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Dawson Building

Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance, at the front of the building.
  • This entrance gives access to the reception area, on the ground floor.
  • There are 4 other entrances.
  • 3 of the other entrances have stepped access.
  • 1 of the other entrances has step-free access via slope.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • 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: sofas.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • On the second floor there are stepped level changes, both with three steps to the front and the rear of the building. For both there is a stair lift available to bypass the steps.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on the first and second floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The toilets with adaptations are also signed for use as gender inclusive toilets.
    • Male step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the rear of the building, on the ground floor.
    • Gender neutral step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the rear of the building, on the second floor .
    • Female standard toilet facilities with stepped access are located on the rear staircase landing, between the ground and first Floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located directly in front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 12m from the main entrance.
    • This route has bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
  • 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 very easy slope or ramp at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 127cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.

Rear Entrance - Basement

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building.
  • The entrance area is not 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 manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the left of the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • 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 75cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has screens which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Main Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the rear corridor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 60m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The basement, ground, first and second floors 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 800kg.
    • 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 110cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 135cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stair Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the second floor.
  • The distance from the main lift is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This route has narrow walkways.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • Stair Lift View
    • The raised section of the second floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 325kg.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 120cm (width) x 80cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • The front and rear stair lifts are identical models.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located at the front of the building, in the reception area.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • There is a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a similar staircase located to the rear of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor corridor at the rear of the building.
    • The distance from the main lift is 10m.
  • 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 inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 203cm (width) x 200cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 130cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest, but it is obstructed by the toilet lid.
    • 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 110cm 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 74cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 106cm 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 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.