FEATURED ARTICLE
Parking: some anomalies by Eric J Martin, AM
Eric Martin has practiced architecture since 1973. He is a life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and has a Masters degree in building conservation. After working with Government and private practice he established his own architectural practice in 1998 offering a full range of services with additional expertise in architectural conservation and access for people with disabilities. In 2019 the practice was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Professional Practice of the Year for the ACT. Eric is the Australian Institute of Architects International Representative to the UIA Region IV Access and Heritage Committees and the Building Codes Committee. He is a member of Standards Australia ME64 committee on disability access and the Institute of National Practice Committee. He is also the current convener of the Institute’s National Access Working Group. Eric is an accredited access consultant and is past National President of the Association of Consultants in Access, Australia. He is currently the Australian Institute of Architects representative on the Building Codes Committee. In 2006 Eric was granted the award of Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his contribution to heritage and conservation and disability access matters in Australia.
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here are some anomalies with the parking standards that detail requirements for people with disabilities:
1. GRADIENTS AS1428.1 requires a maximum 1 in 40 for concrete surfaces and a maximum 1 in 33 for bituminous concrete. This has been accepted as bitumen is a rougher surface and the slightly steeper gradient is required for a more effective run off or drainage. However, for wheelchair users of parking spaces the maximum gradient is all about easy movement in any direction without tipping over. If 1 in 33 is accepted as suitable to prevent tipping over with one material then why is it not accepted for all materials?
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANTS IN ACCESS AUSTRALIA
