Accessibility for people with disabilities is no longer just a moral and social obligation, but also a legal requirement for every new public project. The inclusion of provisions for disabled access elevators, ramps, automatic access systems, and ergonomic elements has been integrated into building design based on national and European specifications.
Legislation and obligations
Greek legislation, through the New Building Regulation (NOK), the Building Regulation, and the relevant Ministerial Decisions for Accessibility for People with Disabilities (Government Gazette FEK 18/B/15-01-2012), mandates the compulsory provision for:
- Elevators accessible to people with disabilities with cabin and door dimensions according to the EN 81-70 standard
- Low-mounted buttons and embossed indicators (Braille)
- Audiovisual signals for floor and movement announcements
- Appropriate configuration of waiting areas, ramps and access platforms
- Integration with the rest of the project’s accessibility levels (entrances, corridors, WC, etc.)
Need for early design
Providing for accessibility for people with disabilities is not an extra element—it is a structural part of the architectural and engineering study. In public projects, the elevator for people with disabilities should be positioned in a way that serves all critical areas: waiting rooms, event halls, public service offices, and administrative centers.
A lack of provision can lead to:
- legal sanctions,
- exclusion from funding programs (e.g., NSRF/ESPA, Green Fund),
- or the rejection of the project file.
The role of contractors & engineers
Technical companies and engineers undertaking public projects must collaborate with specialized elevator suppliers who are familiar with:
- the technical requirements for disabled access elevators,
- the certifications required for public projects,
- and can support the project from the design stage through to delivery.
What Bibikas Elevators offers
Bibikas Elevators has extensive experience in projects with specific provisions for people with disabilities, offering:
- Technical guidance for compliance with EN 81-70 & EN 81-20/50 standards
- Specialized elevators with certification for use by people with disabilities
- Custom solutions for public buildings, schools, health centers, and municipal offices
- Complete certification files for public services
Accessibility is not an option; it is a prerequisite. Elevators for people with disabilities must be integrated from the start into the design of every public building. Collaborating with experienced elevator manufacturers, such as Bibikas, ensures both compliance with legislation and meaningful facilitation for all citizens.
For more information contact Bibikas Elevators.
Call us at 2221094777 and one of our specialized associates will support you with every need.