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Department of Geography (Sir William Hardy Building)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB1 1QW

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level access.
  • Sir William Hardy Building has 3 entrances.
    The main entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor.
    The Brain Mapping Unit - Department of Psychiatry entrance has stepped access and the Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute entrance has ramped access.
  • The main entrance is signed as Sir William Hardy Building.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access into the building.
  • The Brain Mapping Unit - Department of Psychiatry entrance is located on the right hand side of the building and has stepped access with a manual single door. The Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute entrance is located on the right hand side of the building and has ramped access with double manual doors.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access from the ground floor to the second floor.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight ramp in the corridor leading to the New Teaching Laboratory and offices.
  • Access to the third floor is via the stairs only.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted and hard and smooth in the lift lobbies.
  • There is a rest area on the ground floor with seating without armrests.
  • There is no wayfinding signage.
  • There are manual doors along the circulation routes with some automatic doors on the ground floor and first floor.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the ground and second floors.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the first and third floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main)

  • 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There is a very easy incline in front of the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 130cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 95cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 125cm.
  • The doors have a medium colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 91cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the main entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and floors 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 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 170cm (width) x 76cm (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 low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Centre)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right from the main entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 17 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 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are similar staircases on either side of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left from the main entrance.
    • The distance from main entrance is 14m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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 145cm (width) x 170cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 73cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 42cm 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 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 65cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 86cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 122cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm 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 and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 188cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.