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King's Buildings House

The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, KB Square, Edinburgh, EH9 3DL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • King's Buildings House has four entrances.
    The main entrance on KB Square provides step-free access with a slight slope.
    The side entrance on KB square provides level access and manual doors.
    The entrance from the Nucleus Building has a slight slope and stairs which can be overcome by a platform lift and manual doors.
  • The entrances are not named.
  • The main entrance gives direct access to the elevator on the ground floor which provides step - free level access to the mezzanine and first floor.
  • There are two manual entrances to the right of the building which have level access and manual doors.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass most steps once inside the building but there are some steps to access rooms as detailed below.
  • On the mezzanine floor, ahead as you exit the elevator there are eight steps to access the Curle Room.
  • 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 and floor plans are provided in circulation routes and lobby areas to assist people in finding their way around.
  • 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 the ground floor at the end of the front left corridor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor at the end of the front left corridor..
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Standard changing facilities are located within the female and male standard toilet cubicles.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the accessible toilet cubicle.
    • Standard shower facilities are located within the changing areas of the female and male standard toilet cubicles.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has 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 has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key safe at a height of 149cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 174cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 156cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 310cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the front right corridor as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, mezzanine and floor 1 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 110cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, a low visual contrast and Braille markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the corridor to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The ground, mezzanine and floor 1 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 not 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 step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor at the end of the front left corridor.
    • The distance from the main entrance 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium 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 157cm (width) x 198cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low 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 46cm 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 high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm 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 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • 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 130cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.

Shower with Adaptations (Within the Ground Floor Toilet with Adaptations)

  • Location and Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 50cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm for the shower.