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Forrest Hill

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 5 Forrest Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2QL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • Forrest Hill has one entrance. The entrance provides step-free access via a steep slope to the ground floor.
    There is a key card activated, single automatic door at the entrance.
  • The entrance is unsigned.
  • The entrance provides step-free access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on the majority of floors.
  • On floor 1 there are steps adjoining the stairs in the corridor leading to 1.B04, 1.B03, 1.B10 and 1.B15.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounting wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are automatic doors along the majority of circulation routes, however there are some manual doors in places.

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 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located to the right as you enter the ground floor, on the first floor in Room 1.ZB33, and to the left from the lift on the third floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The shared standard toilet facilities are located to the right as you enter the ground floor, and on the first floor.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located through to the rear of the third floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There are limited areas of double or single yellow lines in front of the building, some of which do not apply to Blue Badge holders in Edinburgh.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The slope bypasses the step.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 6cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 95cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 170cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located through the kitchen to the left as you enter.
  • The distance from the entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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, Braille 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 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 96cm (width) x 132cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • Some 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 and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left as you enter.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Third Floor - Left Hand Transfer - 3.Z10A)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the third floor, to the left from the lift.
    • The distance from lift is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is tactile, 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 locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 198cm (width) x 265cm (depth) and there is 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 131cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 108cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 98cm 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 are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 99cm and 134cm 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.