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Geography and Environment

Loughborough University, Margaret Keay Road, Loughborough, LE11 3TU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is sloped.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the reception and seating area.
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There are 2 other entrances.
  • 2 of the other entrances have step-free level access.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via platform lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways.
    • The following areas have stepped access: some staff offices.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: some staff offices and shower facilities.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas, benches and stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • The ground floor doorways open via push pad at a height of 92cm.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the far right side of the building from the main entrance on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The toilet with adaptations is also signed for use as a gender inclusive toilet.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located along the right side corridor of the ground floor.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located along the staff corridor on the first floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located at the far end of the staff corridor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Car Park 13)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Margaret Keay Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is signposted and has markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 348cm (width) x 455cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 132cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 40m from the International Relations Politics and History Building entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes, a steep ramp or slope and uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the north side of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 178cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 178cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 86cm.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located on the right from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 99cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the far right corner of the building within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 87m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are automatic doors, which are push pad activated, along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is an enclosed platform lift.
  • Enclosed Platform Lift View
    • The ground floor and floor 1 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 111cm (width) x 146cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main - Central Right Corridor)

  • The stairs are located to the centre of the far right corridor.
  • The ground floor and floor 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
  • The handrails are not 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There are three other staircases to access floor 1 along this corridor.

Stairs (Front Left Corridor - Access to Rooms E124 to E129 only)

  • The stairs are located to the front left of the building from the main entrance.
  • The ground floor and rooms E124 - E129 on floor 1 only can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (Reception Seating Area - Access to Room E130 Only)

  • The stairs are located straight ahead from the entrance.
  • Ground floor to the postgrad research office E130 on floor 1 only can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Standard Shower Facilities

  • Access View
    • The standard shower facilities surveyed are located on floor 1 to the rear of the building.
    • The distance from the lift is 54m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has slight ramps.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 73cm.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a 17cm step to access the shower tray.
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, towards the far end of the right side corridor from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 72m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is an automatic door, which is push pad activated, along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 95cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 140cm (width) x 220cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 61cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a medium colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 87cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 118cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 161cm and 167cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.