Accessible
With respect to buildings and environments, this means that everyone is able to gain access, regardless of disability, age and gender.

Access audit
An assessment of aspects of an environment (either internal or external) and services in terms of accessibility. An audit measures how well the environment or service meets the needs of existing and potential users. Potential barriers to access may be identified and recorded alongside suggested improvements. Existing environments/services tend to be assessed against predefined criteria, such as best practice guidance.

Access group
A group of people who seek to help improve access and inclusion within the built environment, generally within their local area. Most groups offer a range of services, and will be able to provide views and advice on both existing situations, buildings and spaces as well as proposed schemes and developments.

Access statement
A description of how inclusive design principles and practice are incorporated into a particular project or development. Access statements may be used to support an application to Building Control, but they are not mandatory. They are particularly useful when design solutions vary from those within Approved Document M, either to provide a more convenient solution, or to address the constraints of an existing building. Note: In Wales, Design and Access Statements (which are submitted at the Planning stage) are often referred to as Access statements. See 'Design and access statements'.

Acoustics
Characteristics relating to sound.

Approved Document B
A publication that offers practical guidance on the application of the Building Regulations in terms of fire safety. While the provisions are not mandatory – and the requirements can be met in other ways – the guidance is used as a benchmark by Building Control Officers and by Approved Inspectors. Its full title is Approved Document B: Fire safety.

Approved Document M
A publication that offers practical guidance on the application of the Building Regulations in terms of access to and within buildings. While the provisions are not mandatory – and the requirements can be met in other ways – the guidance is used as a benchmark by Building Control Officers and by Approved Inspectors. Its full title is Approved Document M: Access to and use of buildings.

Approved Inspector
Companies or individuals authorised under the Building Act 1984 to carry out building control work in England and Wales.

BS 8300:2009
A design standard from the British Standards Institution that advises on how to make building elements (and features of building approaches) as accessible as possible to disabled people. Its full title is Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. BS 8300:2009 replaces the previous standard BS 8300:2001.

Building
A permanent or temporary structure of any size that accommodates facilities to which people have access.

Building Control Officer
A person with the authority to control building work that is subject to the Building Regulations.

Building user
Any person using facilities in a building or associated external environment.

Corduroy hazard warning surface
Form of tactile paving with raised ribs to warn visually impaired people of a potential hazard ahead.

Design and access statement
(also called ‘access statements’ in Wales) A report that explains the thinking behind a planning application, covering both design concepts and principles and access issues. They must include at least a written description and justification of the planning application, and sometimes will incorporate photos, maps and drawings to further illustrate the points made. Design and access statements must now be submitted with most applications for planning permission and listed building consent.

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
An Act of Parliament introduced in 1995 (and updated in 2005) that introduced new measures aimed at ending the discrimination faced by many disabled people. It applies to the whole of the UK, including (with modifications) Northern Ireland.

Door ironmongery
A collective term for components including hinges, handles, locks and self-closing devices, which are used to facilitate the correct functioning of a door. May also be termed ‘architectural ironmongery’ or ‘door furniture’.

Door closing device
Device that can close a door from any angle and against any latch.

Dropped kerb
A section of kerb that has been altered so that it is flush with the roadway in order to provide level access. Level access may also be provided by raising the road surface to the same height as the footway at the desired crossing point.

Egress
Emergence of a person from a building and the immediate vicinity.

Escalator
A moving stairway.

Evacuation
Egress in an emergency situation, from a place of danger to a place of safety.

Evacuation lift
A lift used as part of the evacuation sequence for people needing assistance, which has appropriate structural, electrical and fire protection.

Flight
When in reference to stairs/steps/ramps, this is a continuous ramp or series of steps between two levels.

Going
When in reference to stairs/steps, this is the horizontal distance between two consecutive nosings, measured along the walking line. When in reference to ramps, this is the horizontal distance between each end of a ramp.

Grabrail
A support handle that is usually fitted on the wall, but also sometimes the floor or ceiling, that is used: to push or pull against when standing up/sitting down; to provide a firm grip when transferring from one position to another; or for balance when standing, walking or dressing.

Handrail
A component of stairs, steps or ramps that provides guidance and support at hand level.

Inclusive design
The design of environments, products and information so that they can be used by everyone. Inclusive design aims to remove the barriers that create undue effort and separation, enabling every person to move, see, hear and communicate effectively.

Landing
Level platform at the end of a ramp or flight of stairs.

Light reflectance value
The amount of visible light that is reflected by a surface when it is illuminated by a light source.

Manifestations
Markings on substantially glazed doors to improve safety and visibility, which will be visible against a variety of backgrounds and in different lighting conditions.

Nosing
Front edge portion of a tread or landing on stairs.

Part B
Part B of the Building Regulations sets minimum legal standards for fire safety in buildings. Part B is supported by Approved Document B.

Part M
Part M of the Building Regulations sets minimum legal standards for access and use of buildings by all building users. Part M is supported by Approved Document M.

Passenger lift
A conventional motorised lift enclosed within a structural shaft and rising one or more storeys within a building. Lift and door movement is automatic.

Principal entrance
The main entrance to a building, which is the one someone unfamiliar with the building would expect to approach.

Ramp
Length of inclined surface that provides access between two levels.

Refuge
An area that is separated from a potential fire by fire-resisting construction, which provides a temporarily safe space in an emergency as well as a safe route to an exit.

Rise
In reference to steps/stairs, the vertical distance between the horizontal upper surfaces of two consecutive treads. In reference to ramps, the vertical distance between each end of a ramp flight.

Riser
Vertical part of a step between one tread and another.

Reverberation
The reflection of sound within a room or space.

Stairlift
A device mounted on a support rail that follows the incline of a stair and incorporates either a seat with footrest (chairlift) or standing platform and perch (perching stairlift).

Tactile paving
A system of textured ground surface indicators that provides guidance or warning to blind or visually impaired people.

Textphone
A telephone device that facilitates text communication and incorporates a screen and keyboard.

Tread
Horizontal part of a step.

Travelator
A moving walkway designed to transport people quickly over a long distance in large buildings. Travelators are usually level, but may have a slight incline where a vertical change in level is also required.

Vertical platform lift
A guarded platform that travels vertically and is designed to accommodate one wheelchair user and one companion. Vertical platform lifts do not require a structural shaft, but are required to be enclosed if they rise more than 2m. Also termed vertical lifting platform, vertical-rise platform lift, short-rise platform lift (up to 2m rise), enclosed platform lift, hydraulic platform lift and scissor lift.

Vision panel
A fixed glazed panel set into a door which enables people to see through from one side of the door to the other. May also be termed ‘viewing panel’.

Visual contrast
Used to indicate the visual perception of an element of a building or environment, or a fitting within it. It is expressed in terms of the difference in the light reflectance values of two adjacent surfaces.

Wayfinding
A collective term describing features in a building or environment that facilitate orientation and navigation.

Wheelchair platform stairlift
A stairlift incorporating a fold-down platform for wheelchair users and support rails that follow the incline of a stair.