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MSS Building

The University of Manchester, Lower Albion Street, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The MSS building contains the School of Materials. This includes:.
  • Floor B: Student Common Room
    Floor C: Administration Office and Teaching Rooms
    Floor D: Teaching Rooms
    Floor E: and above: Academic Offices.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Centrally Timetabled Spaces

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The University is located on the south side of Manchester City Centre. The two main areas of the University are accessed off Oxford Road and Sackville Street. Both of these areas are easily accessed from the A57(M), which leads from the M602 and the M60 or M62 before that. The A34 also leads to both areas. This leads from the M56/M60 junction to the south of the City.
    • The multi-storey car parks at both Booth Street West and Charles Street offer paid public parking. The Charles Street Multi-Storey car park is closest to this building.
  • By Bus View
    • The Oxford Road Link 147 bus offers free travel for University of Manchester staff and students between the Sackville Street and Oxford Road areas of the campus. This stops at Piccadilly Station and Charles Street, close to this building.
  • By Train View
    • This building is approximately a quarter of a mile from Manchester Piccadilly Station and half a mile from Manchester Oxford Road Station. Manchester Victoria Station is approximately a mile away, but the Metrolink tram runs from here to Piccadilly Station.
  • By Tram View
    • Metrolink Tram line B, D, G and E all stop at Piccadilly Station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 250cm x 430cm (8ft 2in x 14ft 1in).
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Lower Albion Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is also parking available in the multi-storey car park on Sackville Street, however this is approximately 400m away.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Lower Albion Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 1 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium.
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Reception

  • The School of Materials is located to the right as you enter the building.
  • The desk is 10m (10yd 2ft) 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 medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written and pictorial directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Eating and Drinking (MeSS Cafe)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 2m (2yd 7in) from the cafe entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 75cm.
  • There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold snacks.
  • Opening Times View
    • Monday 09:00 - 15:30.
    • Tuesday 09:00 - 15:30.
    • Wednesday 09:00 - 15:30.
    • Thursday 09:00 - 15:30.
    • Friday 09:00 - 15:30.
    • Saturday Closed.
    • Sunday Closed.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-C-D-E-F-G.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • Floors H and above are labelled 'Estates Access Only'.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-C-D-E-F-G.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 185cm x 120cm (6ft 1in x 3ft 11in).
  • 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 does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not 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 medium.

Accessible Toilet.

  • Location and Access View
    • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located adjacent to the cafe on the ground floor (Floor B).
    • There is another accessible toilet on Floor E, although this was locked for the duration of the survey.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 265cm (5ft 9in x 8ft 8in).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • 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 coat hook.
    • The coat hook is not within 120cm (3ft 11in) from floor level.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are not 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).
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the first floor, the third floor and the fifth floor.
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the second floor and the fourth floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Floor C (first floor).
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 5m from the lift.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.