Accessibility Compliance Checklist: What to Verify on Construction Plans

Checking the accessibility compliance of a construction project means systematically reviewing a precise set of regulatory requirements across all plans. This checklist covers every control category applicable to new public-use buildings, so nothing is missed before the building permit application is submitted.

Why Use a Compliance Checklist When Reviewing Plans

Disabled access regulations in France stem from the Disability Act of February 11, 2005 and its implementing decrees. They cover a broad scope: outdoor pathways, entrances, interior circulation, restrooms, and fixtures. Without a structured method, critical points can be overlooked during plan reviews — leading to permit rejections or costly rework during construction.

A checklist organized by regulatory category allows you to:

• Cover all applicable accessibility requirements for the project
• Track verified points and document any discrepancies found
• Facilitate communication with the design team and planning authorities
• Reduce the risk of non-compliance being caught too late

Checklist: Outdoor Pathways

Outdoor pathways are the first link in the accessibility chain. They must allow independent access from the street to the building entrance.

• Minimum pedestrian pathway width: 1.40 m clear of any obstacle (furniture, vegetation, signage)
• Ground surface firm, stable, and non-slip
• No step or level change greater than 2 cm (bevelled edge required between 2 and 4 cm)
• Longitudinal slope below 5% (8% over a short distance, 12% exceptionally)
• Cross-slope below 2%
• Tactile ground surface indicators at road crossings
• Adequate lighting planned along pathways used at night

Checklist: Parking

• At least 2% of spaces designated as accessible (minimum 1 space)
• Accessible space dimensions: minimum 3.30 m wide
• Space located close to the accessible building entrance
• Accessible route from the space to the entrance (step-free, compliant slope)
• Horizontal and vertical accessible parking signage in place

Checklist: Entrance and Reception

• At least one accessible main entrance
• Clear door width at entrance: minimum 0.90 m (0.83 m accepted with adapted handle)
• Manoeuvring space in front of door: 1.70 m × 1.40 m on the pull side
• No step or threshold greater than 2 cm
• Accessible door mechanism (lever handle, low-set electric control)
• Doorbell / intercom at a height between 0.90 m and 1.30 m from the floor
• Reception desk with a lowered section at maximum 0.70 m height (knee clearance)

Checklist: Interior Horizontal Circulation

• Corridor width: minimum 1.40 m (1.20 m accepted with a widened passing point every 10 m)
• Interior doors: minimum clear width of 0.83 m
• Manoeuvring space of 1.50 m × 1.50 m in front of each door
• Non-slip flooring with no obstructions
• No step or level change greater than 2 cm
• Visual and tactile marking of protruding obstacles (furniture, columns)

Checklist: Vertical Circulation

• Lift or platform lift provided wherever the building has multiple publicly accessible levels
• Lift car dimensions: minimum 1.10 m × 1.40 m (or 1.00 m × 1.30 m for certain Category 5 buildings)
• Lift door clear width: minimum 0.90 m
• Controls positioned between 0.90 m and 1.30 m from the floor
• If stairs only: handrails on both sides, contrasting nosings on each step
• Ramps: slope below 8%, minimum width 1.40 m, with guardrails and handrails

Checklist: Restrooms

• At least one accessible toilet cubicle per group of restrooms available to the public
• Cubicle dimensions: minimum 1.50 m × 2.10 m
• Door opens outward or slides
• 0.80 m lateral transfer space beside the toilet
• Toilet height between 0.45 m and 0.50 m from the floor
• Fold-down grab rails on each side
• Washbasin accessible from a seated position (minimum 0.70 m knee clearance underneath)
• Flush and taps operable from a wheelchair

Checklist: Fixtures and Fittings

• Braille or raised-relief signage at key locations (entrances, lifts, restrooms)
• Hearing loop or sound amplification system at reception points (where applicable)
• Adequate lighting at reception areas and circulation routes (minimum 300 lux recommended)
• Visual contrast between walls, floors, and fittings for people with visual impairments
• No furniture creating a protruding obstacle in circulation areas

How to Use This Checklist on Construction Plans

Each item in this checklist corresponds to a verification to be carried out directly on the construction plans (site plans, floor plans, sections, details). For each item:

1. Locate the relevant element on the plan (pathway, door, restroom, etc.)
2. Measure or check the dimension shown against regulatory requirements
3. Log any discrepancies found, with a reference to the drawing sheet and zone
4. Send corrections to the design team before the permit application is submitted

This systematic approach ensures full coverage of accessibility requirements with no risk of anything slipping through.

What Freeda Checks Automatically on Your Plans

Freeda analyses all of these points directly on the uploaded construction plans. Each discrepancy is pinpointed on the drawings and returned in an annotated report, ready to share with the design team.

Unlike a manual review, Freeda covers the full set of plans within a controlled timeframe, without depending on the availability of a specialist accessibility consultant. The report produced is immediately usable for correcting plans before the permit application is submitted.

FAQ: Accessibility Compliance Checklist for Construction Plans

Which accessibility points should be checked first on plans for a new public-use building?

The most frequently non-compliant items on plans are: outdoor pathway widths, entrance door widths, the provision and dimensions of accessible restrooms, and manoeuvring space at direction changes. These are the first elements to review when checking construction plans.

Is a checklist enough to validate the compliance of a project?

A structured checklist covers all regulatory requirements and identifies the majority of non-compliance issues on plans. It is not a substitute for a thorough technical analysis, particularly for complex cases (exemptions, mixed-use buildings, site constraints). It is, however, an effective first-pass tool before formal sign-off.

What regulations apply to accessibility compliance for a new public-use building?

For new public-use buildings in France, the applicable regulations stem from the Disability Act of February 11, 2005 and the implementing decree of August 1, 2006 (as amended). These texts set out dimensional requirements, circulation standards, equipment specifications, and accessibility levels required by building category.

Can accessibility compliance be checked on plans before construction starts?

Yes. Reviewing accessibility compliance at the plan stage is not only possible — it is strongly recommended. It allows discrepancies to be identified before the building permit is submitted, when corrections are still quick and inexpensive. Platforms such as Freeda carry out this review on uploaded plans and return the results as an annotated report.

Which plan documents are needed for a complete accessibility review?

A full accessibility review requires at minimum: the site plan (outdoor pathways, parking), floor plans for each level (circulation, restrooms, fixtures), sections (ramps, stairs, lifts), and details (doors, counters, signage). The more detailed and dimensioned the plans, the more precise the review.

How do I know whether my project is subject to accessibility requirements?

All new public-use buildings are subject to accessibility requirements without exception. Works on existing buildings are also covered as soon as they affect circulation or access routes. Detached private houses are not subject to the same obligations, though new multi-unit residential buildings have their own set of accessibility requirements.

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