Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; self catered student accommodation, the dining room, laundrette, library and bar.
- St Mary's College - Fergusson Building East Wing link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on the left hand corridor.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located at the entrance to the West Wing.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located at the entrance to the West Wing.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- St Mary's College is located on Elvet Hill Road and is accessed off the A177 South Road which links the A167 Darlington Road at the Cock o' the North Roundabout with the South side of the City.
- There is on-site parking for permit holders including 2 Blue Badge bays. The St Mary's College car park for permit holders is next to St Mary's College Fergusson Building. There is pay and display on street parking on Elvet Hill Road.
- For more information on getting to Durham University please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the building.
- The nearest bus stops are on South Road near the end of Elvet Hill Road, South Road Colleges stops, served by bus routes 6, S1 and N21.
Bus route 6 links Barnard Castle to Durham city centre. S1 links Mount Oswald with Gilesgate Moor via the city centre. The N21 runs between Market Street, Newcastle, terminating at the South Road Colleges stops. - For more information on the bus routes 6, S1 and N21 to the South Road Colleges please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
- Durham Railway Station is located approximately 1.3 miles to the north, on the far side of the city centre and River Wear. Buses run from outside the station to the city centre.
This station is a category A station and has step free access to all platforms.
Interchange between the platforms is via a subway. Lift access is available to the subway from both platforms. - For more information on Durham Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on National Rail Enquiries please click here (opens new tab).
Useful Information
- Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. - To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the right side of the building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Fergusson Building Shepherd Wing, West Court Houses.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 430cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
- The marked zone is 120cm wide.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- Signs are clearly presented.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is step free access from this car park.
- Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is not a campus map available within the car park.
- The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Fergusson Building Accessible entrance.
Approach (Main Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is compacted gravel.
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Step(s)
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- There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
- There is/are 10+ unmarked step(s), with a central handrail.
- Handrails are 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.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- This entrance gives access to ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Fergusson Building'.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- 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 70cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 134cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the door.
- There is/are 3 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are 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.
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not 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 104cm (3ft 5in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 106cm .
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 120cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- There is a push pad/button to enter the main automatic doors.
- The entry push pad or push button is 77cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 145cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located from the Blue Badge bays to the accessible entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the accessible entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are 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.
Outside Access (Basement)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main entrance steps.
- This entrance gives access to the basement.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 124cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 83cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located on the left of the main entrance steps.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
Outside Access (Cloisters North East Wing)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the far right of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Fergusson Building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is stepped 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.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 53cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 93cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the doors.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
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Comments
View
- There is a second set of steps between the two sets of doors.
- The steps are 15cm high.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located on the left as you enter through the second set of doors.
- The reception point is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) 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 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 good.
- The height of the reception counter is 102cm.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a lowered section of the counter.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- Clipboards can be provided to anyone who is unable to use the desk.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is tiles.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Inside Access
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Access and Circulation
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building.
- The type of flooring is tiles.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Comments
View
- There are push pad operated power assisted doors along the corridors of the Fergusson Building.
Ramp(s) / Slope(s) and Step(s)
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Step(s)
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- There is a/are step(s) located at the entrance to the East and West Wings.
- The step(s) is/are used to access bedrooms, library, standard accommodation, bar, music rooms and laundry.
- There is/are 5 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
- Handrails are 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.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- There are two sets of steps at each entrance with handrails on opposite sides.
Eating and Drinking (Dining Room)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the restaurant.
- The restaurant is located at the end of the right hand corridor.
- There is step-free access to the restaurant.
- For access there are double automatic doors which are push pad activated.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a food and drink ordering touchscreen and a self service counter.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; online menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 85cm.
- The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Self-Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 85cm.
- The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 73cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also long tables.
- The type of flooring in this area is wood.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are low to moderate.
Eating and Drinking (Basement Bar)
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Location and Access
View
- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located in the basement.
- There is ramped/sloped and stepped access to the bar.
- For access there is a single manual door which may be difficult to open.
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Service and Menus
View
- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a bar where drinks can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 95cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 70cm.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 107cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also high tables, sofas, booths and high stools.
- The type of flooring in this area is wood.
- The lighting levels are good.
Ramp(s) / Slope(s) and Step(s) (Basement Bar)
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Ramp / Slope
View
- There is a ramp/slope located in front of the second entrance door to the bar.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the bar area.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
View
- There is a/are step(s) located immediately beyond the first entrance door.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the bar area.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
- Handrails are 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.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
Junior Common Room
- The Junior Common Room is on the ground floor on the right corridor of the Fergusson Building.
- There is a single heavy door which is 92cm wide and has a small lip.
- The room comprises a snooker table, TV and sofas.
- There are coffee tables at 40cm high and a large working table with a height of 74cm to the underside.
- There is ample room for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.
Reading Room
- The Reading Room is on the ground floor on the left corridor.
- The door is heavy and is 93cm wide. The door is keypad entry only.
- There is a reading area on the left with coffee tables 46cm high and sofas and chairs with arms.
- There is a study area on the right.
- The desks in the study area are 69cm high.
- There is also a computer area in the study area.
Laundry
- The laundry room is located in the basement of the Fergusson Building.
- There is a door heavy to enter. The door is 77cm wide.
- The laundry room has washers and driers and ironing boards.
- There are seats available in the laundry room.
- The controls for the washing machines are between 100cm -110cm.
- The controls for the driers are between 90cm - 105cm.
- The washers and driers are coin or card operated.
Kenworthy Hall
- Kenworthy Hall is located on ground floor to the right rear through the dining hall.
- There are two sets of double heavy doors with a width of 150cm.
- There are conference tables with a height to the underside of 74cm.
- There are chairs with no armrests available.
Music Room
- The music rooms are located in the basement. There are 3 music rooms
- There is a single door with a locked leaf extension. The door is 77cm wide.
- The rooms hold musical instruments.
- There are chairs with armrests available.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor on the left hand corridor of the Fergusson Building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 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 high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 207cm x 190cm (6ft 9in x 6ft 3in).
- The accessible toilet does not 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 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 159cm (5ft 3in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female 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 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 high.
- 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 female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 115cm and 163cm from the floor.
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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 high.
- 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 low.
- 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 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 97cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
Standard Toilet(s) (Basement)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
View
- The male toilet is located in the basement.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the basement entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- 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 85cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Toilet Facilities 2
View
- The female toilet is located in the basement.
- There is ramped/sloped access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 24m from the basement entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- 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 twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Entrance to West Wing)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
View
- The female and male toilets are located on the right at the entrance to the West Wing.
- There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 28m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- 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 80cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.