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George Square, 16-20

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 16-20 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • George Square, 16-20 is a very large building with 4 floors, consisting of 5 buildings that are joined internally.
    • There are 5 staircases and no lift within the building.
    • The floors are signed Basement, Ground, First and Second.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue does not have its own car park.
    • There is on-street standard parking.
    • The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley.
    • The nearest bus station is Edinburgh Bus Station.
    • The nearest tram stop is Princes Street.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • George Square, 16-20 has just one entrance that gives access to 19 George Square (one of the buildings that make up George Square, 16-20).
    This entrance has manual doors.
  • The entrance is signed as 19.
  • The 19 George Square entrance provides stepped access to the foyer on Level 1.

Getting Around

  • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access between the buildings on all floors.
  • There is stepped access from 19 George Square to 18-16 George Square on the ground floor.
    There is stepped access between 16 George Square and 17 George Square on the second floor.
    There is stepped access to 20 George Square on the first floor.
  • There are slight slopes along all corridors on the first and second floors.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are carpet.
  • There are resting areas in circulation areas on the ground floor.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage 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.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor of 16 George Square.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the basement and on the first floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (George Square)

  • 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 outside 29 George Square.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The streets are cobbled and uneven, which may cause difficulty for wheelchair users, and for those with mobility issues or visual impairment.

Entrance (19 George Square)

  • This entrance is located at the front of 19 George Square.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 6 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails 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 a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 120cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs (19 George Square)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the 19 George Square entrance.
  • The basement, ground floor, first floor and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left 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 not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (17 George Square)

  • The stairs surveyed are located within the 17 George Square part of the conjoined buildings.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked 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.

Stairs (20 George Square)

  • The stairs surveyed are located within the 20 George Square part of the conjoined buildings.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 14 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is not 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right from the 19 George Square entrance.
    • The distance from the 19 George Square entrance is 18m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has steps, manual doors and narrow openings.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 212cm (width) x 228cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 139cm (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 high 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 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 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 not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 105cm 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 no disposal facilities.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 179cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.