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The Scott Russell Building

Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • The Scott Russell Building has six entrances.
  • There are two external entrances and four internal entrances.
  • There is step-free level access to the ground floor at the side of the building. There is a single automatic door and manual double doors at this entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the ground floor via steep slope at the entrance beneath the link bridge. There are manual double doors at this entrance.
  • The four internal entrances provide step-free level access to all four floors via manual double doors.
  • The entrances are signed as Scott Russell Building.
  • The entrance at the side of the building provides step-free level access to the ground floor. This is the most accessible external entrance.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • At the time of survey in January 2026, access to the third floor was via stairs only.
  • Floor surfaces are hard and smooth.
  • There are resting areas in some lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located within the male toilet on the ground floor, near the David Brewster Building internal link entrance.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the third floor female toilet.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and on the second floor near the David Brewster Building link entrances.
      On the first floor, near the David Brewster Building link entrance.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and on the second floor near the David Brewster Building link entrances.
      On the third floor, near the David Brewster Building link entrance.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the side of the building, on the Third Gait.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the side of the building, on the ground floor.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 113cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 112cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 147cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the left as you enter.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked 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 not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 14cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Lift (David Brewster Building - Out of Service)

  • The nearest lift is located within the adjoining David Brewster Building, approximately 95m from the entrance at the side of the Scott Russell Building on the ground floor.
  • At the time of survey in January 2026 this lift (which covers all floors) was out of service and had been for some time (over two years).
  • Signage there directs to the James Nasmyth Building lift which can be accessed from the link bridges to The Scott Russell Building on the first and second floors only.
  • Step-free access to The Scott Russell Building's first floor is also available via the link bridge from the ground floor of the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Lift (James Nasmyth Building - First Floor Link Bridge)

  • The lift in The James Nasmyth building can be accessed via the first or second floor link bridges to The Scott Russell Building.
  • Once across the link bridge, follow the route to the left to find it, approximately 75m from The Scott Russell Building first or second floor internal link entrances. For more information on the lift, please refer to The James Nasmyth Building Access Guide.
  • Step-free access to The Scott Russell Building's first floor is available via the link bridge from the ground floor of the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Male Toilet Area - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the male toilet area on the ground floor, on the left before The David Brewster Building.
    • The distance from the entrance is 50m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is signage on or near the door into the male toilet area, but no signage on the door to the cubicle with adaptations within the male toilet area.
    • The information below relates to the cubicle with adaptions.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 200cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 97cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has no disposal facilities.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 131cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.