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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a very easy ramp.
  • There are three entrances into the building. Two of the entrances are step-free with push pad activated single automatic doors. The third has stepped access.
  • The front entrances are named as First Court Building, Firth Court. The rear entrance is unsigned.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor and reception.
  • The rear entrance provides step-free level access and the other entrance at the front of the building has stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access via lift throughout the majority of the building.
  • on the first floor there are steps leading to the male and female standard toilets.
  • Some floor surfaces along circulation routes are hard and smooth with some having shiny surfaces. Other surfaces have short-pile carpet.
  • Chairs with armrests are available in some circulation areas.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along some circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor corridor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor corridor.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the first floor near the entrance to the Addison building.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building and to the left of the stepped entrance.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 114cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 95cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 93cm.
  • The width of the opening is 99cm.
  • 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 96cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Enquiries)

  • The reception is located next to the stepped entrance of the building.
  • The distance from accessible entrance is 44m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 117cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
  • 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.
  • 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: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the corridor then through the door to the left.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 22m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The ground and first 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 400kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 148cm (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 button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Platform lift to Quadrangle Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the ground floor at the far end of the main entrance hall.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 41m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • 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 225kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 98cm (width) x 78cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • None 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.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the main hallway opposite the stepped entrance.
  • The basement, ground and first 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 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Entrance (From Firth Court West Building)

  • This entrance is located on the first floor of Firth Court West Building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 156cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Entrance (From Addison Building)

  • This entrance is located at the end of the first floor corridor in Addison Building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor corridor.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 23m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, 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 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 147cm (width) x 231cm (depth) and there is not 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 78cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 48cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste 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.