Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; lecture theatres, teaching rooms, laboratories, and staff offices.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located ground floor corridor leading to the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR), opposite seminar room 010.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on the front left corridor as you enter via the north west entrance.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on the front left corridor as you enter via the north west entrance.
- Gender neutral toilet facilities are located along the corridor leading to the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR).
Getting Here (Lower Mountjoy Site)
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By Road
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- The building is located in the Lower Mountjoy site toward the South Road entrance side (west). The A177 South Road links the A167 Darlington Road, at the Cock o' the North Roundabout with the A177 Stockton Road on the south side of the City Centre.
- There are individual Blue Badge bays across the site for permit holders. There is Blue Badge parking at the Lower Mountjoy site - South Road entrance.
There is a campus car park for standard parking on the other side (east) of the site, accessed from Stockton Road. This car park has electric car charging points.
The nearest public on-street pay and display parking is either on Stockton Road to the north-east, or Quarryheads Lane to the north-west. - 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 a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- The nearest bus stops are on Stockton Road to the north-east of the site, "University - Palatine Centre" stops, served by bus routes 40BD, 56,57, 57A, 58, X12, M20 (westbound) and 853 (eastbound).
Additional bus stops are on Quarryheads Lane to the north-west, "New Inn - Quarryheads Lane" stops, served by bus routes 6, 21 (eastbound), 40BD, 56,57, 57A, 58, ED1, S1, N21 and X12.
. - For more information on bus services to the Lower Mountjoy site 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 of the Lower Mountjoy site, 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 local and national train service to Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on services and facilities at Durham Railway Station 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).
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located in front of the West Building - Geography and to the side of the IHRR building, opposite the Rochester 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) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
- The car park surface is block paving.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff and students within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Lower Mountjoy - South Road Entrance.
- The car park is located at the South Road entrance of the Lower Mountjoy site.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking
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- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Stockton Road.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 200cm x 4000cm (6ft 7in x 131ft 3in).
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Site/Campus Car Park (Lower Mountjoy - South Road Entrance)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located in Lower Mountjoy off South Road.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Ogden Centre West, Physics Rochester.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is block paving.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
Approach (South Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
- There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 186cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- There is step-free access on the approach.
Outside Access (South 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 first floor and reception.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Geography West Building'.
- There is step-free 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 (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm.
- There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
Approach (Ramped South Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
- There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 186cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has a handrail on the right going up.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Outside Access (Ramped South 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 Applebey Lecture Theatre.
- 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 not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- 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 key card reader is 87cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- There is a push pad/button to enter and exit the main automatic doors.
- The entry push pad or push button is 90cm from floor level.
- The exit push pad or push button is 90cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 79cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of 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 width of the ramp/slope is 122cm (4ft).
Approach (Right Hand North Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
- There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 188cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Outside Access (Right Hand North Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front right of the building, facing the Bill Bryson Library.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Geography West Building'.
- There is step-free 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 (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 128cm.
- There is a slope with a very easy incline.
Approach (Left Hand North Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is block paving.
- There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 201cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The bollards are located at the top of the slope.
- There is step-free access on the approach.
- There is a slope with a very easy incline.
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Step(s)
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- There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
- There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 11cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
Outside Access (Left Hand North Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front left of the building, opposite the Bill Bryson Library.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Geography West Building'.
- There is step-free 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/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 102cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 103cm.
Entrance (Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR))
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR), in the stairwell.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor link corridor.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 132cm.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located on the first floor, to the right as you enter via the south entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the south 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 77cm .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a lowered section of the counter.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
- The counter is not staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is stone.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building .
- There is sloped/ramped access to rooms W004 - W008.
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
- There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Floor plans/maps are available.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly 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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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Ground Floor)
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Ramped/Sloped Level Change 1
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- There is a ramp/slope located on the ground floor, to the right as you enter via the Right Hand North entrance.
- The ramp/slope is used to access rooms W004 - W008.
- 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.
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
Step(s) (Ground Floor)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located on the ground floor, along the corridor between the Right Hand North and Left Hand North entrances.
- The step(s) is/are used to access W019 from the Right Hand North entrance. These steps can be overcome by using the Left Hand North entrance to access the building.
- There is/are 4 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
Other Floors (Right Stairs)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located ahead on the right as you enter via the Right Hand North entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the Right Hand North entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, UG, 1, M and 2.
- 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 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 not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
Other Floors (Left Stairs)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located ahead as you enter Left Hand North entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 2m from the Left Hand North entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1, M, 2, 2M and 3.
- 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 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 good.
- There is a chair stair lift to overcome the stairs.
Lift (Left Stairs)
- The lift is located ahead as you enter via Left Hand North entrance.
- The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Left Hand North entrance.
- The lift is a stair lift.
- A member of staff needs to be notified for use of the lift.
- A member of staff is required to operate the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG and G.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- 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 81cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 81cm x 105cm.
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are moderate to good.
- There is a/are similar lift(s) available.
- This lift is shown in photographs 1 - 3. There are 2 similar lifts giving access to floors G (shown in photographs 4 - 6)and 1 (shown in photographs 7 - 9).
Lift (Right Stairs)
- The lift is located to the left as you enter via the south entrance.
- The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the south entrance.
- The lift is a stair lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are M and 1.
- This lift gives access to the Applebey Lecture Theatre from the reception area.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Link Corridor - Left Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor in the link corridor from the West Building ground floor to the IHRR lift and link stairs.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
- 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 ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 95cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- 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
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 315cm x 234cm.
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- 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 244cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is no dropdown rail.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
- There is not 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 poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 179cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 91cm (2ft 12in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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 74cm (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 low.
- 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 92cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 97cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is a hand dryer.
- 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 medium.
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Accessible Shower
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- The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
- There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The adjustable shower head cannot be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
- A shower chair is available.
- The seat/chair is not height adjustable.
- The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 62cm.
- There are not horizontal and/or dropdown rails available on both sides of the shower seat.
- There is not a vertical grab rail for the shower.
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Comments
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- The alarm for the room is located near the shower area.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the ground floor, along the front corridor to the left as you enter via the Right Hand North entrance.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the Right Hand North entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is 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 push.
- Lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Link Corridor)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located on the lower ground floor in the link corridor from the West Building ground floor to the IHRR lift and link stairs.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the lift on the lower ground floor.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 79cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There are two facilities here, each with two cubicles.