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Lord Thomson Hall

Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4YJ

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in the Riccarton Campus.
  • The nearest mainline station is Curriehill.
  • Comments View
    • The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can booked in advance.
  • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Designated parking bays are not clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • The details here are of the designed bays outside the front of the building.
    • Standard parking in Car Park J. A permit is required to park here.
    • Visitor parking is located in Car Parks A and B.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not 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 heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 168cm (5ft 6in).
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Inside Access

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

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 14 steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • 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 are further staircases throughout the building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the entrance foyer.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 106cm x 137cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not 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 does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does 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.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 2 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • The accessible facilities are located to the left as you enter.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was G .02.
    • The width of the door to the room is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Accessible Bathroom View
    • The information relates to the ensuite.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 76cm.
    • The door weight is light.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • The door is locked by a (no lock).
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 in height.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is push.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 60cm (1ft 12in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The type of shower controls used are lever.
    • The shower seat is flip-down.
    • The shower seat height is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is good.
    • The colour contrast between the drop down rails and wall is fair.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • Available auxiliary aids include flashing alarms and vibrating pillows.
    • Other auxiliary aids available are flashing door bells.
    • Flashing fire alarms are in rooms.
    • Vibrating fire alarms are available on request.
    • The accommodation does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a shared bathroom next to the 2 adapted rooms, which has a bath and toilet.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • 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 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located directly to the right of the main entrance as you enter.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 199cm x 280cm (6ft 6in x 9ft 2in).
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not 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 not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • 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 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 126cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar, but smaller cubicle for the female toilet.
    • These toilets are also used as standard toilets.
    • There is a larger accessible toilet with a bath to the rear of the building.
    • The bath offers grab rails and is 55cm high.

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.