comparing nordic building regulations wrt some issues to do with

Notes: 1. Numbers at top of each slide refer to article numbers in the Icelandic Building Regulation 2. Some issues are not specifically addressed in all nordic building regulations 3. Some values may not be correctly interpreted and there may be considerable errors in this version 4. Finnish values are not included for the time being 5. Recently, turning diameter for wheelchair in apartments was changed from 1,5m to 1,3m in Iceland

Version 3, feb 2015

Comparing nordic building regulations wrt some issues to do with access for all

Draft 2

Diameter for clear spaces for wheelchairs to turn around in residential Assess for all

country meter Iceland 1.5

Norway 1.5 (gr. 12.7(2))

Residential shall have Sweden 1.3x1.3 inside og 1,5 outside

(recommendation)(SS 91 42 21)

Danmark 1.3 (recommendation) recommend 1.5

1.5 in kitchen, bathroom (recommendation)

Finland 1.3 inside and1.5 in bathrooms and laundry

USA

Iso standard

Diameter for clear spaces for wheelchairs to turn around in residential Assess for all

country meter Iceland 1.3 in residential smaller than netto 55 m²

Norway 1.5 (gr. 12.7(2))

Residential shall have Sweden 1.3x1.3 inside og 1,5 outside

(recommendation)(SS 91 42 21)

Danmark 1.3 (recommendation) recommend 1.5

1.5 í kitchen, bathroom (recommendation)

Finland 1.3 inside and 1.5 in bathrooms and laundry

USA

Iso standard

Diameter for clear spaces for wheelchairs to turn around in other houses than residential Assess for all

country meter Iceland 1,8

Norway

Sweden

Danmark

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.2.3 gr.(b) Labeling: height shall be x meter from ground

country meters Iceland 0.9/1.40-1.60

Norway

Sweden

BBR 8:351 General recommendation. The markings should differ from the background and be visible to people whether they are standing or sitting.

Denmark 1.20-1.60 (b) (recommendation SBI)

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.2.3 gr.(e) Sloping walk path to a buildings shall have a horizontal rest surface with the height increase

country Size of the surface in meters Height increase in meters Iceland 1.8x1.8 0.6

Norway 1.6x1.6 0.6

Sweden 1.3x2.0 (recommendation, BBR 3:1222) 0.5

Denmark 1.3x1.3 (recommendation) 0.6

Finland 0.9-1.2x2.0 0.5

USA

Iso standard W=1.8 L=2.0

6.2.3 gr.(f) Walking paths towards buildings

Country meters

Iceland 1.6/1.8 where there is a lot of

traffic shorter than 5m = 1.4m

Norway 1.6 shorter distances = 1.4m

Sweden 1.5 (recommendation BBR 3:122 )

or at least 1.0 m and then turning zones no more than 10 m apart.

Denmark 1.3

Finland 0.9-1.2 depending on traffic

USA

Iso standard 0.9-1.8 depending on traffic

6.2.6 gr. Handicapped parking spaces, dimensions

country meters Iceland 3.8x5.0

Norway 4.5x6.0 (Vegvesen)

Sweden W=5.0 less if sidewalk are aside

(recommendation BBR 3:122 )

Denmark 3.5X5.0 (recommendation)

Finland 3.6x5.0 (recommendation)

USA 3.96x5.0

Iso standard 3.9x5.4

6.2.6.gr Handicapped parking spaces, dimensions bigger spaces

country meters Iceland 4.5x5.0 +3 meters behind for a lift

1/5 of the handicapped parking spaces and never less

than 1 space

Norway 4.5x6.0 (Vegvesen)

Sweden Just function rules for accessibility and usability

Denmark 4.5x8.0 (recommendation)

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.2.6.gr Handicapped parking, parallel to the sidewalk


Norway

Sweden Just function rules for accessibility and

usability (recommendation BBR 3:122 )

Denmark 2.5x8.0 (recommendation)

Finland

USA 2.5x6.1

Iso standard 2.4x9.0

6.2.6.gr Number of parking spaces for handicapped

country

Iceland

Number of parking spaces:

Size of parking space 3.5 x 5.0m

Size of parking space 4.5x8.0m

1-9 1

10-25 1 1

26-50 2 1

51-75 3 1

76-100 4 1

101-150 4 2

151-200 5 2

201-300 6 2

Number of parking spaces for handicapped

country

Denmark

The number of spaces for handicapped depends on the need, though never less than one parking space at size 4.5x8.0m

Sweden

No number specified but place according to future needs shall be shown BBR 3:122

Finland

No number specified but at least one parking space 3.6x5.0 m shall be shown.

6.4.2. gr. Width of entry door

country meters Iceland 0.9x2.10 (door blade)

(free for traffic 0.83)

Norway 0.9x2.00 (free width)

Sweden 0.8x2.00 (recommendation BBR 3:143)

Denmark c:0.77, b:0.87, a:1.07

Finland 0.85 (free for traffic)

0.8 (free for traffic in residential houses)

USA 0.815

Iso standard 0.8

6.4.2. gr.(a) By the main entrance shall be a horizontal platform of the size

country meters Iceland 1.80x1.80 *

Norway 1.50x1.50 after the opening of the door blade

Sweden

Denmark 1.50x1.50 /170x150 if the door opens out

Finland

1.22 door opens the other way USA 1.53 door opens towards

Iso standard

*not required if the corridor is 1.50 m wide

6.4.2.gr.(b) Switch to open a door shall be located

country From floor, height From corner Iceland ca. 1.0 At least 0.50

Norway 0.80-1.10 (recommendation)

Sweden 0.80 (recommendation) 0.70-1.00

Denmark 0.90-1.20 (b) (recommendation) 0.50

Finland

USA

Iso standard 0.8-1.0

6.4.2.gr(c) Side space next to doorknob by entry door should be

country meters Iceland 0.7

Norway 0.5

Sweden (SS 21 4221)

Denmark 0.5 (recommendation)

Finland 0.4 (recommendation)

USA 0.3 if door opens from you/0.44 if door opens too you

Iso standard 0.6

6.4.2.gr (d) Threshold by the entrance door

country mm

Iceland 25mm

Norway 25mm

Sweden (recommendation BBR 8:22. No threshold by entrance

door. 21mm threshold or non SS 91 42 )

Denmark 25mm (recommendation)

Finland 20mm

USA 13-19mm

Iso standard 20mm

6.4.3.gr (d) Width of door inside houses

country meters

Iceland 0.8x2.00 free for traffic universal design

other 0.7x2.00

Norway 0.8x2.0

Sweden 0.8 (BBR 3:143 recommendation)

Denmark 0.77

Finland

USA 0.815

Iso standard

6.4.4.gr(2) Width of corridors inside an apartment


Norway

Sweden (SS 91 42 21)


Finland 1.3 (recommendation)

USA

Iso standard

6.4.4.gr.(4.a) Width of corridors and balcony corridors

country meters Iceland 1.3 with small traffic/1.8 with big traffic*

Norway 1.2=5 m and shorter 1.5 =30 m 1.8= over 30m

Sweden 1.3 (recommendation BBR 3:142)

Denmark 1.0 and 1.3 in front of doors (recommendation)

Finland 1.2-1.6 (depends of traffic)

USA 0.91

Iso standard

* Where the corridors are less than 1.5m, there should be a meeting place for wheelchairs to meet 1.8x1.8m at least every 10 m

6.4.4.gr.(4.b) Outside an entrance door, in a corridor or balcony corridor shall be an area

country meters Iceland 1.8x1.8 *

Norway 1.5x1.5

Sweden (BBR 3:112 recommendation of 1.5x1.5 turning areal for outdoors wheelchairs)

Denmark 1.5x1.5

Finland

USA

Iso standard

* If the corridor is a 1.5m wide, then you do not have to have 1.8

6.4.4.gr.(4.c) In corridors that are with the width less than 1.5m, shall be a meeting area for wheelchairs


Norway 1.8x1.8

Sweden (BBR 3:112 recommendation)

Denmark 1.5x1.5 (recommendation SBI)

Finland

USA 1.52x1.52

Iso standard

6.4.4.gr.(4.d) Inside an apartment shall be a clear space for wheelchairs in front of doors

country meters Iceland 1.5x1.5 and 1.3x1.3 in residential smaller than 55²

Norway

Sweden 1.3x1.3 (SS 91 42 21)


Finland 1.3 (diameter)

USA

Iso standard

6.4.4.gr.(4.e) In the entrance/lobby shall be a clear space of


Norway 1.5x1.5

Sweden (BBR 3:142 recommendation SS91 42 21 1,3x1.3 residential houses and 1.5x1.5 outside and in other houses)

Denmark

Finland 1.3 (diameter)

USA

Iso standard

6.4.4.gr. Viðmiðunarregla 3 In large open spaces, markings on the floors should be done for the blind and visually impaired

country Iceland x

Norway x

Sweden (outside ALM 7 gr. and inside BBR 3:1423

recommendation)

Denmark x

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.4.6.gr. The gap in open stairs(between steps) in buildings should never be less than X, and gap parallel to stairs should never be less then Y

country X mm Y mm Iceland 89 50

Norway 100 50

Sweden 100 (recommendation) 50 (recommendation)

Denmark 89 (recommendation SBI)

Finland 110 but 100 in residential

USA

Iso standard

6.4.7.gr. Stairs maximum height without a platform

country meters Iceland 2.0*/3.3

Norway 3.3

Sweden 18 steps (AFS (Arbetsmiljöverket) 2009:2 57 § )

(BBR 8:232 design of stairs and ramps should bee save for people to use)

Denmark 2.0 (recommendation SBI)

Finland 1 platform between floors if there is no elevator (recommendation)

USA

Iso standard

*where public has access too

6.4.7.gr Resting platform, length

country meters Where there is a door Iceland 1.3 1.5

Norway 1.5

Sweden 1.5 (apartments)

(BBR 8:232 same as stairs. Doors are where they do not

interfere traffic.)

1.3 (villas) Denmark

Finland 1.2 1.5

USA

Iso standard 1.5 within handrail 1.7 from wall to stair

6.4.8.gr. Stairs inside apartments, width


Norway 0.8

Sweden 0.9 (SS 91 42 21)


Finland 0.9

USA

Iso standard

6.4.8.gr. Stairs in public/commercial buildings and buildings with more than one apartment, width


1.1 in residential Norway 1.2 in public/commercial

Sweden 1.2 when more than two residentials

(BBR 8:232 recommendation)

Denmark 0.9 in two residential (recommendation)

1.0 (recommendation)

Finland 1.2-1.6 depends traffic

USA

Iso standard

6.4.8.gr Height under stairs


Norway 2.0-2.1

Sweden 2.0 (BBR8:34)


Finland 2.1

USA

Iso standard 2.1

6.4.8.gr. Outdoors stairs by main entrance, width and walking height

country Width in meters Height in meters Iceland 1.3* 2.1

Norway

Sweden (PBL All houses should bee

assessable, no stairs. BBR 3:132)

Denmark 1.0 (recommendation) 1.0 (recommendation)

Finland 1.2 2.1

USA 2.03

Iso standard

*back entrance stairs 0.9, and stairs from balcony 0.6

6.4.9.gr. Interior stairs, slope and % between rise and tread width

country % equation Iceland 30°-36° 2r+tw=600-640mm

Norway 33°-36 (recommendation) 2r+tw=620 -/+ 20mm (recommendation)

Sweden

Denmark 2r+tw=610-630mm (recommendation)

Finland 2r+tw=630mm (recommendation)

USA

Iso standard

6.4.9.gr Stairs interior treads in mm

country rise Tread width Tread more floors Iceland 120-180 min 240 260mm

Norway min 250

Sweden min 250

( BBR 8:232)

Denmark max 180 min 280

Finland Max 160 Min 300

USA 100-180 min 280

Iso standard

6.4.10.gr. Round stairs and circular stairs, tread width in walking line

country mm mm mm Iceland min150

Norway min150

Sweden 250

(BBR 8:232) (BBR 8:232)

Denmark circular Round public Round residents min 200 280 250

Finland Min 150

USA

Iso standard

6.4.10.gr. Outside steps, tread width and rise

country mm mm halli Iceland 280 120-160 17°-30°

Norway 280 (recommendation) 30° (recommendation)

Sweden 300 (ALM 9§)

Denmark 300 150

Finland 390 (recommendation) 130

USA

Iso standard

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 1) Ramps slope

country % Iceland 1:20 /1:12 (max 3 m)

Norway 1:20/1:12

Sweden 1:20/1:12

(BBR 3:1222 inside. 1:20 ALM 9 § outside)

Denmark 1:20

Finland 1:20/1:12.5 (max 6 m)

USA 1:20/1.12

Iso standard

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 2) Platform on both ends of a ramp


Norway 1.5x1.5 (recommendation)

Sweden 2.0 (BBR 3:1422)

Denmark 1.3x1.3

Finland

USA 0.91x1.52

Iso standard Length 1.5, but if it changes

direction then 1.5 width

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 4) Resting platform on ramps, length


Norway 1.5


(ALM 9 §)

Denmark 1.3

Finland 2.0

USA 1.52

Iso standard

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 6) Width of ramps

country meters Iceland 0.9-1.3

Norway 0.9 min

Sweden 1.3 inside 1.5 outside (BBR 3:1422 recommendation)

Denmark 1.3

Finland 0.9

USA 0.91

Iso standard 1.2

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 9) On the side on the ramps floor, shall be an increase of

country mm Iceland min 40

Norway 100-150 (recommendation)

Sweden 40 (BBR 3:1422 recommendation)

Denmark min 20 (b) (recommendation SBI)

Finland

USA 50

Iso standard

6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 10) Handrail on both sides of a ramp in height

country meters Iceland 0.7 og 0.9

Norway 0.7 og 0.9


Denmark min 0.8 (recommendation)

Finland 0.7 og 0.9 (recommendation)

USA 0.86-0.96


6.4.11.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 11) Handrails should extend on ramps both on top and bottom of the ramp

country mm Iceland 300

Norway

Sweden 300 (BBR 8:2322 recommendation)

Denmark 300 (recommendation)

Finland 300 (recommendation)

USA 305

Iso standard 300

6.4.12.gr.(2) Wheelchair elevator and stair elevator for wheelchairs

country meters Iceland Wheelchair elevator: 0.9x1.4

Stair elevator 0.8x1.2 Norway

Sweden 0.7x0.9 wheelchair type A 0.75x1.0 wheelchair type B

(BBR 3:144, SS-EN 81-70, SS-EN 81-40:2008 5.6.4.2)

Denmark Wheelchair elevator: 0.9x1.4 (recommendation)

Stair elevator 0.8x1.2 (recommendation)

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.4.12.gr.(4) Elevators in public/commercial buildings one elevator

country Iceland 2 floors or more

Norway 2 floors or more

Sweden 2 floors or more (PBF 3 kap4, 18 §§)

Denmark

Finland 2 floors or more

USA

Iso standard

6.4.12.gr.(5) Elevators in residential housing

country Iceland 3 floors and more

Norway 3 floors and more

Sweden 3 floors and more

(PBF 3 chapter 4, 18 §§, in two floors housing it should bee easy too build in elevators later. Guesthouses with less than three flats are exempt from access for all.

Denmark 3 floors and more

Finland 3 floors and more

USA

Iso standard

6.4.12.gr.(7) Elevators should have the inside size

country meters Iceland 1.1x2.1 Extra elevators can bee smaller with access

for wheelchairs Norway a:1.1x2.1 3 floors and above

b:1.1x1.6 2 story building 1.1x1.4 Buildings for public (BBR 3:144 SS-EN 81-70 recommendation)

Sweden 2.0x1.4 Buildings for public (recommendation)

1.1x2.1 For patients transport (SS 76 35 20 recommendation)

a:1.85x2.4 For patients transport (recommend SBI)

Denmark b:1.1x1.7 For wheelchairs transport (recommend SBI)

c:1.1x1.4 (recommendation SBI)

Finland 1.1x1.4

USA a:1.06x1.37 b:1.29x1.29 c:0.91x1.37

Iso standard

6.4.12.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 4) The elevator panel should be placed from the floor/the wall

country meters meters Iceland 0.7-1.2 0.5

Norway 0.8-1.10 0.5

Sweden Max 1.1

(BBR 3:144, SS_EN 81-70) Denmark 0.9-1.10 (recommendation SBI) 0.5 (recommendation SBI)

Finland 0.9-1.1 (recommendation)

USA 1.06


1,20 m

0,70 m

•Handföng skulu vera þannig gerðar auðvelt sé að taka á þeim og stjórna.

6.4.12.gr.(viðmiðunarregla 6) Space in front of an elevator should be

country meters meters Iceland W= 1.8 L= 2.0

Norway

Sweden (BBR 3:112)

Denmark W=1.5 (recommendation) L=1.5/2.0* (recommendation)

Finland

USA

Iso standard W=1.5 L=2.0*

*when there are steps in front of elevator

6.5.2.gr. Handrails should extend on stairs both on top and bottom of the stairs

land meters meters Iceland 0.3 0.3

Norway

Sweden 0.3 (BBR 8:2322) 0.3

Denmark 0.3 (recommendation) 0.3 (recommendation)

Finland 0.3 (recommendation) 0.3 (recommendation)

USA 0.305 0.305

Iso standard

6.5.2.gr. Distance between handrail and wall


Norway 50 (recommendation)

Sweden no rules


Finland

USA 38

Iso standard 40

6.5.3.gr. If handrail is bolted on the outside, the gap between handrail and stair/balcony should not be more than


Norway 50

Sweden 50 (BBR 8:2321)


Finland 50 (recommendation)

USA

Iso standard

6.5.3.gr. If handrails are made with horizontal or slanted bars that give the option of climbing, that kind of handrail should be covered

country Iceland 0.8m height from floor

Norway X

Sweden 0.8 m height from floor (BBR 8:2321 recommendation)

Denmark X (recommendation)

Finland 0.7 m height from floor

USA

Iso standard

80

0

6.5.4.gr. Handrails heights

country meters Iceland 0.9-1.2

Norway 0.9-1.2

Sweden 0.9-1.1 (BBR 8:2322 recommendation)

Denmark 0.8-1.2 (recommendation)

Finland

USA 0.865-0.965


6.5.4.gr. Handrail of a balcony

country meters meters Iceland 1.1 1.2 above 2nd floor

Norway 1.0 1.2 10 m and higher



Finland 1.0 1.2 above 6 m

USA

Iso standard

6.6.1.gr (viðmiðunarregla 1) Doorknobs, controls, switches and such equipment in buildings requiring universal design should be located from the floor X, electricity plugs in buildings that are designed on the basis of universal design should not be closer to a corner than Y

country X meters Y meters Iceland 0.7-1.2 0.5

Norway 0.8-1.1 0.5

Sweden 0.8 (BBR 3:143 recommendation) 0.7-1.0 (BBR 3:143 recommendation)

Denmark 0.9-1.2 (recommendation SBI) 0.5 (recommendation SBI)

Finland

USA


0.7 m

1.2 m

6.7.6.gr. Ceiling heights inside apartments


Norway 2.2-2.4 (recommendation)

Sweden 2.4 (BBR 3:3111)


Finland 2.4-2.5

USA

Iso standard

6.7.6. gr. In the attic rooms shall average heights at least be X

country X meters Iceland 2.2

Norway

Sweden 2.3

(BBR 3:3111, min 2.1m where people stands

in flat roofs and min 1.9m in sloped roofs.) Denmark

Finland 2.4-2.5

USA

Iso standard

6.7.6. gr. Light opening of the windows in a room shall not be smaller than x of the size of the floor area

country X Iceland 1/10

Norway 1/10 (recommendation)

Sweden 1/10 (BBR 6:322 recommendation)

Denmark 1/10 (recommendation)

Finland 1/10

USA

Iso standard

6.7.8.gr. Minimum size of bedroom

country size min width meters Iceland general space requirements 2.4

Norway 7m² (recommendation) 2.4 (recommendation)

Sweden (BBR 3:22 recommendation. Sizes SS 91 42 21)

Denmark general space requirements

Finland 7m²

USA

Iso standard

6.7.8.gr Apartment that is bigger than 55m2, shall have one bedroom and a living room

country m2 description Iceland Living room min. 18m²

Norway general space requirements

Sweden (BBR 3:222 general space requirements dep. On population)

Min one room with double bed

Denmark general space requirements

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.7.13.gr. Minimum size of storage room

country size Iceland 2.5m²-6m²*

Norway 1.5m² or 2m of closet (one room apt)

3m² additional 5m² sport storage Sweden (SS 91 42 22 and the size of residential)

BBR 3:23 postboxes, laundry, garbaged, should be accessible.

Denmark

Finland

USA

Iso standard

*depending on the size of apartment

6.7.14.gr. Balcony width


Norway 1.5

Sweden (BBR 3:22 recommendation. Accessible

balconies SS 91 42 21)

Denmark

Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.8.2 gr. Ceiling height in public and commercial housing


Norway 2.7 (recommendation)

Sweden 2.7

(BBR 3:3112 exemption if the room is for few

people then min2.4 m)


Finland

USA

Iso standard

6.9.1 gr. Assembly areas number of required wheelchairs

country % of seating Iceland 1%

Norway

Sweden general space requirements

(BBR 3:145)

Denmark 1% (recommendation)

Finland

USA 2%

Iso standard

6.10.3 gr. Additional activities % of access for all

country rooms Iceland 1/5 (20%)

Norway 1/10 (10%)

Sweden

Denmark 1-5 beds 1 f. handicap. 6-10 beds 2 f. handicap.

11-30 beds 4 f. handicap. 31-40 beds 5 f. handicap.

80- beds 10 f. handicap.

Finland

USA 1/20 (5%)

Iso standard

6.10.4 gr. Students apartments, access for all

country apartments Iceland 1/8 (12.5%)

Norway 1/5 (20%) (recommendation)

Sweden (PBL 8 chapter, 4 §§ Residential houses shall bee accessible.)

1-5 beds 1 f. handicap. Denmark 6-10 beds 2 f. handicap.

11-30 beds 4 f. handicap. 31-40 beds 5 f. handicap. 80- beds 10 f. handicap.

Finland Same rules as for residential houses

USA 1/20 (5%)

Iso standard

6.10.4 gr. Summer houses for rent, with access for all

country houses Iceland 1/8 (12.5%)

Norway

Sweden (BBR 1:2 recommendation. Exempt from some rules

in chapter 3 BBR for such accessibility, apartments

infrastructures, ceiling height and support spaces.)

Denmark 1-5 beds 1 f. handicap. 6-10 beds 2 f. handicap.

11-30 beds 4 f. handicap. 31-40 beds 5 f. handicap. 80- beds 10 f. handicap.

Finland 1/20 (5%)

USA

Iso standard

6.12.6. gr. Garbage

country Iceland X

Norway X

Sweden X

(BBR 3:148 og 3:23. Postboxes, laundry, garbage and support spaces should be accessible.

Denmark

Finland

USA

Iso standard

comparing nordic building regulations wrt some issues to do with

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