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Old College North

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • There is mostly level approach on approach to the Chambers Street entrance.
  • The approach to the other entrances and the Old College Quad is via a steep slope.
  • There are 3 entrances into Old College North.
    The preferred and most accessible entrance is the Chambers Street entrance which has 2 sets of automatic doors and 2 steep ramps at the entrance as well as 1 slight ramp. This entrance provides access to the lower ground floor and the lift which provides access to all levels. The door has an intercom for visitors and is accessed via swipe card.
  • Chambers Street entrance is not signed. The south lower ground floor entrance is signed as University of Edinburgh Old College - Edinburgh Law School, Ken Masters Hub, Dame Margaret Kidd Social Study Room.
    The main entrance is signed as University of Edinburgh Old College - Edinburgh Law School.
  • The Chambers Street entrance gives access to the lower ground floor.
  • The South Bridge lower ground entrance is located halfway up the slope from South Bridge to Old Court and accesses the lower ground floor via 3 steep ramps and a manual door.
    The main entrance is located off Old Court and accesses the ground floor with manual doors and fifteen steps.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the majority of Old College North.
  • There is a slight slope to access room LG.10 and LG.12 on the lower ground floor.
    There are slight slopes on the first floor to access the toilet facilities, Teaching Rooms 1, 2 and 3, academic offices 1.261 - 1.263 and the Usha Kesara Lecture Theatre.
    There is a slight ramp with handrails on either side on the first floor which used to access academic offices 1.271 - 1.272, teaching rooms 5 - 7 and the Moot Court Room.
    There is a slight slope with no handrails to access teaching rooms Teaching Rooms 10 - 12, academic offices 2.333 - 2.344 and some toilet facilities.
    There is a slight slope with handrails on either side to access academic offices 2.362 - 2.365 on the second floor.
  • There are 4 clearly marked steps to access academic offices 2.362 - 2.365 on the second floor.
  • The majority of circulation routes are carpeted although some areas have flooring that is hard, smooth with a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is wayfinding signage located 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 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the lower ground, ground, first, second and third floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the lower ground, first, second and third Floors.
    • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations on the first floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Chambers Street Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off Chamber Street.
  • 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 steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • Immediately beyond the second set of doors to your right is the accessible entrance into the Old College Law Library.
    There is a third ramp immediately to your left beyond the second set of doors which is slight and has a width between 75cm and 150cm with handrails on both sides.

Reception

  • The reception is located to your right on exiting the lift on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the lift is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 97cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The reception has a television.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested 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.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the Chamber Street entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground, ground, mezzanine, first, second and third floors 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 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 105cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the building.
  • The lower ground, ground, mezzanine, first, second and third floors 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Lower Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located opposite the lift on the lower ground floor.
    • The distance from the Chamber Street entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 165cm (width) x 340cm (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 95cm (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 90cm 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 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 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 123cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 75cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 120cm and 160cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - 1.Z79 - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor to your right on exiting the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 55m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift and a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 166cm (width) x 309cm (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 105cm (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 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 108cm 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 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 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 77cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 108cm and 144cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 86cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.