ISO 170001 – Universal Accessibility

General requirements

• Definition of activity and identification of users.
• Ensure that the environment allows users (including emergencies) to carry out the processes.
• Determine whether the actions correspond to the above requirements (part 1).
• Identify actions and set objectives to satisfy DALCO requirements, planning the form and timing of these actions and objectives.
• Ensure availability of resources.
• Implement the actions.
• Maintain the actions.
• Measure the degree of user satisfaction.
• Implement improvement actions.

Documentation requirements

• Accessibility policy and objectives.
• Documented procedures required by the standard.
• Documents required by the organisation for effective planning, operation and control of processes.
• The scope of the system (justifying exceptions).
• Description of the Universal Accessibility Management System processes and their interaction.

Management commitment

• To implement, maintain and improve the system.
• To increase user satisfaction.
• Identify, provide and maintain the necessary infrastructure.
• Qualified personnel.

This universal accessibility management system is of interest to any organisation, both those whose activities are carried out in public environments and those that want to make their work environments accessible to all.

Organisations that need to demonstrate their ability to provide an environment that meets DALCO accessibility requirements and applicable regulatory requirements.

Organisations aiming to increase the universal accessibility of the environment and thus customer satisfaction through the effective implementation of the system.

Amongst others hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, sports centres, schools, universities, hospitals and customer service centres.

The UNE 170001 standard consists of two parts:

• UNE 170001-1: Universal accessibility. Criteria to facilitate accessibility to the environment.

Part 1: DALCO requirements: Set of requirements relating to the actions of ambulation, apprehension, location and communication, which must be met to guarantee the universal accessibility of environments, products or services and thus facilitate universal accessibility to the built environment.

• UNE 170001-2: Universal accessibility. Criteria to facilitate accessibility to the environment.

Part 2: Universal accessibility management system.

Requirements that a universal accessibility management system must have in order to comply with the DALCO requirements for universal accessibility to the built environment defined in the UNE 170001-1 standard and those established in the specific regulations applicable in the territory where the organisation provides its services.

The management systems based on this standard include management principles based, among others, on continuous improvement, process approach and user focus, as well as commitment to compliance with existing legal, regulatory and normative requirements.

A set of requirements relating to the actions of ambulation, apprehension, localisation and communication, which have to be met to ensure the universal accessibility of environments, products or services and thereby facilitate universal accessibility to the built environment.

• Deambulation.

The action of moving from one place to another.

1. Manoeuvring spaces

• Appropriate dimensions.
• Absence of obstacles.
• Furniture, supports, seats.

Factors to take into account:

• Dimensions appropriate to the use of the place, allowing access both to the furniture and to switches, sockets, etc.
• Absence of obstacles (suspended and wall-mounted elements).
• Tables, counters, etc. that require frontal approach, free of obstacles in the lower part to achieve maximum approach of a wheelchair.
• Furniture properly anchored and stable enough to serve as support.
• When necessary, provide for the installation of elements such as bars, handles or other types of supports that facilitate movement or manoeuvring, but do not hinder the movement of other users.

(Street furniture and sanitary fittings shall comply with the relevant UNE standards).

2. Flooring

– Uniformity.

– Avoidance of slipping.

– Easy cleaning.

Special attention should be paid to:

• The climate to which it will be subjected.
• No glare and easy to clean, avoid slipping, especially on ramps, stairs, etc. (non-slip edges, etc.).
• Uniform surface without irregularities (no isolated steps), elements such as carpets and rugs must remain fixed to the floor.
• Soft, well-compacted ground (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.).
• Any openings or gaps in walking surfaces.

3. Lighting

– Uniform distribution. No abrupt changes, glare (direct or indirect).

– Adequate light sources, which do not impair the perception of contrasts, depth or distance between objects. 

4. Circulation areas

– Dimensions.

– Obstacles.

– Doors.

– Closing elements.

Factors to be taken into account:

• Width of zones. Minimum 110cm with occasional narrowing of 90cm. Recommended 150cm (passage of 2 people, one in a wheelchair).
• Attention to manoeuvring spaces: no changes of plane.
• Parking space dimensions.
• Allows the vehicle to be raised and lowered (minimum. 220cm battery 200cm in line).
• Free of obstacles (on the ground or suspended from the ceiling), although the following are permitted in aisles, corridors or passageways: litter bins, seats, etc. as long as they do not reduce the dimensions of the passageway below the minimum permitted.
• In case of non-compliance, alternative routes shall be provided.
• Minimum 80cm x 200cm. Operating elements at appropriate height (85cm – 105cm). Revolving doors must not be used. If they are made of glass, they must be safety glass or protected with skirting boards, and the glazed area must be marked with a strip.

5. Plane changes

– Stairs.

• Constant inclination.
• Equidistant steps.
• Uniform construction.
• Maximum 10 steps without landing.
• Minimum width should be 1.10m depending on simultaneous passage flow.
• Landing of 1.05m x 1.20m minimum, to allow manoeuvres such as turning.
• Placement of handrails or handrails if possible double.
• Correct signage (use of textures and colours different from the adjacent pavement, both above and below).

– Ramps.

• Minimum width should be 1.05 m. according to simultaneous flow.
• Longitudinal slope less than 3% if possible.
• If the slope is: Greater than 3%: rest areas every 25 m. Greater than 6% with travel > 3 m: stairs should also be installed.
• Less than 2 m section length: maximum 8% slope.
• Rest areas should be provided every 9 m (1.50 m long) when excessive effort is required.
• Placement of handrails or guardrails.
• 10 cm high toe boards along the length of the ramp.
• Obstacle-free zone at both ends.

– Lifts.

• UNE EN 81-70: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.
• Particular applications for passenger lifts and passenger and freight lifts. Part 70: Accessibility to lifts for persons, including persons with disabilities.
• It is a harmonised standard of the European Lifts Directive 95/16/EEC.
• Flooring in the vicinity of doorways with a differentiated texture.
• Luminous and acoustic warning devices for arrival, departure and direction of travel (interior and exterior).
• Button panels and control elements at a height that allows seated operation.
• Handrails inside cabs.

2. Apprehension.

The action of holding or grabbing something. Its purpose is to make it easier for the user to handle mechanisms, objects and products with which he/she interferes during the process.

1. Scope: All mechanisms, objects and products involved in the process must be within reach of users, both in height and depth.
2. Operating elements: Doorknobs, taps, buttons, switches, knobs, etc. All manually operated elements and mechanisms must be easily manipulated by persons with reduced mobility.

• All manually operated mechanisms and elements (UNE 41500).
• Mainly: doorknobs, taps, switches, etc.
• Ease of handling.
• Avoid twisting (knobs).
• Avoid applying excessive force or great precision.
• Adequate height and distance from corners to operate in a seated position.
• Adequate space in the approach area for manoeuvring the wheelchair.
• Adequate space in the front approach area of the wheelchair (washbasin).
• Height, depth at feet and knees.

3. Grip: Handrails, handles, support bars.

• Circular section (diameter 3 cm – 5 cm).
• Non-slip surface that does not cause chafing or danger to the user.
• Fixing on the underside of the handrail.
• Resistant to the expected stress.
• Height: 90 cm – 105 cm (handrail).
• 30 cm extension for handrails at the start and end of the staircase.
• They must not hinder movement and manoeuvring.

In relation to the elements and objects available, if due to circumstances the user is unable to take them as planned, specialised care services must be available.

4. Transport: Trolleys, baskets, bags, etc.

• Trolleys, baskets, bags, etc., should be made available to the user when required.
• If circumstances so require, specialised care should be available to assist in the transport of items or objects.

3. Locating.

The action of finding out the precise place where something or someone is. To facilitate the orientation and location of places and objects involved in the process (qualified personnel).

• Lighting.
• Signalling: Visual, acoustic, tactile.
• Other means of location: people.

4. Communication.

Action of exchanging the information necessary for the development of an activity.

Interactive communication: customer service, verbal communication, sign language, one-way communication, push buttons, keyboards, panels, touch screens, brochures, plans, catalogues, sound announcements, Braille.

Non-interactive communication: panel signs, other means of communication, graphics and writing, light signs, acoustic signs, tactile signs.

Ask for more information about DALCO requirements.