Since 2005, legislation has established standards for building construction to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility (PRM). Any building permit application that does not comply with these rules is rejected. They have therefore become mandatory standards to be taken into account. Here are the standards to be followed for building housing for PRM.
For sanitary facilities in PRM housing
In housing intended for People with Reduced Mobility, there are construction requirements for sanitary facilities. When installed outside of rooms, these standards also apply.
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For each sanitary facility, users should have a maneuvering space of at least 1.5 m in diameter. On the side next to the toilet, a space of 1.30 x 0.8 m must be arranged. Builders must install PRM toilets located about 0.45 m from the ground.
The installation of a grab bar is also essential. Their presence is particularly necessary in showers (wide enough to allow at least a half-turn). A bar should be positioned about 0.80 m from the ground. Other equipment can be installed, but at 1.30 m from the ground.
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For housing in a public establishment
Public establishments (ERP) are establishments open to the public. These generally include boarding schools, hospitals, hotels, etc. Within these, there should be a certain number of rooms specifically designated for people with reduced mobility. If the establishment has 21 rooms, one of them must be for PRM. However, if the establishment has between 21 and 50 rooms, two should be reserved for PRM. An additional room should be added for every 5 rooms.
Regarding ERPs with fewer than 10 rooms, legislation does not provide any standards to determine the number of PRM rooms. The rooms adapted for people with disabilities must be spacious enough, with easy access to the bed, windows, storage, and furniture.
If the rooms are located on upper floors, a lift is essential for easy access. Doors must be at least 90 cm wide and open at least 90°. Spaces must be arranged around certain furniture such as the bed. The distance from the floor to the bed is typically between 40 cm and 50 cm.
For new housing
For new individual housing and new collective housing, there are also standards for better access for PRM. In the case of collective housing, attention should be paid during the construction of common areas, access points, and surroundings.
Speaking of new individual housing, the owner is free to comply with these standards or not. However, when they plan to sell or rent their property at the end of construction, they must absolutely take these standards into account.
The rules mentioned earlier for public establishments apply equally to collective housing. Those related to sanitary facilities must also be applied to collective housing and housing for sale or rent.
For old housing
There are no requirements for old housing. However, in the case of improvement or renovation, these rules may apply. Indeed, when the cost of the work is equal to or greater than 80% of the property’s value, the builder must comply with the rules for PRM.
For more information
As you may have noticed, the standards applied for the construction of rooms intended for PRM are not the same under all conditions. Depending on whether it is new housing, old housing, individual housing, or a public establishment; the rules are not identical.
To learn more about the subject, you could consult the laws, decrees, orders, and circulars that discuss it. These include: the decree of April 11, 2019, the Elan law of November 23, 2018, the circular of November 30, 2007, the order of August 1st, 2006, the decree of December 24, 2005, the order of December 24, 2005, and the law of February 11, 2005.