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Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 32 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach is ramped from George Square and step-free from Bucchleuch Place.
  • There are 2 entrances to the building.
    Both entrances have revolving doors.
    The Buccleuch Place entrance has a manual door. The George Square entrance has an automatic door.
  • The entrance is signed Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre.
  • The George Square provides step free level access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building via lift.
  • There is stepped access from the Buccleuch Place entrance to the lower ground floor.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are low-pile carpet and hard shiny surfaces.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes.
  • There is no wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors to access the stairwell.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the lower ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.

Parking

Entrance (George Square)

  • 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 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.
  • The ramp is located to the right of the Gordan Aikman Lecture Theatre building, in front of the library.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 105cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located left from the George Square entrance.
  • The distance from the George square entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground, ground and floor 1 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 weight limit for the lift is 630.
  • 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 100cm (width) x 141cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on either side of the building from the ground floor.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The lower ground, ground and floor 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 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 vary due to the size of the space.

Teaching (Gordan Aikman Lecture Theatre)

  • This is a lecture theatre.
  • There is not step-free level access within the room.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the speakers area and each row of seating.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Floor coverings are even with no trip hazards.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is tiered seating with no handrails at the steps.
  • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in the room includes: lecture chairs.
  • The chairs are fixed.
  • The speaker's desk/table is height adjustable.
  • This room has a projector screen and a whiteboard.

Toilet with Adaptations (Lower Ground - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the lower ground floor, ahead from the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 196cm (width) x 209cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 87cm (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 92cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 97cm 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 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 80cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

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.