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Department of Biochemistry (Hopkins Building)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level with some uneven surfaces.
  • Hopkins building has two entrances. One provides step-free level access to the ground floor via lift. One has stepped access. There are double manual doors at both entrances.
  • The entrances are both signed as University of Cambridge Department of Biochemistry.
  • The Accessible Entrance provides step-free level access via lift to the main corridor on the ground floor.
  • The main entrance is located off Tennis Court Road and has stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building via lift.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes but there are some in lobby areas.
  • There is some wall mounted wayfinding signage provided in the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the basement floor, off the main corridor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, off the lobby area.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the rear right of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access via lift at the entrance.
  • There are 9 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 unmarked.
  • 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.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 147cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 71cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 135cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the ground floor at the front of the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 89cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • 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 and 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 armchairs.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Lift (Accessible Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located outside, at the rear right of the building.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
  • The outside ground level and the ground floor of the building 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 external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 101cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 98cm (width) x 143cm (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 lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the rear right of the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and a lift.
  • Floors basement, ground, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the middle of the building.
  • Floors basement, ground, 1 and 2 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 handrail covers 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the basement floor, off the main corridor.
    • The distance from the main lift is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 66cm.
    • 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
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 211cm (width) x 168cm (depth) and there is not 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 157cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 97cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 158cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 175cm and 180cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.