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Michael Swann Building

The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, 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.
  • There are four steps but these can be overcome by using the slope.
  • Michael Swann Building has one entrance which provides step-free access via a slight ramp.
  • The entrance is signed as Michael Swann Building.
  • The main entrance gives sloped or stepped access to the lift on Level 1, which provides step free level access to Levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass all steps once inside the building.
  • There is a slight ramp on the ground floor in the rear right corridor.
  • 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 the lift and stair lobby areas.
  • 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 on Levels 2 and 7.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the toilets on Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on Levels 1, 4, 6 and 7.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on Levels 1, 3, 5 and 7.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on Level 2.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on Level 1 to the left of the main reception.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the standard female toilets on Level 3 and the male toilets on Level 4.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Max Born Crescent.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 170cm (width) x 600cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from Michael Swann Building entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 steps with a central handrail.
  • 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 step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 30cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • In front of the entrance there is a section with between 1, 2 or 3 steps leading to the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 142cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 105cm.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope as you enter.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 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 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.

Reception

  • The reception is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The distance from entrance is 15m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 105cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • 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: chairs without armrests.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors and step-free level access.
  • Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 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 a low visual contrast, Braille markings and tactile markings.
  • All 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 110cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a low visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located towards the rear of the building on Level 1.
  • Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 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 not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Changing Places (Level 1 - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located to your left as you face the reception in the entrance foyer.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • 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 84cm.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 180cm (width) x 185cm (depth) and there is 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 85cm.
    • There is a lever flush on the right transfer side.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing at a fixed height.
    • The length of the changing bench is 140cm.
  • 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.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 86cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level 2.
    • The distance from main lift is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
    • 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 90cm.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 155cm (width) x 240cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the left 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 94cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 119cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 81cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no 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 105cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.