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Poynting Building

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include staff offices, research and teaching laboratories, workshops, and computer clusters for the School of Physics and Astronomy and 2 general lecture theatres used by departments across the University.

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.
    • There are various car parks located throughout the Campus which require permits for staff. Blue Badge holders can park on Campus and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at each entrance.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses X20, X21 and X22 from the Bus Mall, Moor Street Queensway and Smallbrook Queensway travel along Pritchatts Road, and stop (stop ID nwmdmtjd) opposite the North East Car Park, around 60 metres from the Education Building.
      Buses 1a and 51s stop near the King Edwards High School on Edgbaston Park Road opposite the University’s Main Entrance (Stop ID: nwmdtawg) around 200 metres from the building.
      Numbers X61 and 63 travel from the Bus Mall, Moor Street Queensway, and from New Street Station, St Martin’s Queensway, to the Bristol Road, at the corner of Edgbaston Park Road (Stop ID: nwmatmap) around 600 metres from the building. The services all run frequently from the city centre.
  • By Train View
    • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8-10 minutes. The ?nal destinations for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central. The Education Building is approximately 900 metres and 11 minute walk from University Station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • 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 next to the main entrance.
    • 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 1 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 480cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Poynting Building Car Park.
    • The car park is located on University Road East.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park (Poynting Building)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front, side and rear of the Poynting Building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Poynting Building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 370cm x 470cm (12ft 2in x 15ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is level access to the car park from the Poynting Building.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Poynting Building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.

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.
    • There is not 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 permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 137cm (4ft 6in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are push pad activated when exiting.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located between the first and second set of doors.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Outside Access (Alternative 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 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 65cm (2ft 2in).
  • 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 a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 70cm (2ft 4in).

Entrance (Bridge access from Physics West Building - Third Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the third floor.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 70cm (2ft 4in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • 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 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 1 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • There is/are 5 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the female toilets on the 1st floor.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • This relates to photograph 7.
    • There is/are 3 unmarked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the coffee lounge.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a slight ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to the coffee lounge.
    • The width of the ramp is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • This relates to photographs 8, 9 & 10.
    • There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the Physics West Building.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • This relates to photograph 11.
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 6 clearly marked medium steps with handrails on both sides to access the bridge study room.
    • This relates to photograph 12.

Lecture Theatre(s) (Large Lecture Theatre)

  • Directional and locational signage for the lecture theatre(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the lecture theatre(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door(s) for the lecture theatre(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is space for an assistance dog.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 91cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • There is (staggered) tiered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The steps to the (staggered) tiered seating do not have handrails.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 68cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
  • Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.

Other Floors (Front)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, M, 1, 2.
    • The stairs are located at the front of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.

Other Floors (Rear)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, M, 1, 2.
    • The stairs are located at the rear of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the rear entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on the ground floor, on the mezzanine floor, on the first floor and on the second floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the front of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, M, 1, 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 98cm x 136cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 6in).
  • 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 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 moderate to good.

Lift (First Floor Level Change)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located towards the front left of the building on the first floor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 300kg.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main lift.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 85cm x 125cm (2ft 9in x 4ft 1in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • The lift provides access to the Poyntings Study Bridge, and laboratories R12 - R15.

Eating and Drinking (Coffee Lounge)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the lounge.
    • The lounge is located to the left of the building on the second floor.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access to the lounge.
  • Service and Menus View
    • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include; written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
    • Drinking straws are not available.
    • This area does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
    • There is not a portable card machine available for payment.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 74cm.
    • There are also coffee tables, high tables and armchairs.
    • The surface height of the lowest table is 36cm.
    • The surface height of the highest table is 93cm.
    • Some tables are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet (Second Floor - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located turn left as you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 159cm x 195cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 5in).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 95cm.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a silver sign in the middle of the door that says 'Toilet' as this toilet can also be used as a standard shared toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the mezzanine floor.
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the first floor and the second floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the mezzanine floor.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 5m from the 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.