Access Guide
Summary
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Service
View
- This guide describes access and toilet facilities relevant to Law books, journals, and bookstore.
For information related to the Maughan Library in general, including Reception, IT TechBar, Library services, Assistive Technology Room, main staircases, prayer room, and café, refer to the Maughan Library - Main access guide. - Maughan Library - Main link (new tab) - click here.
- This guide describes access and toilet facilities relevant to Law books, journals, and bookstore.
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Building
View
- Law books are located on the first floor in:
- collection rooms 1.43-51
- Chancery Lane Wing collection rooms 1.24-27, 1.31, and 1.35-38
- Chancery Lane Wing mezzanine collection rooms 1M.35-38
Law journals are located in:- first floor collection rooms 1.43-51
- mezzanine collection rooms 1M.39-51
There is also a Law bookstore on floor -1 in room -1.12.
- Law books are located on the first floor in:
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
View
- Accessible toilet facilities are located towards both ends of the main building on floor -1, and on the ground floor and first floor towards the Chancery Lane end of the main building.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located at each end of the main building on all floors except the mezzanine levels.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located at each end of the main building on all floors, except the mezzanine levels.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located at each end of the main building on all floors, except the mezzanine levels, and in Stair A of the Chancery Lane Wing.
Access Point - Chancery Lane
- This access point is located on Chancery Lane, opposite the Law Society.
- The approach to the access point has a camber towards a dropped kerb.
- The access point is clearly signed.
- Assistance is available at the access point, use the intercom at the Special Collections entrance on the right after the access point.
- There is step-free level access.
- There is a single manual gate.
- The gate is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 98cm.
- The gate has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off the main courtyard from the Chancery Lane access point.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'The Maughan Library 2002'.
- There is ramped/sloped or 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 double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 122cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 88cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 6 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 in the centre of the step(s).
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
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Comments
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- There is a third set of doors of a set of permanently held open double doors with a width of 145cm.
- These are followed by barriers with a width of 55cm and 5 steps with a height of 15cm and a depth of 40cm and handrails on either side.
Lift (Main Entrance - Platform)
- The lift is located on the right after the first set of doors at the main entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the first set of doors at the main entrance.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The weight limit for the lift is 300kg.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is not a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
- There are security barriers on leaving the lift on the upper level with a width of 95cm.
Lift (Main Lifts)
- The lift is located to the left and to the right after the main entrance.
- The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance to the Maughan Library building.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are -1, G, GM, 1, 1M, 2 and 2M.
- The weight limit for the lift is 800kg.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 160cm (3ft 11in x 5ft 3in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
- Lift 1 serves main building floors -1, G, 1, 1M, 2 and 2M; and Clock Tower levels T1 to T4.
Lift 2 serves main building floors G, 1, 1M and 2.
Lift 3 serves main building floors -1, G, 1, 1M, 2 and 2M.
Lift 4 serves main building floors G, 1, 1M, 2 and 2M.
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Comments
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- Lift 1 mezzanine collection rooms served are 1M.66 to 1M.71, and 2M.66 to 2M.71.
- Lift 2 mezzanine collection rooms served are 1M.66 to 1M.71.
- Lift 3 and lift 4 mezzanine collection rooms served are 1M.12 to 1M.14, and 2M.12 to 2M.20.
Lift (Main Reception - Staff Only)
- The lift is located to the right of the reception desk.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A member of staff needs to be notified for use of the lift.
- A member of staff is required to operate the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, GM, 1, 1M, 2 and 2M.
- The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 140cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are low to moderate.
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Comments
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- This lift is used for access to the ground floor mezzanine staff areas.
- First floor mezzanine collection rooms served are 1M.43 to 1M.51.
- Second floor mezzanine collection rooms served are 2M.43 to 2M.51.
- External lift controls on floor 2M were not working at the time of survey (January 2025).
Lift (First Floor - Room 1.42 - Law References)
- The lift is located on the first floor in the main building, in collection room 1.42.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 60m (65yd 1ft) from the main lifts.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 1M.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The weight limit for the lift is 410kg.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 150cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
- This lift is for access to collection rooms 1M.39 to 1M.42.
Other Floors (1 to 1M - Law Books)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located on the first floor in the Chancery Lane Wing.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by the stairs are 1 and 1M.
- 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 not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps is 27cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- Handrails are 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.
- There is not a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
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- These stairs are for collection rooms 1M.35 to 1M.38 in the Chancery Lane Wing.
The stairs for rooms 1M.35-38 are within the lift lobby for the Chancery Lane Wing staff lift, and room 1.38.
- These stairs are for collection rooms 1M.35 to 1M.38 in the Chancery Lane Wing.
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Comments
View
- The steps between rooms 1.38 and 1M.38 have a handrail on the right-hand side going up.
Other Floors (1 to 1M - Law Journals and References)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located on the first floor along the main access corridor to the left of the building, before and after Stair C.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by the stairs are 1 and 1M.
- 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 not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps is 27cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
- Handrails are 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.
- There is not a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
View
- These stairs are for collection rooms 1M.39 to 1M.51 in the main building.
The stairs for rooms 1M.39 to 1M.42 are within rooms 1.39 and 1.42.
The stairs for rooms 1M.43 to 1M.51 are within rooms 1.44, 1.47 and 1.50.
- These stairs are for collection rooms 1M.39 to 1M.51 in the main building.
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Comments
View
- The steps between rooms 1.42 and 1M.42 have a handrail on the left-hand side going up.
Toilet with Adaptations (Floor -1 - Chancery Lane Wing - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- The accessible toilet was out of use at the time of the survey.
- This accessible toilet is located on floor -1, left out of the lift, along the corridor towards the Chancery Lane end of the building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest and a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 127cm (4ft 2in).
- The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The visual contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 95cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The visual contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Main Building - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor of the main building, along the corridor on the left from the main lifts (Lifts 1 to 4) lift lobby.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
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Toilet Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 156cm x 185cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 1in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 190cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
View
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 125cm (4ft 1in).
- The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- The visual contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 96cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The visual contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
View
- The female and male toilets are located to the left of the building on exiting the main entrance lift on the upper level.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Toilet Facilities 2
View
- The female and male toilets are located to your right on exiting the lift on the lower ground floor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 45m from the lift.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are good.
