Disability Pocket Doors

Part M Compliant is when doors require to have a minimum opening space to allow wheelchair access into a building or property. Our pocket doors are concealed into the wall when opening which gives the space needed for wheelchair access, the door can then be accessed by a finger pull to close.

Part M Compliant means doors must provide a minimum opening to allow wheelchair access into a building or property. Our disability pocket doors are concealed in the wall when opened, providing the space needed for wheelchair access. The door can then be closed by a finger pull.

Please note: This section applies only to our disability pocket doors for sale that are 838mm or wider; anything smaller than this may not comply with regulations. Please read more, should you need more information.

Legislation on Disability Pocket Doors

The Equality Act (EA) 2010 incorporated (and repealed) the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). (The EA, therefore, renders the term ‘DDA compliant’ obsolete.) The EA carries forward the protection provided for disabled people by the DDA, but its application is considerably wider. It covers services in the commercial, retail, financial, residential, education, healthcare and transport sectors.

As the EA relates to access to services rather than to premises, buildings and products cannot be ‘EA compliant’. Instead, they must comply with either Part M of the Building Regulations (Access to and use of buildings) or the recognised technical standard BS 8300: (Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people: Code of Practice). However, it is incorrect to assume compliance with Part M alone will meet the requirements of the EA. Also, it should be noted that the requirements of Part M and BS 8300 are ‘minimum standards’. Part M is sometimes referred to as ADM (Approved Document M).

Part M or ADM – Main Requirements for Doors

Frequently asked questions regarding doors and Part M concern, minimum (ECW) effective clear opening widths.

Direction & width of approach	New Buildings (mm)	Existing Buildings (mm)
Straight-on (without a turn)	800	750
At right angles to an access route at least 1500mm wide	800	750
At right angles to an access route at least 1200mm wide	825	775
External doors to buildings used by the general public	1000	775

Note: The ECW is the width of the opening, measured at right angles to the wall in which the door is situated, from the outside of the door stop on the closing side to any obstruction on the hinge side, e.g., projecting door furniture, the door or the door stop.

minimum effective clear opening widths for doors

Source: Approved Document M – Access to and Use of Buildings

Disclaimer: As disability pocket door suppliers, we extracted this information, in part or in full, from the HM Government Planning Portal. There is much more information to be gathered.

Please note:

Do not arrange any tradesman until the goods have arrived, been checked over for damages and are suitable for installation as you intended.
Courier delays due to illness, traffic issues or product damage can also impact your arrangements.
Wood products will have a naturally occurring grain that varies by veneer type; this is the beauty of wood.
We cannot be held liable for any consequential costs should you arrange an early installation, or if the courier is delayed, and lastly, if the grain is wavy/straight and not to your liking.

Buy disability pocket doors online at Direct Doors. Contact us for more information on Part M-compliant doors and expert advice.