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Whitworth Building

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free on Oxford Road.
    There is a sloped approach to the building from the Old Quadrangle and Burlington Street.
  • Whitworth Building has five entrances.
    Step-free access is via the Christie Building entrance.
    There is step-free level access to part of the ground floor of Whitworth Hall - Council Chambers. All entrances to the Whitworth Building have manual doors.
  • The entrances are signed with the building name.
  • The accessible entrance of the Christie Building gives step-free level access to the ground floor of the Whitworth Building. Access to the first floor of the Whitworth Building is via the lift in Christie Building and then via a ramp.
  • There are four stepped entrances to Whitworth Hall.

Getting Around

  • There is level access on the ground floor.
    Access to the first floor is via the lift in the Christie Building.
  • There is internal access between the Whitworth Building and Christie Building on the first floor via a ramp.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are hard and smooth or carpeted and smooth.
    There are some floor surfaces which are patterned or have a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes to assist people in finding their way around.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
  • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor within the female toilets and on the ground floor in the Council Chambers side of Whitworth Building.
  • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the ground floor male and female toilets.
  • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor..
  • The male toilet facilities are located on the first floor of the Council Chambers side of Whitworth Building..
  • There are also toilets with adaptations at the entrance to Whitworth Building from the Christie Building link corridors on the ground and first floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building, off The Old Quadrangle.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 62cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 92cm.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the ground floor of Christie Building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 132cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right as you enter through the accessible entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors and step-free level access.
  • Ground, 1 and 2 floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low 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 109cm (width) x 129cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right as you enter through the Christie Building link corridor.
  • The Ground, 1 and 2 floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails 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.
  • The stairs to floor 2 are stone and spiral with a handrail on the left going up.
    This handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor in the female toilets next to the stairs.
    • The distance from the entrance is 16m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has automatic doors, manual doors and step-free level access.
    • 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 66cm.
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 122cm (width) x 200cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a spatula flush on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm 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 101cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • The doorway to the female standard toilets is 67cm wide.