Principles

Each time a new accessway, stair or ladder is created in the ASL application, the user must specify the settings of a number of dimensional and general design parameters relevant to that type of item. For example, for a corner platform with handrails, the parameters which must be specified include the following:

• The length, width and orientation of the platform

• The sides along which the handrails are required

• The thickness of the floorplate

• The depth of the kickplate

• The method of construction and mounting for the handrail.

Some of these parameters, such as the length and width, are specific to each individual item and must be defined separately each time a new platform is created. The definition is made either explicitly, by typing values into text boxes, or implicitly, by using the cursor to pick existing design elements relative to which the new item is to be positioned.

Other parameters, such as floorplate thickness, handrail design definitions, kickplate depth and so on, which are likely to be common to all such structures, have their initial settings derived from the current defaults file. The user can change the current default settings at any time, so that they take effect for all subsequent design work, or the user can override one or more individual settings by editing the entries in the corresponding text boxes as the user creates each ASL item.