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Richmond Building - Swimming Pool

Richmond Building, University of Bristol, Queens Road, City of Bristol, BS8 1LN

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Access Guide

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Access To

  • The swimming pool entrance is located to the left after you enter the Richmond Building via the main entrance.
  • The swimming pool itself is located on the basement level, accessed by a lift or stairs.
  • View information on Richmond Building (opens new tab).
  • View information on opening times.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and a platform lift.
  • There is written text signage on or near the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access to the swimming pool entrance.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 12 steps with 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are located after the swimming pool entrance door and the lift to bypass them is located in the main entrance lobby, before the swimming pool entrance.
  • There is a single manual door which opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.

Lift (Queens Road - Main Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left after you enter the building.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the first set of main entrance doors is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement (swimming pool), ground and floor 01 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 400kg.
  • 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 95cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 103cm (width) x 141cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal 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 low at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • There is lift or stepped access to the reception desk.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the reception area, changing areas and pool side.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth.
  • The pool side circulation can be shiny and wet at times.
  • There are resting areas within the reception and changing areas.
  • There are no doors in the circulation routes.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the pool level floor within the pool reception area, to the right after you exit the lift.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located within the male changing area.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located within the female changing area.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The changing facilities which have adaptations are located to the left of the reception desk.
    • Standard changing facilities are located within the male and female changing areas.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the male and female changing areas.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the male and female changing areas.
    • Standard shower facilities are located within the male and female changing areas.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left after you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 9m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Some chairs are fixed.
  • There are security barriers which are operated by key card.

Changing Room with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • The changing room surveyed is located to the left of the reception desk.
    • The distance from the reception desk is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the changing room has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the changing room.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • Facilities available in the changing room include: a changing table/bench, a chair/stool, a wash basin, a wheel-in shower and a locker at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The dimensions of the changing room are 397cm (width) x 435cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 167cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 not a soap dispenser.
    • 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 full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The changing room has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • There is also a height adjustable wash basin, which cannot be reached from the toilet.
    • There is a separate door to the swimming pool side, this door is easy to open.
    • This door has an opening width of 87cm.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 51cm from the floor.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The shower dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Changing Area (Male)

  • Changing Area View
    • The male changing area was surveyed.
    • The changing area is located straight ahead after you exit the reception desk barrier.
    • The distance from the reception desk is 24m.
    • The most accessible route to the changing area has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the changing area.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • Facilities in this area include: toilets, showers, a changing bench, baby change facilities and lockers.
    • There are lockers at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 93cm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the toilet facilities.
    • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
    • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser, a baby changing table and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the shower facilities.
    • There is a fixed height shower head.
    • The shower controls are push.

Changing Area (Female)

  • Changing Area View
    • The female changing area was surveyed.
    • The changing area is located to the left of the reception desk.
    • The distance from the reception desk is 26m.
    • The most accessible route to the changing area has step-free level access.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • Facilities in this area include: toilets, showers, a changing bench, baby change facilities and lockers.
    • There are lockers at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 93cm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the toilet facilities.
    • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
    • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser, a baby changing table and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the shower facilities.
    • There is a fixed height shower head.
    • The shower controls are push.

Shower with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within the male and female changing areas.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Swimming Pool

  • There is step-free access to the swimming pool area.
  • There is step-free access throughout the outer areas of the swimming pool.
  • The flooring in this area consists of tiles.
  • This area has a non-slip floor.
  • The floor can become slippery when wet.
  • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • Background music is not played in this area.
  • There is a lifeguard for the swimming pool.
  • There is not ramped access into the swimming pool.
  • There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
  • The hoist is hydraulic.
  • There is a ladder type entrance into the water.
  • There is a wet side chair available.
  • There is an emergency alarm at poolside.
  • There is a main pool and a smaller pool in this area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right after you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever 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 192cm (width) x 202cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 124cm (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 not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • 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 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.