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George Square, 40

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 40 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JX

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • George Square, 40 has 2 entrances. Both entrances provide step-free level access to the building.
  • The main entrance is signed as 40 George Square.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor via automatic doors.
  • The George Square, 40 - Lower Ground Teaching Hub link entrance provides step-free level access to the lower ground floor via a single manual door.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny or patterned finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas, including to access the main stairwell on most floors.

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.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located within the main lobbies of the third and fifth floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations and a right-hand transfer is located on the third floor.
      The toilet with adaptations and a left-hand transfer is located on the fifth floor.
    • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located within the lobby on the third floor.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on floors 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 13.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on floors 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Windmill Lane)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the rear parking entrance, off Buccleuch Place.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the ground floor, 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 131cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • 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 113cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 131cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located directly ahead as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 90cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has windows and glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground, ground floor and floors 1 to 13 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 tactile markings, Braille 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 164cm (width) x 177cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low 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 and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located immediately to the left as you enter the main entrance.
  • The lower ground, ground floor and floors 1 to 13 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers 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.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell on the LG floor.
    The opening width of this door is 116cm.
    There are single manual doors to access the stairwell on floors 2 to 13.
    The opening width of these doors is 100cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Third Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the third floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 5m.
    • 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 pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 156cm (width) x 191cm (depth) and there is not 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 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • 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 low 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 82cm 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 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 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 107cm 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 no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Fifth Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the fifth floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 5m.
    • 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 pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 140cm (width) x 203cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 73cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 low 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 91cm 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 push tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has 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 94cm 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 80cm 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 no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 85cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.