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Palatine Centre

Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Palatine Centre is a large building with 3 floors.
    • The building has 2 lifts.
    • The building has 2 staircases.
    • The building floors are signed as: Ground, 1 and 2.
    • One of the staircases and lifts is for staff access only.
    • The other lift and staircase are shared with the Durham Law School.
    • The shared lift is located just inside the Durham Law School near the link entrance between them. There is no clear entrance between the Durham Law School and the Palatine Centre on the first and second floors.
  • Parking and Public Transport View

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is sloped.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor foyer.
  • There is step-free access via a slight slope at the most accessible entrance.
  • There are 3 other entrances.
  • 3 of the other entrances have step-free level access.
  • The level internal entrances are from within the Durham Law School. There is level access into the Palatine Centre on each floor.
    There is no clear entrance between the Durham Law School and the Palatine Centre on the first and second floors.
  • The parking for the Palatine Centre and Durham Law School is located at the front of the Durham Law School. The most accessible route from the parking to the Palatine Centre is by travelling through the Durham Law School.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • The areas towards the front of the building on the first floor and second floor of the building are staff only and require swipe access. There are barriers to prevent access to this area on the first and second floors.
    • The staircase and the lift at the front of the building which access this area are for staff only.
    • The main lift for students to access the first and second floors is the shared lift located just inside the Durham Law School.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located towards the front of the Palatine Centre on the ground floor and in the staff areas on the first and second floors.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the standard toilet areas.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located towards the front of the Palatine Centre on the ground floor and in the staff areas on the first and second floors.
  • Changing Places Facilities View
    • Changing Places facilities are located towards the front of the building near the reception on the ground floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the Durham Law School.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 540cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m from Durham Law School main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • The car park consists of 4 Blue Badge bays and 3 reserved bays.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located in front of you on entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 108cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The reception has screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Seating is fixed.

Lift (Shared with Durham Law School)

  • The lift surveyed is located accessed from within the Durham Law School towards its rear on the ground floor. The lift is next to the link between the Durham Law School and the Palatine Centre on the ground floor.
  • The distance from Palatine Centre / Durham Law School ground floor corridor link entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground, first and second floors (floor 0 and the ground floor are the same floor) can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 150cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Shared with Durham Law School)

  • The stairs are located accessed from within the Durham Law School towards its rear on the ground floor. The stairs are next to the link between the Durham Law School and the Palatine Centre on the ground floor.
  • The ground, first and second floors (floor 0 and the ground floor are the same floor) can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Places (Ground Floor)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located along the main ground floor corridor of the Palatine Centre.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and 'Not All Disabilities Are Visible' signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 315cm (width) x 390cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however the right side is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 175cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 95cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is an elbow pad flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted at a fixed height.
    • The length of the changing bench is 180cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a detachable shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 116cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is 116cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 114cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer - Shower)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located off the ground floor corridor of the Palatine Centre near the main reception.
    • The toilet area can also be accessed from within the Circolo Italian.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and 'Not All Disabilities Are Visible' signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 220cm (width) x 300cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 153cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 105cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 114cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 140cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • There is a wheel in shower in the cubicle.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a detachable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails for the shower have a low colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The dropdown rails for the shower have a low colour contrast.