Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Catalyst Hall, Gallery, Staffordshire Centre of Learning and Pedagogic Practice, University Executive Learning Lab, Café, Kitchen and Bistro.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- From the M6 motorway, take exit 16 following the signs for the A500/A52 City centre.
Turn left onto Stoke Road /A5006, then right onto Avenue Road.
At the next roundabout take the first exit onto College Road. - There is limited parking on College Road and further parking on Leek Road 5 minutes away. Permits are needed to park at these sites.
- From the M6 motorway, take exit 16 following the signs for the A500/A52 City centre.
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By Bus
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- There are bus stops on College Road that stop outside the front of the Beacon Building. Bus links are 21a, 25, 6 and 6a.
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By Train
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- The nearest train station is Stoke-on-Trent on Station Road, which is less than 500 metres away.
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Useful Links
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- For more information on getting to the campus, please see the How To Find Us page on the University website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the Traveline West Midlands website for more information on buses to the campus.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the National Rail Enquiries website for more information on trains to Stoke on Trent, and station information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on AccessAbility Services please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01782 294 977.
- Email: [email protected].
- AccessAbility Services support includes assistance with applications for Disabled Students' Allowance, provision of training in Enabling Technology, providing BSL/English Interpreters and Language Support, and producing transcription on materials into accessible formats.
- To see more information on Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01782 294 400.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01782 294 400.
- Email: [email protected].
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Changing Places facilities are located on the ground floor to the left as you enter.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on every floor of the building, to the left and right as you exit the lift.
- All gender standard toilet facilities are located on every floor of the building.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the ground floor to the left as you enter.
Building Parking
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
- The name of the car park is Car Park 1.
- The car park is located at the campus entrance.
- There is an additional car park to the side of the Catalyst building, this car park is called car park 2 and is nearer to the building than car park 1. It has several Blue Badge spaces. Parking tariffs apply.
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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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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located on College Road.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Mellor and the Beacon Building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
- Parking charges apply for all except permit and Blue Badge holders.
- Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- Signs are clearly presented.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is a designated drop off point in this car park.
- There is not a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
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Car Park Access
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- The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Beacon Building entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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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.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 260cm (8ft 6in).
Reception (Main Entrance)
- The Main Reception is located to the left as you enter.
- The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
- The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- There are barriers in the reception foyer to access the upper floors of the building
- The barriers are activated via a swipe key card and have a maximum width of 90cm.
Entrance (Kitchen and Bistro Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
Eating and Drinking (Kitchen and Bistro)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located to the left as you enter the main entrance of the building.
- There is step-free access to the café.
- For access there is a single automatic door.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables can be booked in advance.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; menu boards and written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is a portable card machine available for payment.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 79cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
- There are also high tables.
Entrance (Catalyst Hall)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left as you enter the main entrance of the building.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- 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 good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
- The lighting levels are varied.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Library (Catalyst Library)
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- The library does have computers with accessible software.
Changing Places
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Location and access
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- The facility is located on the ground floor to the left as you enter.
- The facility is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the facility.
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Dimensions and features
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- You do not need a key for the facility.
- The dimensions of the facility are 385cm x 320cm (12ft 8in x 10ft 6in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 180cm (5ft 11in).
- 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 one side only.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 288cm (9ft 5in).
- 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 not available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is available.
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Accessible Shower
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- Accessible shower facilities are not available.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- The stairs are located beyond the main reception barriers, on the right.
- The stairs are approximately 16m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- 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 beyond the main reception barriers, on the left.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby from the first floor upwards.
- The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
- The lift is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 97cm (3ft 2in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 143cm x 147cm (4ft 8in x 4ft 10in).
- 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 has a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are three identical lifts next to each other.
Entrance (Multi Faith Room)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the second floor.
- There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
- There is one set of manual, double doors, which may be difficult to open between the lift and the entrance to the Multi Faith Room and this entrance.
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
Multi Faith Room
- The Multi Faith Room is located on the second floor to the left when exiting the lift.
- There is a separate washing facility and prayer room.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the kitchen, to the left.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the kitchen entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 210cm (6ft 7in x 6ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a push button flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary, general waste (with no lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 118cm and 143cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 103cm.
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the far left as you enter within the Catalyst Hall.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 220cm (6ft 7in x 7ft 3in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 220cm (7ft 3in).
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a push button flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary, general waste (with no lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 110cm and 143cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 103cm.
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 92cm (3ft).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The all gender toilets are located to the left as you enter, past the reception desk.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
- The placement of vertical wall mounted grab rails vary between the ambulant cubicles.
- The dropdown rails vary between ambulant cubicles.
- There are additional ambulant cubicles with differing rail configurations.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 88cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are varied.