Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include London Borough of Hounslow Council Services and Coffee Republic Café.
Hounslow Library is located on the first floor of Hounslow House. - London Borough of Hounslow Council Services - Hounslow House link (new tab) - click here.
- Coffee Republic - Hounslow House link (new tab) - click here.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:30 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 09:30 - 17:30.
- Wednesday 09:30 - 17:30.
- Thursday 09:30 - 20:00.
- Friday 09:30 - 17:30.
- Saturday 09:30 - 17:30.
- Sunday 11:30 - 16:00.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Hounslow.
- The nearest underground station is Hounslow Central.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Blue Badge Parking
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- On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 290cm x 1200cm (9ft 6in x 39ft 4in).
- On street Blue Badge parking is located in Lampton Road, opposite TK Maxx.
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On Street Standard Parking
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- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The Blue Badge parking area is one long strip with room for two vehicles.
- There are some car parks just over 250m away in the town centre.
- For more information on Bell Road Car Park please click here
- For more information on car parks in Hounslow please click here.
Outside Access (Main Entrance - Ground Floor)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
Reception (Main Reception - Ground Floor)
- The desk/counter is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are adjustable.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is not signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- There is a touch screen.
- The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
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Comments
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- There are two counter points at this reception.
- There are two self-service machines opposite the main counters.
- The self-service counters touchscreens are at a height of 110cm.
- Photographs 4 and 5 show the self-service machines.
- The portable loop is available on request and for use throughout the public areas of the building.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Comments
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- Photographs 1-4 show the ground floor area as you enter.
- Photographs 5-6 show the approach to the library on the left and right as you exit the lift on the first floor.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are Ground and First.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Lift (Lift 1)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the ground floor, ahead as you enter from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are Ground and First.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 210cm x 140cm (6ft 11in 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 controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
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Comments
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- This lift only accesses the ground and first floors for public use.
Reception (Library - First Floor)
- The desk/counter is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the lift 1.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are adjustable.
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Comments
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- There are two similar desks in the library as shown in photographs 2 and 3.
- These desks are not always manned.
Library (First Floor)
- This library does have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- The library does not have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
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Comments
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- There is a children's section to the library on the far right as you exit the lift on the first floor.
- Photographs 1 and 2 show the security barriers before you access the library.
- The security barriers are on the left and right as you exit the lift.
- The barriers have a width of 108cm between them.
- There are self-service machines available throughout the library.
- These self-service machines have a height of 75cm to the bottom scanner tray and a height of 115cm to the touchscreen.
- Photographs 3-5 show the self-service machines.
- There are several computer desks available throughout the library.
- These desks are 76cm in height and have chairs with and without armrests.
- Photographs 18 and 19 show examples of the computers available.
Adult Education Classrooms - First Floor
- There are two adult education classrooms available in the library on the first floor.
- These rooms are to the far left as you exit from the lift on the first floor.
- Both rooms have a single door to enter which are 86cm in width.
- The doors open away from you (push) and are heavy.
- The rooms have several tables throughout that are 76cm in height and chairs without armrests.
- A chair with armrests on both sides can be made available if required.
- The tables can be moved so a wheelchair user could move around more easily.
- The lighting levels in rooms is moderate to good.
- The surface of the flooring in the rooms is carpet.
- Photographs 1-7 show Adult Education Classroom 1.
- Photographs 8-14 show Adult Education Classroom 2.
Changing Places (Library - First Floor)
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Location and access
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- The facility is located in the library on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- The facility is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the lift 1.
- There is level access to the facility.
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Dimensions and features
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- You do need a key for the facility.
- It is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from a member of staff.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is not push pad activated.
- The width of the door is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the facility are 300cm x 400cm (9ft 10in x 13ft 1in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 185cm (6ft 1in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 150cm (4ft 11in).
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Dropdown rails are provided for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The type of wash basin is adjustable.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- A privacy screen is available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is available.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is available.
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Comments
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- There is an adjustable shower on the rear wall between the changing bench and toilet.
Toilet with Adaptations (Library - First Floor)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift 1.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
- There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 81cm (2ft 8in).
- 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 an emergency alarm.
- 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 sanitary, waste paper pedal bin and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 46cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (Library - First Floor)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the lift 1.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift 1.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Parent and Baby Room (Library - First Floor)
- There is a parent and baby room for public use.
- The parent and baby room is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
- The parent and baby room is approximately 9m from the lift 1.
- There is step-free access to the parent and baby room.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
- The baby change table is set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
- The baby change table is not height adjustable.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 81cm (2ft 8in).
- There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
- There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
- The height of the wash basin is 81cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever.
- There is/are not chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
- There is a toilet in the parent and baby room.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- The lighting levels are good.
Additional Info
- Documents are available in Braille.
- Documents are available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.