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Energy Research Building

Cardiff University, ECM2 Heol Cefn Gwrgan Margam, Port Talbot, SA13 2BZ

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Access Guide

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English to Welsh Translation

  • Mae’r canllawiau hyn ar gael yn Gymraeg. Dewiswch ‘accessibility’ yn y gornel dde uchaf, clicio ar y symbol iaith ac yna chwilio am ‘Welsh/Cymraeg’.
  • These guides are available in Welsh by selecting accessibility in the top right-hand corner, clicking on the language symbol, and then searching for Welsh.

Summary

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; Cardiff University Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC).
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located to the front left of the ground floor.
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located to the front left of the ground floor.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located to the front left of the ground floor.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the ground floor, straight ahead as you turn left at reception.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by anybody.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the left 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) markings are faded.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 490cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 124cm wide.
    • 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 23m (25yd 6in) 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the building as you access from the car park.
    • This entrance gives access to ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'ERB Engineering Research Building Cardiff University GTRC'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 148cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The height of the key code reader is 125cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Outside Access (Loading Bay)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the main building.
    • This entrance gives access to the loading bay.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 410cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the left as you enter through the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 110cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 76cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There is armchair seating in the waiting area.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is concrete and carpet.
    • There is flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Other Floors (Main)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located directly in front as you enter through the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are 0 and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 19cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps is 27cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Staff rooms and offices on level 1.

Other Floors (Rear)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the rear of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 30m from the loading bay entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are 0 and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps is 28cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a second lower handrail.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Standard Shower

  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located straight ahead as you turn left at reception.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • The shower is raised and there is a step to overcome to get into the shower at a height of 18 centimetres, as shown in the photographs.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left as you go past reception.
    • 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 and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 159cm x 300cm (5ft 3in x 9ft 10in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 115cm from floor level.
    • 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 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 high.
    • 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 high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is low.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary 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 visual contrast is high.
    • 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 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • 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 72cm (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 high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 88cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Comments View
    • This toilet is also used as the standard female toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male toilet is located to the left as you go past reception.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.