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St Luke's Library

Heavitree Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 2LU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building has ramped and stepped access.
  • There is one entrance at the front of the building.
  • The entrance is signed as Library.
  • The entrance provides step-free access to the ground floor library and to the platform lift to the first and second floors.

Getting Around

  • There are areas on each floor that have stepped access to certain seating areas.
  • On the ground level there are steps to a higher seating area.
  • There is a mixture of hard and carpeted floor surfaces on each floor.
  • Some of the hard surfaces have a shiny finish.
  • There is a mixture of seating and tables on each floor.
  • There are manual doors in some of the buildings on each floor.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located to the rear of the building on the ground floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the toilets with adaptations.
    • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located to the rear right of the library counter on the ground floor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Magdalen Road.
    • 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 230cm (width) x 463cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m from the Richards Building.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with 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.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 4 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 230cm (width) x 467cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on College Road.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located on Russell Street.
    • The name of the car park is the Triangle Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the 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 steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 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 height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm .
  • The height of the highest step is 13cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 106cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 91cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 169cm.
  • The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is a third manual door into the library once you have entered the building.
    This door is to the right after you enter the building.
    It is a single automatic door, with a push pad at a height of 76cm.
    The door opens towards you.
    The door has a width of 84cm.

Counter

  • The counter is located to the left after you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 16m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 78cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • 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.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is some 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 without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The tables are fixed.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: The mezzanine and some seating areas on the ground floor.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and high stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, high tables, desks and booths.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The doorway on the ground floor leading to the journals room is 70cm wide.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 116cm to 136cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: large text and a magnifier.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print, ebook, ejournal and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large key keyboards and CCTV/video magnifiers.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: JAWS, Texthelp Read&Write and Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Stairs (To The Mezzanine - Left)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left after you enter the library.
  • The mezzanine can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 12 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does 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 steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (To The Mezzanine - Right)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the far end of the library.
  • The mezzanine can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 10 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is not 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 low at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left after you enter the building.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors 0, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 88cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 148cm (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.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main)

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • Floors 0, 1 and 2 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 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 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 (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the rear of the building.
    • The distance from the entrance is 24m.
    • 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 signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • 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 180cm (width) x 238cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 113cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm 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 has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 108cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 102cm 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 95cm from the floor.
    • 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 sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.