External Spaces
Accessible parking signs
Disabled parking signs on post or wall
- Signs to be mounted vertically on a post or wall
- Signs should not reduce width or height of accessible path to below standards.
- International symbol of access must be displayed and contrast with its background
Sign at front of parallel parking space
Sign in centre of perpendicular parking space
Symbol of access painted on floor
- The international symbol of access should be displayed on surface of disabled car parking bay
- International symbol of access must be displayed and contrast with its background
Accessible parking signs on floor
International symbol of disability should be displayed on floor of parking space. The dimensions should be:
Height – 1500mm minimum
Width – 1500mm minimum
1500mm x 1500mm
1500mm x 1500mm
Accessible parking surfaces
- Surface materials for disabled parking should be firm, smooth and stable.
- The maximum gradient of parking bay and access zones is 2% for running and cross slopes
- A pedestrian path should be provided to the front and rear of all car parking bays.
Building entrance single steps
Entrance with single step
Internal ramp with sliding doors
External ramp with swing doors
Internal ramp with inward swing doors
Internal ramp with porch
Internal ramp with outward swing doors
Building entrance stairs
- Any change in level should be avoided between the external area and internal area. Steps to enter building are not acceptable and if at all needed, an alternative accessible entrance must be provided to the building.
- Single steps to enter building are not acceptable as cause trip hazard for all users and are difficult for wheelchair users to climb.
- Where level change is needed for weather protection, the maximum height is 13mm.
Stairs at Buiding Entrance
External Entrance Ramp
Internal Entrance Ramp
Drop-off space kerb cuts
Off street drop-off space kerb cuts
- An access zone should be provided on the passenger side.
- A kerb cut should be used where there is a kerb
On street drop-off space kerb cuts
An access zone should be provided on the passenger side.
A kerb cut should be used where there is a kerb
Kerb cut design
Kerb cuts should avoid water pooling by draining water away from path of travel.
The flared sides of kerb cuts should be distinct colour contrast to surrounding surfaces.
Drop-off space location
- Located as close as possible to an accessible entrance or other destination.
- Drop-off waiting areas should be well shaded from sun.
- An accessible path should connect the drop-off space with building entrance
External path obstructions in ground
- Openings can include grates or grilles for landscape or drainage.
- Small holes can catch canes and wheels and should be avoided.
- Large unmarked openings such as for tree pits or where construction is not completed will not be allowed in or adjacent to accessible paths.
- Following should not be located in accessible paths:
o Drainage inlets
o Catch basins
o Tree grates - Where these are already located in accessible path, they should be either relocated or a new accessible path found
External path uneven surfaces
- Uneven surfaces may be caused by manhole covers, loose bricks, holes in paving, gaps in paving where not constructed
- The use of irregular surface materials can cause trip hazard and should be avoided. Examples include crazy paving, cobblestones, loose gravel and any other material that is not firmly fixed or can be moved.
- Where uneven surfaces exist (such as historic areas) then a level and stable accessible path should be provided as an alternative route.
External paths height obstructions
- The clear height for headroom in accessible paths is minimum 2100mm above floor.
- No objects that are between 650-2100mm should protrude more than 100mm into accessible paths.
- Any object below 650mm can protrude into the space but must not reduce the total width of path
- This height measurement is taken from the leading edge of the object as shown in diagram
External ramp handrails
- A ramp run that has a rise greater than 150 mm should have handrails located on both sides of the ramp
- Handrails should return to post or wall.
Kerb edges
- Edges of ramps and landing areas should be protected with wall, guard or screen
- Guard rails should comply with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Building Code.
- Colour contrasting strip 40-60 mm wide across the full width of the ramp at the top and bottom of the ramp
Double Handrails
- A ramp run that has a rise greater than 150 mm should have handrails located on both sides of the ramp
- Upper and lower handrails should be provided on each side of the ramp
- Upper handrail located at 875-925 mm
- Lower handrail located 600-750 mm above the ramp surface.
- The clear width between ramp handrails should be 950-1100 mm apart
External ramps
- Where running slope of path is greater than 4% then it is classed as a ramp
- Curved ramps are not advised.
- Ramps should be 950mm – 1100mm in width between handrails.
- ramps and landings to be evenly illuminated to minimum 100 lux.
Gradient of slopes
- Cross slope should be avoided.
- Running slopes in renovations may be allowed up to 8.3% (1:12).
Surface Materials
Landing areas and ramp surfaces should be firm, stable and slip resistant.
Polished or unnecessarily slippy materials such as polished marble are not permitted for ramps
Level Landings
- Level landing areas should be provided at top and bottom of all ramps.
- On longer ramps, intermediate landing areas every 9 metres.
- Maximum slope of landing areas to be 1:50 (2%) in any direction.
- Windows or doors on landing areas should not impact movement.
- Landings may reduce to 1800mm x 1800mm in renovations.
External stairs
- Heights (rise) and tread depths (run) of stairs to be uniform.
- Open risers should be avoided.
- Stair treads & landings should be finished with non-slip material.
- Stair treads, including nosings, should be illuminated with a minimum of 100 lux,
Nosing
- If stair nosing is needed, it should not project to cause trip hazard
- Colour or material contrast to differentiate between the horizontal and vertical surfaces.
- Pattern surfaces should be avoided around stairs.
- Circular stairs should be avoided.
- Windows or doors should not open into landing areas by stairs
- Headroom of 2100mm
- On large stairs, intermediate landing areas with tactile warnings to be provided.
Handrails
- Dual height handrails on both sides of exterior steps
- Handrails on continuous inside edge of stairs with a switchback
- Wide stairs need intermediate handrails
External stairs tactile warning surfaces
Tactile surface dimensions
- gap from stair: 300mm
- depth of surface: 600-900mm
Horizontal Strip Dimensions
- separation of strips: 50mm
- width of strip: 20mm
- height of strip: 6mm
Kerb cuts
- Accessible path gradients should be maintained at kerb cuts where possible.
- Truncated dome detectable warning surface to be used.
- Floor materials need to be firm, stable and slip resistant.
Drainage
- Kerb cuts should avoid water pooling by draining water away from path of travel.
Flared sides
- The flared sides of kerb cuts should be distinct colour contrast to surrounding surfaces.
Tactile warning surface
- Detectable tactile warning surfaces at kerb cuts required
- Warning paving should extend full width of kerb cut
- The change of level between kerb cut and roadway should be 10-15mm high
Level changes beside external paths
- If there is a change in level to the side of an accessible path that is between 200mm and 600mm then edge protection is required to avoid dangerous falls
- Edge protection should be a colour contrasted kerb at minimum of 75mm height
- If the change in level to side of accessible path is greater than 600mm then a guard rail that complies with Saudi Building Code is required.
Ramp handrails
- A ramp run that has a rise greater than 150mm should have handrails located on both sides of the ramp
- Upper and lower handrails should be provided on each side of the ramp
- Upper handrail located at 875-925 mm
- Lower handrail located 600-750 mm above the ramp surface.
- The clear width between ramp handrails should be 950-1100 mm apart
Kerb Edges
- Edges of ramps and landing areas should be protected with wall, guard or screen
- Guard rails should comply with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Building Code.
- Colour contrasting strip 40-60 mm wide across the full width of the ramp at the top and bottom of the ramp
- Handrails should return to post or wall.
Ramp landing areas
- Landing areas should be provided at top and bottom of ramps
- Landing areas to be provided every 9 metres on longer ramps
- Landings should be provided at each change of direction
- Maximum slope of landing areas to be 1:50 (2%) in any direction
- Top and bottom landings to be minimum 2100mm x 2100mm
- In exceptional circumstances, the size of landings can reduce to 1500mm x 1500mm
- Mid ramp landing areas should be minimum 1800mm deep x 2400mm wide
- Intermediate landings at the switchback of a U-shaped ramp (180° turn), should be a minimum of 1800 mm deep and 2400 mm wide.
- Intermediate landing located at the corner of an L-shaped ramp (90° turn), the depth and
- width of the landing should be a minimum of 1800 mm.
Mid ramp landing areas
Accessible parking location
- Accessible disabled car parking located on ground floor close to main entrance or secondary accesible entrance
- An accessible path must connect disabled car parking with building entrance
Accessible parking access zones
Perpendicular parking access zones
- Perpendicular space should have access zones to both sides and rear.
- Access zone to at least one side is mandatory.
- Access zones to side must extend entire length of parking bay.
Side access zones can be shared with the adjacent parking bay
Parallel parking access zones
- Parallel spaces should have access zone to road side.
- Access zone to rear is mandatory.
Access zones to side must extend entire length of parking bay. - In exceptional circumstances, access zones may reduce to 1500mm width if can be proven there is no other option.
Diagonal parking access zones
- Diagonal space should have access zones to both sides and rear.
- Access zone to at least one side is mandatory.
- Access zones to side must extend entire length of parking bay.
- Side access zones can be shared with the adjacent parking bay
Drop-off spaces
On street drop-off space
- Floor surfaces should be firm, stable and a maximum of 2% gradient for running and cross slope
- An access zone should be provided on the passenger side.
- Minimum overhead clearance of 3600mm
Off street drop-off space
- Floor surfaces should be firm, stable and a maximum of 2% gradient for running and cross slope
- An access zone should be provided on the passenger side.
- Minimum overhead clearance of 3600mm
External path width
- The clear width of an accessible path should be above 1800mm.
- When there is proven to be restricted space, a minimum of 1200mm may be allowed.
- Materials of contrasting colour and texture should be used to define the edge of an accessible path.
Passing Places
- Where the size of path is below 1800mm then there needs to wider passing places for two wheelchairs to pass easily.
- Passing places should be spaced at not more than 30 metres apart.
- Passing areas should be set back from accessible paths so not to cause obstruction to movement
External path width obstacles
- Street furniture should be placed adjacent to the accessible path but should not reduce its width to below minimum requirements.
- For consistency, street furniture should be placed along a continuous zone of the public realm to allow it share space with other objects that do not obstruct the accessible path.
