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St Aidan's College - Curve Block

St Aidan's College, Windmill Hill, Durham, DH1 3LJ

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; undergraduate accommodation on two levels - 'B' Curve, and 'C' Curve - with shared kitchenettes, toilets and showers.

Accommodation Summary

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation shares another buildings parking facilities.
    • No secure parking is available.
    • Parking is by permit only. Visitors must register their details at reception.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There is not a university bus service stop within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • Residence Information View
    • This residence is made up of 2-storey residential block buildings.
    • The residence surveyed was Curve Block.
    • There is level access to the Main Block ground floor (level B) and stepped access only to B Curve, and C Curve via the Common Stairs - Curve End.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 80 rooms in total.
    • There is not an/are not accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Standard Accommodation Information View
    • There is standard accommodation on the ground floor.
    • Ground floor accommodation does not have level access.
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • Standard accommodation has shared bathrooms with stepped shower cubicles.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
  • Amenities and Communal Facilities View
    • There is not a convenience store within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
    • Communal facilities within this residence include a staffed reception, a launderette, a common room, a recreation room, a bar and a study area.
    • The communal facilities for the accommodation surveyed include; a kitchen.
    • The college is a catered college. Meals are normally taken in the main dining hall during term time.
  • Additional Accessibility Aids View
    • There is a deaf alert system available on request.
    • Vibrating pillows alarms are available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.

Getting Here (St Aidan's College)

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, visitors and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located on Windmill Hill.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 280cm x 480cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is additional permit holder parking at the end of Windmill Hill behind the bar and loading bay, and by the Lindisfarne Centre and the rear of Houses N to Q off the separate access road from Mill Hill Lane.
    • Visitors without a permit should register their vehicle details at the reception.

Approach (Main Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and concrete tiles.
    • There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
    • The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • There is a black barrier and orange bollard at this entrance.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building on Windmill Hill by the car park.
    • This entrance gives access to main reception, common areas, straight and curved blocks.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 109cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 115cm.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the loading bay to the far right of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor (level B) main corridor at the curve block end.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 77cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is tiles.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Other Floors (Common Stairs - Curve Block)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located on the main corridor at the Curve Block end.
    • The stairs are approximately 80m from the main entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B Curve, Ground, C Curve, First.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
  • Other Information View
    • The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are B Curve, C Curve, Level C.

Entrance (B Curve)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the Common Stairs - Curve Block, level B Curve.
    • This entrance gives access to B Curve corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'B Curve - Residents Only'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key lock is 95cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance as part of the Common Stairs - Curve Block.
    • There is/are 9 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Entrance (C Curve)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the Common Stairs - Curve Block, level C Curve.
    • This entrance gives access to the C Curve corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'C Curve - Residents Only'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key lock is 95cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance, up from the Main Block ground floor (level B).
    • There is/are 9 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building .
    • There is stepped access to the B Curve corridor and C Curve corridor accommodation.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Other Floors (C Curve)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located on the main corridors in the Curve Block.
    • The stairs are approximately 30m from the B Curve entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B Curve, C Curve.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
  • Other Information View
    • The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are B Curve and C Curve.
    • There is a similar staircase at the far end of the Curve Block. Both staircases give stepped access down to a fire escape at ground floor level.

Kitchen/Dining Area (B Curve)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
  • There are low level cupboards.
  • There is a breakfast bar 93cm to the top surface in some kitchens.
  • There are similar kitchens on B Curve and C Curve.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor (level B) of the Main Block.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor (level B) of the Main Block.