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Elm House

University of Birmingham, 351 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7SW

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include dedicated spaces for the Institute for Data and AI (IDAI), the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), and other strategic research initiatives such as the Met Office Academic Partnership and Birmingham’s Turing University Network.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the first floor corridor, straight ahead after exiting the lift.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and the second floor.
  • Female standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Approaching from the northwest or southeast along the M6: Leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central) to join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on the right, two and a half miles from the city centre.
      Approaching from the M42 north: Leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and follow the instructions above.
      Approaching from the southwest: Leave the M5 at Junction 4 (signposted Birmingham SW) to join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
      Approaching from the M40: It is easier to turn south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, heading north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
    • There are various car parks located throughout the Campus which require permits for staff.
      Blue Badge holders can park on Campus and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at each entrance.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses X20, X21 and X22 from the Bus Mall, Moor Street Queensway and Smallbrook Queensway travel along Pritchatts Road, and stop (stop ID nwmdmtjd) opposite the North East Car Park, around 60 metres from the Education Building.
      Buses 1a and 51s stop near the King Edwards High School on Edgbaston Park Road opposite the University’s Main Entrance (Stop ID: nwmdtawg) around 200 metres from the building.
      Numbers X61 and 63 travel from the Bus Mall, Moor Street Queensway, and from New Street Station, St Martin’s Queensway, to the Bristol Road, at the corner of Edgbaston Park Road (Stop ID: nwmatmap) around 600 metres from the building. The services all run frequently from the city centre.
  • By Train View
    • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8-10 minutes.
      The final destinations for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central.
      The Education Building is approximately 900 metres and 11 minute walk from University Station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff, permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking charges apply for all users.
    • The car park is located to the left of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 467cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 4in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 12m (13yd 4in) from the Elm House building entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a door release pad to exit at a height of 98cm.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • There are no doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • The stairs are located straight ahead after entering the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 7m from the entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right after entering the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 138cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The controls for access to levels 1 and 2 are at a height of 124cm.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Breakout Space(s) (Hub - Ground Floor)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not 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).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 37cm and 102cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) 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.
  • There is a kitchenette within the Hub.
    The width of the door is 78cm.
    The door is single and opens away from you but is permanently held open. The counter height is 86cm.
    There is a sink with lever taps.
    There is a boiling water tap, the controls are at a height of 126cm.
    There is a microwave and a coffee machine available.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor corridor, straight ahead from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 231cm x 165cm (7ft 7in x 5ft 5in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 148cm (4ft 10in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 143cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 83cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 121cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The visual contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the ground floor, to the right after entering.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located on the ground floor, to the right after entering.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.