Safety is not just a concern on construction sites and warehouses – safety systems should be all around us. From the non-slip stair nosings used on train station steps to the handrails installed on your local GP office, every safety feature has a reason behind it, and often the reason is legislation. This blog will take a deep dive into DDA clamps: what they are, when to use them, and how they compare against regular tube clamp fittings.
What are DDA Clamps?
The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 set out to eradicate discrimination against disabled people, in part by tackling physical obstacles to their inclusion in workplaces and public spaces.
Approved Document M then served as a reference point for contractors and architects to make buildings as accessible as possible, for example by advising the installation of ramps and handrails to provide support. A disability handrail made with DDA clamp fittings is therefore fully compliant with current building regulations and legislation under the more recent Equality Act 2010.
Compliance
The main difference between DDA handrails and ball-standard handrail systems is that DDA-compliant fittings must provide a continuous finish with no snags or bumps, and must be of a suitable diameter: between 32mm and 45mm
As you can see, the way DDA clamps are designed allows for the surface of the handrail to remain flush and smooth for user comfort. All of our DDA clamps are size C (32mm nominal bore or 42mm outer diameter) in contrast to standard galvanised tube clamps, which come in a range of sizes.
To improve compliance, you can go the extra mile by powdercoating the clamps in a colour that contrasts with the background. This provides an extra visual aid that helps accessibility.
Do I need DDA Clamps?
To comply with current legislation, DDA handrails are essential in public, commercial, educational, healthcare, and multi-residential buildings. In other words, any building with access for the general public.
These include but are not limited to:
· Hospitals
· Schools
· Government buildings
· Retail spaces
· Bus and Train stations, other transport hubs
· Car parks
· Offices and workplaces
· Restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues
· Multi-unit dwellings
· Care homes and sheltered housing
· Places of worship
· Community centres and village halls
Furthermore, the key areas within these spaces that benefit from a DDA handrail are stairs, ramps, entrances and exits.
Disability handrails are not required in areas that the public does not have access to, and a galvanised tube clamp system may suit these applications better. These include:
· Private single-family homes (not designed for disabled occupants)
· Construction sites
· Industrial buildings (with no public access)
· Agricultural buildings (with no public access)
· Non-public utility buildings
Comparisons
Consideration | DDA Clamps | Regular Tube Clamps |
 |  | |
Design | Smooth, continuous finish | Not flush with tube |
Size | Only size C (42mm OD) | Range of sizes available A-E (26mm OD – 60mm OD) |
Installation | Straightforward and easy to install | Straightforward and easy to install |
Load-bearing capacity | Meeting the requirements of DDA legislation | Meeting the requirements of DDA legislation |
Modular | Fully modular , can be installed in a system with regular tube clamps | Fully modular |
Colour | Can be powdercoated to any standard RAL colours, best in a contrasting colour to background | Can be powdercoated to any standard RAL colours |
Price | More expensive than regular tube clamps | Less expensive than DDA clamps |
Overall, DDA handrail clamps are designed to meet the accessibility requirements of Approved Document M, the building regulations that respond to the Disability Discrimination Act and more recently the Equality Act. They are essential when fitting a handrail in any building that provides access to the general public.
The main difference between standard tube clamps and DDA clamps is the provision of a smooth, continuous rail that can be easily gripped if needed.
The good news is that these clamps can be retrofitted on to existing handrail structures, as the two systems are fully modular. For example, Size C Internal Connectors are a good fit for a disability handrail as they can joint two lengths of tube with no bumps or snags. Powdercoating is available for both systems, which helps to improve accessibility even further.
Contact our team today to find out how you can improve accessibility in your project by provision of these invaluable handrails!
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