Summary
England's official guidance on meeting the access requirements of the Building Regulations in buildings other than homes, including hearing enhancement systems.
Key findings
- The Use of guidance section (printed page 5) explains that Approved Documents give practical guidance on Building Regulations requirements and that other ways of meeting the requirements are possible.
- Paragraph 0.1 (printed page 11) says Requirements M1, M2 and M3 apply to new non-domestic buildings, extensions, material alterations and specified material changes of use. It separately notes Equality Act duties to consider barriers created by physical features.
- Paragraph 4.36 says aids to communication satisfy Requirement M1 if provision for a hearing enhancement system is installed in rooms and spaces for meetings, lectures, classes, performances, spectator sport or films, and at service or reception counters in noisy areas or behind glazed screens.
- Paragraph 4.36(b), on printed page 46, lists hearing enhancement in rooms and spaces designed for meetings, lectures, classes, performances, spectator sport or films, and at service or reception counters in noisy areas or behind glazed screens, as one of the provisions for satisfying Requirement M1. Paragraph 4.36 also lists other communication provisions; hearing enhancement alone is not presented as sufficient.
- Paragraph 4.35 names induction loop, infrared and radio as the three systems commonly used, says larger spaces need a permanent system while a portable loop is acceptable in small meeting rooms, warns that loops in adjacent spaces may overlap, and points to BS 8300 for detailed guidance.
- Paragraph 3.6 expects any reception point to have a hearing enhancement system, giving an induction loop as the example.
- Paragraph 4.36(c) asks for the standard symbol to show where an induction loop or infrared system is present; it names no symbol for other systems and does not mention Bluetooth or Auracast.
- The opening 2015 change summary states that Volume 2 takes effect in England on 1 October 2015; the earlier edition continues to apply to work started, or covered by a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted, before that date. The stated changes split the document into dwelling and non-dwelling volumes.
- The opening 2020 amendment summary concerns Changing Places toilets and building-capacity calculations. The 2024 summary concerns references and consequential changes for toilet accommodation. Neither summary identifies a new hearing-system provision; the consolidated text contains the hearing guidance in 3.6(f), 4.35 and 4.36(b)-(c).
Limits
Guidance for England only; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own. Sets no receiver numbers, coverage figures or performance limits. The 2015 text predates Auracast.
Read the original
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f6c5eec71e42688b65ee11/ADM__V2_with_2024_amendments.pdf
Cited in
- Which systems satisfy the ADA and building codes, and does a listener's own phone count?Disputed
- Auracast, hearing loop, infrared, RF or Wi-Fi: which suits which room?Disputed
- How many receivers and neckloops does each code require, and how should a loan pool be run?Partly answered
- Can Auracast serve ticket windows, service counters and reception desks?Open
- How is an installed hearing loop checked against IEC 60118-4, and how often does it pass?Partly answered
- Where does infrared assistive listening work, and where does it fall short?Partly answered
- How do listeners learn that a venue has assistive listening, and which signs and symbols do the rules ask for?Partly answered
- What works in courtrooms, council chambers and other meeting rooms where speech must be heard by all and kept in the room?Partly answered
- What works in theatres and cinemas, and what do the rules ask of them?Partly answered
- What works in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, where a misheard word can matter most?Partly answered
- What works in stadiums and arenas, and what do the rules ask of them?Partly answered
- What works in hotel meeting rooms and conference centres, and what do the rules ask of them?Partly answered
- What works in university lecture halls and large teaching rooms?Partly answered
- What works for guided tours, museums and visitor attractions?Partly answered
Cite this source
UK Government. Approved Document M, Volume 2: buildings other than dwellings (2015 edition incorporating 2020 and 2024 amendments). Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK). 30 September 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f6c5eec71e42688b65ee11/ADM__V2_with_2024_amendments.pdf (accessed 13 October 2026).
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