Seats

Summary
Quick reference guide for key criteria

Overarching requirements
Embellishments should be designed/selected and installed as follows:
- Fit for purpose, appropriately positioned and accessible.
- Durable, robust and safe (suitable for corrosive environments).
- Vandal resistant with parts that are easily replaceable.
- Easy to maintain (with appropriate warranty and workmanship).
- Comply with relevant standards, legislation, corporate documents and approvals
Planning, design and positioning
- Locate in parks/open spaces/natural areas where rest and relaxation may be desirable. Face the seat towards views where possible
- Should be on a concrete slab and linked to a pathway (where possible)
- Comply with Austroads 500 mm minimum offset to any obstacle beside a path
- Where feasible, a range of seat heights should be provided
- Locate seats under shade where possible
- Include a space (on one side of seat) for a wheelchair/pram
- Do not install seats where they may be used for climbing over a fence/wall (such as at fenced play spaces or dog off leash parks). Provide 2.0 m clearance
- Install seats at 60 m intervals along a linear path (recommended).
Seat requirements
- Design must include universal access fittings i.e. back and armrests (exclude armrests for table and bench combinations)
- Splayed foot designs are NOT preferred (trip hazard)
- Seat designs with wide slats are preferred. Install anti-skate devices where required. Design must not hold water
- Include maintenance access under seats (for cleaning).
Materials, finishes and footings
- Materials preferred – aluminium or timber. Select light coloured aluminium to reduce the potential for the seat to become hot in full sun. Minimum 3 coats of timber sealant. Material selection should be determined by site profile/level of use.
- Excavation for footings under trees should be made by hand or vacuum excavation
- All seats must be bolt down and use anti-vandal ‘armour rings’ or equivalent
- Avoid finished height difference between a seat concrete slab and adjoining surfaces to prevent trip hazards and to prevent ‘tramlining’ of wheelchair wheels. Batter down gently from the slab to existing ground level.
Note: Further guidance and clarification of the content on this page, can be found in the relevant sections of this information sheet.

Overarching requirements
Embellishments should be designed/selected and installed as follows:
- Fit for purpose, appropriately positioned and accessible.
- Durable, robust and safe (suitable for corrosive environments).
- Vandal resistant with parts that are easily replaceable.
- Easy to maintain (with appropriate warranty and workmanship).
- Comply with relevant standards, legislation, corporate documents and approvals
Planning, design and positioning
- Locate in parks/open spaces/natural areas where rest and relaxation may be desirable. Face the seat towards views where possible
- Should be on a concrete slab and linked to a pathway (where possible)
- Comply with Austroads 500 mm minimum offset to any obstacle beside a path. Extra space is required for leg room.
- Where feasible, a range of seat heights should be provided
- Locate seats under shade where possible
- Include a space (on one side of seat) for a wheelchair/pram
- Do not install seats where they may be used for climbing over a fence/wall (such as at fenced play spaces or dog off leash parks). Provide 2.0 m clearance
Seat requirements
- Splayed foot designs are NOT preferred (trip hazard)
- Seat designs with wide slats are preferred. Install anti-skate devices where required. Design must NOT hold water
- Include maintenance access under seats (for cleaning).
- Free-standing walls (used for seating) require a 150 mm extended top, or a 150 mm cut-out at foot level to assist with rising from a seated position.
Materials, finishes and footings
- Materials preferred – aluminium or timber. Select light coloured aluminium to reduce the potential for the seat to become hot in full sun. Minimum 3 coats of timber sealant. Material selection should be determined by site profile/level of use.
- Excavation for footings under trees should be made by hand or vacuum excavation
- All seats must be bolt down and use anti-vandal ‘armour rings’ or equivalent
- Avoid finished height difference between a seat concrete slab and adjoining surfaces to prevent trip hazards and to prevent ‘tramlining’ of wheelchair wheels. Batter down gently from the slab to existing ground level.
- Sandstone (or other material) seating walls must have a 150 mm gap to allow for rising.
Note: Further guidance and clarification of the content on this page, can be found in the relevant sections of this information sheet.
This component is currently in development