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Alexander House

Cardiff Metropolitan University, Excelsior Road , Cardiff , CF14 3AT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • This building contains the PDR (Product Development and Research) offices, boardroom, labs, research facility and studio.
    Also the Marketing and External Relations office.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Alexander House is located off Western Avenue which is along the A48 near central Cardiff.
    • All visitors to Cardiff Met campuses are required to Pay and Display for their parking at the signed rate.
      In addition, visitors to the Llandaff Campus between 08.00am and 4.00pm must report to Reception to collect a temporary parking permit to be displayed alongside their Pay and Display ticket.
      Visitor Parking Spaces at Llandaff are severely limited and there is no guarantee of availability of a parking space.
  • By Bus View
    • During term time, the U1, U2, and U3/U4 MetRider buses travel hourly to Llandaff from the Cyncoed Campus, Roath, Cathays, and the city centre.
      The MetRider buses all stop directly outside the campus.
      The 1/2 circular bus route serves the Llandaff Campus every 30 minutes from Fairwater, Heath, Roath, and the city centre.
      You can also travel to the Llandaff Campus from Llandaff North, Fairwater, Canton, or the city centre on the 24/25, the 33/33A/33B, or the 60/62, stopping at the Llandaff Black Lion bus stop on Cardiff Road, just 10 minutes from the campus.
      Cardiff Metropolitan University offers a MetRider bus pass for students and staff, which gives unlimited access to the entire Cardiff Bus network from the 1st September till the 30th June.
      If you take the bus more than two days each week, the MetRider pass will save you money.
  • By Train View
    • Waun-Gron railway station is approximately 20 minutes away from the Llandaff Campus and is on the City Line.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff and visitors.
    • Parking charges apply for non permit holders.
    • The car park is located sides and rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 470cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the centre of the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located along the front of the building, to the right when facing the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 4 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • The stairs are located in the main lobby to the left as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located centrally in the building, on the ground floor it is straight ahead from the entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to on the first floor and on the second floor.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 145cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer with Shower)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in the main corridor on the ground floor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 295cm x 208cm (9ft 8in x 6ft 10in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 220cm (7ft 3in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary, nappy/incontinence items bin and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 93cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Accessible Shower View
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
    • There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The adjustable shower head can be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The seat/chair is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 52cm (1ft 8in).
    • Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
    • The colour contrast between the shower rails and wall is good.
    • There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
    • The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is good.
    • There is not an emergency alarm for the shower.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Level 1 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the lift as you exit on level 1.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 183cm (6ft 3in x 6ft).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Level 2 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the second floor corridor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is fair.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 153cm x 207cm (5ft x 6ft 9in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary, nappy/incontinence items bin and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 107cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The all gender toilets are located on the ground floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There are additional standard, male and female toilets on levels 1 and 2.