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Birkbeck Central Building

Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • There is one entrance into Birkbeck Central Building, which provides step-free access via a steep ramp to the ground floor.
  • The entrance is signed as 'University of London Union'.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • On Level 2, there are steps in the corridor leading to Stair B.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth with a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on G and level 2.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on levels G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • Standard on-street parking is for resident permit holders CA-E. These restrictions apply Monday - Saturday between 8:30am - 6:30pm.
      Holders of the London Borough of Camden's Green Badge can also park in any shared use loading bays, shared use disabled bays, resident's bays and paid for parking bays.
      For more information on the Green Badge Scheme, and how Blue Badge holders can apply for a Green Badge, please see the London Borough of Camden website.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on Malet Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 3 steps with a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 12cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 99cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Lift 1)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • LG - 4 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 109cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 122cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Stair A)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead as you enter the building.
  • There are permanently held open doors to access the stairwell.
  • G - 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have faded markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (Level 2 - Lower Level 2)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on Level 2 between Stair A and Stair B.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • Level 2 and lower level 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 7 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have no handrails.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the left of the café .
    • The distance from the main entrance is 28m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 135cm (width) x 210cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 71cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 115cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.