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Biomedical Sciences Building - Library

Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, City of Bristol, BS8 1TD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the library has step-free level access through the Biomedical Sciences building on level D and 2 lifts.
  • From level D take the main building lift to level C.
  • Turn left after you exit the lift and follow the corridor past lecture theatres C42 and C43 for approximately 34m.
  • The second lift will be on your left, which gives access to levels B and A of the library.
  • There are 2 entrances into the library, both entrances provide step-free level access into the library on level B.
  • The most accessible entrance is via the Library Main Lift from level C of the Biomedical Sciences building.
  • The Library Main Lift on level C is signed as LIBRARY STAFF ONLY (though this lift is actually available to all staff and students).
  • The stepped access entrance on level B is signed as Medical Library.
  • The most accessible entrance provides direct access from the Library Main Lift to the reception desk area on level B.
  • There is stepped access on level B itself, with stairs from the Biomedical Sciences building.
  • To enter and exit the library out of hours then there are 2 external entrances to the Biomedical Sciences building. Both entrances require a UCard to gain access to the library.
  • The most accessible out of hours entrance is via the service yard, at the left hand side of the Biomedical Sciences building, which has a steep slope down into the service yard. There is a ramp into the building, which leads to the Library Platform Lift and then the entrance to the library.
  • The stepped out of hours entrance is at the bottom of the Cantocks steps, to the right of the Biomedical Sciences building via 20+ steps from either Tankard's Close or 15+ steps from Rodway Cloister off Cantocks Close. Once inside the building there are further steps to the library entrance.
  • The out of hours times are detailed on the library's main website.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on Level B to the right after you exit the library entrance.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The female standard toilet facilities are located to the right after you exit the library.
    • The male standard toilet facilities are located to the left after you exit the library.

Lift (Library Platform Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located just outside the library entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the library entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The level change to the toilet with adaptations are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 225kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 75cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 75cm (width) x 122cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • This platform lift gives access to the toilet with adaptations.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on level B, to the rear of the Biomedical Sciences building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There are security barriers beyond the door, which have a width of 96cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left after you exit the main library lift.
  • The distance from the main library lift is 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 80cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: computer rooms 1 and 2.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and benches.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 112cm to 131cm from the floor.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ebook and ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards, a trackball mouse, ergonomic chairs, adjustable foot rests, document holders, handheld magnifiers, CCTV/video magnifiers, coloured overlays and audio recorders.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: JAWS, Zoomtext, Texthelp Read&Write, Mindview, Dragon Naturally Speaking and ABBYY FineReader.

Lift (Library Computer Rooms 1 and 2 and Group Room 3)

  • The lift surveyed is located on level B, to the rear right of the library.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the library entrance is 33m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Computer rooms 1 and 2 and group room 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 92cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 250cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Library Computer Rooms 1 and 2 and Group Room 3)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on level B, to the rear right of the library.
  • The computer rooms 1 and 2 and group room 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 10 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main)

  • The stairs surveyed are located opposite the library reception desk.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • Levels A and B can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Lift (Library Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to left the of library reception desk on Level B.
  • The distance from the reception desk is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels A, B and C are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 680kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 78cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 130cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level B - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level B to the right after you exit the library entrance.
    • The distance from the library platform lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a platform lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 146cm (width) x 197cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 101cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 164cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.