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Harper & Keele Veterinary School

Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5NS

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight or very slight slopes.
  • The Harper Keele Veterinary School has three entrances.
    All three entrances provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
    The main student entrance and the Garden Vets entrances have fully automatic doors.
    The alternative (Bakers Wood Road) entrance is key card activated with an alternative option of manual revolving doors.
  • The only signed entrance is the car park entrance, which is signed as 'Garden Vets Entrance'.
  • The main student entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are study/resting areas in all circulation areas throughout the building.
    There is a mixture of seating types in these areas.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
    The signage does vary in terms of type, font and colour.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.
    All lift lobbies and stairwells are accessed via manual doors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 9 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on each of the floors, adjacent to the lifts and staircases.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on each of the floors, adjacent to the lifts and staircases.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Standard changing facilities are located on the first floor, adjacent to the laboratories.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located in the first floor toilet with adaptations, adjacent to the teaching laboratories.
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the first floor student changing areas.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 110cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 11m from the Garden Vets entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 7 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 420cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay designated for Blue Badge holders are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The controls for the Blue Badge charging points are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster for the Blue Badge charging points is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nearest Blue Badge charging point is 8m from the Garden Vets entrance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Student Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the side of the building, from Innovation Way.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 174cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.

Entrance (Garden Vets)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building, opposite the car park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 94cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 118cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right from the main student entrance.
  • The distance from the main student entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors and automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front end of the main corridor.
  • The distance from the main student entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first and second floors 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 weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 160cm (width) x 145cm (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 mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Main Open Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located centrally within the student area.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet lobby, at the front of the building.
    • The distance from the main student entrance is 27m.
    • 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 152cm (width) x 217cm (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 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 86cm 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 and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 152cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, in the laboratory changing area.
    • The distance from the lift is 35m.
    • 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 243cm (width) x 237cm (depth) and there is 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 175cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high 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 high 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 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 152cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Shower with Adaptations (Within the First Floor Toilet with Adaptations)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within the first floor toilet with adaptations.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a detachable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no emergency alarm for the shower.