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Student Services Centre

Hugh Nisbet Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

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Access Guide

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Summary

Getting Here (Edinburgh Campus)

Building Parking (Third Gait)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located off the Third Gait.
    • 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 6 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 490cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 125cm 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 10m (10yd 2ft) from the West Side (Third Gait) entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • 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.

Outside Access (West Side Entrance (Third Gait) - Ground Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the west of the building, off the Third Gait.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor, between the Careers and Graduates Futures Centre and Student Services.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Hairdresser, Thins Bookshop'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 96cm (3ft 2in).

Entrance (Student Services Centre)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the ground floor corridor, to the left from the West Side (Third Gait) entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the reception queuing area.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Student Services Centre'.
    • There is step-free 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 68cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the left as you enter.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Student Services Centre 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 no 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 placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 110cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 78cm.
    • 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 not staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is a/are quick check in system(s) available.
    • The touchscreen(s) is/are between the heights of 92cm and 122cm.
    • There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There is bench seating and single seats without armrests.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • Security Barriers View
    • There is a self check-in system that uses the touch screens to the left as you enter. Names then soon appear on a TV screen within the waiting area, prompting users to the reception desk.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
    • There is flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • There is low visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly 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.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located within the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located within the Hugh Nisbet Building.

SafeZone

  • SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
  • For information about the SafeZone please click here.