Architecture & Access specialist access consulting services are proving popular with Queensland building certifiers, assisting them with advice on alternative solutions and determining the components of building design and construction that may impact accessibility.
“Certifiers tell us that our services assist them to work with designers and builders to meet obligations to provide accessible premises,” says Patricia Flores, senior access consultant at Architecture & Access in Queensland.
Accessibility has become a critical area of technical knowledge, so an access report or compliance statement issued by Architecture & Access gives certainty and assurance to all concerned that the requirements for access have been addressed.
“Essentially, we make the professional lives of building certifiers easier as they go about their job to ensure that completed building works comply with building control legislation.”
The service most sought by building certifiers is advice on alternative solutions whereby our access consultants offer performance-based approaches to achieving compliance when deemed to satisfy provisions of the National Construction Code are difficult to meet.
Environments that can pose a problem for access are heritage listed or existing buildings where accessibility can be difficult to incorporate into areas that previously have not been required to be accessible.
We can offer assistance to support alternative design solutions that may include a management plan or access strategy that is supported by the occupants of the building to ensure reasonable access is provided.
Our access consultants will attend site at early stages of construction and at practical completion before certificates of occupancy or classification are issued to provide peace of mind for all parties that compliance has been achieved and a reasonable solution for people with disability is attained.
When it is left to the building certifier to manage avoidable and unintended errors that impact accessibility and may require costly redesign and rectification, an access consultant can provide advice and solutions to comply with the standards, and inspect the completed work to provide a statement of compliance.
Some of the most common avoidable errors that our access consultants see include:
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