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St Cecilia's Hall

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, Niddry Street, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via steep slopes.
  • St Cecilia's Hall has 1 entrance.
    The entrance provides step-free access via a steep slope to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • The main entrance is not named (signed as St Cecilia's Hall).

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the first floor and sloped access on the ground floor.
  • On the ground floor there is slight slope along the corridor that is to the right of the reception, and it leads to the toilets and the exhibition space.
  • Floor surfaces along circulations routes are hard and smooth, with a shiny finish or carpeted.
  • There are resting areas along circulation routes, and these are benches or stools.
  • Wall mounted signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors and permanently held open 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 and third floors of the building.
    • 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 ground floor, along the sloped corridor to the right of the reception.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the ground floor toilet with adaptations.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, along Niddry Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • 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.
  • There is a bell at a height of 135cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 266cm.
  • There is step-free access via slope as you enter.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.

Reception

  • The reception is located in front as you enter the building.
  • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free access via ramp to reception.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • 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 uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • 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: benches.
  • The chairs are fixed.

Exhibition Space

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches and stools.
  • Some chairs are fixed.
  • There are shows/talks with designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in front as you enter the building, to the right of the reception.
  • The distance from the entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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, 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 120cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 136cm (width) x 168cm (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 visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in front as you enter the building, to the left of the reception.
  • The ground, first, second and third floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 18 steps between floors.
  • The steps have faded markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There is an alternative staircase located at the rear of the building, this staircase gives access to just the ground floor and first floor.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located halfway along the sloped corridor that is on the right/past the reception.
    • The distance from the entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 171cm (width) x 212cm (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 91cm (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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium 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 83cm 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 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 92cm 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 92cm from the floor.
    • 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, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.