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Daniel Rutherford Building

The University of Edinburgh, King's Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • Daniel Rutherford Building has three entrances.
  • Two entrances provide step-free access to the ground floor - these are the external main entrance and one of the internal link entrance from the C.H. Waddington building.
  • The third entrance is an internal entrance that provides step-free access to the first floor of this building from Level 1 of the C.H. Waddington building.
  • There are push pad activated, double automatic doors at the main entrance. There are double manual doors at the link entrances.
  • The main entrance provides step-free access via slope to the foyer on the ground floor.
  • There is step-free level access at the link entrances from the C.H. Waddington Building.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight slope leading up from the foyer and back down in the corridor on the opposite side of the building.
  • On the lower ground floor there is a slight slope in the corridor to the left as you exit the lift.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth.
  • There are resting areas in the foyer area with a mixture of seating.
  • Floor plans are provided at the main entrance. Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • 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 are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located to the left from the lift on the lower ground floor, and round to the right from the lift on the first floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the female standard toilets on the ground and basement floors.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the basement floor, to the left from the lift, and to the rear of the ground floor.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the basement floor, to the left from the lift, and on the first floor, round to the right from the lift.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on the basement floor, to the left from the lift.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located in the female toilets to the rear of the ground floor, and in the male toilets round to the right from the lift on the first floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the side of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 500cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 55m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not 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 handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 7 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 124cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 102cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The distance from the main entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • The lower ground, ground and first 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 weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • None 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 to the right from the main entrance.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The lower ground, ground and first 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Changing Places (Lower Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located on the lower ground floor, to the left from the lift.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the lift is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has a very easy ramp or slope, a slight ramp or slope and doors permanently held open.
    • 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 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 235cm (width) x 180cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 140cm.
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 113cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted at a fixed height.
    • The length of the changing bench is 140cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a fixed height wash basin.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 136cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, round to the right from the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • 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 width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 210cm (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 80cm (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 varying visual contrasts.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has varying visual contrasts.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm 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 109cm 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 rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has varying visual contrasts.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 105cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.