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West Wing - Imperial College Union

Union Building, Beit Quadrangle, Prince Consort Road, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2BB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Media Hub, Radio Hub, Shared Hub and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Library.
  • Step free access into the building is only available via the Beit Hall West Wing entrance and lift.
    In order to gain access to Beit Hall and the link into Beit Hall West Wing you will need to arrange this with Imperial College Security.
  • Imperial College Union link (new tab) - click here.
  • Beit Hall link (new tab) - click here.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The South Kensington Campus is located on Exhibition Road just off the A4 (Cromwell Road) in Knightsbridge in central London.
    • There is limited parking at the South Kensington Campus. The main campus parking is located on Imperial College Road. There are multiple Blue Badge bays all parking is limited to permit holders only.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop to the South Kensington Campus on Exhibition Road is the South Kensington Museums (Stop K) Stop. This bus stop is served by the 360 bus route. There is an additional bus stop on the other side of the campus on Queen's Gate called the Imperial College Elvaston Pl Stop (Stop RV) and is served by bus route 70.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station to the South Kensington Campus is the West Brompton Station. This station is approximately 2.3km via the A3218. This station is operated by the Overground and Southern services.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station to the South Kensington Campus is the South Kensington Underground Station. This station is approximately 550m via Exhibition Road and is operated by the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Site/Campus Car Park.
    • The car park is located on Imperial College Road.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Kensington Grove.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The parking on Kensington Grove is pay by phone.
    • There is also permit holder, pay by phone or pay and display parking along Prince Consort Road.

Site/Campus Car Park (Imperial College Road)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located along Imperial College Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Chemistry, Sir Alexander Fleming, Library, Skempton.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 270cm x 500cm (8ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors, anybody and staff permit holders.
    • Parking charges apply for non permit holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment cannot be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.

Beit Quadrangle Approach

  • There is a steep slope to enter the Beit Quadrangle off Prince Consort Road.
  • To your right as you head up the slope is a security office.
  • This is accessed by two steps.

Outside Access (West Side)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building to your left on entering Beit Quadrangle.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (West Wing Basement)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building off the Beit Quadrangle.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of and immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 15+ step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is only one step in front of the entrance this is not clearly marked and has no handrails. It can be seen at the base of the entrance doors in photographs 1 and 2.

Entrance (Beit Accommodation)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the basement near the west lift in Beit Hall.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the basement floor.
    • There is/are 5 unmarked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to Newspaper Hub.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There is/are 5 unmarked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to storage room.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Accessible Toilet

  • 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 12m (13yd 4in) from the Beit Accommodation Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 204cm x 206cm (6ft 8in x 6ft 9in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 66cm (2ft 2in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is no flush.
    • 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
  • 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 not 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 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 122cm (4ft).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder cannot 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 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 136cm.
  • 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 poor.
    • 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 good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a large secondary sink which obstructs the turning space and transfer space. This can be seen in photograph 4.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A shared standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located to your left on entrance.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 12m from the Beit Entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.