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Strathcona

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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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.

Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Teaching, Lecture Theatres and Offices.

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 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.
    • There are various staff car parks located throughout the campus; all require a staff permit.
      All Blue Badge holders can park on Campus (without a permit) and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at each entrance.
      The nearest visitor parking is located at the North East Car Park off Pritchatts Road at B15 2SA, which is 325m and a 5 minute walk from the building along Pritchatts Road and using the Spur Road onto campus.
  • 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 250 m from Strathcona Building.
      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 0.4 miles, a walk of around 7 minutes across campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
      Alternatively, take the 1A or 76 buses along Aston Webb Boulevard and alight at bus stop ID: nwmwgpwa near the University Grange Road entrance and Bournbrook Pavilion. This is 950m, a walk of around 12 minutes along a generally level route.
  • 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. Strathcona Building is a 6 minute walk from University station across Campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
  • Useful 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 opposite the Ashley Building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond 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.
  • Step(s) View
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • If you approach the entrance from the right there are six medium steps with handrails on either side between you and the entrance which can be seen in photograph 4.
    • There is an alternative step-free route to the door from the left of the entrance.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • 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 good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located just inside the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • 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 front of you 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 250kg.
  • 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 86cm x 126cm (2ft 10in x 4ft 2in).
  • 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 not 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 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.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on entering the building.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 40m (43yd 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 tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 250cm (5ft 3in x 8ft 2in).
    • The accessible toilet does 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 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a fixed horizontal rail without a padded 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 good.
    • 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 are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides 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 92cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located to your left on entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m 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 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located towards the left of the building next to the accessible toilet.
    • There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 40m 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 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.