Accessibility Consulting

Noven Consulting provides accessibility consulting for new buildings and existing facilities in British Columbia, including projects governed by the Vancouver Building By-law. We help owners, architects and project teams identify access barriers, understand applicable requirements and plan practical improvements.

Our work connects accessibility with the building's overall code strategy, circulation and life safety arrangements. The review starts by confirming the jurisdiction, project stage, intended use and assessment criteria.

Accessibility reviews for new buildings

Early design review helps resolve access requirements while layouts, levels and structural decisions can still be adjusted. We review drawings and relevant specifications to trace how people arrive, enter, move through and use the building.

Depending on the project, the scope can include:

• Accessible routes from parking, passenger loading areas and site approaches.
• Entrances, door clearances, hardware and power operators.
• Interior circulation, ramps and access to different storeys.
• Accessible and universal washrooms, service counters and shared amenities.
• Controls, signage, visual contrast and other features covered by the selected criteria.
• Accessible and adaptable residential provisions where applicable.

Review comments identify the issue, its location, the relevant requirement and the decision needed from the design team. Accessibility review can be coordinated with our building code consulting and, for eligible projects, Certified Professional services.

Accessibility assessments of existing facilities

For existing buildings, an accessibility review establishes a documented picture of current conditions. We review available records and inspect the agreed areas, following the route from site arrival to the spaces and services people need to reach.

The assessment can record measurements, photographs, observed barriers and recommendations. Findings distinguish immediate improvements from changes that require further design, coordination or construction. Owners can use the report to organize maintenance work, plan renovations and set priorities across a facility or building portfolio.

A review against a current accessibility benchmark does not, by itself, establish that every identified gap is a code violation. Required upgrades depend on the applicable regulations, existing conditions and proposed work.

Building code and CSA B651 reviews

We establish the assessment basis before reviewing a project. This may include the BC Building Code, the Vancouver Building By-law, their referenced standards and additional owner requirements.

CSA B651 addresses accessible design for the built environment. The edition referenced by the applicable code must be checked; a newer publication does not automatically replace it. Where an owner selects CSA/ASC B651:23 as an additional benchmark, the report identifies that basis and distinguishes code requirements from recommended enhancements.

This approach makes findings useful for both permit coordination and longer-term accessibility planning.

Renovations and construction support

Renovations, tenant improvements and changes of use can affect accessibility obligations. We assess the proposed scope, identify relevant upgrade requirements and coordinate recommendations with the architect and other consultants.

Construction-stage services can include review of selected details, site observations and follow-up on reported items. The proposal defines the areas reviewed, review stages and deliverables.

What you receive

An engagement can include marked-up drawings, an accessibility assessment report, a prioritized action list and review of revised design information. Reports identify the criteria used, areas assessed, observations and items requiring further investigation.

To request a proposal, provide the address and municipality, building use, project stage, available plans and the purpose of the review. For an existing facility, include the areas to be assessed and any planned alterations.