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Student Union - University House

Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access via lift 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.
  • There are manual doors in some corridors.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level. .
  • The Student Union building has four entrances, all giving access to Level 3 of the building.
    All four entrances have double automatic doors.
  • The entrances are signed as Main Entrance, West Entrance, South Entrance and North Entrance.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on Level 3.
  • The North Entrance has step-free level access.
    The West Entrance has step-free access via ramp.
    The South Entrance has step-free via lift.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on each floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on each floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilets with adaptations on Level 3.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located in front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 122cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • 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 121cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 81cm.
  • The width of the opening is 168cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There are three sets of double doors side-by-side at this entrance.
    Only the first set of doors on the left are automatic.

Reception (Welcome Desk)

  • The reception is located ahead when entering the Main Entrance.
  • The distance from the Main Entrance is 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • 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: benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The chairs and tables are fixed.

Lift (Tower Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the rear right of the building.
  • The distance from the Main Entrance is 31m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 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.
  • 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 137cm (width) x 160cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Tower Stairs)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the rear of the tower.
  • There is a permanently held open door to access the stairwell.
  • The Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have faded 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 and unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 3 - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear of Level 3.
    • The distance from the Main Entrance is 39m.
    • 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 signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards 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 242cm (width) x 263cm (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 178cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm 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 91cm 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 103cm 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 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 81cm.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.