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Institute for Biomedical Research

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Approaching from the north west or south east along the M6: Leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central) to join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on the right, two and a half miles from the city centre.
      Approaching from the M42 north: Leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and follow the instructions above.
      Approaching from the south west: Leave the M5 at Junction 4 (signposted Birmingham SW) to join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
      Approaching from the M40: It is easier to turn south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, heading north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
      To access the Medical School and Blue Zone areas of the Campus, turn off the A38 onto New Fosse Way, signposted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and not the main turning for the university.
    • There is a staff car park located at the front of the Medical School with additional spaces off an access road to the left of the car park after entering through the barrier; all require a staff permit or Blue Badge.
      All Blue Badge holders can park at the Medical School and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at the entrance to the car park from Vincent Drive.
      The nearest visitor parking is located at the Q-park QEHB off Metchley Park Road/Mendelsohn Way, B15 2TH which is 0.5 miles and a 12 minute walk from the Medical School, around the hospital site.
  • By Bus View
    • Nxbus numbers 48 and X20 Platinum, X21 Platinum and X22 Platinum run from the city centre and stop near to the University Railway Station on Vincent Drive for the University and QE hospital, bus stop ID: nwmapjgj. This is 150 metres, a walk of around 3 minutes north of the main campus on a generally level route.
      Note: The accessible entrance is to the west of the main entrance on approach from the bus stop and station, via the glazed link, with the pedestrian paths to the left having a more gentle gradient than the vehicle route from the car park.
  • By Train View
    • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8-10 minutes. The final destinations for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central. The Medical School is a 4 minute walk from the University Station, north of the main campus on a generally level route.
      Note: The accessible entrance is to the west of the main entrance on approach from the bus stop and station, via the glazed link, with the pedestrian paths to the left having a more gentle gradient than the vehicle route from the car park.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

  • The interactive campus map and link to the mobility map are available here. The interactive map is also available on an app to download to your phone.https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions/index.aspx

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 an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 150cm (4ft 11in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is 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 (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • 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.

Entrance (Medical School Extension Staff Common Room Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the staff room of the Medical School Extension.
    • 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 double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).

Reception

  • The IBR Reception is located in the ground floor foyer.
  • The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is 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 high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the 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 directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some 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 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, 4 and 5.
    • The stairs are located in the ground floor foyer area.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • 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.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the ground floor foyer area.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 210cm (3ft 7in x 6ft 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 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 low to moderate.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located in the main entrance foyer.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the first, second, third, fourth and fifth floors. .

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on exiting the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 240cm (6ft 7in x 7ft 10in).
    • 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 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a flush 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 not an emergency alarm.
    • 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.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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 98cm.
    • 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).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • There are similar accessible toilets in the same location on floors two (photograph 3), floor three (photograph 4), floor four (photograph 5), and floor five (photograph 6).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located in the ground floor foyer area.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 2m 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 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the ground floor foyer area.
  • There is not level access to the services from the shower facilities.