AS 1428.

3—1992

Australian StandardR

Design for access and mobility

Part 3: Requirements for children

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and adolescents with physical

disabilities
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee ME/64, Access for People with Disabi-
lities. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 2 March 1992 and
published on 15 May 1992.

The following interests are represented on Committee ME/64:

Access Australia
ACROD
Australian Chamber of Manufactures
Australian Council on the Ageing
Australian National Council of and for the Blind
Australian Uniform Building Regulations Coordinating Council
Building Owners and Managers Association of Australia
Department of Administrative Services – Australian Construction Services
Department of Housing and Local Government, Queensland
Department of Housing, New South Wales
Department of the Premier and Cabinet, South Australia
Master Builders Construction and Housing Association, Australia
National Committee of Independent Living Centres
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Royal Australian Institute of Architects

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
South Australian Department of Housing and Construction
Telecom Australia

Additional interest participating in preparation of Standard:

Crippled Childrens Association of South Australia

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to peri-
odic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important there-
fore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue
of Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which
subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of
withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are wel-
comed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay
in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 91073.

 AS 1428.3—1992

Australian StandardR

Design for access and mobility

Part 3: Requirements for children

and adolescents with physical
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disabilities

First published as AS 1428.3–1992.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 7409 7
 PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Access for People with
Disabilities to fulfil a need for information on the design of buildings and facilities which
provide suitable general access for children and adolescents with disabilities.
For the purpose of this Standard, children and adolescents have been divided into age groups
and disability types. Where facilities are for use by all groups, the minimum requirements are
those for the group shown in research to be the most disadvantaged group.
The requirements given in the Standard are based on research completed in 1988 and pub-
lished in a report entitled Ergonomic design for physically disabled children.*
The recommendations from the report which have been adopted in this Standard will allow
access for at least 80 percent of children and adolescents with physical disabilities. The
80 percent rule has been generally accepted as the minimum provision for adult people with
disabilities in AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for
access – Buildings.
However, where the access needs of children and adolescents are identical to those of adults,
this Standard calls up the requirements in AS 1428.2, Design for access and mobility, Part 2:
Enhanced and additional requirements – Buildings and facilities. AS 1428.2 sets down
access requirements which are not covered in AS 1428.1 and also sets down requirements
which provide a level of access which is greater than that provided by AS 1428.1, the
requirements in AS 1428.2 being determined from research data of the needs of 90 percent of
adults who have disabilities.
Appendix E gives data on wheelchair dimensions and user size which will assist in the
provision of access for items such as viewing ranges for children and adolescents which are
not covered in this Standard.
This Standard is part of a series of Standards, which comprises:
AS
1428 Design for access and mobility
1428.1 Part 1: General requirements for access – Buildings
1428.2 Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements – Buildings and facilities
1428.3 Part 3: Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities
1428.4 Part 4: Tactile ground surface indicators for the orientation of people with vision
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impairment

* BAILS, J.H. and SEEGER, B.R. Ergonomic design for physically disabled children. Adelaide, S.A.: South
Australian Department of Housing and Construction, 1988.

E Copyright — STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

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Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard is amended or
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 CONTENTS

Page
FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5 DISABILITY GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
6 APPLICATION OF AS 1428.2 TO THE PROVISION OF ACCESS FOR
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES . . . . 5
7 WALKWAYS, RAMPS AND LANDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
8 STAIRWAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
9 HANDRAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
10 SANITARY FACILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
11 REACH RANGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
12 CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
13 FURNITURE AND FITMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
14 DRINKING FOUNTAINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
15 VENDING MACHINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
16 OTHER ITEMS NOT COVERED BY THIS STANDARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
APPENDICES
A HORIZONTAL REACH OVER A BENCH SURFACE FOR ALL
GROUPS IN ALL AGE RANGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
B VERTICAL REACH ABOVE A BENCH FOR ALL GROUPS IN
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ALL AGE RANGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

C REACH ALONG A SIDE WALL FOR ALL GROUPS IN ALL
AGE RANGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
D FRONTAL REACH FOR GROUP F, GROUP A AND GROUP S . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
E WHEELCHAIR AND USER SIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
 AS 1428.3—1992 4

FOREWORD

Although the access needs of adults who have disabilities have been the subject of research both in Australia and
overseas, the access needs of children with disabilities have been generally overlooked.

Since little information was available concerning in what respects and to what extent the access needs of children
differed to those of adults, it was decided to undertake research to seek answers to these questions. With a direct grant
from the Channel 10 Children’s Medical Research Foundation of South Australia and support from the Regency Park
Centre for Young Disabled and the South Australian Department of Housing and Construction, research was commenced
in June 1986 and a final report was completed in August 1988.

The research aimed to determine the physical capabilities of children with disabilities to determine if their needs differed
from other groups in the community and to provide guidelines for design. Full-size test equipment was used to test the
mobility, reach and strength capabilities of 288 children, including 109 able-bodied children. Test subjects were selected
to cover various types of physical disability and ages from 3 to 18 years. At the test site 30 separate items of test
equipment were used to measure and record 72 variables to cover the various capabilities, preferences and dimensional
details of children.

Research into the needs of children and adolescents on which these requirements are based revealed that some facilities
provided for use by adults will be inaccessible to a significant number of children.

In particular, the research showed the following:

(a) In most cases, capability and size depend on age.

(b) Except for reach for some wheelchair users, most abilities of both non-disabled and disabled children increase
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rapidly as age increases from 3 to 18 years.

(c) The abilities of disabled children are much less than those of non-disabled children but the abilities of disabled
adolescents approach the abilities of disabled adults by age 18 years.

If the specifications and guidelines in this Standard are followed, the integration into the community of children and
adolescents with disabilities will be significantly advanced.

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 5 AS 1428.3—1992

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Design for access and mobility

Part 3: Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out requirements for the design of buildings and facilities suitable for access by children
and adolescents with physical disabilities in the age range 3 to 18 years for the groups specified in Clause 5.
NOTES:
1 This Standard does not include requirements for children with sensory disabilities. Some information is available in AS 1428.2.
2 The children surveyed were grouped into four age ranges, as follows:
(a) ≥ 3 ≤ 61/2 years old.
(b) >61/2 ≤ 101/2 years old.
(c) >101/2 ≤ 141/2 years old.
(d) >141/2 ≤ 18 years old.
Some users of this Standard may wish to consider Group (a) as being approximately equivalent to pre-school children, Group (b) to primary
school children and Groups (c) and (d) to secondary school children.

2 APPLICATION This Standard is intended for use by regulatory authorities, architects, designers of buildings and
facilities, and professional and home builders where the provision of access to buildings and facilities for children and
adolescents with physical disabilities is specifically required.
NOTE: In integrated facilities used by all groups of children (see Clause 5), it would be desirable for the entire facility to comply with this Standard.
The minimum requirements, however, would normally be based on the type of facility, anticipated usage or desired result and would in general
be set by a funding or regulatory authority.

3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard:

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AS
1428 Design for access and mobility
1428.1 Part 1: General requirements for access — Buildings
1428.2 Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements — Buildings and facilities

4 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS 1428, Parts 1 and 2, apply.

5 DISABILITY GROUPS For the purpose of this Standard, children and adolescents are classified into disability
groups as follows:
(a) Group F – Fit, able-bodied children including those with intellectual disabilities.
NOTE: Group F is included for reference in the data provided in the Appendices.
(b) Group A – Ambulant children with physical disabilities who use no visible aid to mobility.
(c) Group S – Ambulant children who use sticks, crutches or walking frames to assist mobility.
(d) Group M – Children who use manual wheelchairs.
(e) Group E – Children who use electrical wheelchairs.

6 APPLICATION OF AS 1428.2 TO THE PROVISION OF ACCESS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES In the provision of access for children and adolescents with physical disabilities,
the requirements of AS 1428.2 apply in respect of the following:
(a) Circulation space.
(b) Continuous accessible path of travel.
(c) Surfaces.
(d) Grabrails.
(e) Doorways and doors.
(f) Lifts.
(g) Car parking facilities.
(h) Symbols.
(i) Signs.
(j) Warnings.

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 AS 1428.3—1992 6

(k) Lighting.
(l) Hearing augmentation.
(m) Auditorium and assembly areas.
(n) Gateways and checkouts.
(o) Telephones and post boxes.

7 WALKWAYS, RAMPS AND LANDINGS

7.1 General Walkways, ramps and landings should comply with AS 1428.2, and with Clause 7.2 of this Standard.
7.2 Provision of landings Landings which comply with AS 1428.1 should be provided in ramps and walkways at
intervals which limit ramp or walkway length to the values shown in Table 1 for the age ranges specified in the table.
Where ramps and walkways are provided for a range of age groups, landings should be provided according to the
requirements for the lowest age range of users.
NOTE: A ramp or walkway requiring more than three landings within its length is not recommended. Other methods of vertical elevation should
be used.

TABLE 1
LENGTH OF RAMP OR WALKWAY BETWEEN LANDINGS
(REST AREAS) FOR ALL DISABILITY GROUPS
Maximum length between landings (rest areas)
Age range
years 1:22 gradient 1:17 gradient 1:14 gradient
m m m
≥3 ≤61/2 4.2 3.5 2.2
>61/2 ≤101/2 5 4 3
>101/2 ≤141/2 6.5 5 4
>141/2 ≤18 9 7 5

8 STAIRWAYS Steps or stairways should comply with AS 1428.2.

NOTES:
1 Where a number of users need a walking frame, it may be appropriate to use a tread length (going) of 550-600 mm and a rise of not more than
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100 mm. It should be noted, however, that this may not comply with the building regulations.
2 Consideration should be given to the provision of an intermediate landing of minimum length 750 mm where the height of stairs exceeds
10 steps.
3 Steps and a ramp should be provided if a mechanical lift is not available.

9 HANDRAILS The height from the walking surface to the tops of handrails for Groups A and S should be as
shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2
HANDRAIL HEIGHTS FOR GROUPS A AND S
Height to top of handrail*
mm
Age range
years Stairs
Landings Ramps
(at nose of tread)
≥3 ≤61/2 825 860 860
>61/2 ≤101/2 860 900 910
>101/2 ≤141/2 910 925 960
>141/2 ≤18 950 950 975
*
Tolerance ±10 mm.

10 SANITARY FACILITIES
10.1 General Sanitary facilities for children and adolescents should comply with AS 1428.2 and with Clauses 10.2,
10.3 and 10.4 of this Standard.
10.2 Height of WC pan seat The height of WC pan seats for the age ranges and groups specified in Clause 5 should
be as shown in Table 3.
NOTES:
1 As the lowest and highest commercially available pan/seat combinations are approximately 380 mm and
480 mm respectively, it may be necessary to adjust the level of the floor or plinth to obtain the heights shown in Table 3. The use of a platform
in front of the pan is not recommended.
2 An insert to adult size WC pan seats should be provided for use by small children.
3 The pan heights specified for adolescents are higher than normal due to the general preference of adolescents for high wheelchair seats
(see Appendix E).

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 7 AS 1428.3—1992

TABLE 3
WC PAN SEAT HEIGHT
Height to top of pan seat*
Age range mm
years
Groups A and S Groups M and E
≥3 ≤61/2 325 470
>61/2 ≤101/2 345 510
>101/2 ≤141/2 425 590
>141/2 ≤18 440 595
* Tolerance ±10 mm.

10.3 Washbasin height The height to the top of washbasins should be as shown in Table 4 for the age ranges and
groups specified in Clause 5.
TABLE 4
HEIGHT TO TOP OF WASHBASIN
Washbasin top height*
Age range
mm
years
Groups A and S Groups M and E
≥3 ≤61/2 650 715
>61/2 ≤101/2 690 780
>101/2 ≤141/2 810 800
>141/2 ≤18 850 790
* Tolerance ±10 mm.

10.4 Clearance beneath a washbasin for Groups M and E For Groups M and E, the clearance beneath a
washbasin should be as shown in Figure 1.
11 REACH RANGES
11.1 General The reach ranges specified in this Clause apply to objects on tables, benches or shelves and to all
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operating controls, equipment, knobs, switches and the like.

11.2 Horizontal reach over a bench surface when sitting Benches should be designed so that the limits of reach
required over the bench surface do not exceed the reach limits shown in Figure 2 for the age ranges specified. The reach
ranges shown in Figure 2 represent the maximum ranges for each age group.
NOTE: Plots of reach ranges showing intermediate ranges between right, centre and left are shown in Appendix A.
11.3 Vertical reach above a bench Where it is possible to stand or lean forward, the distance to objects to be
reached on or above a bench and which are located at any position within 400 mm of the centreline of the bench, should
be within the reach limits shown in Figure 3 for the age ranges specified.
NOTE: Plots of reach ranges showing intermediate ranges are shown in Appendix B.
11.4 Vertical and horizontal reach to side wall The circulation space for a parallel approach to an object to be
reached should comply with AS 1428.2.
Objects to be reached on a side wall, e.g. lift controls, should be within the reach limits shown in Figure 4 for the age
ranges and disability groups specified.
NOTES:
1 Plots of reach ranges showing intermediate ranges between, in front of, and above the datum point are shown in Appendix C.
2 Forward reach along a side wall is normally greater than that across a desk or table as the subject can lean forward.
3 Information on frontal reach ranges is provided in Appendix D.
11.5 Reach to shelving For Groups M and E, the height range for the installation of 300 mm and 400 mm deep
shelving and the gap between any shelf installed at less than 500 mm from the finished floor should be as shown in
Figure 5.
NOTES:
1 Adjustable height shelving should be provided.
2 Other shelving depths have not been researched and therefore cannot be recommended.
12 CONTROLS
12.1 General Controls should comply with AS 1428.2, and with Clauses 12.2 to 12.5 of this Standard. The maximum
forces specified in Clauses 12.2 to 12.5 apply to all disability groups.
12.2 Force to open a swing door against a door closer force The force required to open a swing door from 0° to
90° should be not more than 2.9 N.
12.3 Torque to operate a tap The torque to operate a tap in any direction should be not more than the values given
in Table 5 for the age ranges specified.

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 AS 1428.3—1992 8
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Dimension*
Age range mm
years A B C D

≥3 ≤61/2 330 100 100 575

>61/2 ≤101/2 380 130 170 640
>101/2≤141/2 390 170 230 660
>141/2≤18 340 190 240 650

* Tolerance ±10 mm

LEGEND:
Outer limit of obstructions beneath the washbasin
NOTE: The dimensions of the unobstructed space beneath the washbasin are critical dimensions, and it is recommended that a template be provided.

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 1 POSITION OF WASHBASIN AND FIXTURES, AND OUTER LIMIT

OF OBSTRUCTIONS BENEATH THE WASHBASIN FOR GROUPS M AND E

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 9 AS 1428.3—1992

Maximum reach
Age range mm
Left hand Centre Right hand
years Groups A, Groups A, Groups A,
Group E Group E Group E
S and M S and M S and M
≥3 ≤61/2 400 330 300 250 400 300
>61/2 ≤101/2 400 300 350 250 400 300
>101/2≤141/2 500 300 400 250 500 300
>141/2≤18 500 400 450 300 500 400

FIGURE 2 MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL REACH OVER A BENCH SURFACE WHEN SITTING

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(a) General view (b) Side view

Maximum reach
mm
Age range Above bench surface From front edge of bench
years Groups Group Group Groups Group Group
A and S M E A and S M E
≥3 ≤61/2 300 250 200 250 200 150
>61/2 ≤101/2 350 250 200 300 200 150
>101/2≤141/2 600 500 300 450 350 250
>141/2≤18 650 500 400 500 350 250

FIGURE 3 REACH LIMITS ABOVE A BENCH WHEN LEANING OR STANDING IS POSSIBLE

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 AS 1428.3—1992 10
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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

Maximum reach
mm
Age range To front of datum point Above finished floor

years Groups Group Group Groups Group Grouop

A and S M E A and S M E
≥3 ≤61/2 340 340 340 990 990 990
>61/2 ≤101/2 550 490 490 1180 1040 1040
>101/2≤141/2 620 520 380 1500 1180 1060
>141/2≤18 680 520 480 1500 1200 1120

FIGURE 4 MAXIMUM REACH ALONG A SIDE WALL

TABLE 5
MAXIMUM TORQUE REQUIRED TO OPERATE A TAP
Age range Maximum allowable torque
years N.m
≥3 ≤61/2 0.55
>61/2 ≤101/2 1.02
>101/2 ≤141/2 1.10
>141/2 ≤18 1.18

12.4 Force required to operate push buttons The force required to operate a protruding or recessed push button
in either a horizontal or a downward direction should be not more than the values given in Table 6 for the age ranges
specified.
NOTE: Protruding push buttons or sensors are preferred.

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 11 AS 1428.3—1992

Shelf height and gap*

Age range mm
300 mm shelf depth 400 mm shelf depth
years
Highest Highest Highest Lowest
Gap Gap
shelf shelf shelf shelf
≥3 ≤61/2 820 150 280 760 250 450
>61/2 ≤101/2 880 400 320 800 500 450
>101/2 ≤141/2 970 400 320 850 460 450
>141/2 ≤18 1000 370 270 900 420 450
* Tolerance ±10 mm

FIGURE 5 HEIGHT AND GAP FOR 300 MM AND 400 MM DEEP SHELVING
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FOR USE BY ALL DISABILITY GROUPS

TABLE 6
MAXIMUM FORCE REQUIRED TO OPERATE PUSH BUTTONS
Maximum force
N
Age range Down push Horizontal push

years Protruding Recessed Protruding Recessed

button button button button
≥3 ≤61/2 9.8 6.4 12.3 6.4
>61/2 ≤101/2 12.3 7.4 15.2 7.4
>101/2≤141/2 14.7 7.8 18.1 7.8
>141/2≤18 20.6 11.8 22.6 12.3

12.5 Force to operate pull cords The force required to operate pull cords should be not more than the values given
in Table 7 for the age ranges and groups specified.
NOTE: These requirements were obtained in tests using a cord fitted with a 30 mm diameter knob or a 100 mm diameter ring pull. It is
recommended that these sizes be considered in design.

TABLE 7
MAXIMUM FORCE REQUIRED TO OPERATE PULL CORDS
Age range Maximum force
years N
≥3 ≤61/2 9.8
>61/2 ≤101/2 21.6
>101/2 ≤141/2 23.5
>141/2 ≤18 29.4

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 AS 1428.3—1992 12

13 FURNITURE AND FITMENTS

13.1 Seat heights Seats should be set at the heights given in Table 8 for the age ranges and disability groups
specified.
NOTES:
1 Adjustable height seating within the range shown in Table 8 is recommended.
2 The seat heights specified are determined by measuring a hard seating surface (see Figure 6).

TABLE 8
SEAT HEIGHTS
Height and adjustment range*
mm
Age range Groups A and S Groups M and E
years Preferred Range Preferred Range
height Above Below height Above Below
≥3 ≤61/2 300 50 50 410 50 75
>61/2 ≤101/2 320 75 50 510 50 75
>101/2 ≤141/2 410 50 50 590 50 75
>141/2 ≤18 435 50 75 595 50 75
* Tolerance ±10 mm.
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FIGURE 6 MEASURING SEAT HEIGHT

13.2 Height of tables Tables should be set at the heights given in Table 9 for the age ranges and disability groups
specified.
NOTE: Adjustable height work benches within the range shown in Table 9 are recommended.

TABLE 9
TABLE HEIGHTS
Height and adjustment range*
mm
Age range
Groups A and S Groups M and E
years
Preferred Range Preferred Range
height Highest Lowest height Highest Lowest
≥3 ≤61/2 600 660 565 680 770 625
>61/2 ≤101/2 635 700 595 700 780 690
>101/2 ≤141/2 720 770 655 730 840 710
>141/2 ≤18 750 780 700 770 870 700
* Tolerance ±10 mm.

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 13 AS 1428.3—1992

13.3 Knee and foot clearance A minimum clearance should be provided beneath a table at wheelchair seating spaces
as shown for washbasins in Figure 1, with the datum line of Figure 1 passing through the point of maximum centre
reach as shown in Figure 2.
NOTE: The lowest height specified in Table 9 for each age group provides for a maximum table thickness of 50 mm.
13.4 Length and depth of worktops Dimensions for the length and depth of worktops should be based on the reach
requirements specified in Clause 11, allowing adequate space for objects on the table.
13.5 Circulation space The circulation space to allow a parallel approach to objects on shelves should comply with
AS 1428.2.

14 DRINKING FOUNTAINS Drinking fountains should comply with AS 1428.2, with the exception that the
clearance beneath should comply with Figure 1 of this Standard and the force needed to operate the controls should
comply with Clause 12.4 of this Standard.
NOTE: Where possible, a range of heights should be provided.

15 VENDING MACHINES Vending machines should comply with AS 1428.2, with the exception that the force
needed to operate the push buttons should comply with Clause 12.4 of this Standard.

16 OTHER ITEMS NOT COVERED BY THIS STANDARD The information on wheelchair and user size in
Appendix E is provided to assist in determining the three-dimensional spatial needs of children and adolescents in the
design and installation of items not covered by this Standard. It will be noted that, in some instances, the preferred
height of the wheelchair, particularly in the age group 14 to 18 years, varies from the dimensions specified in
Appendix E. This is largely due to the specialist types of wheelchairs favoured by some adolescents.
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 AS 1428.3—1992 14

APPENDIX A
HORIZONTAL REACH OVER A BENCH SURFACE FOR ALL GROUPS
IN ALL AGE RANGES
(Informative)

The limits of reach over a bench surface for all groups in all age ranges are shown in Figure A1 (see also Figure 2).
NOTES:
1 As these figures are derived from actual research data, some asymmetry between left and right hand may be evident.
2 Subjects remained in a sitting position during these tests.
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FIGURE A1 (in part) HORIZONTAL REACH OVER A BENCH SURFACE

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15

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FIGURE A1 (in part) HORIZONTAL REACH OVER A BENCH SURFACE
AS 1428.3—1992
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APPENDIX B
VERTICAL REACH ABOVE A BENCH FOR ALL GROUPS
IN ALL AGE RANGES
(Informative)

The limits of reach on vertical planes above a bench surface within 400 mm of the centreline for all groups in all age
ranges are shown in Figure B1 (see also Figure 3).
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FIGURE B1 VERTICAL REACH ABOVE A BENCH, WITH SUBJECTS LEANING

OR STANDING TO MAXIMIZE REACH

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 17 AS 1428.3—1992

APPENDIX C
REACH ALONG A SIDE WALL FOR ALL GROUPS
IN ALL AGE RANGES
(Informative)

The limits of reach along a side wall when confronting a frontal wall at 90° to the side wall for all groups in all age
ranges are shown in Figure C1 (see also Figure 4).
NOTES:
1 See Clause 11.4 for spatial provisions for parallel approach for a wheelchair.
2 For example, in Figure C1(a) a child in Group F can reach for 550 mm in a horizontal direction, but this is reduced to about 480 mm if he or
she has to reach up to 900 mm and is further reduced to zero if he or she has to reach up to 1050 mm.
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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES
FIGURE C1 REACH ALONG A SIDE WALL

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 AS 1428.3—1992 18

APPENDIX D
FRONTAL REACH FOR GROUP F, GROUP A AND GROUP S
(Informative)

The limits of reach from a datum point 800 mm above the finished floor to a frontal wall for Groups F, A and S when
positioned at a convenient and practical distance from the wall are shown in Figure D1.
NOTES:
1 Group M and Group E have no significant reach to a frontal wall.
2 As these figures are derived from actual research data, some asymmetry between left and right hand may be evident.
3 For example, in Figure D1(a), a child in Group F can reach forward 600 mm with his or her right hand on a horizontal plane, but this is reduced
to 340 mm if he or she has to reach up to 1000 mm and further reduced to zero if he or she has to reach up to 1100 mm.
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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE D1 (in part) REACH TO A FRONTAL WALL

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19

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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE D1 (in part) REACH TO A FRONTAL WALL

AS 1428.3—1992
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APPENDIX E
WHEELCHAIR AND USER SIZE
(Informative)

To determine the three-dimensional spatial needs of wheelchairs and users, the wheelchairs of the sizes given in
Table E1 should be used.
For comparison, the adult 80 percent coverage wheelchair, the ‘A80 wheelchair’ used in determining access requirements
in AS 1428.1, is detailed in the right-hand column.

TABLE E1
WHEELCHAIR DIMENSIONS AND SIZE CODE FOR DETERMINING
SPATIAL NEEDS
Dimensions, mm
Dimension Age of child, years
≥3 ≤6 >61/2 ≤101/2 >101/2 ≤141/2 >141/2 ≤18 Adult
Overall length 940 980 1030 1075 1250
Overall width 560 570 630 635 660
Footrest width 360 460 490 440 400
Seat height 470 510 590 595 470
Armrest height 620 680 800 750 800
Knee height 575 640 660 650 660
Toe height 330 380 390 340 280
Eye height 925 925 990 1070 1140
NOTE:
1 Wheelchairs for children and adolescents generally have a higher seating plane and a higher footrest than wheelchairs for
adults. Most footrests are also wider.
2 The eye height of children and adolescents using wheelchairs is given above. Refer to AS 1428.2 for a zone of viewing
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height for seated and standing people.

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