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George Square, 29

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 29 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • 29 George Square has one entrance with 5 steps that can be overcome by using the platform lift.
  • The entrance is signed as School of Scottish Studies Archive.
  • The entrance provides step-free access to the ground floor and reception desk by using the platform lift.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access on the ground floor, all other floors are accessed via the staircase.
  • There is a security barrier on the ground floor as you enter which creates a slight slope.
    The width of the security barrier is 96cm.
    On the ground floor there is a steep slope to access the reception area and room G.01 Search Room.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access rooms.

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, to the left, just before the stairwell.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a transfer space on both sides.

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

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building on George Square.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not 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 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 122cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 117cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 119cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 121cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Entrance Platform Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right of the entrance steps.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 235cm (width) x 130cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • 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.
  • The lift is external and has no artificial lighting.

Reception (G.01 Search Room)

  • The reception is located in room G.01 Search Room.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free access via ramp to reception.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
  • The reception has a television and windows.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead as you enter.
  • Basement to floor 2 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 extends 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Transfer on Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, to the left, just before the stairs.
    • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 240cm (width) x 223cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however the right side is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 77cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 115cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm 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 91cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 85cm 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 waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 171cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.