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Informatics Forum

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Informatics Forum is a large building with 7 floors.
    • There are 2 lifts and 3 main staircases in the building.
    • The floors are signed as Basement, G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
    • View information on Informatics Forum.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • There is on-street standard parking.
    • The name of the nearest car park is Nicolson Square.
    • The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverly.
    • The nearest tram stop is Princes Street.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step free via a slight ramp.
  • The entrance to the Informatics Forum has double automatic doors.
  • The entrance is signed Informatics Forum.
  • The entrance provides step free level access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building, via lift.
  • Floor surfaces along the circulation route are shiny and deep pile carpet.
  • There are resting areas on each floor with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors into every toilet area.
    There are manual doors to exit Lift A on each floor.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 8 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on every floor except the fifth floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the ground floor male standard toilets.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on every floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the first, second and third floors.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the building, off Crichton Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is 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 over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 152cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 50cm.
  • The wider security barriers are 103cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Informatics Forum)

  • The reception is located right from the entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • 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.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Main)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, ground and floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 120cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 124cm (width) x 234cm (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 separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Lift (A)

  • The lift surveyed is located right from reception.
  • The distance from the entrance is 33m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • B, G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are accessed by this lift.
  • 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 high 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 120cm (width) x 186cm (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 separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the building, ahead from the entrance.
  • The basement, ground and floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have faded markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located left from lift A.
    • The distance from lift A is 7m.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a 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 190cm (width) x 261cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 42cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 90cm 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 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor Wolfson Wing - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the Wolfson wing, right of the main lift.
    • The distance from the main lift is 18m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
    • 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 door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a 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 150cm (width) x 220cm (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 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 105cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exit (Accessible)

  • The exit area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There are double automatic doors at this exit, however one door is locked.
  • The doors opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you exit.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide .
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with a central handrail.
  • The handrails are 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 clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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.

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.

Exit

  • The exit area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There are double manual doors at this exit, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you exit.