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Charles Stewart House

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 9-16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1HT

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and mostly level.
    There is a very slight slope running along Chambers Street.
  • Charles Stewart House has 1 entrance.
    This entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor via lift.
  • The entrance is signed as 9-16 Chambers Street, Charles Stewart House.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • On the B1 floor there is a long and slight ramp running along the main corridor as you exit the lift and turn right.
  • On the first floor there is a slight ramp in the main corridor as you exit the lift and turn left.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas in circulation and lobby areas within this building.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas, and an automatic door between the reception foyer and the main corridor on the ground floor.

Emergency Egress for Building

  • General Building Information View
    • Please note the fire evacuation strategy from the upper floors of this building relies on the ability to self-transfer into an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on all floors except floor 1.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the first floor, in the corridor to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on all floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • The standard parking located on Chambers Street is pay and display.
      There is also limited permit holder parking located on Guthrie Street.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of Charles Stewart House.
  • 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 pad at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • 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 100cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 180cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • There are 3 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • 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.
  • The above step information is for the level change between the 2 entrance doors.

Lift (Main Entrance Level Change)

  • The lift surveyed is located immediately to the right as you enter the first main entrance door.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The main entrance level change bypassing the steps are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 95cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter the Main Entrance.
  • The distance from Main Entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 108cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • 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 without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located past the reception and to the left.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
  • The floors B2, B1, G, 1, 2 and 3 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 external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 121cm (width) x 115cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium 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, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The list of services within the building has tactile markings and braille.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left of the reception desk.
  • The floors B1, ground, first, second and third 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 do not 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located past the reception desk and immediately to the left.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a platform lift and automatic 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 90cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 148cm (width) x 210cm (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 85cm (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 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 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm 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 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 96cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 170cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (B1 Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the B1 floor, to the left as you exit the lift, through the manual door and then to the right.
    • The distance from the main lift is 10m.
    • 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 a single door that opens away from you to access the toilet area.
      The opening width of the door is 88cm.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 157cm (width) x 162cm (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 79cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 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.
    • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 75cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 93cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 83cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 170cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.