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Biomedical Sciences Building

University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, City of Bristol, BS8 1TD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • There are two entrances into the building.
  • The most accessible entrance has ramp or stepped access.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • The other entrance is for staff and has stepped access.
  • The most accessible entrance provides step- free level access to the reception foyer on floor D.
  • The staff entrance provides access to the front right of the building on floor D.

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.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in the corridors and lobby area.
  • Some of these doors may be held open permanently.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 7 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on each floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the male and female toilets on floor D.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floors C, E and G and the library level.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floors C, D, E and F and the library level.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on floor D.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building, on Tankard's Close.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 7 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 279cm (width) x 395cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The width of the marked zone is 127cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m from main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope and automatic doors.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available.
    • Standard on-street car parking is located on Royal Fort Road.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building on Tankard's Close.
  • 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 over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 7 steps with a central handrail.
  • 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 14cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 108cm.
  • The width of the opening is 118cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 102cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 84cm.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • The second door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 102cm.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 90cm.
  • Staff will open the security barrier for wheelchair users.
  • This entrance gives access to floor D.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right after you enter the building via 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 108cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • 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.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • There are security barriers which are operated by key card.
  • There is security barrier by the reception desk, which is operated by the staff, which is to be used by wheelchair users.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors C, D, E, F and G 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 1200kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low 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 200cm (width) x 147cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and Braille markings.
  • 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 even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • Floors C, D, E, F and G 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor D - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Floor D, to the left after you enter the building via the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 16m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • 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 167cm (width) x 213cm (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 106cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 102cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 92cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 88cm 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 cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary 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.