scope:

It is the aim of this guideline to complement standards and other rules dealing with barrier-free construction by pointing out ways how technical building services can reduce barriers, increase safety and enhance convenience. The guideline bears the users' individuality in mind.

The series of guidelines VDI 6008 identifies different ways to avoid, remove or reduce barriers. The possibilities shown here are a supplement to the minimum demands of DIN 18 040.

The series of guidelines reflects the demands placed on barrier-free accessibility from the specific view-point of different user groups and leaves room for predictive planning that accounts for people's changing needs. Guidelines of Universal Design are taken into consideration.

The series of guidelines deals with requirements and solution approaches that are generally valid in real estate properties regarding technical building services, their useful combinations and usability. It gives advice for all spheres of life of all generations and recommendations for planning, construction, operation and modernization.

The series of guidelines is intended for the following target audiences:

• architects and engineers
• contracting companies
• advice offices (e. g. for housing conversion)
• welfare organizations and charities
• municipal and national building authorities
• building owners and investors
• the housing industry
• persons concerned and their families
• training and education institutions
• insurers and funds bearing the costs for technical measures, acc. to the German Social Code (SGB)

The present guideline specifies planning principles and gives general advice on the user groups and their special needs for barrier-free accessibility, to be observed when using the other parts. This guideline is intended to make the users of the series of guidelines aware of the interests of the end users.