Code
of Practice on Facilities for
Disabled Motorists at Filling Stations
Introduction
There are at least 250,000 drivers and passengers in the UK who have
a disability. With the number of elderly people in the population increasing
significantly over the coming years, the proportion of motorists who have
disabilities is also likely to increase.
For those motorists who cannot cope easily or at all with the self-service
arrangements which have been introduced at a growing number of petrol
filling stations, it is vitally important to have a network of filling
stations that they can use. It is equally important that those filling
stations which offer services to disabled people do so to a consistent
minimum standards, both in terms of the range of facilities and the level
of service available.
Unless disabled people can be guaranteed these services, their independent
mobility is severely limited.
Although most operators are aware of the needs of disabled motorists,
there is no common approach to meeting those needs.
This code of practice sets out guidelines covering the minimum levels
of service that should be provided if the international wheelchair symbol
is to be displayed. Its purpose is to ensure that disabled motorists across
the country can identify petrol filling stations which are accessible
and offer assistance and can find continuity in the quality and scope
of services provided. In the event that a filling station can only meet
the criteria set out in either the 'service' section or the 'facilities'
section, they can still use the international wheelchair symbol but they
should indicate the restrictions with the phrase "Service only" or "facilities
only" as appropriate printed clearly underneath it.
 
Services
At each petrol filling station displaying the international wheelchair
symbol, there should be at least one member of staff, trained in
the needs of disabled motorists*, to provide assistance with
obtaining fuel and any other necessary services such as air and oil during
peak hours on all days of opening i.e. between 8.00am and 6.00pm.
Training, which may most usefully be provided in conjunction with local
branches of disabled motorists' organisations should include knowledge
of the various ways in which disabled drivers might summon assistance,
e.g. sounding the horn or flashing the car headlights. Advice on which
method is in operation should be clearly displayed on or near the pumps.
Where electronic systems such as Servicecall are installed, staff should
know how these systems operate and should ensure that the equipment is
not switched off during peak hours when assistance is available. Management
should also initiate regular checks to ensure that any equipment/facilities
for disabled motorists is working correctly.
Facilities
- Access to the pay desk and shop must be level or provided by means
of a ramp which should have a gradient not exceeding 1 in 20, with an
unobstructed width of 1.0m.
- Care should be taken not to block access to the ramp or level entrance
with outside displays of plants or other goods.
- Doors should be easy to open, with a minimum clear opening of 800mm.
- A unisex wheelchair accessible toilet (in compliance with design standards
set out in approved document M, 1992 edition, Access and Facilities
for Disabled People) should be provided and should be clearly signed
and kept open at all times throughout shop opening hours (unless operated
under the RADAR Key Scheme). Accessible toilets should never
be used for storage of cleaning equipment, etc.
General Standards
Forecourts should be keep clear and tidy. Oil and fuel spillages should
be dealt with speedily to avoid causing a hazard to motorists using sticks
or crutches.
Forecourt furniture such as waste bins and fire extinguishers should
not be located where they might cause an obstruction, e.g. near the entrance
to the kiosk or shop or in front of a telephone.
If a public telephone is provided it should be located at a height useable
by a person in a wheelchair (1400 mm from the ground to the top of the
apparatus) and be fitted with an inductive coupler to assist hearing impaired
people. On the keypad a raised dot should be provide on the number "5"
to assist visually impaired people.
Notes
* Local branches of disabled motorists organisations may be able to
help with training and information.
Useful contacts are:
Disabled Drivers' Association
Ashwellthorpe Hall
Ashwellthorpe
Norfolk
NR16 1EX
Tel: 01508-489449
Disabled Drivers' Motor Club
Cottingham Way
Thrapston
Northamptonshire
NN14 4PL
Tel: 01832-734724
Disabled Motorists Club
Unit 2A
Atcham Estate
Shrewsbury
SY4 4UG
Tel: 01743-761889
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
12 City Forum
250 City Road
London EC1V 8AF
Tel: 020 7250 3222
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
224 Great Portland Street
London
W1N 6AA
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
19-23 Featherstone Street
London
EC1Y 8SL
Tel: 020 7296 8000
SERVICECALL
Milford Lane
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE4 1DX
Tel: 01629 812422
Updated: 9 November 2000
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