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O'Shea North - Residence Hall

The University of Edinburgh, 9D Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8FQ

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Overview

  • About View
    • O'Shea North - Residence Hall is located towards the North of the O'Shea halls area.
    • Residence Hall is a large building with 7 levels.
    • The building has 4 lifts and 4 main staircases.
      There are 2 lifts and 2 staircases to access the accommodation to the west of the building.
      There are 2 lifts and 2 staircases to access the accommodation to the east of the building.
      The shared common room for O'Shea North accommodation is located within Residence Hall.
      The reception for all the O'Shea residences is located within Residence Hall.
    • Residence Hall is a single building.
    • There are a total of 476 rooms located within the building.
    • There are a total of 30 rooms with adaptations located within the building.
    • The rooms with adaptations are located throughout Residence Hall.
    • More than 10 rooms with adaptations have an ensuite with a wheel-in shower.
    • Standard accommodation has ensuites with shower pods.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue does not have its own car park.
    • There is a public car park nearby.
    • The name of the nearest car park is NCP Edinburgh Holyrood Road located off Viewcraig Gardens.
    • View information on NCP Edinburgh Holyrood Road (opens new tab) .
    • The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley.
    • The nearest bus station is Edinburgh Bus Station.
  • Related Access Guides View

Getting Inside

  • There are steps on approach to the building from Holyrood Road to the south east of the building. There are steep slopes on approach to the building from the north and west of the building.
  • The main entrance has a single automatic door with level access.
    The west entrance has level access to a set of automatic doors with a lift bypassing steps.
  • The main entrance is signed as O'Shea Hall Residences.
    The west entrance is not signed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building.
  • There is a very small slope to access the lifts to the east of the building.
  • The floor surfaces along the majority of circulation routes are carpeted with repeating patterns.
    There are some circulation areas which are hard and smooth with some having a shiny surface.
  • There are resting areas in the foyer area with a mixture of seating.
  • There is some overhead and wayfinding signage located around the building.
  • There are manual doors in the accommodation area of 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 in to an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located in the foyer on level B1.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located in the foyer on level B1.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located towards the east 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 112cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is an alternative revolving door entrance with a width of 160cm.

Entrance (West Entrance)

  • This entrance is located towards the west of the building near Tweed House and Almond House.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 10 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 steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Lift (West Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located just inside the west entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the west entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • 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 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 98cm (width) x 145cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • 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 an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Reception

  • The reception is located in the main foyer.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 74cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • 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 with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Kitchen/Dining

  • The kitchen/dining area is located off the foyer on floor B1.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
  • There are double manual doors with a medium visual contrast.
  • The doors open outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 152cm.
  • A fob is needed to access the kitchen doors with a reader at a height of 100cm.
    There is a push button to exit the kitchen at a height of 92cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The work surface is 86cm from the floor.
  • Under counter cupboards are available.
  • The hob is 86cm from the floor.
  • The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The sink is 86cm from the floor.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge, a freezer, a microwave and a kettle.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests, benches and high stools.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables, high tables and long tables.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a steep ramp with handrails on either side between the kitchen and the common room.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor Foyer - Shared, Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the ground floor foyer.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet 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 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.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 250cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 98cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium 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 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high 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 high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 86cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located off the foyer on floor B1.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 17m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Levels B1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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 high 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 210cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some 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 off the foyer on Level B1.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • Levels B1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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 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 even at the time of the survey.

Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations

  • Bedroom Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located on level 0 on the west side of the building.
    • The distance from the west lifts is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is numbered signage on or near the door.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • The bedroom has a single bed.
    • The top of the mattress is 60cm from the floor.
    • The space under the bed is 40cm from the floor.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • The following is available in this bedroom: a chair without armrests and a desk.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.
  • Ensuite Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 86cm.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Ensuite Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 170cm (width) x 250cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 120cm (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.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 not a soap dispenser.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
    • The bath controls are lever mixer.
    • There is 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.
    • The shower seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The shower dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.