Core guidance - Circulation and communication spaces (HBN 00-04)

HBN 00-04 Oct 2014 Health Building Note 40 – ‘Common activity spaces’ is being republished into three documents. This document forms Health Building Note 00-04 and covers ‘circulation and communication spaces’. Circulation spaces provide access within hospital departments whereas communication spaces provide access between departments and may include main hospital streets. This document provides guidance on the design of circulation and communication spaces in hospitals and other healthcare buildings, including corridors, internal lobbies and stairs, and lifts. It also provides supporting information on doors and handrails. The spaces described allow for the movement of ambulant and semi-ambulant people (including those using crutches, sticks and walking frames) and wheelchair users. Requirements for bed and patient trolley movement are also described. The guidance is based on ergonomic research, including a study that investigated space requirements for bed movement along corridors and through doors.

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