LEGAL PROVISIONS IN MALAYSIA RELATED TO BARRIER FREE DESIGN
Uniform Building By-Laws 1984
The Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 was amended in 1990 to include the provision of by-law 34A which requires that all buildings that can be visited by the public be provided with facilities for disabled people:
a. The First Section requires that access be provided to enable the disabled to enter, exit and move about within a building and the design of the access must be suitable for the disabled.
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b. The Second Section stipulates that the specifications of the facilities for the disabled should be in accordance with the Malaysian Standards MS 1184 and MS 1183.
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c. The Third, Fourth and Fifth Sections stipulates that local authorities should ensure that building plans submitted must comply with the Malaysian Standards, i.e. to include facilities for the disabled in the building and any alterations made to the building.
The Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 was amended in 1990 to include the provision of by-law 34A which requires that all buildings that can be visited by the public be provided with facilities for disabled people:
a. The First Section requires that access be provided to enable the disabled to enter, exit and move about within a building and the design of the access must be suitable for the disabled.
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b. The Second Section stipulates that the specifications of the facilities for the disabled should be in accordance with the Malaysian Standards MS 1184 and MS 1183.
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c. The Third, Fourth and Fifth Sections stipulates that local authorities should ensure that building plans submitted must comply with the Malaysian Standards, i.e. to include facilities for the disabled in the building and any alterations made to the building.
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d. The Sixth Section lists the buildings that are required to adhere to this by-law. These include office buildings, terminals, car parks, and public buildings such as hospitals, government buildings, restaurants, cinemas, sports complexes, schools, hostels, hotels and others.
d. The Sixth Section lists the buildings that are required to adhere to this by-law. These include office buildings, terminals, car parks, and public buildings such as hospitals, government buildings, restaurants, cinemas, sports complexes, schools, hostels, hotels and others.
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e. On the whole, in the legal context, facilities for the disabled have been included in the amendment to the Uniform Building By-Laws (1984) in 1990 by adding provision 34A. All Local Authorities are required to enforce these laws and ensure that the facilities are provided according to Malaysian Standards MS 1184 and MS 1331.
e. On the whole, in the legal context, facilities for the disabled have been included in the amendment to the Uniform Building By-Laws (1984) in 1990 by adding provision 34A. All Local Authorities are required to enforce these laws and ensure that the facilities are provided according to Malaysian Standards MS 1184 and MS 1331.
SIRIM Code of Practice
1) Code of Practice for Access for the Disabled to Public Buildings (MS1184)
This code of practice, issued by SIRIM in 1991, represents the Malaysian Standard for the provision and design of special facilities within a building so that they can be used easily an safely by disabled people.
The main subjects included in this code are specifications of the features for the facilities such as the size, measurement, type, material and design which are suitable and safe to be used by the disabled. These facilities include ramps, handrails, stairs, toilets, bars, signs and symbols.
This code also specifies the types of buildings that are required to provide these facilities:
a. Hospitals, clinics, welfare centres, mosques/suraus;
b. Shop houses, supermarkets, administrative centres, offices, banks and post offices;
c. Restaurants, cinemas, conference halls, community centres, swimming pools, sports
The main subjects included in this code are specifications of the features for the facilities such as the size, measurement, type, material and design which are suitable and safe to be used by the disabled. These facilities include ramps, handrails, stairs, toilets, bars, signs and symbols.
This code also specifies the types of buildings that are required to provide these facilities:
a. Hospitals, clinics, welfare centres, mosques/suraus;
b. Shop houses, supermarkets, administrative centres, offices, banks and post offices;
c. Restaurants, cinemas, conference halls, community centres, swimming pools, sports
complexes and recreational buildings;
d. Government/public buildings;
e. Schools, colleges, universities, zoos, museums, galleries, libraries and science and cultural
d. Government/public buildings;
e. Schools, colleges, universities, zoos, museums, galleries, libraries and science and cultural
buildings; and
f. Hostels, hotels and residential buildings except private houses.
f. Hostels, hotels and residential buildings except private houses.
2) Code of Practice for Access for Disabled People Outside Buildings (M8 1331) 1993
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This code of practice, issued by SIRIM in 1993, represented the Malaysian Standard for the provision and design of special facilities outside of buildings so that they can be accessed and used the disabled.
Among the facilities are pavements, lighting, ramps, stairs, handrails, street furniture, pedestrian walkways, special seating, underpasses, footbridges, pedestrian crossings, traffic islands, special parking areas, bus stops, signages and symbols. This code applies to all types of buildings including place of work and public buildings - Private residences are excluded.
3) Code of Practice for the Means of Escape for the Disabled (MS 1183)1990
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This code of practice provides guidelines to building designers and contractors for works on new buildings or renovation of existing buildings. It also outlines the steps that need to be taken involving the safety of the disabled in the event of a fire. Among the fire prevention and safety provisions for the disabled include stairs, spaces, exits, emergency/fire lifts, emergency phones, stairs and lifts specifically for wheelchair users.
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As with code MS 1184:1991, this code has also been gazetted in the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 with the addition of provision 34A which requires that all buildings (except private residences) that can be visited by the public, are provided with fire safety facilities for the disabled.
Implementation Policies
i. Provision of facilities for the disabled must be done according to the requirements outlined in the:
a. Uniform Building By-Laws 1984; and
b. SIRIM Code of Practice MS 1184 and MS 1331
ii. The preparation of the Structure and Local Plans should take into consideration the facilities required for the disabled;
iii. Local Authorities should enforce the of planning guidelines and standards prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department in when granting planning permission and approval of any development application; and
iv. The provision of facilities for the disabled should be in compliance with policies and guidelines stipulated in the development strategies of Structure and Local Plans.
Planning Principles
As with code MS 1184:1991, this code has also been gazetted in the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 with the addition of provision 34A which requires that all buildings (except private residences) that can be visited by the public, are provided with fire safety facilities for the disabled.
Implementation Policies
i. Provision of facilities for the disabled must be done according to the requirements outlined in the:
a. Uniform Building By-Laws 1984; and
b. SIRIM Code of Practice MS 1184 and MS 1331
ii. The preparation of the Structure and Local Plans should take into consideration the facilities required for the disabled;
iii. Local Authorities should enforce the of planning guidelines and standards prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department in when granting planning permission and approval of any development application; and
iv. The provision of facilities for the disabled should be in compliance with policies and guidelines stipulated in the development strategies of Structure and Local Plans.
Planning Principles
i. Justice
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Provide appropriate and suitable facilities for the disabled in residential areas, public buildings, commercial centres, transportation systems and recreational areas.
ii. Compassion
Provide appropriate and suitable facilities for the disabled in residential areas, public buildings, commercial centres, transportation systems and recreational areas.
ii. Compassion
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a. All facilities for the disabled must be user-friendly and must fulfill their needs; and
b. Provide adequate basic and public facilities as well as effective and comfortable traffic and transportation systems for all.
iii. Peace and Security
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a. Planning for the support facilities for the use of the disabled should emphasize on safety, comfort and adaptability; and
b. Planning for accessibility should incorporate the use of spaces and facilities for people with various types of handicaps and disabilities.
iv. Effective and Efficient
a. All facilities for the disabled must be user-friendly and must fulfill their needs; and
b. Provide adequate basic and public facilities as well as effective and comfortable traffic and transportation systems for all.
iii. Peace and Security
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a. Planning for the support facilities for the use of the disabled should emphasize on safety, comfort and adaptability; and
b. Planning for accessibility should incorporate the use of spaces and facilities for people with various types of handicaps and disabilities.
iv. Effective and Efficient
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The sitting of support facilities for the disabled requires careful planning to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of usage.
The sitting of support facilities for the disabled requires careful planning to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of usage.
v. Trustworthy and Credibility
-a. Accessibility must take into account the ability of the disabled to leave a place without any obstruction;
b. The implementing authority has a social responsibility to ensure that a barrier-free environment is created for the disabled.
vi. Rights of the Individual and Society
b. The implementing authority has a social responsibility to ensure that a barrier-free environment is created for the disabled.
vi. Rights of the Individual and Society
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a. Give rights to the disabled, listen and accept their views; and
b. Provide protection to the disabled from victimisation and other acts which infringe their rights as individuals.
a. Give rights to the disabled, listen and accept their views; and
b. Provide protection to the disabled from victimisation and other acts which infringe their rights as individuals.
vii. Unity
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Encourage unity through writings, symbols and images.
viii. Encouraging Congregation and Interaction.
Encourage unity through writings, symbols and images.
viii. Encouraging Congregation and Interaction.
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Provide areas and elements which encourage congregation, interaction and community activities.
ix. Preservation of the Environment
-Provide areas and elements which encourage congregation, interaction and community activities.
ix. Preservation of the Environment
The preservation of the natural green areas, historical landscape and wildlife and forest reserves so that they can also be enjoyed by the disabled.
(Source:Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
General Guidelines
These guidelines focus on the provision of facilities for the disabled in the area surrounding buildings, either for public or commercial buildings, public transport terminals or recreational areas.
i. The provision of access for the disabled to all buildings, which has to be approved by the Local Authorities in accordance with the Uniform Building By-Laws, should take into account the SIRIM Code MS 1331:1993 and MS 1184:1991 and the planning guidelines for the disabled;
ii. Access for the disabled to public buildings, multi-storey dwellings, commercial buildings, public transport terminals and recreational areas should begin from the car park or public transport terminal and be free from any obstruction;
iii. When providing access. the ability of the disabled to leave these places without any obstruction should be taken into consideration;
iv. Planning for accessibility should cover the use of areas and facilities for people with various types of handicap and disabilities;
v. The planning and guidelines on the accessibility must take into account the limited abilities of the disabled such as mobility, seating and others;
vi. Planning of the support elements or facilities for the use of the disabled should emphasize safety, comfort and suitability;
vii. All facilities for the disabled must have user-friendly features; and
viii. The location of the support facilities for the disabled requires careful planning to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of usage.
Planning Concept For Facilities For The Disabled
In preparing a layout plan of a particular development, areas specified as facilities for the disabled should be planned in accordance with the concepts set out in Figures 1 and Figure 2.
1) Standards
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The components in the planning of facilities for the disabled cover the following aspects:
i. Accessibility;
ii. Spaces; and
iii. Support facilities.
Facilities for the disabled should be planned according to land use based on the Proposed Modular Plan (Refer to Table 1 and Table 2 )
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Figure 1:External Planning Concept
The components in the planning of facilities for the disabled cover the following aspects:
i. Accessibility;
ii. Spaces; and
iii. Support facilities.
Facilities for the disabled should be planned according to land use based on the Proposed Modular Plan (Refer to Table 1 and Table 2 )
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Figure 1:External Planning Concept
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Figure 2:Schematic Diagram Of Facilities For Disabled
(Source:Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
Table 1:Matrix On The Usage Of Facilities For Disabled By Location
(Source:Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
Table 2:Proposed Facilities For The Disabled Types Of Land Use
(Source:Town And Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia, 2002)
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