Site 2: Taman Jurong Market

1. Approach to building

Access has to be provided at the level of approach for persons with disabilities to alight from and board a vehicle. Passenger alighting and boarding point

There is a level ramp has been provided at the drop-off point for access to the Hawker Centre.

There is adequate colour banding around the ramp to guide disabled through the path way at the drop-off point.

2. Change in level – ramps

Width
The minimum width of a ramp shall be 1200 mm and this is so.

Surfaces
Ramps and landing surfaces shall be slip-resistant and in accordance with the current edition of SS 485. The surface is of crushed stone so that it would be rough and non-slip.

Landings

Ramps shall have a level landing at the top and bottom of each run and also where the run changes direction.
Where the horizontal run of an approach ramp exceeds 9.0 m in length, an alternative stepped approach

Ramp Handrails, a ramp run with a rise greater than 175 mm shall have handrails that are on both sides and are placed at a height of between 800 mm and 900 mm above the floor level. This is complied.

Handrail extensions are no more than 300mm beyond the top and bottom of the ramp to provide support for persons who may need help to negotiate the ramp; and does not project into another path of travel.

3. Edge Protection

Ramps and landings not adjacent to a wall shall have an edge protection such as a kerb with a minimum height of 75 mm which as shown below, is provided.

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4. Floor Surfaces

Floor surfaces shall –

(a) be stable, firm, level and slip-resistant;

(b) not have any projection, drop or unexpected variation in level;

(c) have colour and tone that are contrasting with the walls, otherwise the skirting must provide a clear distinction between the floor and wall; and

(d) Where there is a change in level, contrasting colour bands are to be provided to alert the users of the change in level.

5. Gratings
Where possible, gratings should be located outside the accessible route. But there are no gratings at the site.

6. Walls
The corners of walls should not have sharp edges.
The wall finish shall be smooth or, in the case of rough walls, have trailing bars placed at a height of 840 mm from the floor level so that persons with visual impairment can trail along it without hurting their hands.
In the Hawker Centre, the walls are all smooth therefore there was no need of trailing bars.

7. Protruding Objects

Obstacles, projections or other protrusions shall be avoided in pedestrian areas such as walkways, halls, corridors, passageways or aisles.

Undetectable objects attached to a wall include fire extinguishers as shown in the picture. There were not many detectable objects around and undetectable were neccessary.

8. Doors
At least one power assisted or automatic door should be provided at the main entrance to a building. But for the Hawker centre, the entire area is open to enter; therefore there is no need for an entrance door. The only doors accessible to public are the toilet doors.

The door has a horizontal bar which will aid the disabled and has a easily grabbable handle to open the door effectively. The handle is also very easy to lift and thus the door is working in good condition

9. ILLUMINATION

Lighting shall be uniform.
Extreme difference in the level of brightness should be avoided.
Lights shall be acceptably bright but should not cause glare or shadows that would give rise to optical illusions. Ceiling mounted light fittings with diffusers shall be positioned longitudinally at the centre of the accessible route.

The lighting in the food centre consists of natural lighting and fittings. The roof and open corridors allows light into the centre so this will save electricity thru the daytime. At night lights uniformly spaced above the seatings (picture with the blue tables) will light up and this is complies to the code effectively.

10. SANITARY PROVISIONS

GENERAL

At every level of a building where toilets are provided, at least –

one individual washroom for wheelchair users, as described in clause 4.9, shall be provided for both the male and female; or

one water closet compartment for wheelchair users, as described in clause 4.10, shall be provided in both the male and female toilets.

There is adequete space and railings in the disabled toilet. In addition, the disabled toilet had 2 closets, one for children and one for adults. The centre actually created the extra closet in the case of a disabled child, and this is something outstanding.

The toilet is provided in the food centre and the door swings outwards too, complying to the code. There is even an emergency bell provided for the disable incase they may need additional help. But in this case, the seat protector for the disabled toilet was missing, a possible reason is that it was under maintenance but there was no notice.

EATING OUTLETS

GENERAL

Provisions of access shall be made available to persons with disabilities in accordance with clause 7.3 at all eating outlets and establishments, such as hawker centres, food courts or centres, fast food outlets and restaurants.

11. WALKWAYS WITHIN OUTLET

A circulation path of at least 1200 mm wide shall be provided in front of the stalls.

An accessible route with a minimum clear width of 900 mm shall be provided from the circulation path to the tables intended for persons with disabilities. The space in between is wider than the clementi food centre.

12. SEATING ARRANGEMENT

Where fixed seating is provided in eating outlets and establishments, at least one table for every 10 tables or part thereof shall be provided for use by persons with disabilities or at least two tables, whichever is the greater.

The height of the table provided for persons with disabilities shall not be higher than 800 mm with a minimum clear knee space of 680 mm high and 480 mm deep.

Where the eating outlet or establishment is provided with fixed seats, the minimum clear space between the seats shall be 750 mm measured along the edge of the table

There are empty spaces in between the seats to provide space for the disabled. It is recommended that about 40% of the total table capacity be provided with fixed seats. In this case, the seating has a space left for the disabled and the other parts have fixed seats. Maybe more empty space could be provided.

In this case, the tables for disabled are located in a row so there are actually many tables catered for them unlike at Clementi. This is more effective and disabled friendly in comparison.

13. SIGNAGE

Directional signs shall be clearly displayed to direct persons with disabilities to the reserved table intended for their use. There are many signs in this food centre and it is more effective than the clementi site too.
The signs were strategically placed and are easy to read in this food centre.

Additional as compared to Clementi

14. PASSENGER LIFT

All lifts provided in a building shall include suitable provisions for persons with sensory impairments and ambulant disabled as a means of access from one level to another.
The emergency bell in the lift must be connected to a blinking light in the lift car to signal to persons with hearing impairment that the emergency bell has been activated.

Lift control buttons
The lift landing call buttonare mounted adjacent to the lift and the colour shall contrast with the wall finish. Lift landing call and car control buttons shall not be touch-sensitive but shall require a light positive pressure to activate them. A momentary audible announcement was also provided to signal each call registered and the storey reached.

Grab bars were placed at an appropriate height (between 800 mm and 900 mm from the floor level) and are fixed on sides but NOT on rear end of the lift car. An additional railing to be fixed in the rear end.