QCVN 10:2024/BXD National Technical Regulation on Constructions Accessibility – Extended Revision

1. Overview

QCVN 10:2024/BXD is the National Technical Regulation on construction of works ensuring accessibility, replacing QCVN 10:2014/BXD. This regulation stipulates mandatory technical requirements that must be complied with when constructing new or renovating works to ensure that people with difficulties in access (including the elderly with reduced functions, people with disabilities, and people with temporary mobility difficulties) can use the works conveniently.

The scope of application of the regulation includes apartment buildings, public works (education, health, offices, sports, culture, commercial services) and urban technical infrastructure works.

The regulation provides detailed provisions on parking lots, entrances to works, doors, elevators, public spaces in works (reception areas, medical examination and treatment rooms, bedrooms, toilets, etc.), emergency exits, streets, sidewalks, and signage. The provisions on dimensions, slopes, and materials are specified in detail to facilitate access to and use of the works by the subjects. In addition, the regulation also provides guidance on organization of implementation, transitional provisions for application, as well as appendices illustrating symbols and signs to assist people with disabilities and instructions for using raised tiles for the visually impaired.

2. Comparison between QCVN 10:2024/BXD and QCVN 10:2014/BXD

2.1 Similarities:

– Both regulations stipulate mandatory technical requirements for the construction of new or renovation of works to ensure that people with disabilities/people with difficulties in access can use them conveniently.

– The scope of application is similar, including apartment buildings, public works, and urban technical infrastructure works.

– The technical contents are specified in detail such as: parking lots, entrances to works, doors, elevators, public spaces, emergency exits, streets, sidewalks, and signage. In particular, there are specific provisions on dimensions, slopes, widths, materials used, etc.
Both regulations have appendices illustrating symbols and signs to support people with disabilities.

– The regulations provide guidance on organization of implementation.

2.2 Main differences:

Regarding the scope and subjects of application:

– QCVN 10:2014 only mentions ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.

– QCVN 10:2024 expands the scope to the elderly with reduced functions and people with temporary mobility difficulties.

Regarding terminology:

– QCVN 10:2024 changes the term “people with disabilities” to “people with difficulties in access”. The terms “elderly people with reduced functions” and “people with temporary mobility difficulties” are added and explained clearly.

– QCVN 10:2024 adds some terms such as “entrance to works”, “access to works”.

Regarding technical regulations:

a. Regulations on parking lots:

– QCVN 10:2014 stipulates that at least 2% of parking spaces must be reserved for people with mobility disabilities in apartment building parking lots. QCVN 10:2024 does not have this percentage requirement.

– QCVN 10:2024 adds provisions on the space next to parking spaces for people with disabilities, with a minimum size of 1200mm for vehicles under 24 seats and 2500mm for vehicles over 24 seats.

b. Regulations on ramps and entrances to works:

– QCVN 10:2024 adds a provision on the minimum projected rest length of 1400mm.
QCVN 10:2024 adjusts the regulations on handrails.

– Accordingly, the handrail must be 900mm high from the floor surface (instead of 700mm and 900mm as in the old QCVN). Handrails must extend 300mm at the start and end points of the ramp.

– QCVN 10:2024 has new regulations on mobility assistance devices such as lifting platforms and mobile ramps for conservation works or those that do not have suitable conditions to arrange ramps.

c. Regulations on public spaces in works:

– QCVN 10:2024 adds new regulations on reception/communication areas, with specific requirements on table/counter dimensions such as leg space, table height, etc.

– QCVN 10:2024 adjusts some minimum dimensions, such as increasing the seating area for wheelchairs to 900x1200mm (compared to 800x1100mm), and the minimum number of functional rooms such as examination rooms and treatment rooms in hospitals and health centers that must ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

– In sanitary areas, there are more detailed regulations on the space and dimensions of sanitary equipment. At the same time, the requirement for installing emergency alarm bells is added.

d. Regulations on emergency evacuation:

– QCVN 10:2024 changes the reference standard on fire safety to QCVN 06:2022 (instead of QCVN 06:2010 as before).

e. Regulations on streets and sidewalks:

– QCVN 10:2024 has more specific regulations on the height and dimensions of obstacles such as billboards, trees, and warning edges on pedestrian paths. It adds regulations on overpasses, pedestrian bridges, and pedestrian tunnels to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

f. Appendices:

– QCVN 10:2024 adds an appendix on the technical specifications of raised tiles for the visually impaired, with detailed instructions on how to use and arrange warning tiles according to their intended purpose.

Regarding organization of implementation:

– QCVN 10:2024 adds a section on transitional provisions, guiding the application of the regulation to projects that have been and are being implemented to ensure feasibility.

3. Conclusion

In general, QCVN 10:2024/BXD inherits the basic contents of QCVN 10:2014/BXD but expands the scope and subjects of application, from focusing only on people with disabilities to including the elderly and people with temporary mobility difficulties. The new regulation also supplements and updates some important technical provisions related to ensuring accessibility and convenient use of works, especially public works.

At the same time, the 2024 regulation provides clearer guidance on transitional application for ongoing projects, as well as adds some contents to support people with disabilities, such as tiles for the visually impaired.

It can be seen that these are positive and necessary adjustments to improve the quality of the built environment, better meet the needs of disadvantaged people, and contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive society.