Ramps, toilets, and parking get most of the attention in BP344 compliance checks — but tactile paving and bollards are what actually let a visually impaired pedestrian navigate a site independently, without needing to ask for help at every turn. They're also two of the standards most often skipped entirely on Philippine commercial and institutional projects, because unlike a ramp slope or an accessible parking slot, nobody in a wheelchair notices a missing tactile block — only a pedestrian using a white cane does.
This guide covers both standards under BP344's 2024 Revised IRR — the three tactile paving block types, their dimensions and contrast requirements, and the height, spacing, and contrast rules for accessible bollards.
Directional tactile blocks — parallel raised bars run along the direction of travel, guiding a visually impaired pedestrian in a straight line down a sidewalk.
BP344 defines three tactile block types, all 300mm × 300mm with 5mm-high raised elements: Directional (parallel bars, guides a straight path), Warning (truncated domes, marks a hazard like a stairway or crossing), and Positional (staggered domes, marks a change of direction). All require a minimum 50% luminance contrast from the adjacent surface. Bollards along accessible routes must be at least 800mm tall, spaced with a minimum 900mm clear distance between them, smooth with no sharp edges, and carry a minimum 30% luminance contrast with a reflective band for visibility.
Tactile paving works by feel, underfoot or by cane — a visually impaired pedestrian reads the pattern of raised bars or domes the way a sighted pedestrian reads a painted line or a sign. BP344's 2024 Revised IRR defines three distinct patterns, each with a specific job:
Tactile Block Types & What Each One Signals
| Type | Pattern | Signals |
|---|---|---|
| Directional | Parallel raised bars, laid along the direction of travel | "Keep walking this way" — guides a straight path along a route, e.g. a sidewalk or corridor |
| Warning | Truncated domes in a grid, laid perpendicular to travel | "Stop and check" — flags a hazard ahead: stairs, escalators, ramps, road crossings, or unguarded drop-offs |
| Positional | Staggered domes | "Direction changes here" — marks a corner, intersection, or decision point along a route |
A directional path meets a positional block at a sidewalk intersection — the staggered-dome pattern signals a change of direction, while the straight bars either side keep the route legible before and after the turn.
Every Tactile Installation Must Satisfy All of These
| Element | BP344 Requirement (2024 Revised IRR) |
|---|---|
| Block size | 300mm × 300mm, all three types |
| Raised element height | 5mm above the surrounding surface |
| Warning block depth | 600mm — installed 300mm before and after the head/foot of a ramp, and at the center of each landing |
| Minimum luminance contrast | 50% from the adjacent floor or pavement finish |
| Clearance from hazards | 600mm minimum from tripping hazards, walls, and columns |
| Required at | Stairs, escalators, ramps, open spaces, entrances, ticket gates, ATMs, and pedestrian/vehicular crossings |
Bollards mark and protect a pedestrian route from vehicle traffic — but placed wrong, they become the obstacle instead. BP344's 2024 Revised IRR sets specific rules so a bollard is detectable by cane, passable by wheelchair, and visible at night.
Accessible bollard spacing — an 800mm minimum height and a 900mm minimum clear distance between bollards keeps the route passable for a wheelchair user.
Bollard Requirements Under BP344
| Element | BP344 Requirement (2024 Revised IRR) |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 800mm |
| Minimum clear distance between bollards | 900mm — enough for unobstructed wheelchair passage |
| Minimum luminance contrast | 30% from surroundings |
| Visibility aid | Reflective band recommended around the neck of the bollard |
| Surface | Smooth, free from protrusions or sharp edges |
| Linking | Must not be linked by a chain or rope between units |
From the site walkthroughs and accessibility audits our team has done on Philippine commercial and institutional buildings, tactile paving and bollards are the two BP344 items most likely to be missing altogether — not built wrong, just never specified:
| # | Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No tactile paving on the site plan at all | Ramps and toilets get flagged because inspectors measure them directly; tactile paving is easy to omit since it rarely appears on a standard architectural detail sheet. |
| 2 | Warning blocks used where directional blocks belong (or vice versa) | Swapping the two patterns gives the wrong signal — a straight-path bar pattern at the top of a stairway doesn't tell a cane user to stop. |
| 3 | Tactile block color too close to the surrounding pavement | Falls short of the 50% contrast requirement — the block becomes hard to detect visually even though it's still detectable underfoot. |
| 4 | Bollards spaced under 900mm apart | Blocks wheelchair passage entirely — the bollards meant to protect the route end up closing it. |
| 5 | Bollards linked with chain or rope | Explicitly prohibited — a chain at shin height is a tripping hazard for both cane users and sighted pedestrians. |
Tactile paving and bollards are two standards. The BP344 Reference covers the full accessibility envelope — every dimension you need for permit-ready drawings, with illustrated diagrams for parking, ramps, toilets, corridors, doors, pools, and signage.
Tactile paving and bollards are the standards most often left off the drawings entirely. AEDO builds the full accessibility envelope — paving, bollards, parking, toilets, ramps — into the design from day one, not as a retrofit.
What are the three types of tactile paving blocks under BP344?
Directional (parallel bars, guides a straight path), Warning (truncated domes, flags a hazard), and Positional (staggered domes, marks a change of direction). All three share the same 300mm × 300mm block size.
What size are BP344 tactile paving blocks?
300mm × 300mm per block, with raised elements projecting 5mm above the surface. Warning blocks additionally need 600mm of depth at hazard points, such as the head and foot of a ramp.
What color contrast is required for tactile paving?
A minimum 50% luminance contrast from the adjacent floor or pavement finish, so the block is detectable visually by low-vision pedestrians, not only by cane or underfoot.
What is the minimum height for bollards under BP344?
800mm minimum height, with a 900mm minimum clear distance between adjacent bollards for wheelchair passage. Surfaces must be smooth with no sharp edges, and bollards must not be linked by chain or rope.
Do bollards need a specific contrast or reflective marking?
Yes — a minimum 30% luminance contrast from the surroundings, with a reflective band recommended around the neck of the bollard for visibility at night or in low light.
Where can I find a free BP344 reference with all accessibility dimensions?
The AEDO BP344 Reference is a free visual guide covering 40+ accessibility standards with dimensioned diagrams — tactile paving, signage, parking, ramps, toilets, corridors, and doors. No login, no paywall. Built by Filipino engineers and used by architects across the Philippines for permit-ready accessibility design.
This guide covers tactile paving and bollards. The AEDO BP344 Reference covers everything else — parking, ramps, toilets, corridors, doors, pool decks, and signage — with the dimensioned diagrams architects use directly in permit drawings. 40+ standards, fully illustrated, zero cost.
| Standard | This Guide | BP344 Reference (free) |
|---|---|---|
| Tactile paving block types & dimensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bollard height, spacing & contrast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accessible parking dimensions & ratio | — | ✓ |
| Ramp slope (1:20 rule, 2024 IRR) | — | ✓ |
| PWD toilet compartment layout | — | ✓ |
| Corridor & passageway widths | — | ✓ |
| Dimensioned diagrams (40+) | — | ✓ |
No login. No paywall. Built by AEDO's engineers and used by architects and developers across the Philippines for permit-ready accessibility design.
Tactile paving and bollards rarely appear on a standard architectural detail sheet — which is exactly why they're the most commonly missing BP344 item at final inspection. AEDO's design-build process builds the full accessibility envelope — paving, bollards, parking, ramps, toilets — into the site plan from day one.
Already have drawings? Upload them with your inquiry and we'll mark up the BP344 gaps before we discuss any project scope.