Access to and within buildings - effective clear width of opening in door modules (FTN4)
Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings (2013) Section 3 - Horizontal and vertical circulation in buildings other than dwellings
3.10 Internal doors will satisfy Requirement M1 or M2 if:
3.10 b) the effective clear width through a single leaf door, or
one leaf of a double leaf door, is in accordance with table 2 and
diagram 9 of AD M. FZD 0526
3.10 c) there is an unobstructed space of at least 300mm on the
pull side of the door between the leading edge of the door and any
return wall, unless the door has power-controlled opening or it
provides access to a standard hotel bedroom.
| Direction & Width of Approach | New Building* | Existing Building* |
| Straight on (without a turn or oblique approach) | 800mm | 750mm |
| At right angles to an access route at least 1500mm wide | 800mm | 750mm |
| At right angles to an access route at least 1200mm wide | 825mm | 775mm |
| External doors to buildings used by the general public | 1000mm | 775mm |
Table 2 Minimum effective clear width of doors. (Forza Opinion - * this table was introduced in May 2004 therefore 'New Building' relates to work on site from that date).
From the 6th April 2013 the Approved Documents (AD) incorporating the 2013 amendments are for use in England only. Building regulation powers were devolved to Wales on 31/12/2011 and the 2013 amendments for England do not apply to Wales.
Forza Formula for Calculation of Leaf Width
Minimum effective clear width of opening (ECW) + (a) door
thickness + (b) hinge dim + (c) door stop minus (d) gap leaf to
frame closing side = required leaf width
Example: ECW 800 + (a) 44mm + (b) 10mm + (c) 12mm - (d) 3mm =
863mm leaf width required.
Forza Doors Opinion
The series of Approved Documents issued by the Secretary of State
providing practical guidance with respect to the requirements of
The Building Regulations offers no obligation to adopt any
particular solution contained in an Approved Document providing the
relevant requirement is meet in some other way. As with British
Standard recommendations and Approved Document requirements the
overriding considerations should be 'is it safe, practical and
functional?' Project contractors and end user clients responsible
for buildings should ensure that materials and colours chosen for
aesthetic design should also meet the recommendations and
requirements of the relevant British Standards and Approved
Documents.
FTN technical notes represent the
interpretation and opinion by Forza Doors Ltd of the various
approved documents and British Standards from which extracts have
been reviewed. No responsibility or liability is accepted by Forza
for any loss/damage relating to any error or omission contained in
the technical notes. April 2013
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| Part M - Effective Clear Width - FZD0526 |
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