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Abel Smith House

Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2ST

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Access Guide

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Overview (Abel Smith House)

Parking (Abel Smith House)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Gunnels Wood Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m from the Abel Smith House entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope and a pedestrian crossing.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Abel Smith House)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located off the lift lobby on each floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the rear of the office and off the lift lobby on each floor.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located off the lift lobby on each floor.

Entrance (Abel Smith House Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the venue.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 122cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 143cm.
  • lower - 105cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 144cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the first floor.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a bell at a height of 95cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 120cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.

Getting Around (Abel Smith House)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Seating Area (Ground Floor - Waiting Area)

  • Location and Access View
    • The waiting area is located ahead from the ground floor entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and sofas.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (Abel Smith House)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the Abel Smith House entrance.
  • The distance from the Abel Smith House entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 135cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Abel Smith House)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right from the Abel Smith House entrance.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Kitchen (Rest and Refresh)

  • The kitchen is located to the right from the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust entrance.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The work surface is 93cm from the floor.
  • A lowered work surface is not available.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The sink is 93cm from the floor.
  • A lowered sink is not available.
  • The sink has a lever mixer tap.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge freezer and a microwave.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Room (Meeting Room)

  • The room is located at the rear of the office.
  • The distance from the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust entrance is 45m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There are four meeting rooms.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the Abel Smith House entrance.
    • The distance from the Abel Smith House entrance is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 180cm (width) x 250cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 108cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 54cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 96cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 78cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.