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Wilkins Building

Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT

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Access Guide

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Evacuation and Fire Safety Provisions

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • The Wilkins Building has three external entrances that enter the building on floor -1.
  • The Wilkins Building has six external entrances that enter the building on floor G.
  • Signage on entrances varies to include either the cloister or the junction and the building name.
  • There is a North Cloister entrance, which has step-free access via a slight slope bypassing the steps. This entrance has one set of double permanently held open manual doors and one set of double automatic doors. This entrance gives access to floor G.
  • There is a single automatic entrance door signed as Octagon and Main Library which is located off the North Cloister and is accessed via a slight slope bypassing the steps.
  • There are two South Cloister entrances on the ground floor which have step-free access via a slight slope bypassing the steps.
  • There is a South Junction entrance on floor -1 which is level access and has manual double doors at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door entrance off the Japanese Garden and Wilkins Terrace.
  • There is a single manual door into the building on floor -1 near the Japanese Garden.
  • There is a South Junction entrance leading into a small area with vending machines and male and female toilets. To reach the main areas of the building there is a slight ramp bypassing steps near the Japanese Garden on floor -1.
  • There is also a stepped entrance off the North Cloister giving access to floor G.
  • There are level internal entrances on all floors of the South Wing leading into the South Junction of the Wilkins Building.
  • There is level access from the Physics Building lifts into the Wilkins Building on floor G.
  • There is step-free internal access via steep ramp access from the Katherine Lonsdale Building on floor G.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building along with maps.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby area.

Parking

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on floors -1 and G.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • There are additional toilets with adaptations located near the Jeremy Bentham Room on floor G and near the Refectory on floor -1.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male and female toilets on floors -1 and G.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floor G.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floor -1.
    • The male standard toilet facilities are located on floor -1.
    • There are additional male, female and shared standard toilets located next to the Jeremy Bentham Room on floor G.
    • There are additional all gender toilets located next to the Refectory off Wilkins Terrace on floor -1. These toilets off Wilkins Terrace also have a baby changing facility.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the toilets on floor -1.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (North Cloister)

  • This entrance is located off the Main Quad in the North Cloister.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There are 3 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • 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 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 132cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located near the South Wing of the building.
  • The distance from the North Cloister entrance is 60m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The floors -1, 0, 1 and 2 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 1200kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 117cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 215cm (width) x 114cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Floor G is signed as floor 0 within the lift.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located near the South Wing of the building.
  • The floors -1, G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Only one of the two handrails covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor G - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located next to the South Wing lift on floor G.
    • The distance from the North Cloister entrance is 25m.
    • 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 pictorial and 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 92cm.
    • The door has a twist 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 160cm (width) x 220cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (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 50cm 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 not a soap dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not 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 multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 108cm and 125cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.