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Friars House

Coventry University, Manor House Drive, Coventry, CV1 2TE

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the Coventry University Online staff offices.
  • CU Online occupy the ninth floor of this building only.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Coventry lies at the heart of a motorway network. Once you get to the city centre there are signposts to the University from all the relevant ring road junctions.
      From London: follow the M1, leaving it at Junction 17 onto the M45. At the end of the M45, continue along the A45 and follow the signs for the city centre.
      From East Anglia and eastern England: Take the A14 until it meets the M1/M6 interchange. Then take the M6 to Junction 2 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From southern England: take the A34 to the M40. Leave the M40 at Junction 15, then take the A46 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From the southwest: take the M5, then the M42, leaving the M42 at Junction 6. Follow the A45 to Coventry. From South Wales: follow the M4 to the M5, then as above.
      From western Scotland and the Northwest: leave the M6 at Junction 3 and follow the signs for Coventry city centre.
      From the North: take the M1 to Junction 21, then to the end of the M69, following signs for Coventry city centre.
    • There are also numerous car parks located nearby including the Multi-Storey Staff Car Park on Gosford Street.
      There are also closer public car parks including the Coventry Train Station car parks, the New Union Street Car park and the Cheylesmore Car Park.
  • By Bus View
    • Pool Meadow bus and coach station is located five minutes' walk from the University's main reception in the Alan Berry Building.
      The Pool Meadow bus and Coach Station is approximately 12 minutes walk from Friars House.
      For details of local bus/coach/train times and destinations please contact the bus station enquiry line on: +44 (0) 24 7655 9559. National Express offers connections between Coventry and other major cities around the UK. If you travel from Birmingham Airport you can take line number 900 bus to Pool Meadow station.
      Additional buses to reach Friars House can be found approximately 200m from the building on Queen Victoria Road and at the Coventry Rail Station.
      The bus stop on Queen Victoria Road are. Queen Victoria Rd (Stop GR1) serves routes 18, 18A, 21, 21S, 87, 585, 585A, 585B, U17, X16, X17, X18 and X68.
      Queen Victoria RD (Stop GR2) serves routes 8, 8A, 9, 9A, 16A, 18, 18A, 21, 23, 23A, 85S, 87, 585, 585A, 585B, 585S, X14, X18, X68 and X69
      The nearest bus stops located at Coventry Train Station are. Rail Station Interchange (Stop ER2) serves routes 1, 11, 11U, 12X, X30 and X31.
      Rail Station Interchange (Stop ERB4) serves routes 8, 8A, 9, 9A, 85S, 585, 585A, 585B and 585S.
  • By Train View
    • Friars House is approximately 0.2 Miles from Coventry Train Station and should take approximately 3 minutes to reach by foot.
      Coventry is on the main intercity route. Trains from London (Euston) leave every 30 minutes throughout most of the day with journey times of 1 hour to 80 minutes. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Coventry from Birmingham International Station.
      There are also daily services from Scotland and the Northwest, from Bristol, the Southwest and South Wales. In addition there are frequent services from Oxford, Southampton and Bournemouth, as well as Nuneaton, Rugby, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International (for Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre). Check the National Rail Enquiries website for more information.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related 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 permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the rear and underneath the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 280cm (9ft 2in).
    • 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 273cm x 450cm (8ft 11in x 14ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 3m (3yd 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 car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Manor House Car Park.
    • The car park is located further down Manor House Drive from the building.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The Blue Badge bay next to the main entrance is used for visitors to the building and in emergencies.
    • A member of the Coventry University Online staff had been allocated the other Blue Badge bay at the rear of the car park (bay 30, shown in photograph 2) at the time of the survey. CU Online also have 4 other standard bays allocated to them.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, off Manor House Road.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 173cm (5ft 8in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 173cm (5ft 8in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Reception (Building Reception)

  • Building Reception is located ahead as you enter the building.
  • The desk is 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of building entrance area.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 122cm (4ft).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • 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 1 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • There are also 2 deep, marked steps with a hand rail on the left hand side going up, leading to the entrance from the right.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
    • The stairs are located to the centre of the building, accessed via the lift lobby on the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m 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 on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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 at the right hand side of the building as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby from the first floor upwards.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 156cm x 138cm (5ft 1in x 4ft 6in).
  • 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does 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 moderate to good.

Entrance (Coventry University Online Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the 9th floor, to the right as you exit the lifts.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 123cm (4ft).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 114cm (3ft 9in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).

Reception (Coventry University Online Reception)

  • The Coventry University Online Reception is located on the right as you enter the Coventry University Online entrance.
  • The desk is 2m (2yd 7in) from the Coventry University Online entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is seating in the reception area.
    • The seating is a sofa with armrests on both sides.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the area.
    • There are no doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • This is an open plan office, with a meeting room.
    • There are also smaller meeting areas located throughout the centre of the office.
    • Photographs 9 and 10 shows the kitchen and social seating area, located opposite the reception.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ninth floor, ahead as you exit the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
    • 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 may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 172cm x 169cm (5ft 8in x 5ft 7in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (3ft).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are 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 backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 106cm.
    • 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the ninth floor of the building, ahead as you exit the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the lifts.
    • 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 87cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.