 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Kitchen taps for wheelchair users or ambulant people who have difficulty lifting should be of a swivel spout mixer type to allow pans and kettles to be filled while resting on the drainer or work surface. In such cases the tap should be positioned at the back corner of the sink. The design of the spout should give a minimum clearance of 150mm between the nozzle and the laying surface.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.5 Taps
17.5.4 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Single action lever taps may be of benefit to some people, particularly those who do not have full use of both hands. Others, particularly those with dementia or other cognitive impairment, will find them very confusing.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain – although the following text would not be included in the updated guide as it is considered outdated: ‘Others, particularly those with dementia or other cognitive impairment, will find them very confusing’.
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
17.5 Taps
17.5.5 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Users with very limited reach will need tap controls to be positioned on a fascia at the front of sinks and wash basins.
Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update
Retain
Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard
Not applicable
Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.
Contact
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback