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South West Block

King's College London, Strand Campus, London, WC2R 2NE

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Service View
  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; laboratories, breakout space, music rooms, teaching and seminar rooms, and staff offices.
    • The South West Block houses the Music and Engineering Departments.
      The Music department has 2 external entrances from The Quad, and internal stepped entrances from the rear of the King's Building on Levels -1, 0 and 2.
      The Engineering Department has step-free access from the rear of the King's Building on level -1, and separate stepped access also from the rear of the King's Building on level -1.
    • Step-free access within the South West Block is only available within the Engineering Department.
      There is only stepped access within the Music Department.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located on levels -1 and 2 in the Music Department, and on level -1 in the Engineering Department.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located on level -1 in the Engineering Department.
    • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on levels 2, 3, and 6 in the Music Department, and on level -1 between the Music Practice Room and the Engineering Department.
    • Gender neutral toilet facilities are located on level -3 off the west stairwell.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.

Outside Access (Quad for Music Department and West Stairwell)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Quad.
    • This entrance gives access to the Music Department and the west stairwell.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 105cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • 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 on the right going up 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.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Outside Access (Quad for Music Department Level 0 Seminar Room)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Quad, nearest the quadrangle entrance archway.
    • This entrance gives access to the level 0 Seminar Room 21 SWB in the Music Department.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Department of Music'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are light.
    • The width of the door opening is 64cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • 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 on both sides 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.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • Access to the rest of the South West Block is via a teaching room on level 0.
    • Alternative external access to the South West Block is via the Quad entrance to the Music Department west stairwell.

Entrance (King's Building Level 0 for East Stairwell)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the King's Building on Level 0.
    • This entrance gives access to level 0 of the Music Department east stairwell.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Access to South West Block'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located at the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 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 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Entrance (King's Building Level -1 for East Stairwell)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the main level -1 corridor of the King's Building.
    • This entrance gives access to level -1 of the Music Department east stairwell.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Access to South West Block, Teaching Rooms SWB 12, 20, 21, and music practice rooms'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 98cm.

Entrance (King's Building Level -1 for Engineering)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the King's main corridor on level -1.
    • This entrance gives access to level -1 of the Engineering Department.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'South West Block Department of Engineering'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door at the second set of doors contrasts visually with its surroundings.
      A key card is required for access at the second set of doors.
      The height of the key card reader is 107cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located between the entrance opening and the entrance doorway, and after the doorway.
    • 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.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.

Entrance (King's Building Level 2 for East Stairwell)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of King's Building on level 2.
    • This entrance gives access to level 2 of the Music Department east stairwell.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 125cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located between the two doorways.
    • There is/are 9 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Lift (Engineering)

  • The lift is located on level -1 in the Engineering Department.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the entrance from the King's Building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are -1, -2.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • There are manual, light, single doors to access the lift lobby on the basement floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 medium.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 101cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 4in).
  • 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 not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • Comments View
    • The lift controls are marked 2 and 1 to overcome the steps on level -2, and 0 for level -2.

Step(s) (Level -1 Engineering)

  • Stepped Level Change 1 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located on level -1 in the Engineering Department, next to the lift.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the upper and lower areas of level -1.
    • There is/are 4 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 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps are 26cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • 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.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
    • There is a standard lift to overcome the step(s).

Entrance (King's Building Level -1 for Level -2 Engineering)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the main level -1 corridor of the King's Building.
    • This entrance gives access to level -2 Engineering.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 105cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 15+ 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 on both sides.
    • Handrails are not 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.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • There is stepped access to levels -2 and -3 in the Engineering department, and all of the Music Department.
      There is stepped access from the west stairwell to room SWB-1.22 Thermofluids Lab.
      There is also stepped access to room SWB-2.10 on level -2 in the Engineering department.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet, vinyl, tiles and wood.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • 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 a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
    • The system is a fixed loop.
    • Hearing assistance systems are located in the Blackwell Room SWB12, and music seminar rooms SWB18 and SWB21.
  • Comments View
    • There is no through access between the east and west areas within level -2 of the Engineering Department.
    • Levels -2 and -3 of the Engineering department can only be accessed via the Music department west stairwell.

Other Floors (Engineering Department)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the rear of the Engineering Department.
    • The stairs are approximately 2m from the lift (engineering).
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are -1 and -2.
    • 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 26cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • 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 a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • A key card is required to access the stairs on level -1.

Other Floors (East Stairwell)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located ahead after stairwell entrances from the King's Building.
    • The stairs are approximately 5m from the King's Building stairwell entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are -1, 0, 2, 4 and 6.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are not 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 a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are all areas.

Other Floors (West Stairwell)

  • Stairs View
    • The stairs are located ahead after the external entrance from the Quad.
    • The stairs are approximately 10m from the Quad external entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are -3, -2, -1, 0, 2, 4, 6.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not 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 not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are all areas.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on level -1 in the King's Building.

Standard Toilet(s) (Shared and Gender Neutral)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the right after the King's Building entrance on level 2, along the stairs landing.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the level 2 entrance from the King's Building.
    • 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 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There are additional shared standard toilets on the ground floor immediately after the Quad level 0 entrance; off the Music Department east stairwell between levels 2 and 3, near the King's Building level 2 entrance; and on level 6 in the Music Department.
      There is a further shared standard toilet between Teaching Room 29 SWB next to the Music department east stairwell, and level -1 of the Engineering department.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The gender neutral toilet is located on level -3 off the west stairwell.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 3m from the west stairwell stairs.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Female and Male)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the right after the level -1 entrance from the King's Building, off the west stairwell.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the level -1 entrance from the King's Building.
    • 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 99cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female toilet is located directly on the right after the entrance from the King's Building on level 2, at the bottom of the steps.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the level 2 entrance from the King's Building.
    • 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 available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 90cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.