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Royce Hub Building

Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a very easy slope. There is very short steep slope immediately in front of the accessible entrance.
  • The step free approach to the building is from Rumford Street which is pedestrianised.
  • The Royce Hub Building has 1 entrance. The entrance is a push pad activated, single automatic door. The alternative is a manual revolving door.
  • The accessible entrance is signed as Royce Hub Building.
  • The accessible entrance provides step free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth. There is a carpeted area in the foyer which is patterned.
  • There are resting areas in the foyer and the mezzanine, with a mixture of seating.
  • There are manual doors to the toilet facilities on all floors.
  • There is a kitchen area on the mezzanine which has microwaves, sink, fridge and kettles.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in the foyer, the mezzanine and first floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located in the foyer, mezzanine and first floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in one of the shared toilets on the mezzanine.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building on Rumford Street.
  • 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 steep gradient.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 92cm.
  • The width of the opening is 102cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 87cm.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 140cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead from the accessible entrance in the ground floor foyer.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 10m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 90cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has a television and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • 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: armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Seating Area (Foyer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area in the ground floor foyer area to the left from the the main accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches, sofas and armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (345.1)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the ground floor lobby area to the left from the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The foyer, mezzanine and first floor 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 1275 kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 116cm (width) x 236cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium 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 and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the accessible entrance.
  • The foyer, mezzanine and first floor 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left from the accessible entrance to the left side of the foyer through a single door to the toilet area.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 25m.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 93cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 201cm (width) x 270cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 134cm (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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium 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 which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 80cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • 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 87cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 110cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 156cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Seating Area (Mezzanine)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located to the right from the lift on the mezzanine level.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access via lift into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, sofas and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and high tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Meeting Room(s) (First Floor Room 1.015 - Royce)

  • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front.
  • The height of the lectern is 90cm.
  • The lectern is not height adjustable.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 04/07/2025.
  • The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 71cm and 73cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.