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Institute of Astronomy (Hoyle Building)

University of Cambridge, Madingley Rise, Cambridge, CB3 0HA

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slight slope.
  • The Hoyle building has 7 entrances, all with single or double manual doors.
    There are 4 entrances with step-free access, and 2 entrances with stepped access.
    There is an entrance via a link bridge from the Kavli Institute for Cosmology on the first floor.
  • No entrances are named or signed.
  • The accessible (main) entrance at the front of the building provides step-free access to building reception on the ground floor.
  • There are 2 entrances to the rear of the building with only stepped access.
    The entrance to the left of the building provides ramped or stepped access.
    The ramp here is on a slope with a long and steep gradient.

Getting Around

  • The building is generally open plan on the ground floor, with 2 main access corridors.
    There is a single access corridor on the first floor.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpet tiles.
  • There is seating in the open plan area on the ground floor in the main access corridor, on the mezzanine level, and in the breakout area on the first floor.
  • There is no wayfinding signage within the building.
  • There are no doors in circulation areas throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor, to the mid-left of the building, on the right.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on the left side of the building, along the main access corridor, along the right hand corridor, on the left.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on the left side of the building, along the main access corridor, on the right.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the first floor, right out of the lift, then on the left .
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is signposted but has no markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 660cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 2m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • The car park surface is comprised of paving slabs.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 116cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 140cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 94cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the right after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 115cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 104cm to 116cm from the floor.
  • 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 with armrests, chairs without armrests and stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • The seating is available within the general open plan area nearby.

Counter (Refreshments)

  • The counter is located on the left after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 81cm.
  • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The counter is open for refreshments 11:00 - 11:30 and 15:00 - 15:30 on weekdays.
    There may be elevated levels of background noise during busy times.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left after the main entrance, along the corridor and on the right.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 26m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor, the mezzanine level, and the first floor 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 low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the left after the main entrance.
  • The ground floor, mezzanine level, and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are 6 steps between the ground floor and the mezzanine level.
    There are 15 steps between the mezzanine level and the first floor.
    There are additional stairs to the rear left of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the left side of the building, along the main access corridor, along the right hand corridor, on the left.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium 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 186cm (width) x 228cm (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 136cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 88cm from the floor.
    • 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 rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • 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 98cm from the floor.
    • 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 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.
    • There is a shower with adaptations within the toilet cubicle.
      There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the shower.
      There is an adjustable shower head.
      The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
      There is a flip-down shower seat.
      The shower seat is 46cm from the floor.
      There are grab rails for the shower.
      The grab rails have a low colour contrast.
      There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
      There is a mirror.
      The facility has a sanitary bin.
      There are no coat hooks.
      The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
      Lighting levels were even at the time of survey.