The Lifetime Homes Standards (with effect from 21.04.99)

  Lifetime Homes Standards Specifications & Dimensions which meet the Lifetime Homes Standard Housing Corporation Scheme Development Standard Compliance
1. Where there is parking adjacent to the home it should be capable of enlargement to attain 3300mm width The general provision for a car parking space is 2400mm width. If an additional 900mm width is not provided at the outset there must be a provision (eg. grass verge) for enlarging the overall width to 3300 at a later date. I.1.3.4 E (requires actual provision at the outset rather than provision for later enlargement).
2. The distance from the car parking space to the home should be kept to a minimum and should be level or gently sloping. It is preferable to have a level approach. However, where the topography prevents this, a maximum gradient of 1:12 is permissable on an individual slope of less than 5m or 1:15 if it is between 5 & 10m and 1:20 where it is more than 10m.* Paths should be a minimum of 900mm width. I.1.3.2 E (but covers natural surveillance not distance).
3. The approach to all entrances should be level or gently sloping. See standard 2. for the definition of gently sloping. relevant parts of I.1.3.1
4.
All entrances should
a) be illuminated
b) have level access over the threshold
c) have a covered main entrance
The threshold upstand should not exceed 15mm. I.1.1.12 E relevant parts of I.1.3.1.2 E
5.
a) Communal stairs should provide easy access and
b) where homes are reached by a lift it should be fully wheelchair accessible.
Minimum dimensions for communal stairs
Uniform rise not more than 170mm
Uniform going not less than 250mm
Handrails extend 300mm beyond top & bottom step
Handrail height 900mm from each nosing
Minimum dimensions for lifts
Clear landing entrances 1500mm x 1500mm
Min. internal dimensions 1100mm x 1400mm
Lift controls between 900 & 1200mm from the floor and 400mm from the lifts internal front wall
 
I.4.1.5 E
 
 
 
I.2.1.44 E
I.2.1.45 E
 
 
6. The width of the doorways and hall ways should conform to the specifications in the next column
Doorway clear opening width(mm) Corridor / Passageway width (mm)
750 or wider 900 (head-on approach)
750 1200 (NOT head-on approach)
775 1050 (NOT head-on approach)
900 900 (NOT head on approach)
The clear opening width of the front door should be 800mm. There should be 300mm to the side of the leading edge of doors on the entrance level
I.3.1.2 E
I.3.1.3 E
I.3.1.4 E
 
 
 
7. There should be space for turning a wheelchair in dining areas and living rooms and adequate circulation space for wheelchair users elsewhere A Turning circle of 1500mm diameter or a 1700mm x 1400mm ellipse is required. I.3.1.12 R
8. The living room should be at entrance level   I.3.1.10 R
9. In house of two or more storeys there should be space on the entrance level that could be used as a convenient bed space  
I.6.3.6 R
I.3.1.11 R
10.
There should be:
a) a wheelchair accessible entrance level WC with
b) drainage provision enabling a shower to be fitted in the future
The drainage provision for a future shower should be provided in all dwellings
Dwellings of three or more bedrooms
For dwellings of three or more bedrooms, or on one level, the WC must be fully accessible.
A wheelchair user should be able to close the door from within the closet and achieve side transfer from a wheelchair to at least one side of the WC. There must be at least 1100mm clear space from the front of the WC bowl. The shower provision must be within the closet (the WC could be an integral part of the bathroom if in a flat or bungalow).**
Dwellings of two or fewer bedrooms
In small two bedroom dwellings where the design has failed to achieve the above fully accessible WC the Part M standard WC will meet this standard.
I.3.1.5 E
I.3.1.9 R
I.6.3.6 R
11. Walls in bathrooms and toilets should be capable of taking adaptations such as handrails. Wall reinforcements should be located between 300mm & 500mm from the floor. I.6.3.1 R
12.
The design should incorporate
a) provision for a future stair lift
b) a suitably identified space for a through-the-floor lift from the ground to the first floor, for example to a bedroom next to a bathroom.
There must be a minimum of 900mm clear distance between the stair wall (on which the lift would normally be located) and the edge of the opposite handrail / balustrade. Unobstructed 'landings' are needed at the top & bottom of stairs.
I.3.1.6 E
I.6.3.6 R
13. The design should provide for a reasonable route for a potential hoist from from a main bedroom to the bathroom. Most timber trusses, today, are capable of taking a hoist and tracking. Technological advances in hoist design mean that a straight run is no longer a requirement.
I.6.3.2 E
I.2.1.31 R
14. The bathroom should be designed to incorporate ease of access to the bath, WC & wash basin. Although there is not a requirement for a turning circle in bathrooms, sufficient space should be provided so that a wheelchair user could use the bathroom.  
15. Living room window glazing should begin at 800mm or lower and windows should be easy to open / operate. Peaople should be able to see out of the window whilst seated and wheelchair users should be able to operate at least one window in each room.
I.4.1.1 E
I.2.1.32 R
16. Switches, sockets ventilation and service controls should be at a height usable by all (ie. between 450 & 1200mm from the floor). This applies to all rooms including the kitchen and bathroom.
I.3.1.14 E (switches and sockets at 900-1200mm)
I.3.1.15 E (sockets etc at 450-600mm)

 

* Providing there are top, bottom & intermediate landings of not less than 1.2m excluding the swing of doors and gates.

** But please not that it is important to meet Part M dimensions specified to each side of the WC bowl in entrance level WC's (diags 10a & 10b). The Lifetime Homes standards for houses of three bedrooms or more require full side transfer from at least one side of the WC>

Note: Homes built to Lifetime Homes standards meet Part M and relevant parts of the Housing Corporation Scheme Development Standards as indicated.