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George Square, 01

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free with a slight slope.
  • 1 George Square (Neurosciences) has 2 entrances. The platform lift entrance is the most accessible entrance.
  • The stepped entrance is signed, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the platform lift entrance is unsigned.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free level access to the reception desk on the ground floor via the platform lift.
  • The main entrance on George Square and has stepped access,.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are hard and smooth and all having a shiny finish and some flooring with large repeating patterns.
  • There are resting areas on the ground floor in the reception area with a sofa with an armrest on the left as you face it.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is located throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

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.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor at the front right of the building, just past the reception desk.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and floors 2 and 4.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and floors 1 and 3.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Crichton Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Lift (Accessible Entrance Platform Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the top of the accessible entrance ramp.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the ramp is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope.
  • Street to ground floor 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 medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 99cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 137cm (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.
  • 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.
  • There is a steep ramp to access the lift on the lower level.

Entrance (Accessible Platform Lift Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the right as you exit the platform lift.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens both ways.
  • The width of the opening is 91cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building on George Square.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 11 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 steps are unmarked.
  • 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.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 129cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 108cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 119cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter via the platform lift entrance.
  • The distance from the platform lift entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left as you enter via the platform lift entrance.
  • The distance from the platform lift entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
  • Ground to the fifth floor 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 high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 67cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 130cm (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 visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a keycode or card swipe to access the lift on the ground floor at a height of 119cm.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left as you enter via the platform lift entrance.
  • Basement to the fifth floor 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 covers 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.
  • There is a keycode/swipe card reader to enter the stairwell on the ground floor at a height of 136cm.
    There is a door release button to exit the stairwell on the ground floor at a height of 119cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, at the front right of the building, in the area just past the reception desk.
    • The distance from the platform lift entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium 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 157cm (width) x 230cm (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 95cm (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 right as you face the toilet.
    • 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 100cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.