Mandating or Incentivising Installation of Grab Bars and Senior-friendly Features in Toilets of Privately-owned Coffee Shops

44 Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for National Development whether the Minister will consider measures to mandate or incentivise the installation of grab bars and other senior-friendly features in the toilets of privately-owned coffeeshops to cater to the senior citizens.

Mr Desmond Lee: Since 1990, the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA's) Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings, subsequently renamed the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment, or the Code, has stipulated requirements and recommendations for buildings to provide toilets with senior-friendly features. The Code has been progressively enhanced over the years and the latest Code was published in 2019.

The current Code requires new buildings and existing buildings that undergo addition and alteration works with plan submission to BCA to have at least one accessible individual washroom on every level where toilets are provided. For selected building types which seniors frequent, the Code requires toilets to have at least one water closet compartment for the ambulant disabled. These sanitary facilities are required to have senior-friendly features, such as grab bars.