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The Elements

Hugh Nisbet Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 15:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 15:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 15:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 15:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 15:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Riccarton Campus.
  • The nearest mainline station is Curriehill.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.

Parking (Third Gait)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the west side of the building off Third Gait.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 490cm x 480cm (16ft 1in x 15ft 9in).
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the West Side - Gait 3 entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 22m (24yd 2in) from the West Side - Gait 3 entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (James Watt Centre Link Bridge)

  • This information is for the entrance located at first floor level at the south side of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the 1st floor of the building.

Outside Access (Scott Russell Building Link)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor level at the north end of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • 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 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the building.

Outside Access (West Side Entrance - Third Gait)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the west side off the building, in the car park on Third Gait.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 147cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 single.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The width of the ramp is 100cm (3ft 3in).

Outside Access (East Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at ground floor level opposite Linlithgow Hall.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the south end of the building in the Learning Commons area and link bridge.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, M,1, 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the entrance from the Link Bridge.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 156cm x 149cm (5ft 1in x 4ft 11in).
  • 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 have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does have a hearing loop 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 bright.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
    • The stairs are located on the main corridor by the James Watt building link.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a small staircase with single heavy doors from G to 1 in the Learning Commons area (photographs 5 and 6). There are fire escape staircase giving access to floors B, G, 1 and 2 to the west side of the building and by Lecture Theatre 4 (photographs 7 and 8), used mainly as fire escape staircases.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the basement and third floor service areas.

Outside Access (Serving Area Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • Level access is via lift.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • The width of the door opening is 280cm (9ft 2in).

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Eating and Drinking

  • The bar does serve food.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the serving area entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot food, sandwiches and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • Seating for The Elements cafe is shared with the Learning Commons area.

Accessible Toilet (Learning Commons)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear of the learning commons area, by The Elements cafe.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 315cm x 215cm (10ft 4in x 7ft 1in).
    • 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 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • 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 fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • 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 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).
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Accessible Toilet

  • The nearest accessible toilets are located on the ground floor of the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilets are located on the ground floor of the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.

SafeZone

  • SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
  • For information about the SafeZone please click here.