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Stopford Building

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PG

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Access Guide

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Overview

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Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slight slope to the west side of the building.
  • The step-free approach to the building is from Ackers Street.
  • There is an intercom to gain access to the double automatic doors available at the West side Accessible Entrance. There is key card access to the rear south Accessible Entrance. There is a platform lift at the rear south Accessible Entrance.
  • The entrances are signed as Accessible Entrance.
  • The Accessible Entrance to the west side of the building, provides step-free sloped access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • The south Accessible Entrance is located to the rear of the building on Ackers Street and has step-free level access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • 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.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage provided throughout the building and some overhead signage.
  • There are manual doors in some corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and third floor.
    • The toilets with adaptations have a transfer space on both sides.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located ground, second and third floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the third floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (West Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the West side of the Stopford Building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 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 steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 124cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 151cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.

Reception

  • The distance from the west accessible entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has bollards.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 106cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 79cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds and glazed screens.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • 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: chairs with armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • There are security barriers which are operated by key card.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left of the reception.
  • The distance from the reception is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Ground floor, 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low 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 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 107cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 181cm (width) x 142cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile 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 mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the ground floor, to the left of reception.
  • There are double automatic doors to access the stairwell.
  • Ground floor, 1, 2 and 3 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 not 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Third Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the third floor.
    • The distance from the lift is 34m.
    • 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 and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 209cm (width) x 290cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • 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.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 70cm 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 102cm 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 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items 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.

Shower with Adaptations (Third Floor - within Toilet with Adaptations)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within toilet with adaptations.
    • The distance from the lift is 34m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 50cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no emergency alarm for the shower.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Places (Ground Floor - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located ahead from the East Accessible Entrance.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from West Accessible Entrance is 31m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility 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 both ways and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
    • The dimensions of the facility are 271cm (width) x 399cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet .
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 85cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 277cm.
    • There is a lever flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • 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 80cm 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 180cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • 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.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 123cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 89cm 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 facility has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 107cm and 149cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.