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London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE)

100 Lambeth Palace Rd, London, SE1 7AR

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slope with a very easy gradient.
  • The building has a single main entrance providing step-free level access to the ground floor.
  • The entrance door opens automatically.
  • There is a second manual entrance to the left of the building, which is used at staff discretion and by prior arrangement.
  • The entrances are not named or signed.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception area on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • There is a 6cm high step into the meeting pods on the first and second floors.
  • A key card is required for access to some areas from the first floor upwards.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth. Some floor surfaces have a shiny or patterned finish, or both.
  • There is no seating in circulation areas from the first floor upwards.
  • There is seating available within the open plan areas from the first floor upwards.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage on the ground floor, next to the lift.
  • There are manual doors in all corridors, some of which require key cards for access.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor in the main toilets lobby and within the Connector social space, on the first and second floors on the right out of the lift, and on the third floor on the left out of the lift.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the ground floor in the main toilets lobby, on the first and second floors on the right out of the lift and in the main workspace area, and on the third floor on the left out of the lift.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor in the main toilets lobby, on the first and second floors on the right out of the lift and in the main workspace area, and on the third floor on the left out of the lift.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the left-hand side of the building, facing Lambeth Palace Road.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is not 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.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with 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 step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 102cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 121cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 125cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 99cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is an additional entrance to the left-hand side of the building.
  • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
  • The height of the card reader is 100cm.
  • The door opens towards you (pull).
  • The door is single width and may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 130cm.
  • Access at this entrance is step-free and level.
  • This entrance is used at the discretion of staff and by prior arrangement.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the right after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 9m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 112cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • 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: sofas and benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • The chairs are fixed.
  • There are security barriers with a wider opening which are operated by key card.

Connector

  • The Connector is a general social space with coffee machines available.
  • The entrance to the Connector is to the right of the reception desk.
  • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
  • The height of the card reader is 98cm.
  • The door opens towards you (pull).
  • The door is single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The standard height for the underside of tables is 69cm to 70cm.
  • There are also coffee tables, armchairs, and booths.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
  • There is also loose carpet which may present a trip hazard.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead after the barriers at reception.
  • The distance from reception is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The ground to third 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 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 140cm (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 separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
  • There is a short slope with a slight gradient to enter/exit the lift on all floors.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the mid-left of the building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground to 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 between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is an additional set of stairs to the right of the building. These stairs require a key card for access.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, within the toilets lobby on the right after the barriers at reception .
    • The distance from the reception desk is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The toilet lobby door opens away from you (push), is 87cm wide and may be difficult to open.
    • 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 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist 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 150cm (width) x 310cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (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 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 118cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 119cm and 164cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.