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Eldon Building

Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2DJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building has step-free access.
  • Eldon Building has 10 entrances. The main entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope to the ground floor in the West Wing. There are automatic doors at the main entrance.
  • The main entrance is signed as Eldon Building. The other entrances are not signed.
  • The main entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope to the ground floor in the West Wing.
  • The North/East Wing entrance is located on St James' Road and has step-free access via a steep ramp.
  • The South Wing entrance is located on Bedford Street and has step-free access via a slight slope.
  • There are 2 entrances off the courtyard to the West Wing and they both have level access.
  • There is 1 entrance off the courtyard to the North Wing and has ramped and stepped access.
  • There are 4 entrances off the courtyard to the South Wing and there is a mixture of stepped and ramped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On the first floor there is a slight ramp between the West Wing and the North Wing.
  • On the first floor there is a steep ramp between the West Wing and the South Wing.
  • On the second floor there is a steep ramp between the West Wing and the South Wing.
  • On the third floor there is a slight ramp between the West Wing and the North Wing.
  • Access from the ground floor in the West Wing to the ground floor in the North Wing is via two enclosed platform lifts.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted, 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 some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 10+ toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground, first, second, third and fourth floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground, second, third and fourth floors.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first and third floors.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the basement, ground, first and second floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilets with adaptations on the first, second, third and fourth floors.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building off Bedford Street.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 430cm (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 25m from the South Wing entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes.
    • There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders only.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 4 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 210cm (width) x 420cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on St James' Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located on the right hand side of the building off Middle Street.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 177cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 157cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (West Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right from the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth floors 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 1000kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (North Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the north wing platform lift.
  • The distance from the north wing platform lift is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a platform lift and doors permanently held open.
  • The basement, ground, first, second and third floors 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 600kg.
  • 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 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 120cm (width) x 105cm (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 visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Lift (Platform - West Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the main entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift door has a low 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 300kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 140cm (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.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (Platform - North Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the platform - west wing lift.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the platform - west wing lift is 14m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a platform lift and doors permanently held open.
  • 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 weight limit for the lift is 300kg.
  • 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 96cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 140cm (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.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (North Wing - Ground Floor to Basement)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the North Wing.
  • The ground floor and basement can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 10 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (West Wing - Ground Floor to First Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the main entrance.
  • The ground floor and first floor 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 handrail covers 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Stairs (West Wing - Ground Floor to Fourth Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right from the main entrance.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth floors 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 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the right from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 22m.
    • 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 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 96cm.
    • 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 165cm (width) x 230cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (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 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm 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 rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 73cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 117cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
    • There is an overhead hoist that covers all areas of the toilet.