CEN/TR 17621:2021
(Main)Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Technical performance criteria and specifications
Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Technical performance criteria and specifications
This document has been developed to support EN 17210, “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements”. This document provides and exemplifies technical performance criteria and specifications for an accessible and usable built environment, following the Design for All/Universal design principles. The document specifies what is necessary to align with these principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users.
The technical performance criteria and specifications are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment and can be used as criteria for awarding public contracts (in support of the Public Procurement Directives).
These technical performance criteria and specifications are specifically applicable to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of public or public-use environments including external areas.
Alternatively, national standards and regulations may determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. Universal Design means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed (UN CRPD).
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
Barrierefreiheit und Nutzbarkeit der gebauten Umgebung - Technische Leistungskriterien und Anforderungen
Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti - Critères et spécifications de performance technique
Le présent document a été élaboré pour venir à l’appui de l’EN 17210, « Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti – Exigences fonctionnelles ». Il fournit des exemples illustrant les critères et spécifications de performance technique pour un environnement bâti accessible et utilisable selon les principes de conception universelle/conception pour tous. Le présent document spécifie les mesures nécessaires à mettre en oeuvre afin de respecter ces principes, qui ont pour vocation de faciliter l’utilisation sûre et équitable de l’environnement bâti pour un large éventail d’utilisateurs.
Les critères et spécifications de performance technique sont applicables à l’ensemble du spectre de l’environnement bâti et peuvent être utilisés comme critères pour la passation de marchés publics (à l’appui des directives relatives aux marchés publics).
Ces critères et spécifications de performance technique s’appliquent en particulier à la conception, à la construction, à la réhabilitation et à la maintenance d’environnements publics ou à usage public, y compris les espaces extérieurs.
Des normes nationales et des réglementations peuvent aussi déterminer les critères et spécifications de performance technique permettant de satisfaire aux exigences fonctionnelles de l’EN 17210.
NOTE 1 La « conception pour tous » et la « conception universelle » partagent une philosophie de conception inclusive analogue. La conception universelle désigne la conception de produits, d’environnements, de programmes et de services destinés à être utilisés par tous, dans la mesure du possible, sans nécessiter d’adaptations ni de conception spécifique. La conception universelle n’exclut pas les aides techniques destinées à certains groupes particuliers ou personnes handicapées qui en ont besoin (CDPH de l’ONU).
NOTE 2 Les termes tels que « conception pour tous », « conception universelle », « conception accessible », « aménagement à accès facile », « conception inclusive » et « conception transgénérationnelle » sont souvent utilisés indifféremment, mais dans le même sens.
Dostopnost in uporabnost grajenega okolja - Merila in specifikacije glede tehnične učinkovitosti
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2021
Dostopnost in uporabnost grajenega okolja - Merila in specifikacije glede tehnične
učinkovitosti
Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Technical performance criteria and
specifications
Barrierefreiheit und Nutzbarkeit der gebauten Umgebung - Technische Leistungskriterien
und Anforderungen
Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti - Critères et spécifications de
performance technique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 17621:2021
ICS:
91.010.30 Tehnični vidiki Technical aspects
91.040.01 Stavbe na splošno Buildings in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 17621
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
June 2021
ICS 91.040.01
English version
Accessibility and usability of the built environment -
Technical performance criteria and specifications
Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l'environnement bâti - Barrierefreiheit und Nutzbarkeit der gebauten
Critères et spécifications de performance technique Umgebung - Technische Leistungskriterien und
Anforderungen
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 23 May 2021. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/CLC/JTC
11.
CEN and CENELEC members are the national standards bodies and national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN/CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means Ref. No. CEN/TR 17621:2021 E
reserved worldwide for CEN national Members and for
CENELEC Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Legal and policy background and associated benefits . 8
5 Diversity of users and design considerations . 8
6 Wayfinding . 8
6.1 Wayfinding, orientation and navigation. 8
6.2 Wayfinding information . 8
6.3 Visual contrast . 9
6.4 Tactile information . 14
6.5 Audible information and hearing enhancement . 19
6.6 Signage . 20
6.7 Graphical symbols . 25
7 Access in the outdoor environment . 26
7.1 Accessible routes. 26
7.2 Street furniture . 36
7.3 Pedestrian crossings . 38
7.4 Squares and plazas . 44
7.5 ‘Shared Space’ design approach. 45
7.6 Plantings. 46
7.7 Pedestrian bridges and underpasses . 47
8 Arrival and departure areas – Parking areas . 48
8.1 Rationale . 48
8.2 Boarding points/Set-down points . 48
8.3 Location of designated accessible parking spaces . 49
8.4 Number of designated accessible parking spaces . 49
8.5 Design of designated accessible parking space . 50
8.6 Pedestrian paths in car parks . 51
8.7 Signage of designated parking spaces . 51
8.8 Access from parking space to an adjacent higher pedestrian path . 52
8.9 Surface . 52
8.10 Indoor parking . 52
8.11 Cycle parking . 52
9 Horizontal circulation in buildings . 52
9.1 Entrances . 52
9.2 Corridors and passageways . 58
9.3 Doors . 62
9.4 Windows . 67
9.5 Patios, balconies, terraces . 69
9.6 Surface finishes and materials . 70
10 Vertical circulation in buildings and outdoors . 73
10.1 Ramps . 73
10.2 Steps and stairs . 79
10.3 Handrails . 83
10.4 Lifts . 88
10.5 Vertical and inclined lifting platforms . 99
10.6 Escalators and moving walks . 104
11 Specific indoor and outdoor areas, equipment and provisions . 104
11.1 Service counters for information, ticketing and reception . 104
11.2 Waiting and queuing areas . 106
11.3 Seating and resting areas . 107
11.4 Storage areas, lockers and baggage storage . 110
11.5 Kitchen areas and kitchenettes . 111
11.6 Facilities for assistance dogs (outdoor and indoor) . 114
12 Sanitary accommodation . 114
12.1 Accessible toilets . 114
12.2 Toilets for general use . 124
12.3 Sanitary facilities for other users . 125
12.4 Showers and bathrooms. 131
13 User interface, controls and switches . 134
13.1 Rationale . 134
13.2 Public ICT information screens . 134
13.3 ICT user interfaces . 135
13.4 Controls and switches . 136
13.5 Examples of general use elements . 138
14 Fire safety for all - Evacuation and emergency exits . 139
14.1 Concept for Fire safety for all . 139
14.2 Fire engineering design objectives . 139
14.3 Evacuation for all . 139
14.4 Assistive fire evacuation: Areas of rescue assistance . 139
14.5 Emerging fire evacuation technologies . 140
14.6 Fire defence plans. 140
14.7 Lifts for emergency evacuation . 140
14.8 Emergency warning systems, signals and information . 140
14.9 Emergency exit doors . 141
15 Environmental conditions in buildings . 141
15.1 Lighting . 141
15.2 Acoustics . 148
15.3 Indoor air quality . 154
16 Accommodation . 154
16.1 General . 154
16.2 Hotels . 155
16.3 Student accommodation . 159
16.4 Adaptable housing . 160
17 Cultural, leisure and sport buildings . 164
17.1 General . 164
17.2 Auditoriums, concert halls and similar . 164
17.3 Libraries . 167
17.4 Museums . 169
17.5 Heritage buildings and sites . 171
17.6 Retail and shopping buildings . 175
17.7 Sport facilities . 177
17.8 Restaurants, bars and cafés . 178
17.9 Swimming pools, saunas . 181
18 Administrative, service and employment buildings . 182
18.1 General . 182
18.2 Conference venues. 182
18.3 Offices . 183
18.4 Healthcare buildings . 184
18.5 Educational buildings . 189
18.6 Laboratories . 191
18.7 Banks, post offices . 192
18.8 Industrial buildings . 193
18.9 Courts, police stations and detention facilities . 194
18.10 Religious buildings . 195
19 Outdoor and urban areas . 196
19.1 General . 196
19.2 Playgrounds . 196
19.3 Garden, parks and nature parks . 197
19.4 Beaches . 197
20 Transport facilities . 198
20.1 General . 198
20.2 Taxi facilities . 198
20.3 Bus and coach facilities . 199
20.4 Rail facilities . 204
20.5 Metro/underground facilities . 206
20.6 Tram and light rail facilities . 207
20.7 Airport facilities . 208
20.8 Ports facilities . 209
20.9 Cable car facilities . 210
20.10 Service stations . 210
Annex A (informative) Visual contrast charts . 212
Annex B (informative) Examples of pedestrian crossings . 215
Annex C (informative) List of figures . 222
Bibliography. 226
European foreword
This document (CEN/TR 17621:2021) has been prepared by the Joint Technical Committee CEN-
CENELEC/JTC 11 “Accessibility in the built environment”, the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under Mandate M/420 given to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI by the
European Commission and the European Free Trade Association in support of European accessibility
requirements for public procurement in the built environment.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN and CENELEC
websites.
Introduction
This document exemplifies the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional
requirements given in the European Standard EN 17210. It demonstrates a proposal, or proposals, to
achieve the EN requirements and recommendations, drawing on performance criteria and specifications
given in International Standard ISO 21542, where these exist and/or with examples from other standards
and guidance documents, where relevant.
Alternatively, national standards or regulations may be used to determine the technical performance
criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of the EN 17210.
Another CEN-CENELEC Technical Report (CEN/TR 17622) will detail the assessment of conformity to the
functional requirements given in the European Standard EN 17210.
This document is intended to be read alongside EN 17210. The structure in CEN/TR 17621 follows the
EN structure, listing the equivalent headings, clauses and bullet points (a), b), c) etc.) and providing a
way, or ways, to achieve the functional requirements and recommendations.
Where there are no technical criteria related to the EN clause / sub-clause, such as the Rationale, this is
stated rather than leaving this blank.
Technical performance criteria and specifications from ISO 21542:2011 are used in the CEN/TR 17621
as the main source of information, and this is not referenced as the source each time, as this would be
repetitive. When the source is ISO 21542:2021 (Enquiry version) we include this source in brackets, and
other sources are also referenced.
Other sources are used where these have been identified as providing information not covered in
ISO 21542 or useful supplementary information.
Additional sources include:
— EN 16584-1, Railway applications – Design for PRM use – General requirements – Part 1: Contrast,
— EN 16584-2, Railway applications – Design for PRM use – General requirements – Part 2: Information.
— EN 16584-3, Railway applications – Design for PRM use – General requirements – Part 3: Optical and
friction characters.
— EN 16587, Railway applications – Design for PRM use –Requirements for obstacle free routes for
infrastructure,
— Other specific ENs and product related ENs,
— National standards,
— Guidance on a specific matter.
See also the Bibliography.
1 Scope
This document has been developed to support EN 17210, “Accessibility and usability of the built
environment – Functional requirements”. This document provides and exemplifies technical
performance criteria and specifications for an accessible and usable built environment, following the
Design for All/Universal design principles. The document specifies what is necessary to align with these
principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users.
The technical performance criteria and specifications are applicable across the full spectrum of the built
environment and can be used as criteria for awarding public contracts (in support of the Public
Procurement Directives).
These technical performance criteria and specifications are specifically applicable to the design,
construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of public or public-use environments
including external areas.
Alternatively, national standards and regulations can determine the technical performance criteria and
specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. Universal Design means
the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent
possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design does not exclude assistive devices
for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed (UN CRPD).
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive
design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 17210, Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Functional requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 17210 and the following apply:
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
light reflectance value
LRV
proportion of visible light reflected by a surface at all wavelengths and directions when illuminated by a
light source
Note 1 to entry: LRV is also known as the luminance reflectance factor or CIE Y value (see International
rd
Commission on Illumination, CIE, Publication 15:2004, 3 Edition, Colorimetry).
Note 2 to entry: The LRV is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100, with a value of 0 points for pure black and a value of
100 points for pure white.
[SOURCE: ISO 21542:2011, definition 3.41]
3.2
luminance contrast
luminance of one surface or component compared to the luminance of the background or adjoining
surface
[SOURCE: ISO 21542:2021, 3.28, modified]
4 Legal and policy background and associated benefits
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
5 Diversity of users and design considerations
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
6 Wayfinding
6.1 Wayfinding, orientation and navigation
6.1.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.1.2 General
This is an overview of 6.2 to 6.8.
6.2 Wayfinding information
6.2.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.2.2 General
a) Information that is regularly monitored for accuracy and checked with users of the environment for
usefulness. See also Figure 1.
b) Priority of safety information, followed by information for wayfinding, then general and instructional
information, though, for instance, relative size and positioning of visual information, and ordering of
audible information with safety first etc. These are to stand out from advertising information.
c) Only one key message for each announcement or sign, using short sentences or phrases.
d) Consistent information along a route including at decision points, for instance using the same term
for ‘Meeting room 1’ along a route and at the destination, not changing to Training Room on arrival.
e) Short words avoiding abbreviations; with a clear meaning checked to ensure understood by users.
f) The same information through a range of formats such as audible, visual, tactile.
g) See 6.7 Graphical symbols.
Key
1 decision points with consistent information, minimum for every 50 m (EN 16587)
2 limited number of pictograms in signage on a single location (EN 16587)
3 tactile and visually contrasting routes (EN 16587)
4 audible information with requirements to speech intelligibility (EN 16587)
Figure 1 — Examples of wayfinding features on accessible routes in railway infrastructure
6.3 Visual contrast
6.3.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.3.2 General
Visual contrast according to the area and visual task in a) to c). Visual contrast is specified and measured
in various ways in different European countries.
a) For large area surfaces (i.e. walls, floors, doors, ceiling) and to facilitate orientation and guiding (i.e.
handrails, door furniture, and visual indicators on glazed areas) a visual contrast value of:
— Using Michelson method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 30 % between the two surfaces, with LRV of
M
the lighter surface ≥ 40 points; or
— Using the Weber method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 45 % between the two surfaces, with LRV of
W
the lighter surface ≥ 40 points; or
— Using LRV difference method, a difference in LRV ≥ 30 points between the two surfaces; with LRV
of the lighter surface ≥ 40 points.
b) For potential hazards, (i.e. visual indicator on steps and glazed doors), small items (i.e. switches and
controls) and self-contrasting markings a high visual contrast value of:
— Using Michelson method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 60 % between the two surfaces, with LRV of
M
the lighter surface ≥ 50 points; or
— Using the Weber method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 75 % between the two surfaces, with LRV of
W
the lighter surface ≥ 50 points; or
— Using LRV difference method, a difference in LRV ≥ 60 points between the two surfaces or
between the potential hazard and background surface.
c) To facilitate reading of signs, information and instructions, a high contrast value of:
— Using Michelson method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 60 % between the text or symbols and the
M
background, with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 70 points; or
— Using the Weber method, a luminance contrast C ≥ 75 % between the text or symbols and the
W
background, with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 70 points; or
— Using LRV difference method, a difference in LRV ≥ 60 points between the text or symbols and
the background; with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 70 points.
See Annex A for charts showing examples of the application of visual contrast using these methods.
Where reflecting materials with highly glossy or shiny surfaces are used for one or both surfaces of
interest, e.g. brushed metal, a higher minimum luminance contrast value is required than for non-
reflecting materials:
Large surface areas (i.e. walls, floors, doors, ceiling), elements and components to facilitate orientation
(i.e. base plates of controls), C ≥ 40 % with a minimum LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 40 points (C ≥ 57 %,
M W
LRV difference ≥ 40 points).
Small items necessary to enable use of building elements (i.e. control buttons, inscriptions on controls),
C ≥ 70 % with a minimum LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 70 points, (C ≥ 82 %, LRV difference ≥ 70 points).
M W
See ISO 21542:2021, 10.3.3. For stainless steel, see also EN 16584-1.
For the application of visual contrast on elements see the specific clauses such as 6.6 Signage; 7.1
Accessible routes; 9.3 Doors and door frames; 10.2 Steps and stairs; 10.3 Handrails; 10.4 Lifts, 10.5
Vertical and inclined lifting platforms, 10.6 Escalators and moving walks and 12 Sanitary
accommodations.
See also Figure 2 and Figure 3.
Key
1 light wall with contrast CM ≥ 30 % (LRV difference ≥ 30 points) to darker door
2 grey wall with contrast C ≥ 30 % (LRV difference ≥ 30 points) to lighter door
M
3 not recommended: contrast C between wall and door less than 30 %
M
4 light tactile walking surface indicator with contrast CM ≥ 50 % (LRV difference ≥ 50 points) to dark first
step of stairs
5 dark step surface with contrast C ≥ 60 % (LRV difference ≥ 60 points) to light step nosing marking
M
6 not recommended: no step surface contrast to step nosings
7 light attention pattern on railway platform with contrast to dark area outside platform (EN 16584-1)
8 light kerb ramp with contrast C ≥ 50 % (LRV difference ≥ 50 points) to footpath
M
9 dark text or pictograms with contrast C ≥ 60 % (LRV difference ≥ 60 points) to white background,
M
signage mounted on dark wall
10 light text or pictograms with contrast CM ≥ 60 % (LRV difference ≥ 60 points) to dark background,
signage mounted on light wall
Figure 2 — Examples of use of visual contrast in built environments
See Annex A with examples of visual contrast charts.
Figure 3 — Examples of visual contrast of door handles to surrounding areas (EN 16584-1)
6.3.3 Achieving and maintaining visual contrast
a) Where visual contrast is likely to deteriorate through, for example, cleaning of high trafficked floor
surfaces; or weathering of outdoor surfaces for example asphalt can appear lighter over time and
visual contrast reduced; or where lighting levels are low or subject to variation through changes in
natural or artificial lighting levels; a higher contrast value at installation allows for this. For large
areas, a luminance contrast C ≥ 40 % (LRV difference ≥ 40 points) between the two surfaces, with
M
LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 40 points; and for small items and potential hazards C ≥ 70 % (LRV
M
difference ≥ 70 points), with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 70 points.
b) Regular checks of visual contrast levels in safety situations such as railway platforms and step
nosings; to ensure high visual contrast is maintained for small items such as text, characters and
symbols on signs, and for characters on small control buttons and operating mechanisms; and to
ensure effective visual contrast is maintained where lighting levels are low.
c) A visual contrast equivalent to less than 20 points difference on the LRV scale throughout the
different colours in a patterned floor surface.
6.3.4 Lighting and wayfinding
a) and b) See 15.1 Lighting.
6.3.5 Visual indicators on glazing
6.3.5.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.3.5.2 General
a) Uninterrupted visual indicators of at least 75 mm height placed at a height of 900 mm to 1 000 mm
and 1 500 mm to 1 600 mm above floor level. An additional visual indicator placed at a height of
100 mm to 300 mm is recommended. See 9.3.11 Glazed doors and panels.
NOTE Partially sighted persons can have a limitation of visual field, which results in looking down at an
angle of 45 ° to 50 °. When they are within 1 000 mm to 1 500 mm from a fully glazed door or sidelight, they
can detect the visual barrier at a height of 900 mm to 1 000 mm, provided the visual contrast criteria have been
applied to the background. The background in all cases is the circulation space on the opposite side of the glass
door.
Visual indicators on general glazed areas with a difference in visual contrast C ≥ 30 % (LRV
M
difference ≥ 30 points) to the background, with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 40 points. Visual
indicators consisting of two separate colours, or two shades of the same colour, with a visual contrast
C ≥ 60% / C ≥ 75%, and LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 50 points (LRV difference ≥ 60 points) are
M W
preferred as they enable lighting conditions and backgrounds from either side of the glazing to be
taken into account (ISO 21542: 2021, 8.1.1.4; EN 16584-1:2017, Annex B.6).
Visual indicators may also take the form of a broken line, sign, logo, or patterning on the glass with
the visually contrasting indicator covering at least 75 % of the 100 mm indicator zone. For two-tone
indicators each of the two colours or shades covers at least 30 % of the zone with a combined total
of 75 % of the zone (EN 16584-1:2017, Annex B.6).
b) A visually contrasting strip on the edge of any free-standing glazed screens with a visual contrast
C ≥ 60% / C ≥ 75% , and LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 50 points to the background (LRV difference
M W
≥ 60 points). See 9.3.11 Glazed doors and panels.
See Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6.
a) light 75 % coverage bands b) self-contrasting full c) self-contrasting
on shifting background coverage bands on shifting full coverage bands on low
background
contrast background
Figure 4 — Examples of visually contrasting markings on different backgrounds,
daylight conditions
a) light 75 % coverage b) self-contrasting full c) self-contrasting full
bands on dark background coverage bands on dark coverage bands on dark
background background
Figure 5 — Examples of visually contrasting markings on different backgrounds,
low light conditions
a) pattern change b) large size marking c) door handle locations
indicating location of indicating location of enhanced through
sliding door opening sliding door opening contrasting background
Figure 6 — Examples of visually contrasting markings enhancing where sliding doors and
manual doors open
6.4 Tactile information
6.4.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.4.2 General
a) See 6.4.3 Tactile floor surfaces and 6.6.11 Provisions of raised tactile letters and Braille signs. For
tactile controls and push buttons, for example in lifts, see 10.4.12 Control devices and signals.
b) See 6.6.11 Provision of raised tactile and Braille signs.
c) See 6.4.3 Tactile floor surfaces and 6.6.11 Provision of raised tactile and Braille signs.
d) Regular checks to ensure that visual and tactile contrast is maintained
See also Figure 7.
Key
1 wall of building or kerb upstand
2 kerb
3 tactile walking surface indicators at pedestrian crossings and kerb ramps
4 guarding between footpath and road
5 difference in surface between grass and tarmac
6 tactile surface indicators along footpath
Figure 7 — Examples of natural and built tactile elements used for guidance, warning or
information
6.4.3 Tactile floor surfaces
6.4.3.1 Rationale
See EN 17210, no applicable technical specification.
The functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210 can be achieved by providing:
6.4.3.2 Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI)
a) Profile height, which is the distance of the top of the raised profile above the upper face of the tactile
paving unit, of 4 mm to 5 mm with a tolerance of 0,5 mm and bevelled or rounded edges to reduce
the likelihood of tripping and to enhance safety and negotiability for people with mobility
impairments. The base surface of the TWSI unit less than 3 mm above the surrounding ground or
floor surface so that TWSIs do not cause a tripping hazard. For other design and dimension details
see ISO 23599 or FprCEN/TS 15209:2020.
Surrounding or adjacent surfaces to be smooth and free of any tactile structure disturbing detection.
Gaps between joints to be avoided or a maximum of 10 mm width and 2 mm depth. For paving units
with bevelled edges measure the width of the gap on top of the paving surface.
When the surface surrounding the TWSI is uneven, with gaps in the paving in over 6 % of the
surrounding surface, provide a smooth surface on all sides of the TWSI extending to a minimum
width of 600 mm (ISO 23599: 2019).
NOTE 1 ISO 23599 specifies two types of TWSI, attention patterns which are also known as hazard warning
patterns, and guidance patterns, and recognizes that in some countries additional patterns are used for
different purposes. Attention patterns comprise truncated domes or cones, referred to as blister surface in
FprCEN/TS 15209; guidance patterns comprise elongated bars, referred to as rib surfaces in
FprCEN/TS 15209.
NOTE 2 The provision of TWSIs differs between countries and can be determined by national regulations or
standards; including when to provide, the design, profile and layout of the surfaces.
NOTE 3 In some countries a TWSI has a reduced profile indoors of 3.5 ± 0.5 (ÖNORM V 2102:2018, 6.1.1).
NOTE 4 A guidance pattern with recessed profile is used in some countries that experience a lot of snow and
use of snow ploughs which may reduce the tactile properties of raised tactile profile. The profile depth is
4,5 ± 0,5 mm outdoors and in traffic structures. Recessed profiles need regular cleaning to avoid filling with
dirt impacting on detectability of the profile (ÖNORM V 2102:2018, 6.1.1).
b) A visual contrast of C ≥ 30 % (LRV difference ≥ 30 points) between the TWSI and the surrounding
M
ground or floor surface, with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 40 points. When used to warn of a hazard,
a visual contrast of C ≥ 50 % with LRV of the lighter surface ≥ 50 points (LRV differ
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Questions, Comments and Discussion
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