thisplace.com.au - Smart Housing Checklist

How Smart is your home? Here's a check list of some of the features of Smart Housing. Take the time to see how Smart your home is and your future home could be:

Frontyard and Entrance

Footpaths and driveways are gently sloped to make access easier
The Distance from car space to home is kept to a minimum
The front entry is clearly visible from the driveway
The street address is clearly visible from the street
Entrances are covered, have level landings and an outside light
Casual surveillance of the front garden and the street is possible from the main living areas
Windows and Doors Interior doors that connect a garage to a building have a single cylinder dead bolt lock
Door locks are not located within arms reach of the adjacent windows
Exterior doors are hinged on the inside and have a single cylinder dead bolt lock with a minimum 25mm throw
All windows have locks All doorways that open to the outside are well lit Hallways and doors are wide Very low thresholds on all doorways
Most windows are located on north-facing walls for maximum exposure to winter sun
Doors and windows are shaded from the sun and rain
The location of the windows and doors provide for cross-ventilation
Windows and doors are fitted with insect and security screens

Kitchen

Reduced-slip flooring Clear floor space
The kitchen position provides good visibility to inside and outside play areas
Task lighting is provided over sink, stove and work surfaces
Drawers and cupboards are located away from the stove/oven

Bathrooms & Laundries

Easy to use taps, such as lever-type, with hot and cold clearly marked
Walls are reinforced for the future fixing of grab-bars near bath, shower and toilet
Bath taps are out of reach of small children
Electrical outlets are positioned so that appliance cords do not extend across basins, or vanity units
Childproof cabinet for the safe storage of poisons and medicines
Reduced-slip floors
A high shelf or a cupboard with childproof locks is provided Bathroom and toilet doors are fitted with removable hinges for emergency release to allow opening of the door from the outside
Low water volume toilets and taps are installed.

Bedrooms

Located conveniently close to a bathroom
Telephone and cable jack is installed A light switch is within easy reach of the bed
Stairs, Balconies & Elevated Verandahs Adequate lighting with switches inside Balustrades are high enough to prevent a child from climbing over
Gaps between the vertical rails below the balustrade are small enough to stop a small child getting their head caught or objects falling through
Stairs are a straight-run and at least 1,000mm wide The whole stair area is well lit by both natural and artificial light, which does not cast shadows or dazzle the user No doors swing into the stair-landing zone

Electrical outlets and controls

Electrical switches, outlets and mechanical system controls are in easily accessible locations, reachable from both sitting and standing positions
Power outlets are safety-shuttered or plugged 'Safety Switches' are fitted to protect all circuits in the house
At least three devices are fitted so that all power is not removed when a fault occurs
Rocker-type light switches have been installed
Circuit breaker panel located on main floor for easy access
Colour contrast can be used to help people find controls such as lighting switches, heating and air conditioning buttons
Smoke detectors are hard wired in Sufficient power points have been provided to avoid trailing flexes and double adaptors

General Considerations

Main living level contains a kitchen, living room, bathroom and a space suitable for a bedroom
Layout is simple and logical without obstructions or hazards
Evacuation is easy in the event of a fire
The long axis of the building is orientated east-west, so that the long length of the building faces north-south Living areas are on the northern side for winter sun and summer breezes, and utility areas are on the southern and/or western to act as a buffer
Vents exist to eaves and at the roof Large enough to accommodate normal furnishings and provide adequate space for traffic Insulation is installed in the walls and ceilings
Construction allows low long-term maintenance costs

Garden

The driveway is separated from the play areas
Reduced-slip paved areas are designed for surface water to drain away easily
There are no toxic or poisonous plants
There is shade over the play areas
All garden gates are self-closing and self latching and have childproof locks
There is a lockable storage area for poisons, chemicals and tools etc

Source: Smart Housing guide from their website