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Hicks Building - Main Block

Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • There is a slight slope to the pavement outside the building and a very easy ramp on the approach to the accessible entrance.
  • The Hicks Building - Main Block has one entrance. This has step-free access with a very easy ramp and automatic doors.
  • The main entrance is signed as University of Sheffield - Hicks Building.
  • The main entrance provides step-free access via a very easy ramp to floor D and the reception foyer.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On floors D and E there are stairs to access the lower areas of these floors near the main lifts. These can be overcome with stairlifts.
  • Floors A to C are only accessible via the main lift or main staircase in the reception foyer.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth with most having a shiny finish.
  • some lift landings have a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage can be found throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors and doors that are permanently open along all circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on floors G, I and J.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • 2248EC9B-7945-BB48-9889-F357ADE8364C
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floors C, G, H, K and J.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floors C, H, I and K.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located opposite the front of the Hicks Building - Main Block.
    • 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
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located Hounsfield Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Hicks Building - Main Block.
  • 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 a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There are 4 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • 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 steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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 98cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 194cm.
  • 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 193cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Main Building Reception)

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right as you enter the Hicks Building - Main Block.
  • The distance from the Hicks Building Main Block - accessible entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The floors A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K 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 high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 91cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 158cm (width) x 141cm (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 even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Lift (Left Hand Corridor - Floors D to K)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the left-hand corridor after entering the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 36m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The floors D, E, F, G, H, I and K 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 1600kg.
  • 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 130cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 165cm (width) x 197cm (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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Main Stairs)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right as you enter the Hicks Building - Main Block.
  • The floors A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 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 (Floor J - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on floor J.
    • The distance from main lift is 6m.
    • 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 pictorial and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 226cm (width) x 247cm (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 136cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 69cm 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 low 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 118cm 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, 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.