Access Guide
Introduction
- The Light is a large auditorium within Friends House. It is also used to house various events and exhibitions.
- Related link Friends House - Main Building.
- Https://www.accessable.co.uk/friends-house/access-guides/friends-house-main-building
Getting Here
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By Road
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- Friends House is within a meter parking zone in operation Monday to Friday 08:30 - 18:30, and Saturday 09:00 - 13:30. There are alternative, longer-term parking facilities under Euston Station. Please note that Friends House is within the congestion charge zone.
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By Bus
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- Bus numbers 10, 18, 30, 73, 205 and 390 pass the door, whilst 59, 68, 91, 168, and 253 stop nearby.
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By Train
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- From its position opposite Euston rail and tube stations, it is a ten minute walk from King's Cross Station and St Pancras International Terminus. All major rail terminals are easily reached by tube.
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By Underground
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- The nearest tube stations are Euston and Euston Square, which are on the Northern, Victoria, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City lines and over ground.
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Useful Links
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- Euston Station facilities.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on Friends House Accessibility Information please click here (opens new tab).
- There is disability awareness training for the staff in Friends House.
Building Parking
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The car park is located Endsleigh Gardens.
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 200cm x 650cm (6ft 7in x 21ft 4in).
- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Endsleigh Gardens.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Endsleigh Gardens.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off Euston Road.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm (5ft 1in).
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Comments
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- It is necessary to contact reception via the intercom to use the lift and thereby access the building.
- The intercom is located inside the entrance.
Lift (The Light Entrance / North Corridor Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located along the North Corridor.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG (The Light Accessible Entrance), G, 1, 2 and 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
- The lift is approximately 32m (34yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 86cm x 158cm (2ft 10in x 5ft 2in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The lift has a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
Outside Access (Stepped Access)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off Euston Road.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 226cm (7ft 5in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 141cm (4ft 8in).
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Step(s)
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- There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
- The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 8 step(s) to access the entrance.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
- The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do not have handrails.
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.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 135cm (4ft 5in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
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Step(s)
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- There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
- The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
- There is / are 7 step(s) to access the entrance.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
- The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
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Comments
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- The push pads to enter and exit the building are placed at 90cm high.
Reception
- The Light Reception is located along the North Corridor.
- The desk is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Light Entrance / North Corridor lift.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
- The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
- The desk is not staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- During exhibitions there may be an area next to the reception in the North Corridor set aside for an educational video.
Lecture Theatre(s)
- Directional and locational signage for the lecture theatre(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
- The corridor outside the lecture theatre(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
- There is step free access into the lecture theatre(s).
- The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
- The door(s) for the lecture theatre(s) is/are not push pad activated.
- There are designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
- The designated spaces for wheelchairs users are located at the front and at the back.
- There is level access to the designated seating from an entrance.
- There is space for an assistance dog.
- There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
- Access to the speaker's area is via a platform lift or via 6 deep steps.
- There is staggered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
- The steps to the staggered seating do have handrails.
- The steps have handrails on both sides.
- There is a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
- There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).
- There is fixed furniture within the lecture theatre(s).
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the lecture theatre(s).
- There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
- Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.
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Comments
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- To access the gallery you will need to take the lift to the first floor.
Lift (Speaker's Area)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located next to The Light stage.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The lift is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Light entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 175cm (2ft 7in x 5ft 9in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- Lift controls are 130cm high.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
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Comments
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- The lift may not be obvious on arrival as you will find a set of stairs in its location instead as shown in photograph 2.
- When the lift is activated the steps transform into the platform lift visible in photograph 1.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1,2.
- The stairs are located to the left as you enter.
- The stairs are approximately 2m from the Light entrance and North Corridor entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- There is similar set of stairs opposite this set of stairs which can be seen in photograph 2. There are also 2 additional sets of stairs from the ground floor to the first at the rear of the building which can be seen in photographs 3 and 4.
Accessible Toilet (The Light)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 62m (67yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to the rear of the building along the West Corridor on the ground floor.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 260cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 6in).
- There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are female sanitary and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- There is a baby change table at a height of 83cm when extended.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Location of Standard Toilet(s)
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- There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor, the first floor, the second floor and the third floor.
- There are shared standard toilets facilities on the first floor.
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Standard Toilet Surveyed
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- A male standard toilet was surveyed.
- The toilet surveyed is located along the West Corridor on the ground floor of the building.
- There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
- There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
- The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 55m from the main entrance.
- There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
- Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
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Comments
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- There is a baby change table located in the far end cubicle toilet of the male ground floor toilet at a height of 84cm when extended (as shown in photographs 3 and 4).
- The male standard toilets on the first floor are shown in photographs 5 and 6.