CS For Doors, a leading provider of architectural solutions, recently supplied cavity sliders for the prestigious Coromandel Medical Centre, a spacious one-level new build located in central Thames. Cavity sliders have gained significant popularity in public facilities due to their ability to eliminate the need for additional swing space.

Notably, each public bathroom within the Coromandel Medical Centre showcases striking Alutec Doors in custom orange. Given the substantial weight from the concrete blocks supporting the cavity sliders, careful consideration was required when specifying the cavity sliders for these rooms. Consequently, four CS AutoCav cavity sliders with WC Toilet activation packs (acpack005) and Alutec Doors were selected to ensure optimal performance and adherence to all project requirements.

Accessibility considerations for sliding doors can often present challenges within building design. Whether you are involved in the specification, supply, or installation of openings for public or commercial use, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the relevant regulations, specifically NZS4121, to ensure compliance.

To meet accessibility guidelines, the door should protrude 100mm from the pocket when fully open, allowing adequate clearance for hardware and enabling a clear walk-through width of 760mm. When determining door clear opening widths and turning circles, it is crucial to account for the fact that wheelchairs come in various sizes, with power wheelchairs typically larger than manual ones. To facilitate enhanced accessibility, it may be advisable to consider wider door leaves. Additionally, it is imperative to ensure that the clear opening widths of toilet doors are suitable for anticipated wheelchair sizes and account for the need to navigate turns from corridors.

When employing a cavity slider door, it is recommended to install a handle with a lever action, with the handle end returning toward the door. This design caters to wheelchair users who may have limited dexterity in their fingers, enabling door locks to be operated with a clenched fist. Moreover, the door opening pressure should not exceed 22N to ensure ease of use.

In emergency scenarios, it is essential to have door locks that can be opened from the outside. Therefore, selecting a handle with an emergency release mechanism allows for external access if required.

CS Cavity sliders offer a practical and space-saving solution for accessible bathrooms. By utilising sliding doors in these areas, superior maneuverability and accessibility for all users is achieved, ensuring a seamless experience in compliance with relevant accessibility standards.