Lift Access And Braille Buttons Approved For Taller Buildings
A proposal to require wheelchair-accessible lifts and Braille-labelled buttons in buildings taller than three storeys was approved by the Capital Trustees Board during its yesterday's session. The changes would apply to both public and private buildings.
They are intended to make access easier for people with physical or visual impairments, particularly in towers where stairs are not a practical option.
Each affected building would need at least one lift wide enough for a wheelchair, with its controls marked in Braille.
Daily movement
Capital Trustees Board member Dr Bashar Ahmadi, who submitted the proposal, said it aimed to make daily movement safer and more practical for people with disabilities, including visitors to government buildings.
During the meeting, board member Mubarak Al Nuaimi said the technical committee recommended limiting the requirement to buildings above five storeys.
He added that new buildings should only receive a power connection once they meet the minimum accessibility criteria.
Rules
Mohammed Al Sahli, Director-General of the Capital Trustees Board, said public buildings such as ministries and state agencies have followed such rules for a decade.
Retrofitting older structures remains a challenge, he noted. For private developments, much depends on the commercial priorities of the developer.
The proposal will now be shared with the relevant planning bodies.
Also read: Runaway Domestic Workers And Illegal Employer Arrested In Labour Law Violation Crackdown
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Annual forum to attract investment in public land
An annual forum to drum up investment in idle municipal land and properties has been given the nod by the Capital Trustees Board. Board members backed Dr Abdulhassan Hassan Al Dairi's proposal unanimously yesterday, paving the way for private money to flow into untapped public plots. The event is expected to nudge businesses to take on new projects and boost council coffers, while spreading the benefits evenly across different districts. The forum, which is hoped to become a fixture in Bahrain's calendar, is part of a wider drive towards Vision 2030. The government wants businesses to step forward and run more projects, pushing economic diversity in a fair and competitive setting. Opportunities Those attending the event will be shown clear-cut opportunities, complete with maps, figures, and suggested uses for properties currently left idle. Financing will also be on the table, with banks, insurers, and investors expected to take part in discussions on funding tools and risk cover. Dr Al Dairi believes giving private firms clearer paths to take the lead in municipal projects will pay off through more jobs, technology-sharing, and improved outcomes. Projects A fair spread of projects around different regions will also be on the agenda, aiming to even out social and economic gaps. Stories from successful ventures will feature during the discussions, offering practical examples and helping businesses grasp what's possible.
Gulf Insider
30-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Lift Access And Braille Buttons Approved For Taller Buildings
A proposal to require wheelchair-accessible lifts and Braille-labelled buttons in buildings taller than three storeys was approved by the Capital Trustees Board during its yesterday's session. The changes would apply to both public and private buildings. They are intended to make access easier for people with physical or visual impairments, particularly in towers where stairs are not a practical option. Each affected building would need at least one lift wide enough for a wheelchair, with its controls marked in Braille. Daily movement Capital Trustees Board member Dr Bashar Ahmadi, who submitted the proposal, said it aimed to make daily movement safer and more practical for people with disabilities, including visitors to government buildings. During the meeting, board member Mubarak Al Nuaimi said the technical committee recommended limiting the requirement to buildings above five storeys. He added that new buildings should only receive a power connection once they meet the minimum accessibility criteria. Rules Mohammed Al Sahli, Director-General of the Capital Trustees Board, said public buildings such as ministries and state agencies have followed such rules for a decade. Retrofitting older structures remains a challenge, he noted. For private developments, much depends on the commercial priorities of the developer. The proposal will now be shared with the relevant planning bodies. Also read: Runaway Domestic Workers And Illegal Employer Arrested In Labour Law Violation Crackdown
Daily Tribune
29-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Capital Trustees Board approves mandatory soundproofing proposal for multi-storey flats
A proposal to set soundproofing standards for floors in multi-storey flats was approved by the Capital Trustees Board during its session yesterday. The plan is intended to reduce disturbances in shared buildings and encourage quieter homes. Developers would be required to meet minimum insulation levels between floors, particularly in freehold properties. Dr Bashar Ahmadi, who submitted the proposal, said noise between flats is a common complaint. He pointed to the use of poor construction materials and designs that fail to block sound. The aim, he said, is to bring in standards drawn from practices already used in other parts of the world. Expectations Mubarak Al Nuaimi, who chairs the board's technical committee, said the measure would help set clear expectations for builders and buyers alike. It would also support building managers in handling disputes and allow inspectors to assess compliance more easily. The committee recommended making soundproofing a condition for issuing permits in new freehold developments. Idea Mohammed Al Sahli, Director-General of the Capital Trustees Board, said the idea could benefit buyers but noted that such matters fall under the Urban Planning and Development Authority. He suggested soundproofing could be left as an option, allowing developers to offer both insulated and non-insulated flats. Deputy Chair woman Khalood Al Qattan supported the view that buyers should be free to choose whether they want this feature. Also during the meeting, the board reviewed a report on messages received through the Tawasul platform between September 2024 and May this year. There were 1,823 complaints, 319 enquiries and 39 suggestions.
