Building and Construction BCA Singapore Updates
Written answer by Ministry of National Development on accessible changing rooms and larger accessible toilets in buildings
Feb 26, 2024
Question No: 5506
Question by: Ms See Jinli Jean
To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what proportion of buildings in Singapore provide (i) accessible changing rooms for adults with disabilities or seniors who need caregivers to help change them and (ii) larger accessible toilets on every floor for motorised wheelchairs users, respectively; and (b) how does the Ministry seek to encourage more building owners to introduce accessible changing rooms and larger accessible toilets in their buildings.
Answer:
BCA requires all new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major addition and alteration (A&A) works to comply with the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment (‘Code’). Since Jan 2020, the Code requires buildings that are frequented by the public, such as sports complexes, transport interchanges, polyclinics, community clubs and larger shopping malls, to provide at least one accessible changing room at an appropriate location and one larger accessible individual washroom at every floor.
2. To date, there are about 50 buildings designed with accessible changing rooms for persons with disabilities and seniors, who may need the assistance of their caregivers. The integrated community development at One Punggol and the Mandai Bird Paradise are examples of places that have provided accessible changing rooms. There are about 130 buildings designed with larger accessible toilets. These toilets cater to persons with disabilities and seniors using motorised wheelchair that require a larger manoeuvring space.
3. To encourage more private building owners to voluntarily retrofit their existing buildings with user-friendly features, BCA’s Accessibility Fund (AF) co-funds up to 80% of the construction cost for basic accessibility features like larger accessible toilets and up to 60% of the construction cost for other inclusive features like accessible changing rooms in eligible developments. To further promote this, BCA’s Universal Design Excellence Award (UDEA) recognises buildings that have provided more accessible facilities beyond the mandatory Code requirements.
The Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) has been supporting the development of universal designs to ensure inclusivity for those with special needs. Proud to be a part of this movement, Active Aging LLP (Pressalit Singapore) is excited to see its SCT product line being featured in many of the accessible changing rooms in Singapore's newest buildings. Our SCT 2100 model was recently showcased at the newly inaugurated Singapore Bird Paradise, as highlighted by Channel News Asia on 12th October 2023. We remain committed to providing innovative solutions for a more inclusive world. #Accessibility #Inclusivity #UniversalDesigns #PressalitSCT #ActiveAgingLLP #BCA #Pressalit #SCT2100 #SCT3100 #ChangingTable #ChangingPlace #AccessibleChangingRoom #ACR #AdultChangingStations
BCA Accessibility Fund (Click HERE to redirect to BCA)
To promote an accessible built environment, BCA has launched Accessibility Fund that provides grants to building owners for upgrading their existing buildings with essential accessibility and Universal Design features. Building owners, lessors who have the ownership right to upgrade the building and lessees who can carry out the upgrading works with the endorsement of the building owners/lessors are eligible to apply for this fund.
Funding eligibility
Private buildings built before the implementation of Code on Barrier-free Accessibility in Buildings 1990 that do not have Basic Accessibility features
The fund would co-pay up to 80% of the construction cost of the Basic Accessibility Features cited below:
- Accessible approach to building;
- Ramps/lifts for improving accessibility in building’s first storey;
- Accessible toilet in building’s first storey or entrance level; and
- Signage for finding way to building’s accessibility features.
The fund could provide grant up to 80% of the construction cost of a passenger lift (constructed in accordance with the SS 550) for buildings which provide accessibility between floors. The grant amount per lift is capped at S$200,000.
Private buildings built before the implementation of Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment 2013 that have Basic Accessibility features
The fund would co-pay up to 60% of the construction cost of Universal Design Features cited below:
- Urinal/Water closet compartment for ambulant disabled and elderly;
- Lactation room;
- Child friendly water closets, urinals and wash basins;
- Diaper changing stations;
- Hearing enhancement systems; and
- Braille and tactile features.
PRESSALIT’s SHOWER & CHANGE TABLE in the 2000 series
Active Aging LLP is excited to reveal Singapore’s very first installation of PRESSALIT’s SHOWER & CHANGE TABLE in the 2000 series, the SCT2100. This installation is situated in three public accessible toilets within one of Singapore’s most exciting world-class attractions, slated to open in the second half of 2023. The SCT2100, like the SCT3000, is a user-centric, adult-sized electrically height adjustable platform for bathing and changing of diapers; with a maximum load of 175kg. Caregivers will now find the whole process, from transfer to bathing and changing their clients/loved ones easy, safe and comfortable. Folded up when not in use, this product puts an end to back-breaking duties. Via a hand-held remote, the changing table is adjustable from a low of 300mm to a maximum height of 1000mm. The range of 700mm is purposed to support and facilitate the transfer of users of varying heights and builds, with or without wheelchair. The lying surface is made of a piece of removable perforated coated canvas, stretched around a light-weight frame. This material flexes with the body of the user lying on it; which is why it is often called a changing bed. In materials that are water-friendly, it is easy to clean and maintain. Until recently in Singapore, such changing surfaces were available only to infants. As we strive to be more inclusive as a society, this client has not just complied with BCA’s latest Code On Accessibility 2019, they have taken concrete steps to ensure everyone, including PWDs, enjoy their day out at their park, without having to worry about suitable accessible bathroom facilities.
A reposting from Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (posted on 10 July 2019)
Photo Source: Building and Construction Authority (Singapore)
BCA has launched its new Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment 2019 – requirements that building owners and professionals must fulfil to ensure that our buildings and public spaces are friendly and inclusive. The two most impactful changes to the Code are the requirements for Accessible Changing Rooms which allow caregivers to clean and change the diapers of older children and adults with disabilities as well as the elderly; and wider accessible toilet spaces for motorised wheelchair users as they require larger manoeuvring spaces.
Check out some pictures of Changi Airport’s Accessible Changing Room located at Terminal 3, Basement 2. This facility offers caregivers like Jasmine a conducive space to attend to the toileting needs of her daughter, Sarah, who is non-mobile, and still using diapers. The new Code will benefit them, and many more families as these facilities will become mandatory in public spaces such as hospitals, larger transport terminals and shopping complexes in the near future. During the recent visit to the Accessible Changing Room at Changi Airport T3, Jasmine expressed her gratitude of how diaper changing for Sarah has been made much less stressful, without her having to worry about her girl’s safety now that she is being placed on a changing table suitable for adults, and not just for babies. ☺️
For more details about the 2019 Code, download from this link or scan the QR Code
Showering and Changing Tables for Accessible Changing Rooms
Click HERE for Video
Showering and Changing Tables for Accessible Changing Rooms
Tim Knowles and Anne Chiang load testing the Pressalit Showering and Changing Table at the Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Showering and Changing Table 3000 in Singapore Changi Airport, compliant BCA Singapore, Code on Accessibility In The Built Environment, 2019, p.132
PRESSALIT Showering and Changing Tables (SCT) series 1000, 2000 and 3000 are a range of high quality, fixed or power adjusted nursing benches designed to provide a stable platform suitable for changing adults and children in a variety of settings: schools, day care centres, institutions, hospitals and private homes. Made of materials that are robust and resistant to cleaning agents, PRESSALIT Nursing Benches are made to withstand the test of time, making them an investment that will pay its own way back many times over.
Height adjustable Showering and Changing Table in Singapore Changi Airport T3.
Here HERE to watch Video
Pressalit Showering and Changing Table (SCT) 3000 Series in Singapore Changi Airport T3. The table height is electrically controlled and can be brought down for patient transfer. Adjustable height allows easy patient transfer for both adults and children. The height adjustability makes showering and changing patient & caregiver friendly, while preserving hygiene and patients' dignity. The height adjustable feature also allows caregiver to work at a comfortable height. Patients are also showered or changed Safely.
Are you BCA-compliant when building an Accessible Changing Room?
Exactly 20 months after BCA mandated the latest CODE ON ACCESSIBILTY (COA) 2019, it seems timely to remind everyone of it. As a refresher, the latest COA requires building owners and professionals to go further in ensuring that our buildings and public spaces are even more accessible, wheelchair-friendly and inclusive.
The two most impactful changes to the Code are the provision of Accessible Changing Rooms (ACR) which allow caregivers to clean and change older children, adults and elderly with physical impairments; on a height adjustable changing bench. Accessible toilet spaces will now also need to be wider for motorised wheelchair users as they require larger manoeuvring spaces. Click here to download the COA in its entirety.
ACRs must be built in the following types of facilities:
Hospitals, health-care centres and polyclinics
Major transport terminals
Sports complexes
Theme parks
Shopping complexes (of 20,000 sq m or more in gross floor area)
Watch this space for further details on compliance when planning, designing and building your next accessible toilet.
#accessiblechangingrooms #accessibletoilets #accessibletoilet #activeagingllp #ageingasia #pressalit #wearepressalit #changingtable #changingbench #SCT #showeringandchangingtable