The flagship standard ISO 21542:2011 Building construction — Accessibility and usability of the built environment is being revised and will shortly be ready for DIS ballot in SC 16.
The standard, being developed by WG 1 in SC 16 "Accessibility and usability of the built environment", has undergone a significant update from the previous version. In addition to editorial and general updates, the document has been restructured and several clauses and annexes have been completely revised, such as those covering ramps, acoustics, emergency warning systems, signals and information, visual contrast, (fire) emergency evacuation, and fire prevention, protection, safety and evacuation for all. New text has been introduced on topics such as determination of luminance contrast, emergency evacuation related building infrastructure, and housing.
The purpose of ISO 21542 is to describe how a building should be designed, constructed, managed and maintained in order to enable people to approach and enter the building; use the building's facilities, services and information networks; egress from the building under normal conditions; and evacuate the building during an emergency.
The standard, which is applicable to both new and existing buildings, provides essential requirements and necessary recommendations for the realization of a safe, inclusive, age-friendly and sustainable built environment which is accessible and usable for all.
When the infrastructure of accessibility and usability is fully and effectively in place, good building management practice and procedures are essential to maintain original as-built or as-adapted building performance during the life cycle of the building and, in the event of a fire or other emergency incident, to ensure that the intended fire safety strategy is successfully initiated and executed.
If the design requirements and recommendations in the standard are taken into consideration during the earliest stages of a new building design, the financial cost of providing accessibility and usability measures is minimal, and the completed building will be safer and user-friendlier for every building user. Where these design requirements are not considered, the socio-economic cost is considerable in terms of human rights violations and a significant reduction in building user safety and satisfaction.
The principles of accessibility and usability for all are supported by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and further reinforced by the UN 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Framework Agenda and the World Health Organization’s 2016-2020 Global Strategy & Action Plan on Ageing & Health.
Would you like to review and comment on the new version? Contact your national member body in ISO to get access to the draft and provide your input. The DIS ballot is expected to open on 20 February 2020.