Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (Heriot Watt University)
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include main reception and the main lecture theatre.
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Comments
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- The Arch is located at the front of the main building.
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Galashiels.
- The nearest mainline station is Edinburgh Waverley.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Parking (University)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is at the front of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- There are 4 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 480cm (11ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
- The nearest designated bay is 55m (60yd) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 70m (77yd) 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 dropped kerbs.
- The car park surface is block paving.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
View
- This small area of parking is for Blue Badge holders.
- There is a large public car park behind this area that can also be used.
Parking (Public)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
View
- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is at the front of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- There are 8 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 600cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 8in).
- The nearest designated bay is 75m (82yd) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 105m (115yd) 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 dropped kerbs.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb / non stepped access from the car park to the venue.
- The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
- The patron does have to cross a road.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
View
- 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 level access into the venue.
- The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main doors open automatically.
- The doors are single width.
- The door opening is 94cm (3ft 1in) wide.
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Comments
View
- The automatic door is for disabled access only and is push pad activated.
- There is a 2cm metal threshold in the doorway.
- Alternative access is via the adjacent revolving door.
- When exiting via the automatic door there is a push button as opposed to a pad.
Reception
- The reception desk is 2m (6ft 7in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is high height.
- Lighting levels are medium.
- The desk has a lowered section.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are varied.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting level is bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in a corridor off the atrium.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0-1.
- The lift is 35m (38yd) from main entrance.
- The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 156cm x 140cm (5ft 1in x 4ft 7in).
- 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 controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lighting level in the lift is low.
Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor)
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 36m (39yd) from the main entrance.
- The accessible toilet is located in a corridor off the atrium.
- There is level access to the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 250cm (5ft 7in x 8ft 2in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear 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 80cm (2ft 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 a functional emergency alarm available.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is not a coat hook.
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Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
- 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 sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor)
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 40m (44yd) from the lift.
- The accessible toilet is located on the first floor.
- There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a unisex 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 256cm x 266cm (8ft 5in x 8ft 9in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear 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 190cm (6ft 3in).
- 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 not a functional emergency alarm available.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is not a coat hook.
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Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted 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 are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
- 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 sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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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 grab rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Level Change (Accessible Toilet - First Floor)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located between the lift and the toilets.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 138cm (4ft 6in).
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located between the lift and the toilets.
- There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
- Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do not have handrails.
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Comments
View
- The ramp bypasses the steps.
Accessible Shower
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The showers are located in the accessible toilet on the first floor.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip down seat.
- The height of the seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilets are located off the rear of the atrium.
- The female and male toilets are 30m (33yd) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilet.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are not located within the venue.
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Comments
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- Additional standard toilets are located on the first floor.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.