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Pleasance West

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building from the Pleasance Courtyard Car Park is step-free level, albeit with uneven surfaces.
  • Pleasance West has 2 entrances.
    The main entrance provides steep ramped or stepped access to the main foyer on the ground floor, via a manual door.
  • The entrances are not differentiated by name for this building and are both signed as "Pleasance West".
  • The side entrance provides stepped access (via a manual door) into the activities lounge on the ground floor, which can also be accessed from inside the building, via the main entrance. This entrance is shown in the photographs.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors, and step-free level access between floors, via lift.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are a mixture of vinyl (which has a shiny finish), and low pile carpet.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall and door-mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are single manual doors along circulation routes 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 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, along the corridor to the left as you enter the building, and on the second floor, off the stairwell.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, along the corridor to the left as you enter the building.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on the first floor, off the stairwell.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located on the second floor, off the stairwell.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor.

Parking (Pleasance Courtyard Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in the Pleasance Courtyard, through the archway, off the road named Pleasance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of cobbles and loose chippings.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 250cm.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • Blue Badge holders may park for free but must still apply for and be granted a permit in order to use this or any other car park on the University's estate.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • Standard on-street parking is available in marked strips on East Adam Street and Pleasance.
      Charges and restrictions apply at certain times - see signage for details.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the west side of the Pleasance Courtyard Car Park.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 with resting areas.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 3 steps with 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 step markings are not clearly visible.
  • 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 103cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left, through the door beyond the stairs as you enter the building through the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 9m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • Floors B (basement), G (ground), 1 (first) and 2 (second) 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 medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 97cm (width) x 139cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located immediately to the left as you enter the building through the main entrance.
  • Floors B, G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does 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.
  • Between the ground floor and the basement, the stairs have handrails on both sides, which are not easy to grip.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left, along the corridor beyond the stairs as you enter the building through the main entrance, to the left again beyond the lift, and then straight ahead.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 13m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 191cm (width) x 192cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 125cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush on the non-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 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 118cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 77cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • 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 88cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not 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 180cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 75cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is also a push button emergency alarm at a height of 94cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Second Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the second floor, to the right, through the door and then on the left as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • 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 219cm (width) x 159cm (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 149cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush on the non-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 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 125cm 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 sensor 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 soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • 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 91cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not 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 180cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is also a push button emergency alarm at a height of 95cm.