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Bede Building

Bede Campus, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR3 4AH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via steep slopes.
  • Bede building has two entrances. The main and most accessible entrance is at the front of the building.
  • The entrance is signed as Reception. The courtyard entrance is not signed.
  • The most accessible entrance provides step-free access via lift to the reception foyer on the first floor.
  • The Courtyard entrance is located to the left of the building via gated access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces are hard and smooth, with a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in the lobby.
  • There is no overhead signage available. There is signage on doors.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the ground and second floors.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and second floors.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 14 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 228cm (width) x 485cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 70m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 230cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app or tap and pay (contactless payment).
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Platform Lift at Main Entrance

  • The lift surveyed is located at the main entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the car park is 70m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steep ramps or slopes.
  • The ground and first floor are accessed by this lift.
  • 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 350kg.
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access via lift at the entrance.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 7 steps with 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 164cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the first floor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 100cm to 130cm from the floor.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • 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: armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the left as you exit the lobby.
  • 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 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the rear of the building.
  • The distance from reception is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The ground floor, first floor and second floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual 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 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All 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 even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor.
    • The distance from reception is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 208cm (width) x 169cm (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 100cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 88cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 99cm from the floor.
    • 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 no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.