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Pollock Halls Reception Centre

The University of Edinburgh, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • There is a slight ramp on the dropped kerb from the nearest Blue Badge parking bays on the route to the building.
  • Pollock Halls Reception Centre has two entrances.
    Both entrances provide step-free access (via steep ramps) to the ground floor.
    There are two sets of double automatic doors at both entrances.
  • The entrances are not differentiated by name for this building.
  • The rear entrance is located to the rear of the building (facing the John McIntyre Conference Centre) and also provides step-free access (via a steep ramp) to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors; however access to the lower ground floor is via stairs only (there is no lift).
    The lower ground floor contains staff offices only, with all public and student services being located on the ground floor.
  • All flooring on the ground floor is laminate, which is hard and smooth and has a shiny and patterned finish.
    All flooring on the lower ground floor is low-pile carpet.
  • There is a resting area in the main reception lobby area on the ground floor, which has a mixture of seating.
  • There is no wayfinding signage within the building; however the reception desk on the ground floor and all staff offices on the lower ground floor are clearly signed.
  • There are no doors along any 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 in to an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, immediately to the right as you enter the building through the main entrance, between the first and second sets of doors, and on the lower ground floor, to the left at the bottom of the stairs.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The lower ground floor is a staff only area, and access to the lower ground floor is via stairs only.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located immediately to the right as you enter the building through the main entrance, between the first and second sets of doors.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located along the main access road running through the Pollock Halls site, to the right beyond the building as you enter the site from Holyrood Park Road.
    • 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 and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 451cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 134cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 82m from the Pollock Halls Reception Centre main entrance (first set of doors).
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has 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 visitors, Blue Badge holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • Parking is for staff and student permit holders, Blue Badge holders, and visitors only. During arrival periods, visitor parking is for quick drop-off only. Resident students are not generally permitted to park here. Resident parking permits are only issued to disabled students with Blue Badges, or in exceptional circumstances. If intending to park here while resident in the halls, student Blue Badge holders must apply for a permit via following the links onhttps://transport.ed.ac.uk/travelling-here/pollock.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 256cm (width) x 447cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require tap and pay (contactless payment).
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
    • There is a taxi rank on the roadway immediately outside the building.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 139cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 117cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception (Pollock Halls Reception)

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter the building through the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 124cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • 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, armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left as you enter the building through the main entrance, before the reception desk.
  • The ground floor and lower ground floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 18 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.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Main Entrance - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located immediately to the right as you enter the building through the main entrance, between the first and second sets of doors.
    • The distance from the main entrance (first set of doors) is 2m.
    • 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 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 148cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (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 varying visual contrasts.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has varying visual contrasts.
    • The toilet seat is 41cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 111cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot 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 rail is on the left 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm 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 103cm 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 is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 144cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.