SCHEDULE 1ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
PART 1GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Handrails10
1
Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), a handrail must be fitted in the following positions—
a
in every rail vehicle, on the inside as close as practicable to, and on either side of, the passenger doorways in the side of the vehicle, extending vertically from a point not more than 700 millimetres above the floor to a point not less than 1200 millimetres above the floor; and
b
in a rail vehicle which is also a tramcar, at intervals of not more than 1050 millimetres in its longitudinal plane.
2
Sub-paragraph (1) (a) does not apply to a podcar if—
a
the height of its floor is level, within a 15 millimetre tolerance, with the height of the platform at all stops; and
b
alternative fixtures are provided at the doorways which would enable passengers to steady themselves when entering or exiting the podcar.
3
Sub-paragraph (1) (b) does not apply to the upper deck of an open-topped double-decked tramcar.
4
Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) and (6), any passenger handrail fitted in or to a rail vehicle must comply with the following requirements—
a
it must have a circular cross section with a diameter of not less than 30 millimetres and not more than 40 millimetres;
b
there must be not less than 45 millimetres clearance for a passenger's hand between any part of the handrail and any other part of the rail vehicle, excluding the mountings of the handrail to the vehicle;
c
it must have a slip-resistant surface; and
d
it must contrast with the parts of the rail vehicle adjacent to that handrail.
5
A narrow width vehicle, at a passenger doorway in its side, may have a horizontal handrail fitted on the inside above the doorway with an oval cross section provided it complies with the requirements indicated in sub-paragraph (6).
6
The requirements referred to in sub-paragraph (5) are that—
a
the handrail must have a maximum width, at its major axis, of not less than 30 and not more than 40 millimetres;
b
the handrail must have a minimum width, at its minor axis, of not less than 20 millimetres; and
c
there must be not less than 40 millimetres clearance for a passenger's hand between any part of the handrail and any other part of the rail vehicle, excluding the mountings of the handrail to the vehicle.