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The Earl Mountbatten Building

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

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Departments of Information Technology, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering and Optoelectrics.

Location

  • This venue is situated in the Riccarton Campus.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The venue is in a pedestrian area.
  • The nearest National Rail 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

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • 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 375cm x 500cm (12ft 4in x 16ft 5in).
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Main Entrance.
  • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 14m (15yd 11in) 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 tarmac.
  • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
  • The dropped kerb does not have tactile 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.

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 intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • 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 156cm (5ft 1in).
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 121cm (3ft 12in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located at the front of building.
  • There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building on Second Gait.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • 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 156cm (5ft 1in).
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Level Change (Side 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.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

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 bright.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Customers can charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.
  • Comments View
    • There is level access to the Colin Maclaurin Building from levels 1 and 2.

Level Change (Access from Colin Maclaurin Building)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located on level 3 to your right as you exit the lift.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are 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.
  • Comments View
    • There are other similar stairways in this building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located towards the rear of the building in the corridor leading to the Colin Maclaurin building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2-3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 137cm (4ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 165cm x 189cm (5ft 5in x 6ft 2in).
  • There are not 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.

Outside Access (First Floor MACS)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the reception area.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • Level access is via lift.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 68cm (2ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a door leaf.
    • Once extended the door width is increased to 105cm.

Reception (First Floor MACS)

  • The desk/counter is 26m (28yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • Level access to the desk/counter is via lift.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a privacy room available, to the right of the reception.

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 no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 47m (51yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, round to the left from the lift in the standard toilets in the corridor leading to William Perkins building.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a unisex toilet.
    • There are separate male and female accessible toilet cubicles in the standard toilets.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 275cm (4ft 11in x 9ft).
    • There is not 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • 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 not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • Only the female standard toilets have an accessible toilet sign, but both standard male and female toilets offer identical accessible toilet cubicles.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to your right as you enter the building.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are standard male and female toilets on all floors at the North and South ends of the building.
    • The building contains standard male and female toilets with an accessible cubicle in each on the 1st floor.

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.