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Christopherson Building

South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE

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Access Guide

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Summary

Getting Here (Lower Mountjoy Site)

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Small Engineering Car Park or University Car Park.
    • The car park is located behind the Christopherson Building.
  • 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.

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the Higginson Building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Higginson Building.
    • 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 clearly marked and signposted.
    • 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 470cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 117cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • 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.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Higginson Main Entrance.

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of Christopherson Building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Christopherson Building, Advanced Computer Research - The Lodge.
    • 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • 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.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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.

Approach (Front Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is block paving.
    • There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
    • The bollard(s) does/do not have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • The bollards have a contrast band.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Outside Access (Front Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Engineering Computer Science Christopherson Building'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 178cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway to the far left of the 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 122cm (4ft).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 6 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 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 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The lowered handrail on the steps is 47cm high.
    • The building is built on an easy slope.
    • The amount of steps reduces the further to the left you go.
    • The minimum amount of steps is 2.
    • The only steps covered by the handrails are the 6 mentioned in the section above.

Approach (First Floor Rear Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and concrete tiles.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
    • The footpath narrows to 98cm as you pass along the rear of the building. At the start of the of the approach the surface is block paving.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a steep gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 121cm (3ft 12in).

Outside Access (First Floor Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the first 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 111cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • 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).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the 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 14cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not 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.

Entrance (Higginson Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the Higginson Building.
    • This entrance gives access to the second floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Christopherson Building Engineering Computer Science'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 178cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with an open extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 115cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • 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 a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.

Entrance (Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the second floor.
    • This entrance gives access to the Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre second floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre'.
    • There is step-free access 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) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with an open extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 117cm.
    • There is a ramp with a very easy incline.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl and carpet.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways 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 in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • 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

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the right as you enter the building via the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 5m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • 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 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 landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • There are 2 similar sets of stairs throughout the building, (as shown in photographs 5, 6, 7 and 8).

Lift

  • The lift is located to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 800kg.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 90cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 125cm x 140cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the second floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is an 18cm step into the shower which is created by the shower tray.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the Higginson Building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is tactile 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 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The end wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located on the second floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • 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 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The closest wash basin to the door has a lever mixer tap.