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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biosciences, Genetics Evolution and Environment, MRC/UCL Lab Molecular Cell Biology and the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology.

Centrally Timetabled Spaces

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • UCL is based in the Bloomsbury area of central London. Most of the buildings are close to the Euston Road (A501) and are located within the Congestion Charge Zone.
    • There is on street parking available on some of the streets in and around the UCL area.
  • By Bus View
    • There are many bus routes that stop close to the University buildings. The following bus routes stop on Gower Street, outside the main gate:-
      10 (Hammersmith Bus Station to King's Cross Station)
      14 (Putney Heath to Warren Street Station)
      24 (Hampstead Heath to Pimlico)
      29 (Wood Green to Trafalgar Square)
      73 (Victoria Bus Station to Stoke Newington)
      134 (North Finchley Bus Station to Tottenham Court Road)
      390 (Archway Station to Notting Hill Gate).
  • By Train View
    • Euston, St Pancras International and King's Cross stations are close to the majority of the University buildings. However, all of the London Terminal stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • By Underground View
    • The closest tube stations to Gower Street are Euston Square (Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and Circle lines), Warren Street (Northern and Victoria lines), Euston (Northern and Victoria lines) and Russell Square (Piccadilly line).
      There are many other tube stations in the vicinity of the University, including King's Cross St Pancras, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street.
      The step-free underground stations nearby are; Euston Square, King’s Cross St Pancras and Tottenham Court Road.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 143cm (4ft 8in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 113cm (3ft 8in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • There is a push-button to exit which is 140cm high.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm (4ft 2in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located leading to the entrance.
    • There is / are 4 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The steps at the first entrance point are shown in photograph 2.
    • Photograph 3 shows a step on the pathway between the 2 doors.
    • The step in front of the second door is shown in photograph 5.
    • The second entrance door has a key card reader that is 162cm high.
    • The push-button to exit is 140cm high.

Reception (Biosciences Teaching Office)

  • Biosciences Teaching Office reception is located on the ground floor, to the left from the main entrance.
  • The desk is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not 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 medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The single door to access the reception is 84cm wide, heavy and opens away from you. The room has a ramped lip at the entrance.
    • It is open 10:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 3:30pm Monday to Friday term-time. Outside these hours the post box in the door, which is 102cm to 110cm high, can be used.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • 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 directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The stairs are located immediately beyond the main entrance, through a key-card locked door.
    • The stairs are approximately 9m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on the ground floor and on the first floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • There is a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are third and fourth floor staff offices.
  • Comments View
    • There are handrails on both sides from the ground to the first and second floors, and handrails on the left only from the second, third and fourth floors.
    • The doors to access the stairs and lift on the ground floor have a key card reader 99cm high and a push-button to exit which is 75cm high.
    • The key card readers for the doors on the first floor are 135cm high.
    • There are double doors to access the second floor.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located immediately ahead once you enter via the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the ground floor and on the first floor.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 128cm x 115cm (4ft 2in x 3ft 9in).
  • 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 enhancement 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 moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The doors to access the stairs and lift on the ground floor have a key card reader 99cm high and a push-button to exit which is 75cm high.
    • The key card readers for the doors on the first floor are 135cm high.
    • There are double doors to access the second floor.

Entrance (Link to MRC Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar entrance on the second floor (as shown in photograph 2).

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor corridor.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and third floors.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • 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.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 200cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever 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 was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not 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 fixed horizontal rail without a padded backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • 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 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 66cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to your left on entrance.
    • 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 not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The shared toilet is located to the right of the building on the first floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 30m from the lift.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Emergency Egress for Building