| DDA questions 
General FAQs
DDA questions
What are the main changes to the DDA since 1st May 2011?
Building Access changes:
- Through the principal pedestrian entrance and not less than 50% of all entrances (including principal)
- If building has a total floor area of more than 500 sqm an inaccessible entrance must be no more than 50 metres from an accessible one
- Specific requirements for single entrances with multiple doorways and door leaves
- Every stairway and ramp (other than fire isolated) must comply with clause 10 and 11 of AS 1428.1
- Fire isolated stairways must have luminance contrast nosing strips
- Passing spaces every 20m where direct line of sight not possible
- Turning spaces 2 m before end of an accessway and every 20 m on an accessway
- Levels other than entrance storey need not be provided with lift or ramp in buildings with no more than 3 storeys and where the upper floors are less than 200 square metres each.
Access not required where:
- Inappropriate because of particular purpose the area is used for or
- Area would pose a health or safety risk for people with a disability
- Examples could be loading docks, foundry floors and rigging loft
- assessment on a case by case basis.
Accessible parking changes:
- Essentially no change to current BCA requirements for number of carparks (except increase for clinics and day surgeries)
- Change to layout and dimensions in AS/NZS 2890.6
Signage changes:
- Improved signage about type of hearing augmentation system used and where receivers can be obtained (if used)
- Signage indicating right or left hand transfer in accessible toilets
- Signage indicating ambulant accessible toilets
Hearing augmentation changes:
- Removal of the 100 sqm room size concession
- Increased area coverage for induction loop system from 15% to 80% of area
- System using receivers must cover 95% of the area and receivers must be provided as a ratio of the number of occupants on a sliding scale
Tactile indicator changes:
- Essentially no change other than referencing recent AS 1428.4.1 technical requirements
Wheelchair seating spaces in assembly building changes:
- Increased number of wheelchair seating spaces
- Location and grouping specified to provide seating options including restrictions on how many wheelchair seating spaces can be located in front rows of cinemas
Swimming pool changes:
- Specifies the means of access/exit to swimming pools including fixed or movable ramp, zero depth entry, platform lift or sling-style lift
- Where swimming pool is over 70m perimeter at least one means of entry must be a ramp, zero entry or platform lift
- Part D5 (Specification D3.10) provides details on the design and installation of the different means of entry/exit to a swimming pool
- Note that latches for swimming pool gates need not comply with AS 1428.1
Ramps limitation changes:
- A limitation on the use of ramps has been introduced whereby a series of connecting ramps cannot rise more than 3.6m
- Restrictions on overlapping landings
Glazing on an accessway changes:
- While this is no change from the current BCA the referenced AS 1428.1 (clause 6.6) has made it clearer that markings on glazing must be across the whole width, solid and a minimum of 30% luminance contrast
Lift installation changes:
- Introduces a wide range of lift options with limitations on use
- Specific features that each type of lift must have
- Note that unenclosed lifts may use constant pressure devices for operation (for 5 year review)
Sanitary facility changes:
- Generally a unisex accessible toilet must be provided on every storey where there are toilets
- If more than one block of toilets on any floor then unisex accessible toilets at 50% (for 5 year review)
- Ambulant accessible toilet in addition to unisex accessible toilet
- Left and right handed facilities where more than one
- Clarifies washbasin and fixtures must be inside facility
- Increased circulation space required in AS 1428.1
Public transport building changes:
- Transferred from the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
- Provides requirements for passenger use areas of public transport buildings and timetable for compliance of existing buildings
- Where this part (H2) requires different compliance targets they take precedence
Q. What buildings do the 1st May 2011 changes apply to?
Applies to new buildings, new work on or extension to existing buildings and affected parts of existing buildings where application for building work occurs after 1 May 2011 for Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It also applies to specified Class 1b and common areas of new Class 2 that has short-term rent units (and existing if built after 1/5/11).
Class 1b = Small hostel, guest house, B&B, 4 or more holiday cabins on one allotment
Class 2 = Flats, apartments, units
Class 3 = Large hostel, boarding house, motel
Class 4 = (No class 4)
Class 5 = Office buildings,
Class 6 = Shops, retail buildings
Class 7a = Carpark buildings (but not private garages)
Class 7b = Warehouses, wholesale retail
Class 8 = Factories
Class 9a = Hospitals, health-care buildings
Class 9b = Schools and early childhood centres, assembly buildings (public halls, cinemas, sports stadiums, etc.)
Class 9c = Aged-care buildings
Class 10a = Non habitable buildings such as public toilet block or shelter
Class 10b = Swimming pool structure
Who are the responsible parties?
- Building Certifier
- Building Developer
- Building Manager
... to the extent they are responsible or have control over.
Does the DDA apply to access to existing buildings as well as new buildings?
Yes. Premises covered by section 23 are not restricted to new buildings, or buildings constructed since the D.D.A. was enacted. It may, however, be easier to show that altering existing premises to provide non-discriminatory access would impose unjustifiable hardship than to justify lack of non-discriminatory access in new premises.
General FAQs 
What is a platform lift?
It is a lift without an enclosed lift car.
Can I fit a lift into an existing property?
Yes. We assist many individuals by installing home lifts into their existing properties, and frequently make commercial buildings disability compliant by installing lifts on the existing site.
Do I need an architect?
No. Our Sales team are highly experienced in lift installation and use their trained eye to gauge the best configuration for each specific site.
Can I put a lift outside the building's footprint?
Yes. We have installed many lifts externally in their own self-supporting tower.
Can I put a lift on Council property?
It is possible but best avoided because Council approval will be required.
How do I open a lift door from a wheelchair?
Where applicable our disability lifts can be fitted with fully automatic doors that open upon arrival at the desired stop.
Do the lifts have many finish options available?
Yes. Each lift has many customisable finish options detailed in each lift specification.
Generally there are 212 RAL colours to be chosen from.
Stainless steel finishes are popular as shown below at Pall Mall in London:
Can I use my own custom finishes?
Yes. Some restrictions apply.
What does RAL mean?
RAL is a colour matching system used in Europe. Based on hue, brightness and saturation each colour is represented by digits and forms 1625 coded colours. The RAL design system was tailored to the needs of architects, designers and advertisers.
What is meant by 2 stops?
A lift stop is a point at which the moving platform will stop and passengers or goods board or disembark the lift. Therefore every lift has a minimum of 2 stops, the top entry/exit point and bottom entry/exit point.
A lift with up to a 5 stop capability, for example, can stop at 3 points along its travel for persons or goods to board or disembark.
Can I reduce the lead time?
Yes. Airfreight is an option available for all our lifts and can significantly reduce lead time.
Some lifts are held in stock and can be installed very quickly. If you require assistance asap it is always worth asking.
Do the lifts have any warranty?
Yes. One years free warranty is included with every lift.
This includes 2 service visits by one of our qualified technicians.
Do I have to register the lift?
No. Platform Lift Company register each lift with WorkCover as part of our service.
Who does the installation?
Platform Lift Company's trained tech team install the lift. We do not use sub-contractors.
What happens if the lift breaks down after hours?
Our technicians are available 24 hours a day. We provide 24-hour support to our clients in the
unlikely event of a breakdown.
Call 1300 884 960
Do I receive a manual and handover material?
Yes. With every installation we supply a handover manual that includes: 
- How to use the lift
- How to service the lift
- Emergency contract information
- WorkCover registration
- Warranty card
- Installation certificate
- Signed certification of lift
- Spare keys
What is the difference between a 'residential' or a 'disabilty' lift?
The required compliance. A lift for a commercial environment must be installed under a different part of the Lift code and therefore will have more restrictions on platform size, maximum travel, minimum load etc. compared to the same lift installed in a residential environment.
Can PLC lifts be installed externally?
Yes. All our lifts can be installed internally or externally (apart from the Dumbwaiter).
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