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Department of Earth Sciences (Sedgwick Building)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level access.
  • Department of Earth Sciences (Sedgwick Building) has four entrances. The most accessible entrance is located at the front of the North wing and provides step-free access via a slight ramp.
  • The North wing front entrance is signed as Department of Earth Sciences and the South wing entrance is signed as Department of Earth Sciences - South Entrance. The other entrances are not signed.
  • The North wing front entrance provides step-free access via a slight ramp to the reception on the ground floor.
  • The rear entrance of the North wing is located on Downing Street and has step-free access via a slight ramp.
    The East wing entrance is located at the front of the East wing and provides step-free access with uneven surfaces.
    The South wing entrance is located at the front of the South wing and provides step-free level access.
  • The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences covers the whole of the first floor of the North and East wings.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the North and South wings on all floors.
  • There are multiple steps along the ground floor corridor of the East wing.
  • Access to the Microanalysis Lab on the ground floor of the East wing is via 4 clearly marked steps from the North wing.
  • There is a short steep ramp for access from the South wing to the East wing on the ground floor.
  • Floors surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted, hard and smooth with some having a shiny finish.
  • There is a resting area on the ground floor of the North wing with chairs without armrests.
  • There is limited wall mounted wayfinding signage.
  • There are manual doors in some corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor of the North wing and the third floor of the South wing.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the female toilet on the first floor of South wing and the ground and fourth floors in the East wing.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the ground floor and second floor of the South wing.
      On the ground floor and fourth floor of the East wing.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the first floor of the South wing and on the ground floor and fourth floor of the East wing.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the fourth floor of the South wing.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (North Wing Front Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front 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 access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • 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.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 82cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 60cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The height of the card reader to enter is 95cm.
    The height of the card reader to exit is 89cm.
    The height of the intercom is 98cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (North Wing)

  • The reception is located to the left from the North wing front entrance.
  • The distance from North wing front entrance is 11m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 80cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 63cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • 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.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • 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.

Lift (North Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the North wing front entrance.
  • The distance from North wing front entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium colour contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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 colour contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 74cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 90cm (width) x 110cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high colour contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are manual doors which are heavy and open towards you (pull) to access the lift on each floor.

Lift (South Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the South wing entrance.
  • The distance from South wing entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 112cm (width) x 84cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (North Wing)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the North wing front entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover 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 15cm.
  • 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.

Stairs (East Wing)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the East wing entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (South Wing)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the South wing entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (North Wing - Ground Floor - No Transfer Space)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left from the North wing front entrance.
    • The distance from North wing front entrance is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 110cm (width) x 330cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a spatula flush on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 97cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (South Wing - Third Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the third floor of the South wing.
    • The distance from South wing lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a 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 automatically and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a push button lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 165cm (width) x 235cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (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 no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • 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 a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 81cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 82cm 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 no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • The height of the button to enter is 97cm. The height of the button to exit is 98cm.