THE ACCESSIBILITY FUND
APPLICATION FOR IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL
CONTENTS
THE ACCESSIBILITY FUND.. 1 INTRODUCTION.. 1 OBJECTIVE OF THE ACCESSIBILITY FUND.. 2 BASIC PRINCIPLES.. 2 CRITERIA FOR FUNDING.. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.. WHY APPLY?. 4 WHO CAN APPLY?. 4 HOW TO APPLY?. 5 DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION FORMS.. 5 IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL. 5 ENQUIRY. 6 ADDITIONAL NOTES.. 7 Basic Accessibility Features for Existing Buildings. 7 Approach to Building. 7 Circulation Area at First Storey. 9 Accessible Toilet at First Storey. 9 Example of the Reduced-Size Accessible Toilet 11 APPENDICES.. 12 APPENDIX A: 12 Sample of Accessibility Route Plan. 12 APPENDIX B: 13 An Extract of the BFA Code 2002 Requirements for Ramps. 13
INTRODUCTION
An accessible building allows people on wheelchairs and persons with limited mobility to gain access and benefit the building owners in doing business with a wider public group.  It also benefits parents with pram, people with trolley, people with temporary illness or injury and families.
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OBJECTIVE OF THE ACCESSIBILITY FUND
The $40-million Accessibility Fund administered by BCA under the 5-year BFA Upgrading Programme (2007-2011) is meant to be used as a capital incentive to encourage private commercial and institutional building owners, with buildings built before 1990 that are not BFA compliant, to upgrade their existing buildings and to retrofit them with basic accessibility features.
The Government will co-pay up to 40% of the BFA upgrading works built according to the criteria for funding and subject to a cap of $150,000 per building.
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BASIC PRINCIPLES
A set of basic accessibility features that can make existing buildings more accessible at the first storey, has been formulated.
They are: a) accessible approach to building (preferably the first storey main entrance); b) accessibility at first storey level; and c) accessible toilet at first storey.
Applicants can also refer to the Accessibility Fund application form for a list of items with basic accessibility features.
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CRITERIA FOR FUNDING
The criteria for funding are as follows: a) The Fund will be used only for the upgrading of existing privately-owned commercial and institutional buildings built before the implementation of Code on Barrier-free Accessibility in Buildings 1990. b) The Fund does not apply to buildings undergoing major Additions and Alterations; which, under the current building regulation, have to comply with the BFA Code. c) In situation where Building Plans and/or Structural Plans approvals are required, applicants must comply with statutory requirements before applying for the Accessibility Fund. d) There shall be only one funding for each building.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions
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WHY APPLY?
The Fund is only available for a period of 5 years, from 2007 – 2011.  Building owners who meet the criteria for funding are strongly encouraged to tap on this incentive to defray the immediate cost for retrofitting works.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2006, indicated that pro-family businesses enjoy higher revenue and better branding.  Buildings that are accessible will allow the elderly and persons with limited mobility to continue essential links with family, friends and the wider community.  This will translate into more visitors and customers, thus generating business.
Furthermore, a quick “in-principle approval” approach is designed to reduce the waiting time of the building owners when they apply for the Fund.
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WHO CAN APPLY?
Building owners or lessors who have the ownership right to upgrade the building; as well as lessees who can carry out the upgrading works with the endorsement of the building owners/lessors are eligible to apply for the Fund.
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HOW TO APPLY?
Applications for the Accessibility Fund shall be according to the prescribed application form and submitted to: The BFA Upgrading Secretariat Building Plan Department Building and Construction Authority 5 Maxwell Road #02-01 Tower Block, MND Complex Singapore 069110
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DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION FORMS
Applications are to be accompanied by the following documents: a)         All necessary drawings showing plans and details of proposed accessibility works; b)         A schedule of proposed upgrading works; c)         Accessibility route plan [see sample]; d)         Letter of undertaking to complete the works within the time stipulated; e)         Digital photographs of the areas and its immediate surroundings where upgrading works are to be carried out; and f)          Detailed estimates including cost break-down by items.
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IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL
BCA will inform applicants within 14 working days upon receiving the application forms on those work items which were approved in-principle.  This will allow the applicant to proceed immediately with the works according to his proposed schedule as submitted.  [The prescribed application form lists the work items which are approved in-principle.]
Upon completion of works, the applicant shall notify BCA and submit all invoices pertaining to the accessibility upgrading works together with digital photographs of the completed works for BCA’s approval and funds disbursement.  The amount of disbursement shall be at the discretion of BCA.
For applicants who have obtained in-principle approvals for their Accessibility Fund applications but have not completed the works 6 months after their proposed completion date, the BCA reserves the right to recover any administrative charges incurred from the applicant.
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ENQUIRY
Our website will continue to update readers with the latest information on Accessibility Fund.  Should you require further clarifications, you can also send an email to “bca_bfa_upgrading@bca.gov.sg”, or call 6325 8611.
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THE ACCESSIBILITY FUND
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Basic Accessibility Features for Existing Buildings
The basic accessibility features only include the following: (a)       accessible approach to building (preferably the first storey main entrance); (b)       accessibility at first storey level; and (c)        accessible toilet at first storey.
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Approach to Building
Any building undergoing upgrading shall provide at least one accessible approach from the public walkway into the building.
Where passenger alighting and boarding points are provided as part of the walkway, they shall be made accessible to wheelchair users and persons with limited mobility.
Ramp
It would be ideal if the approach from arrival point or from public pedestrian walkway into a building does not involve any change in level.  However, if this cannot be achieved, a ramp shall be built for wheelchair users to allow them negotiate the change in level.  Refer to Appendix B.
Assistive Technologies
				At times, the provision of ramp may not be possible due to site constraints.  Mechanical means or assistive technologies, such as wheelchair platform-lift, can then be considered as alternative means of vertical circulation.
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Circulation Area at First Storey
If there is a change in the level of circulation space at the first storey, short ramps with railings shall be provided to facilitate the movement of wheelchair.
Signages for the accessible facilities or features shall be provided at appropriate locations to direct users to them.
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Accessible Toilet at First Storey
Within the building, toilets are one of the facilities that are essential to occupants as well as visitors.
If there are any existing toilets at the first storey, one cubicle within each gender toilet shall be upgraded to accommodate wheelchair users and persons with limited mobility.  The requirement of 1750mm by 1500mm as stipulated in the Code for accessible toilet is preferred.
It is also acceptable to have one standalone accessible toilet of 1750mm by 1750mm to allow access for both male and female persons with limited mobility.
If the preferred size cannot be achieved because of constraints within existing space, building owners may consider reducing the accessible toilet size to 1300mm wide by 1750mm long, but fitted with complete basic accessibility features.  Refer to Example of the Reduced-Size Accessible Toilet.  Among these, horizontal and vertical grab bars shall be installed at the side walls.
The door of the reduced-size accessible toilet is to be opened outwards to provide better manoeuvrability for wheelchair users.  Taps and wash basins shall be designed for easy use.  For example, taps shall have lever heads and the height of wash basins shall preferably be in the range of 800mm to 840mm.
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Example of the Reduced-Size Accessible Toilet
Toilet without cistern tank	Toilet with Cistern tank
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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A:

Sample of Accessibility Route Plan

One of the documents required when applying for the in-principle approval of Accessibility Fund is the provision of an accessibility route plan.   An example of the accessibility route plan is given below:

Accessibility Route Plan showing barrier-free access from building to adjacent building and surrounding infra-structures

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APPENDIX B:
An Extract of the BFA Code 2002 Requirements for Ramps
Below is an extract of the BFA Code 2002 requirements for ramp, for easy reference:
a)         Floor Surface (clause 3.2.2):
Change in level & Gradient:
(i)   Any change in level of the floor surface, except for lifts, the gradient of the slope shall conform to,
	Changes in Vertical Rise (mm)	Gradient not steeper than
	0 to 15	1 : 2
	More than 15 to 50	1 : 5
	More than 50 to 200	1 : 10
	Exceeding 200	1 : 12
(ii)  Where the change in vertical rise is more than 15mm to 200mm, - Lines or markings with colour contrast shall be drawn diagonally across or integrated into the slope; or - A coloured band shall be painted or marked across the top and bottom levels of the ramp or slope.
b)         Ramp Handrails (clause 3.8.6):
A ramp run with a riser greater than 150 mm shall have handrails that:
(i)         are on both sides;
(ii)        Comply with handrails / grab bars requirements (clauses 3.6.2 of the BFA code) ; and
(iii)       Are placed at a height of between 800 mm and 900 mm above the floor level
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For further information, Building and Construction Authority 5 Maxwell Road #02-01 Tower Block, MND Complex Singapore 069110 BFA Hotline:            (65) 6325 8611 Fax Number:           (65) 6325 4800 Email:                        bca_bfa_upgrading@bca.gov.sg Wesite:                      www.bca.gov.sg
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