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Bernard Katz Building

Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include departments of Biomechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering laboratories and staff offices.

Getting Here

Useful Information

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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is not 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in).
    • 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/slope gradient is moderate.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.

Reception

  • The main reception is located to the left as you enter.
  • The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) 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 bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the 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 directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Lift (Main)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-2-3-4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 99cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 105cm x 140cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does 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 bright.

Lift (Ground to First Floor)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter at the rear of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G-1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) 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 105cm x 140cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 bright.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3-4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a similar set of stairs that only accesses the ground and first floor located just past the reception lobby area (as shown in photograph 2).

Accessible Toilet.

  • Location and Access View
    • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor at the rear of the building.
    • There is a similar accessible toilet located on the second floor with a transfer space on the left (as shown in photograph 2).
    • 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 outwards.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 180cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 11in).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is not clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor.
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the first floor.
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the second floor, the third floor and the fourth floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located 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 ground to first floor 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.

Emergency Egress for Building