You are on COVID-19 Information. Skip to the next section.

COVID-19 Information

• The information in this section was taken in December 2021.
• The University of Birmingham has developed Covid Risk Assessments for specific buildings; these are displayed in the buildings and centrally held on the University web site. Building managers regularly review the risk assessments and where necessary update them if Government or University guidance changes.
  
  Current information can be found here.

You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Services / facilities within the building include laboratories and offices.

You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

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• 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 your 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.
  • The building is located north of the University’s Edgbaston Campus; it’s not necessary to go onto campus to reach the building. IRC Net Shape building has limited staff parking, including Blue Badge holder parking, on site. The nearest visitor parking is located at the North East Car Park off Pritchatts Road at B15 2SA which is 100 m and a 2 minute walk from the building.
• By Bus View
  • Nxbus numbers X20 Platinum, X21 Platinum and X22 Platinum run along Pritchatts Road from the city centre and stops 200m away from the building on Pritchatts Road, near the junction of Edgbaston Park Road, bus stop ID: nwmatgwg.
• By Train View
  • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8 - 10 minutes. The final destination for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central.
    The IRC Net Shape Building is a 950m, an 11 minute walk from University Station along Vincent Drive and Pritchatts Road (generally level) or through the Green Heart on Campus ( with extended sections at a gradient).
• Useful Links View
  • National Express West Midlands website.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • National Rail Enquiries.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

You are on Useful Information. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Building Parking. Skip to the next section.

Building Parking

• The building does have its own dedicated parking.

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• Building Car Park View
  • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
  • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • The car park is located to the left of the building.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
  • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 450cm (7ft 10in x 14ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • The nearest designated bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
  • The car park surface is block paving.
• Drop Off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

You are on Outside Access (Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is step free 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 135cm (4ft 5in).
  • 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 single.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm (2ft 6in).
• 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 single.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

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• 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.

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• Steps View
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
  • The stairs are located to your right on entrance.
  • The stairs are approximately 2m from the main entrance.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • 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.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located to your right on entrance.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
• Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
• 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 140cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
• There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
• There is not 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 not have a hearing enhancement system.
• The lift does 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 good.

You are on Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

• Accessible toilet facilities are located to your right on entrance on the ground floor.
• Male standard toilet facilities are located to your right on entrance on the ground floor.
• Female standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

You are on Accessible Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet(s)

• There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.

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• Location and Access View
  • This accessible toilet is located to your right on entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • There is pictorial and tactile signage on or near the toilet door.
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The door is easy 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 does not have a horizontal grab rail.
• Toilet Features View
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 260cm (5ft 3in x 8ft 6in).
  • 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
  • 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 good.
  • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
  • There is not 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 has a 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 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 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 84cm.
  • 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are available.

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • The male toilet is located to your right on entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
  • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m from the main entrance.
  • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
  • There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
  • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
  • Lighting levels are good.