When do I need a Disability Access Certificate (DAC)

A Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is required for new buildings other than dwellings (including apartment buildings) and certain other works to which the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations apply, and which commence or take place on or after 1st January 2010.

As described within the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 1997-2021 a Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is required in respect of the following:

a) Works in connection with the design and construction of a new building

b) Works in connection with the material alteration (excluding minor works) of:

• a day centre,
• a hotel, hostel or guest building, or
• an institutional building, or
• a place of assembly, or
• a shopping centre,

c) Works in connection with the material alteration of a shop, office or industrial building where –

• additional floor area is being provided with the existing building, or
• the building is being subdivided into a number of units for separate occupancy,

d) Works in connections with the extension of a building by more than 25 square metres

e) A building as regards a material change of use takes place, where a building which was not being used as one of the following, becomes so used:

• a day centre, becomes so used, or
• a hotel, hostel or guest building, becomes so used, or
• an institutional building, becomes so used, or
• a place of assembly, becomes so used, or
• a shop (which is not ancillary to the primary use of the building), becomes so used, or
• a shopping centre, becomes so used, to which the requirements of Part M of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations apply

As described within the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 1997-2021 a Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is Not required in respect of the following:

a) A building which:

• is used exclusively for the storage or materials or products, for the accommodation of plant or machinery or in connection with the housing, care or management of livestock,
• is used solely for the purpose of agriculture, and
• is a building in which the only person habitually employed are engaged solely in the care, supervision, regulation, maintenance, storage or removal of the materials, products, plant, machinery, or livestock in the building, and which is either attached to another such building or detached from any other dwelling,

b) A building used as a dwelling (other than a flat),or

c) A building used as a domestic garage,

d) A building (other than one described in (c) ancillary to a dwelling (such as a summer house, poultry-house, aviary, conservatory, coal shed, garden tool shed or bicycle shed) which is used exclusively for recreational or storage purposes or the keeping of plants, birds or animal for domestic purposes and is not used for the purpose of any trade or business or for human habitation,

e) A building used solely to enable inspection, repair, or maintenance of fixed plant, building services, or machinery,

or to works in connection with such a building provided that, after the works are carried out, the building is or continues to be a building referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e).