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Department of Plant Sciences (Botany Building)

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

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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 Plant Sciences (Botany Building) has 5 entrances. The main entrance only provides step-free access via a steep ramp.
  • The main entrance is signed as Department of Plant Sciences. The 3 entrances at the rear of the building are also signed as Department of Plant Sciences.
  • The main entrance provides step-free access via a steep ramp to the reception on the ground floor.
  • The entrance at the front of the building to the left of the main entrance is stepped access. The 3 entrances at the rear of the building are all stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building.
  • There are 3 clearly marked steps with no handrails on the ground floor at the rear of the library which has a stair lift to overcome these steps.
    There are 10 clearly marked steps with handrails on both sides along the corridor on the first floor.
    There are 6 clearly marked steps with a handrail on the left going up along the corridor on the second floor.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted, hard and smooth with a shiny finish and wood flooring.
  • There are no resting areas.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage.
  • There are automatic doors along circulation routes on the ground floor and manual doors along circulation routes for the first, second and third floors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on the right side staircase between the ground floor and first floor.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the centre staircase between the ground floor and first floor.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the left side staircase between the ground floor and first floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Standard changing facilities are located in the shared toilets on the right side staircase between the ground floor and first floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The height of the step into the male toilet is 13cm.

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 access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient with resting areas.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 6 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails 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 bell at a height of 98cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 60cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 104cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right from the main entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 99cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 79cm.
  • The reception has windows and 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.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • 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.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift (Stair Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the ground floor at the rear of the library.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • The distance from main entrance is 19m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • 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 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 78cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 78cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have 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, with unshaded light sources.

Lift (Main)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the main entrance then turn left.
  • The distance from main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The basement and ground floors and floors 1, 2 and 3 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 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 70cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 83cm (width) x 91cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Centre)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the main entrance then turn left.
  • The basement, ground and floors 1 and 2 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There are similar stairs on either side of the building and both stairs access the ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the main entrance and then turn left.
    • The distance from main entrance is 15m.
    • 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 a small lip at the threshold to this room.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • 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 150cm (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 left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 104cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot 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 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 90cm 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 103cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm 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 154cm and 159cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.