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The Prospect Building

University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus, St Peter's Way, Sunderland, SR6 0DD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a steep slope.
  • The Prospect Building has two entrances.
  • Both entrances provide step-free access via steep slope to the building.
  • There are double automatic doors at both entrances.
  • The main entrance requires a card fob reader to access, and the rear entrance is push pad activated.
  • The main entrance is signed as Prospect Gateway, and the rear entrance is not signed.
  • The main entrance gives access to Level 1 of the building and the rear entrance gives access to Level 0 of the building.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are seating areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mix of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 5 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located at the front of the building on Level 1, within the library on both Level 1 and 0 and opposite the Riverside Café Level 0.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the front of the building on Level 1, within the library on Level 1 and to the rear of the building, on Level 0.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the front of the building on Level 1, within the library on Level 0 and opposite the Riverside Café on Level 0.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations opposite the Riverside Café, on Level 0.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Site/Campus West Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located between the Reg Vardy Centre and Wearside View.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 12 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 440cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 55m from the St Peter's Way entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
    • The nearest designated bay is 140m from Charles Street entrance to Wearside View.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • Payment is made online or using the JustPark mobile phone app.
    • Only University registered Blue Badge holders are entitled to free parking.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 109cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 104cm.
  • 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 towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 121cm.
  • 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.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right side of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Level 0 and 1 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 650kg.
  • 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 75cm.
  • 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.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the rear of the building.
  • Level 0 and 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast 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 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 0 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the front of the building, on Level 0.
    • The distance from the lift is 2m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is tactile, 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 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 168cm (width) x 202cm (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 104cm (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 45cm 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 136cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 83cm.
    • 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.