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Institute of Medical Science Building

University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Campus, Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the floor 2 of the Institute of Medical Science Building.
  • There is step-free access via a steep slope at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is 1 other entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the other entrance.
  • The other entrance is located at the rear of the building and is staff only.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 10 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on each floor.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on each floor.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on floor 2.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the standard toilets on the floor 2.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the left side of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 16 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 242cm (width) x 493cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy slope.
    • This route has bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point.
    • The dimensions of the electric vehicle charging bay are 260cm (width) x 410cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building opposite the Rowett Institute.
  • The approach to the entrance has a bollard.
  • 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 access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
  • There is a push button to exit the second door at a height of 140cm.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located between the first and second sets of doors at the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 114cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has screens which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • 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: sofas.
    • Seating is fixed.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The floors 1 to 6 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour 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 2000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 120cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 167cm (width) x 230cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located to the left as you enter the building via the main entrance on floor 2.
  • The floors 1 to 7 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • There are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to there being different types of lights in the space.

Standard Shower Facilities (Floor 2 - Standard Toilets)

  • Access View
    • The standard shower facilities surveyed are located within the standard toilets on floor 2.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
    • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 82cm.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a 25cm step to access the shower tray.
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • There is also a shelf available.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor 2 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right side of the building on floor 2.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 45m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, 'Not All Disabilities Are Visible' and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 200cm (width) x 152cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 87cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 68cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 82cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 79cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.