Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)
Hong Kong's statutory barrier free access standard (Buildings Department, 2025 Edition of the 2008 Manual): the obligatory design requirements for auditoria, hotels, carparks, access routes, ramps, kerbs, stairs, handrails, corridors, doors, toilets, bathrooms, signs, assistive provisions for visual and hearing impairment, counters, illumination, call bells, assistive listening, lifts, escalators and building services, with the recommended design requirements as guidance and the elderly-friendly guidelines as context.
Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) is a compliance framework from Hong Kong with 4 domains and 21 controls. The largest domains are Chapter 4 Divisions 11 to 20: Sanitary facilities, signs, assistive provisions, counters, illumination, call bells, lifts and escalators – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (10 controls), Chapter 4 Divisions 4 to 10: Access routes, ramps, kerbs, stairs, handrails, corridors and doors – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (7 controls), Chapter 4 Divisions 1 to 3: Auditoria, hotels and carparks – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (3 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (4)
Chapter 4 Divisions 1 to 3: Auditoria, hotels and carparks – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D1 | Auditoria and related facilities: wheelchair spaces in the required number and size, with accessible routes for wheelchair users to seating, stage and backstage |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D2 | Hotels, hostels and guesthouses: accessible guest rooms in the required proportion with accessible bathrooms and routes |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D3 | Carparks: accessible parking spaces in the required ratio, with the dimensions, access aisles, location and marking the Division sets |
Chapter 4 Divisions 11 to 20: Sanitary facilities, signs, assistive provisions, counters, illumination, call bells, lifts and escalators – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D11 | Toilets and W.C. cubicles: accessible unisex toilets with the required layout, fittings, flushing controls, wash basins, doors, grab rails, emergency call bell and urinals |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D12 | Bathrooms and shower compartments: bathtubs, grab rails, taps and controls, shower heads, shower compartments, thresholds and shower seats |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D13 | Signs: the international symbol of accessibility, directional signs, sizes, signs for persons with hearing impairment and Braille and tactile signs |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D14 | Special obligatory requirements for persons with visual or hearing impairment in Table 2 buildings: Braille and tactile floor plans, tactile guide paths to key facilities and visual display of broadcast information |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D15 | Public information or service counters: provision of an accessible counter section and its design |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D16 | Illumination: general illumination levels, illumination of signs and the means of provision |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D17 | Emergency call bells in accessible toilets: provision, location, push buttons and alarm indication |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D18 | Assistive listening system: provision in auditoria, counters and the other Table 2 facilities, and its signage |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D19 | Lifts: accessible lifts with the required car size, doors, controls, handrails, indication and notification, and identification in lobbies |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D20 | Escalators and passenger conveyors: safety requirements and tactile warning strips |
Chapter 4 Divisions 4 to 10: Access routes, ramps, kerbs, stairs, handrails, corridors and doors – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D10 | Doors: clear width, unobstructed areas, double-action self-closing doors, handles, thresholds, closers, frameless glass doors and automatic entrance doors |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D4 | Access route: a continuous accessible route from the lot boundary and carpark to the entrance and through the building, with tactile guide paths where Table 2 applies |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D5 | Ramps: width, landings, running slope and length limits, handrails, kerbs and surface |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D6 | Dropped kerbs: provision at crossings, requirements, location and surface |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D7 | Steps and staircases: dimensions and orientation, tactile warning strips, nosings and no projections |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D8 | Handrails: dimension and shape, height, extensions, continuity, loading and Braille and tactile information |
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::D9 | Corridors, lobbies and paths: manoeuvring space, channel covers, gratings, protrusions, controlled passages and headroom |
Chapters 5 and 6: Building services design requirements and elderly-friendly design guidelines – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| hong-kong-design-manual-barrier-free-access-2008-2025-edition::5.2 | Fire alarm systems: visual alarm signals in the Table 2 building categories |
What is Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) and who does it apply to?
Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) is a compliance framework from Hong Kong with 4 domains and 21 controls. Hong Kong's statutory barrier free access standard (Buildings Department, 2025 Edition of the 2008 Manual): the obligatory design requirements for auditoria, hotels, carparks, access routes, ramps, kerbs, stairs, handrails, corridors, doors, toilets, bathrooms, signs, assistive provisions for visual and hearing impairment, counters, illumination, call bells, assistive listening, lifts, escalators and building services, with the recommended design requirements as guidance and the elderly-friendly guidelines as context. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) actually require?
Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) has 21 controls organised across 4 domains. The largest domains are Chapter 4 Divisions 11 to 20: Sanitary facilities, signs, assistive provisions, counters, illumination, call bells, lifts and escalators – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (10 controls), Chapter 4 Divisions 4 to 10: Access routes, ramps, kerbs, stairs, handrails, corridors and doors – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (7 controls), Chapter 4 Divisions 1 to 3: Auditoria, hotels and carparks – Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) (3 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) do I already cover?
Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) does not currently have cross-framework mappings in our system. Check back as we continuously expand our mapping database.
How do I implement Hong Kong Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition)?
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