Concrete Mixer: Accessibility In Modern Building From Start To Finish 

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Accessibility is an important aspect of any building design, as it accounts for and allows for those with physical disabilities to access and participate in public and private spaces alongside able-bodied individuals. Far too often, accessibility is not considered in building designs, resulting in spaces that are not fully inclusive.

 

Over the years, modern buildings have become far more accessible as designers and architects become more aware of the need for inclusive and easy to use spaces. Whilst some older buildings do not include these features, there are easy solutions to rectify this.

 

Concrete mixers play an important role in the building process, and this includes fulfilling design requirements that make buildings accessible. When it comes to commercial buildings, where access is available to the public or its employees, the building needs to be accessible for all people, including those with disabilities and physical impairments. So, how can this be done?

 

Building An Accessible World

 

The first thought that comes to mind when talking about building accessibility is access ramps. Without a ramp, it would be difficult if not impossible for a wheelchair user to enter or exit a building. Whilst temporary ramps make this do-able, installing concrete ramps and curb cuts make the building accessible to all.

 

Many older buildings were not constructed with disabilities in mind; however, this can be rectified by simple building adjustment. Requiring a professional design, along with other simple building materials and tools, a safe and stable ramp can be created.

 

Other measures taken for buildings to be more accessible include the following:

 

Parking spaces:

 

Wheelchair users often require vehicles that allow for a motorised ramp to extend outwards, and others with disabilities need parking spaces close to the entrance of the space, to make it easier for them to move from their vehicle and into the building.

 

Well placed parking spaces, located close to entrances with access ramps and curb cuts play an important role in accessibility. These parking spaces are located close to building access points, and are wider than standard parking spaces, allowing for easy entrance and exit to normal and specially adapted vehicles. These parking spaces need to be clearly marked and reserved for those with disabilities to prevent able-bodied individuals from taking advantage of the convenient location.

 

In South Africa, it is required that if a business has more than fifty parking spaces, it needs to have one allocated parking for those with disabilities. These parking’s are specified to usually be 3.5 m wide and located close to the entrance. However, South Africa still reports high levels of misuse of these already limited parking spots.

 

Related to but not directly connected to parking spaces, is parking surfaces. Gravel, stone and sand roads and paths are not uncommon in public and private spaces, and whilst these are an easy-to-maintain alternative to traditional roads, they can be especially difficult to navigate for those with disabilities.

 

Wheelchair users can easily become stuck, or experience strain trying to move on gravel or dirt, and those that battle to walk or are unsteady will also find great difficulty on the loose and uneven terrain. In this case, a concrete mixer can be used to rectify the situation, pouring concrete onto a laid foundation to create a smooth and movable surface for all to cross safely. Alternatively, if this is too costly, one could simply create an alternative footpath for those to choose to or need to use it.

 

Clear Signage:

 

Not all accessibility solutions require bringing in equipment like a concrete mixer. Many ways of improving accessibility are rather simple. One of them is clear signage. For those visiting a building or public space for the first time, it can be daunting and difficult to locate accessibility features.

 

Due to this, it is recommended that signage is used to indicate where people may find these accessibility features, from lifts to ramps and disabled bathrooms, making it easier to locate and use these amenities.

 

Area Mapping:

 

Apart from clear signage, area mapping offers another visual guide to where accessibility features can be found in a building. Nowadays, many public spaces and businesses include these maps online, so that those with physical disabilities may plan their route beforehand and feel comfortable and confident in doing so.

 

Although adjustments and improvements can be made in the future, it is essential to consider accessibility before beginning any type of building. As of lately, society has become more aware of accessibility needs, and these requirements are being included in most modern designs and building projects.

 

Older buildings, as stated previously, do not always include these features, and this is where adjustments need to be made. With the right tools, materials and equipment, adding accessibility features to entrances and exits is an easy and affordable job that makes a huge difference.

 

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Architecture And The Move Towards Accessibility

 

Accessibility is not just a convenience; it is a necessity. Architecture continues to become more innovative and sustainable, and these latest advancements make modern buildings more accessible to all:

 

Universal Design:

 

Universal design aims to create spaces that do not have segregation between able bodied and disabled amenities, instead it utilises accessibility design to create spaces that are universally accessible for all. This could mean eliminating steps in an entrance and exit altogether and simply opting for a ramp. Seating areas and bathrooms can also adopt universally inclusive design to allow for everyone to be able to comfortably use them.

 

Universal design allows for spaces that are inclusive to all, encouraging all kinds of people to visit and engage with the business or premises.

 

Sustainable Architecture:

 

Sustainable architecture focuses on environmentally friendly and energy efficient design that can be integrated and used within the structure.

 

Much like accessibility, talks of environmentally friendly solutions have been on the rise as of lately, with individuals pushing companies and corporations to reduce their carbon footprint and move in a sustainable direction. Sustainability and accessibility can be combined in design, for example, green roofs not only create a cool and shaded communal space, but also provide shade and improve ventilation.

 

Smart Buildings:

 

With the rise of accessible building design, comes the rise of smart technology, making access safe, secure and available to all. This includes using AI technology and sensors to allow for ease of access and comfort, as well as voice activated technologies to allow use without the need for using physical contact or gestures.

 

Simpler forms of smart technology could include motion or weight activated doors, eliminating the need to push or pull them open, as well as voice activated lighting and temperature control, as these switches and buttons can often be out of reach for wheelchair users.

 

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Assessing Your Building’s Accessibility And Using A Concrete Mixer

 

After learning more about the importance of accessibility, you may be looking towards your own spaces at home, work or at your own business premises. Are your spaces accessible to all? There are still many places that do not cater for disabilities, specifically wheelchair users.

 

All too often, we see videos circulating on social media of people in wheelchairs who have booked hotel rooms but been put on the second floor of a building that does not have an elevator or are visiting a restaurant that has a set of stairs in its entryway but no ramp.

 

Luckily for business owners and individuals, creating solutions for accessibility is a relatively easy and affordable job, for the most part. When looking at the issue of stairs, ramps can be easy to design and construct either integrated into the staircase or as an alternative route and entrance to a space.

 

It is necessary to take the right steps in planning and consult an expert on the design and your plans to create an accessible path. From here, measures will be taken to construct and create a ramp using cement or concrete, iron or metal support rods and other tools and materials.

 

The ramp is quick to construct and long lasting, a far more permanent and effective solution than a wooden ramp which will become warped and unstable over a short time.

 

Concrete Mixers And Inaccessible Sites

 

Interestingly enough, whilst a concrete mixer is a piece of equipment likely used in improving accessibility in buildings, it is also a solution when it comes to building sites and locations that are inaccessible.

 

Concrete mixing trucks allow for the transportation of large loads of ready-made concrete or cement mixtures, but the problem lies in getting the mixture from point A to point B. The issue is, the drum that slowly turns and ensures the mixture is mixed and ready can only turn for a certain amount of time before it runs out of power, and the mixture becomes stagnant and hardens.

 

This becomes an issue when trucks are required to travel long distances or attempt to navigate difficult terrain where they are slowed down or even at risk of being stuck. Not being able to reach their destination means the loss of the concrete mixture, a delay in the building process and costs of the project rising due to the lost time and materials.

 

A mobile mixer, although suited for smaller quantities and on-site mixing, is the perfect solution to this problem. A concrete mixer is used on-site, and wet and dry ingredients are added at the build location, mixed and poured immediately. When using a concrete mixer, there is no risk of the mixture setting before it can be used, because the mixer has been transported and set up in the location where the concrete is needed.

 

This is an important factor to consider when planning a building project, especially depending on the terrain, location, timeline of the building plan and scale of the building, because sometimes, concrete mixing trucks are not an option.

 

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Concrete Mixer And Other Tools From BS Power

 

Whether you are planning a build in inaccessible terrain or a distant location, or if you are looking at creating accessibility solutions, BS Power is your answer. BS Power pride themselves on being a leading supplier in cement mixers and other high-performance and construction equipment.

 

Their range includes various sizes and kinds of concrete mixers, as well as outdoor and gardening equipment, construction tools and equipment, generators, cleaning equipment and engines.

 

If you’re looking to build a ramp, or an entire building, BS Power has the tools, and expert advice, to help you get the job done.

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