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Ashworth Laboratories

The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Rd, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight or very slight slopes.
  • There are bollards with a low colour contrast as you approach from James Hutton Road or Charlotte Auerbach Road.
    There are benches causing obstructions as you approach from Mayfield Road.
  • Ashworth Laboratories has two entrances, one entrance provides step-free access via a slight ramp.
  • The main entrance is signed Zoology.
    The rear entrance is not signed.
  • The main entrance gives direct access to the elevator on floor 0, which provides step-free level access to floor 1.
  • The rear entrance has a steep ramp to access followed by five steps to access floor 0.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass most steps once inside the building but there are steps to access standard female and male toilet facilities.
  • On the ground floor there is a link entrance to the Ashworth Extension - (Ashworth 2) building floor 1.
    On the floor 1 there is a similar link entrance to the Ashworth Extension - (Ashworth 2) building floor 2.
  • There is internal step-free access to Ashworth Extension (Ashworth 2) on floor 0 and floor 1.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes.
  • There are 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 is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on floor 0, through the manual door on the left leading from the entrance lobby.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The female toilet facilities are located towards the top of the far right staircase.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on floor 0, in-between the first and second set of doors for the rear entrance.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The male standard toilets are located in the corridor just after the rear entrance and are accessed via the rear entrance steps.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Building Blue Badge Bays)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building .
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 223cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 75m from main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope and slight ramps or slopes.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance - Ashworth Laboratories)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Ashworth Laboratories building.
  • 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 over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 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 13cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are two similar ramps, one to the right and one to the left of the steps.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 108cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 104cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 102cm.
  • The width of the opening is 142cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 135cm.
  • The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.

Entrance (Rear Entrance - Ashworth Laboratories)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the Ashworth Laboratories building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 114cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 109cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 104cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 93cm.
  • The second door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There are 5 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.

Reception (Security Reception)

  • The reception is located on floor 0, ahead as you enter via the main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories.
  • The distance from the main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has glazed screens and a television.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located on floor 0 at the end of the right corridor, on the left.
  • The distance from the main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors and step-free level access.
  • Floor 0 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 external lift control buttons have Braille markings, 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 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 94cm (width) x 118cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high 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.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead as you enter via the main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories.
  • Floor 0 and floor 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not 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.

Stairs (Right of Building)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the end of the right corridor, on the left.
  • Floor 0 and floor 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked 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 16cm.
  • The steps have open risers.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor 0 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on floor 0, in the corridor to the left as you enter.
    • The distance from the main entrance - Ashworth Laboratories is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 106cm.
    • 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 220cm (width) x 220cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 155cm (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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 104cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium 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.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • 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 106cm and 136cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a manual door to go through to reach the accessible toilet area, as shown in the photographs.
      The door opens away from you (push) and the door opening width is 93cm.