BP 344 – ACCESSIBILITY LAW

A. GENERAL PROVISION

1. Accessible Ramps

Remarks Name Description

Accessible Ramps Width of 1200 mm min.
Clearance
Gradient not steeper than 1:12
Level area not less than 1.80 m at the top and
bottom of any ramp.
Accessible ramps 3m Must provide intermediate handrails at
or more in width the center
Ps: Use of double “J” type handrail
supports
Accessible ramps Shall be provided with intermediate
with a total length landings with a minimum length of 1.50
longer than 6.00 m m.
Curbs minimum height of 100 mm.
Ramps (rise greater Must provide a railing across the full
than 170 mm) & width of its lower end, not less than
Vehicular Traffic 1.80 meters from the foot of the ramp.

2. Slip Resistant Materials

Remarks Name Description

Level surfaces Coefficient of Friction of 0.6
Sloping surfaces Coefficient of Friction of 0.8
Carpet tiles for securely attached
Floor Surface
firm cushion, pad, or backing
level loop, textured loop, level cut
pile, or level cut/uncut pile texture
13 mm pile thickness max.
Exposed edges of carpet shall be
fastened to floor surfaces and have
trim along the entire length of the
exposed edge

3. Handrails and Grab Bars

Remarks Name Description
Handrails required for accessible ramps for
changes in grade higher than 170 mm
installed at both sides of ramps and
stairs
provided at dropped sidewalks but
should not be installed beyond the
width of any crossing so as not to
obstruct pedestrian traffic
900 & 700 mm High
300 mm long extension of the handrail
top and bottom of ramps.
grab bars 38 – 45 mm Dia.
750 mm above Railings must be 1100 mm min. High
adjacent grade
Handrails attached 50 mm clear distance from the wall
to walls
Handrails on ledges 40 mm clear distance
Stair handrails shall be continuous and around
landings less than 2100 mm in length.

4. Parking

Remarks Name Description

Accessible parking located nearest to accessible main
slots entrances.
perpendicular or to an angle to the
road or circulation aisles
width of 3.70 m and a length of 5.00
m.
clear width of 1.20 m for walkway
Pavement markings, upright, pole
mounted signages
firm, level surface without aeration
slabs.
never be located at ramped or sloping
areas.
multi-storey indoor Accessible parking slots shall be
parking structures located right next to accessible
elevators, or as close as possible to
accessible pedestrian entrances.
access parking required with control number
sticker/card
Pole mounted 600 mm x 600 mm in size and mounted at
parking signage a minimum clear height of 2.00 m from
 the parking floor.
Pavement sign at least 1.00 m but not more than 1.50
painted or marked m
located in the center of the
accessible parking slot
a white symbolized figure of a person
in a wheelchair with a square
background in UN Blue Color

5. Signages

Remarks Name Description

Symbol of Access The International Symbol of Access
shall be composed of a white
symbolized figure of a person in a
wheelchair with a square background in
UN Blue Color. The symbolized figure
shall always face to the right.
installed at passageways, and at
points where there are changes in
direction to lead persons with
disabilities to various facilities
such as lifts/elevators, entrances,
telephone booths, toilets, parking and
the like.
Directional and located at points that can be
information (Audio, conveniently seen, heard, and felt by
Visual, and all persons with disabilities
Tactile) signages
Signages (graphics, simple and easy to understand
text, and Braille)
on walls and doors
contrasting colors and contrasting
gray value.
minimum vertical clearance of 2.00 m
not protrude more than 100 mm into
sidewalks/walkways and corridors for
Pedestrians with visual impairments.
a minimum height of 1 mm for letters
and symbols
Braille symbols shall be incorporated
in signs indicating public places and
safety routes.
maximum height of 1.50 m from the
finish floor to the center of the
sign.
Tactile Ground - Stairways, other than fire exit
Surface Indicators stairs
- Escalators
- Passenger conveyors or moving
walks
- Ramps other than fire-exit
ramps, curb ramps, swimming pool
ramps
- In the absence of suitable
protective barriers: a.)
overhead obstructions less than
2.0 m above floor level b.)
areas where pedestrian and
vehicular traffic intersect.

Tactile warning 50% contrasting gray value from

indicators adjacent floor finishes.
Tactile maps shall be provided to guide persons
with visual impairment.
Tactile letters and a width to height ratio between 3:5
numbers and 1:1
stroke width to height ratio between
1:5 and 1:10
Raised and Brailled shall be raised 0.75mm, upper case,
Characters and sans serif or simple serif type and
Pictorial Symbol shall be accompanied with Grade 2
Signs (Pictograms) Braille.
Raised characters shall be at least 16mm high, but no
 higher than 50mm.
Pictograms accompanied by the equivalent verbal
description placed directly below the
pictogram.
border dimension of 150 mm (minimum) in height.
the pictogram
characters and shall be eggshell, matt or other non-
background of signs glare finish.
contrast with their background –
either light characters on a dark
background or dark characters on a
light background.
Tactile Floor
Surfaces
Warning tactile A length and width of 300 x 300 mm
block

Positional tactile
block

Tactile dots

Directional tactile
block
 Tactile strip

6. Stairs

Remarks Name Description

runner and riser marked with a paint or non-skid
material that has a color and gray
value which is in high contrast to the
gray value of the rest of the stairs
risers 150 mm (maximum)
treads 300 mm (minimum)
Tread surfaces shall be of slip-resistant material
nosing slip resistant to further minimize
slipping
Slanted nosing are preferred than
protruding nosing so as not to pose
difficulty for people using crutches
or braces whose feet tend to get
caught in protruding nosing.
tactile strip 300 mm wide
Handrails 900 mm and 700 mm above stair treads
300 mm long extension of the handrail
shall be continuous throughout the
entire length and extend not less than
300 mm beyond the top and bottom step
B. OUTSIDE AND AROUND BUILDINGS

1. Dropped Sidewalks

Remarks Name Description

Dropped Sidewalks should be provided at pedestrian
crossings and at the end of walkways
of a private street or access road.
Dropped sidewalks shall have a width corresponding to
at crossings the width of the crossing.
crossings and less than 1.50 m. in width
walkways
base/level minimum depth of 1.50 m
surface at the
bottom of the ramp
4.00 M minimum for national roads and
as mandated by Local ordinances for
local roads
Cross Gradient 1:100 (1%)
elevation between shall not exceed 19 mm
the base/level area
of a dropped
sidewalk from the
road
Pole mounted 600 mm x 600 mm in size and mounted at
 signage a minimum clear height of 2.00 m from
the sidewalk floor
should not obstruct the path of
pedestrians
Pavement sign a square with dimensions of at least
painted or marked 600 mm (for ramps less than 1.20 m
on the ramp wide) but not more than 800 mm (for
ramps 1.20 m. and wider)
located at the center of each ramp
color of the International Symbol of
Access shall be white on a blue
background.

2. Curb Ramps

Remarks Name Description

Curb Ramps allowed when it will not obstruct a
sidewalk/walkway or lessen the
level/turning area of 1.50 m x 1.50 m.
allowed if the width of
sidewalks/walkways are more than 3.30
m with a corresponding curb height of
150 mm
drop off points minimum width of a curb ramp should be
900 mm
gradient not steeper than 1:12
Pole mounted 600 mm x 600 mm in size and mounted at
signage a minimum clear height of 2.00 m from
the sidewalk floor
should not obstruct the path of
pedestrian
Pavement sign a square with dimensions of at least
painted or marked 600 mm (for ramps less than 1.20 m
on the ramp wide) but not more than 800 mm (for
ramps 1.20 m. and wider)
located in the center of the ramp
color of the International Symbol of
Access shall be white on a blue
background
 3. Sidewalks and Walkways

Remarks Name Description

Slip resistant
materials
level surfaces Coefficient of Friction of 0.6
sloping surfaces Coefficient of Friction of 0.8
gradient not steeper than 1:20 or 5%
Sidewalks/walkways maximum cross gradient of 1:100 or 1%.
a minimum width of 1.20 meters
a continuing surface without abrupt
pitches in angle or interruptions by
cracks or breaks creating edges above
6 mm
should not be obstructed by street
furniture, bollards, signposts or
columns along the defined route
lengthy or busy spaces should be provided at some
sidewalks/walkways point along the route so that a
wheelchair may pass another or turn
around
spaces minimum clear dimension of 1.50 m
spaced at a maximum distance of 12.00
m between rest stops
person with visual sidewalks/walkways should as much as
impairment possible follow straightforward routes
with right angle turns
planting is regular trimming is essential to
adjacent to the ensure that branches of trees or
sidewalk/walkway shrubs do not extend beyond
sidewalks/walkways or paths
headroom not be less than 2.00 m and preferably
higher
grating never be located along
sidewalks/walkways
When occurring perpendicular to line of travel
along
sidewalks/walkways,
grills of grating
openings
a maximum center to center dimension
spacing of 13 mm between members
not project nor be recessed more than
6mm above or below the level of the
sidewalk/walkway

4. Open Spaces
Remarks Name Description
persons with visual sidewalks/walkways or paths can be
impairment given defined edges either using
planters with dwarf walls, or a grass
verge, or similar
Pedestrian create a feeling of safety
Dominated Priority particularly persons with disabilities
Zones

5. Crossings

Remarks Name Description

crossings perpendicular as possible to the
carriageway
located at the narrowest, most
convenient part of the carriageway for
mid-block crossings
not be located at street corners but
at a minimum distance of 2000 mm from
the corner
Provide directional tactile strips in
the immediate vicinity of crossings as
an aid to persons with visual
impairment
Secondary national light controlled pedestrian crossing
and local roads signals with synchronized audible
with pedestrian pedestrian traffic signals
crossings
audible signal easily distinguishable from other
sounds in the environment
prolonged sound should be audible to
warn persons with visual impairment
that the lights are about to change
flashing green a walking speed of 900 mm/sec.
period
median/island at least 1.5 m in depth, preferably
200 mm.
width of carriageway to be crossed
exceeds 10.0 m or at least 4 lanes
C. INSIDE BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

1. Accessible Entrances

Remarks Name Description

Entrances accessible from arrival and departure
points to the interior lobby
One (1) entrance levels should be
provided where elevators are
accessible
entrances are not accessible ramps should be provided as
on the same level access to the entrance level
of the site arrival
grade
Entrances with a level area with at least a 1.80 m.
vestibules depth and a 1.50 m. width
frameless horizontal or graphical patterns with
transparent glass contrasting gray value color against
doors/vertical adjacent and background colors between
transparent glass 800 mm and 1.50 m. above the floor
panels
Accessible large overhanging roof (canopy) to
entrance/exit protect PWDs as well as non-PWDs from
rain

2. Doors

Remarks Name Description

Doors minimum clear width of 900 mm
Clear openings measured from the face of a fully open
door at 90 degrees and the door jamb
Lever type locksets operable by a pressure or force not
and other hardware more than 1.0 kg
the door closer device pressure on an
 interior door shall not exceed 4.0 kg
located between 20 mm and 1.06 m above
the floor; 900 mm is preferred
minimum clear level 1500 mm x 1500 mm shall be provided
space before and extending beyond a door
level space on the minimum of 1200 mm corridor width
corridor side of
the door
Out-swinging doors be provided at storage rooms, closets,
toilets and accessible restroom stalls
Latching or non- not require wrist action or fine
latching hardware finger manipulation
Vertical pull centered at 1.06 m above the floor are
handles preferred to horizontal pull bars for
swing doors or doors with locking
devices
Doors along major provided with kick plates made of
circulation route durable materials at a height of 300
mm to 400 mm
doors with a secondary peephole at a height of
peepholes 1.1 m from the finish floor for
wheelchair users

3. Thresholds

Remarks Name Description

Thresholds and maximum height of 19 mm and shall be
sliding door tracks beveled if higher than 6 mm with a
gradient of 1:8

4. Switches

Remarks Name Description

Manual switches positioned within 920 mm to 1.20 m
above the floor
located no further than 200 mm from
the latch side of the door

5. Corridors

Remarks Name Description

Corridors minimum clear width of 1.20 m
space is required for two (2)
wheelchairs to pass, the minimum width
shall be 1.80 m
Turnabout spaces a minimum dimension of 1500 mm x 1500
 mm and shall be spaced at a maximum of
12.00 m
provided at or within 3.50 m. of every
dead-end corridor
in walkways corridors should be maintained level
and provided with a slip resistant
surface

6. Toilets and Baths

Remarks Name Description

Accessible public permit easy passage of a wheelchair
toilets
have accessories such as mirrors,
paper dispensers, towel racks and
fittings such as faucets mounted
minimum number of water closets per set on that level
accessible toilet is 20
compartments on each
floor level
Accessible toilet minimum area of 1.70 m x 1.80 m
compartments
One (1) flip-up grab bar to be
mounted on the wide side of the
compartment adjacent to the water
closet and be at a height between
280 mm and 300 mm from the top of
the water closet seat and extend not
more than 100 mm in line with the
front of the water closet
One (1) vertical bar to be provided
on the side wall close to the
water closet and located between 350
mm and 450 mm from the front edge
Center line of water closet (top
view) is 750 mm from finish to wall
to grab bar
turning space of 2.25 shall be provided outside water
sq. m with a minimum closet cubicles
dimension of 1500 mm
Accessories at heights reachable by wheelchair
users
encouraged to have a color contrast
placed near the accessible lavatory
turning space of 2.25 provided for toilet compartments for
sq. m with a minimum lateral mounting
dimension of 1500 mm
Water closets and use colors of lighter contrasting
lavatories grey value to tiles to aid people
with low vision impairment
toilet seat height of 450 mm
lavatory installed at 460 mm distance from
center line to adjacent wall
mounted at a height of 800 mm from
the finish floor with a vertical
clear leg room space not lower than
650 mm
Urinals wall-hung type and should have an
elongated lip
maximum height of the 480 mm from the toilet floor
lip
clear floor space a minimum of 750 mm wide (wing to
wing) by 1200 mm (between grab bar
and wall) and privacy shields of 750
mm
Toilet door designed to open outwards
locks and latches allow the door to be opened from the
outside with a coin or any simple
device
sliding or folding operate and require less wheelchair
doors maneuvering space should be
considered
automatic push button easier to operate and maneuver
door around the doorway
Individual accessible horizontal pull bar fixed at a
toilet compartment height of 900 mm
doors
emergency call button waterproof and contrasting color
with the background shall be
provided and be located at a height
between 400 mm to 600 mm from the
finish floor
hot water pipes and located within the knee space or toe
drainpipes space shall be properly insulated
roll-in shower dimension of 1500 mm by 1500 mm and
compartment for should have L-shaped bars
wheelchair user
Rising butt hinge spiral hinge to close independently
Curbs for roll-in not be more than 10 mm high and
shower beveled at a gradient of 1:2 and
have color contrasts
Accessible Bathtubs rim height of 500mm from the finish
floor
 two slip resistant L-Type grab bar with the horizontal
grab bars leg 1200 mm long (minimum) mounted
250 mm from the rim of the bathtub;
vertical leg 1200 mm long installed
at the shower side of the bathtub
Vertical grab bar 1200 mm long
starting 250 mm from the rim of the
bathtub installed at the shower side
of the bathtub
minimum clear 900 mm wide by 1500mm long
transfer space

7. Elevators

Remarks Name Description

elevators include suitable provisions for
persons with sensory impairments and
ambulant PWD as a means of access
from one level to another
to serve certain floors during
ordinary or peak periods
designated for PWDs should be
programmed to serve all floors
located not more than 30.00 m from
the entrance and should be easy to
locate with the aid of directional
signs
provided with voice synthesizers for
persons with visual impairment
have audio-visual indicators for
emergencies for persons with visual
and hearing impairment
handrails height of 900mm from the finish floor
minimum clear 1400 mm in depth and 1200 mm in
dimension width,

clear door opening not less than 900 mm.

Control panels and reach of a seated person; centerline
emergency system of heights for the topmost buttons shall
accessible elevators be 1200 mm from the floor
All elevator control Braille installed at the left of the
buttons buttons/tactile buttons
Button sizes at minimum diameter of 20 mm and maximum
elevator control depression depth of 1 mm
panels
Floor level installed at a height of 1200 mm from
 indicators the finish floor on one side of the
door jamb on the same side as the
elevator call buttons

8. Telephones

Remarks Name Description

Public telephones equipped with a volume control device
establishments that One for each floor
provide public
telephones
Accessible Public
phones
One for every group of two or more
phones
illumination minimum of 200 lux
dialing controls, located at a maximum height of 1200
coin slots, mm from the finish fl
receivers, and
instructional signs
clear unobstructed 1500 mm x 1500 mm in front of wall
space mounted and free-standing telephones

9. Automated Teller Machines

Remarks Name Description

Automated Teller maximum height of controls, buttons,
Machines bill dispensers, card slots shall be
1200 mm
clear unobstructed a minimum of 1500 mm x 1500 mm in
space front of ATM Machines
Instructions and all Braille
information
Tactile
Audio through speakers or earphones

10. Dressing Rooms and Cubicles

Remarks Name Description

dressing areas coat hook should be mounted on a side
wall not more than 1.30 mm from the
floor and projecting not more than 40
mm from the wall

11.Counters
 Remarks Name Description
Counter heights 730 - 780 mm to meet the widest range
of users
clear floor area 800 1300 mm

12. Workstations

Remarks Name Description

access aisle a minimum width of 920mm

13. Restaurants, Eateries, and other Dining Establishments

Remarks Name Description

circulation path at least 1.20 m wide
accessible route a minimum clear width of 900 mm
seating at least one (1) table for every ten
(10) tables
tables not be higher than 780 mm with a
minimum clear knee space of 600 mm
high and 480 mm deep

14. Hotels, Appartelles, Dormitories, & Other Transient Lodging

Facilities

D. SAFETY

1. Fencing for Roadworks and Foot works

Remarks Name Description
All excavations adequately protected or fenced-in to
protect pedestrians in general and
the disabled in particular
railings height of the top of the rail should
be at least 1.00 m
tapping rail to assist the blind; not be greater
than 0.35 m. above the adjacent
surface
Gaps not occur between adjoining fence
lengths

2. Covers for Excavations

Remarks Name Description

Excavations in the covered temporarily with properly
footway or constructed and supported boards
carriageway
footway width will temporary covering should extend
be reduced to less across the whole footway
than 1.20 m. because
of the excavation
Minimum dimensions
at obstructions
Effective width of not be less than 1.20 m
footways
unavoidable loose materials temporarily stored on
footways must be properly fenced and
prevented from encroaching onto the
main footway using a kickboard at
least 0.20 m. high

3. Signages for Roadworks on the Carriageway

Remarks Name Description

Temporary signs used located and should not cause any
to warn of roadworks inconvenience to pedestrians
located on verges
not reduce the available footway
width to less than 1.20 m.

4. Location of Emergency Exits

Remarks Name Description

Wall mounted or provided at the main lobby of each
free-standing floor or other strategic locations
 tablets
the markings on this tablet should be
readable by both the blind and the
fully sighted
Flashing light provided at every change in direction
directional signs with sufficient power provided in
indicating the accordance with the provisions for
locations(s) of fire emergency lighting under Section
exits 3.410 of P.D. 1185 (The Fire Code of
the Philippines)

5. Areas of Refuge

Remarks Name Description

area of refuge separated from the building floor
area by a fire separation having a
fire-resistance
smoke proof fire exit and adjacent to
the designated fireman's elevator
smoke proof
850 mm x 1.2 m for one person who
uses a wheelchair
Identified by illuminated signage
equipped with an emergency
communication system
Identified on all publicly displayed
tactile and Braille floor evacuation
plans
Designated in evacuation procedure
documents.

6. Audio Visual Fire Alarm Systems

Remarks Name Description

Audio & visual alarm installed on all floors
systems

E. SPECIAL TYPES OF FACILITIES

1. Swimming Pools

Remarks Name Description

sloped entry ramp begin at the finish floor level of
the walkway adjacent to the swimming
pool and end at a maximum depth of
 750mm below (between 24” to 30” ) the
stationary water level
Wading Pool provided at least one entry ramp into
the deepest part
Large pools minimum of two (2) entry ramps
Pools with 90 linear have at least one (1) entry ramp
meters of pool wall
and below

2. Spas

Remarks Name Description

Spas At least one (1) entry ramp
five percent (5%) of the total or at
least one spa must have an entry ramp

3. Sports Facilities

Remarks Name Description

Lockers at least 5 percent, but not less than
one of each type
Accessible benches should be located
adjacent to the accessible lockers
Benches required in dressing, fitting, and
locker rooms, and where seating is
provided in saunas and steam rooms
clear floor space allow persons using wheelchairs or
other mobility devices to approach
parallel to the short end of a bench
seat
seats minimum of 508 mm to a maximum of 600
mm in depth and 1.066 m minimum in
length
height should be a minimum of 432 mm
to a maximum of 482 mm above the
finished floor
bench is not located must have back support that is 1.066
next to a wall m minimum in length and extends from
a point 50 mm maximum above the seat
to a point 450 mm minimum above the
bench
Benches located in surface must be slip-resistant and
wet areas designed not to accumulate water
Team Player Seating must contain the number of wheelchair
Areas spaces and companion seats but not
less than one space
 clear space adjacent to a fixed
bench, with the bench serving as
companion seating
designing a field or Exceeding the minimum requirements
court will better accommodate participants
Wheelchair space exempt from the requirements related
to admission price and line of sight
choices in assembly areas
ramps used wherever possible for accessible
routes connecting team or player
seating areas and areas of sport
activity
platform lift used as part of an accessible route
to team player seating areas
Exercise Equipment
and Machines
clear floor space at least 762 x 1200 mm
should be next to the seat
positioned to allow a person to
transfer from a wheelchair or to use
the equipment while seated in a
wheelchair
clear space is at least 914 X 1200 mm
enclosed on three
sides
Clear floor space located next to other pieces of
for more than one equipment, the clear space may be
piece of equipment shared
Shooting Facilities
fixed firing at least 5 percent, but not less than
positions one of each type of fixed firing
position must be served by an
accessible route
a 1500 mm diameter space with slopes
not steeper than 1:48
Bowling Lanes At least 5 percent, but not less than
one, of each type of bowling lane
must be accessible
only those team or player seating
areas that serve accessible lanes
must relate to an accessible route
and comply with seating requirements
 4. Auditoriums, Arenas, Theaters, and Other Assembly Areas

Remarks Name Description

Accessible routes not overlap wheelchair seating/ block
any waiting spaces
Access to any wheelchair space shall
not be through another wheelchair
space
Wheelchair viewing adjoin accessible circulation
areas
wheelchair viewing be clear, firm and level. Minimum
position footprint for a single wheelchair
seating space (front or rear entry)
shall be 900 mm x 1.2 m
assistive listening devices be
provided
handrails 750 mm high at the front and sides.