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Department of Zoology (Zoology Building)

University of Cambridge, New Museums Site , Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • The Department of Zoology (Zoology Building) has two entrances. The main entrance has one set of double manual doors, and provides stepped access, via 3 steps, to a mezzanine floor on the main staircase, between the basement floor and ground floor. There are then 12 steps up to the ground floor and 10 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor. The Downing Street entrance has two sets of double manual doors, and provides stepped access, via 1 step, to a Mezzanine floor on the stairs (middle of the building), between the basement floor and the ground floor. There are then 10 steps up to the ground floor and 15 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor.
  • The main entrance is signed as "Zoology Building - Department of Zoology - Reception"; while the Downing Street entrance is signed as "Zoological Laboratory".
  • The Downing Street entrance has two sets of double manual doors, and provides stepped access, via 1 step, to a mezzanine floor on the stairs (middle of the building), between the basement floor and the ground floor. There are then 10 steps up to the ground floor and 15 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor.
  • The main entrance has one set of double manual doors, and provides stepped access, via 3 steps, to a mezzanine floor on the main staircase, between the basement floor and ground floor. There are then 12 steps up to the ground floor and 10 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor.

Getting Around

  • Once inside, there is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On the second floor, there are 5 unmarked steps, 18cm high and with a handrail on the left going up, to access the staff room. These can be bypassed by taking the lift (middle of the building) to floor 2A, on which the staff room is located.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes consist of vinyl, concrete, tiles and some small carpeted sections, with all of the carpet being low-pile and all of the hard flooring having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall-mounted wayfinding signage is provided intermittently in some areas of the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the basement floor and first floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor at the bottom of the main staircase, and on the first floor, next to the link bridge to the Department of Zoology (David Attenborough Building).
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the first floor, next to the toilet with adaptations near the main staircase.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the rear of the building, inside the New Museums Site, opposite the David Attenborough Building and Whale Café.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 3 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 14cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 163cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 123cm.
  • The intercom and key card reader are for out of hours access only.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • From this entrance, you enter onto a mezzanine floor on the main staircase, between the basement floor and ground floor. As such, there are 12 steps up to the ground floor and 10 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor.

Entrance (Downing Street Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the rear of the building, off Downing Street.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 124cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 133cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 124cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 133cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • You enter through this entrance onto a mezzanine floor on the stairs (middle of the building), between the basement floor and the ground floor. There are then 10 steps up to the ground floor and 15 steps down to the basement floor from this entrance, with nothing else other than this entrance on this mezzanine floor.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located immediately inside the building as you enter through the main entrance.
  • The basement, mezzanine (main entrance only), ground floor, first floor and second floor 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 not 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 were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The reception is located straight ahead as you enter through the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • There is stepped access to reception.
  • There are 12 steps with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • 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.
  • The height of the reception desk is 76cm.
  • The reception has windows and glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • 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.
  • Despite the signage, there is not a hearing loop system at this reception. Access from the main entrance is via taking the main staircase from the mezzanine floor on which the main entrance is located, up to the ground floor where reception is located.

Lift (Middle of the Building)

  • The lift surveyed is located next to the stairwell in the middle of the building.
  • The distance from the Downing Street entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steps.
  • The basement, ground floor and floors, 1, 2, 2A and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a low visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • None 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 even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • This lift has two sets of manual doors - double doors which open towards you with a width of 100cm, followed by a sliding grille with a width of 89cm - when entering the lift.

Stairs (Middle of the Building)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the middle of the building.
  • The basement, mezzanine (Downing Street entrance only), ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • The handrail is easy to grip in places.
    The portion of the stairs between the mezzanine floor (Downing Street entrance only) and ground floor does not have a handrail at all.

Lift (Next to David Attenborough Building)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the north of the building, next to the link bridge to the Department of Zoology (David Attenborough Building).
  • The distance from the Downing Street entrance is 57m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steps, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • The basement, ground, first, second and third floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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 and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 140cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 163cm (width) x 180cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: 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 (Next to David Attenborough Building)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the north of the building, next to the link bridge to the Department of Zoology (David Attenborough Building).
  • The basement, ground, first, second and third Floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have 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 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 were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right and straight ahead as you exit the lift (middle of the building) on the First Floor.
    • The distance from the lift (middle of the building) is 16m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift, steps, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • 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 75cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 174cm (width) x 243cm (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 111cm (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 a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 high 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 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal 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.
    • The automatic door is push-pad activated, with the push pad being 97cm high to enter the facility and 87cm high to exit the facility.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located diagonally to the left as you exit the lift (middle of the building) on the basement floor.
    • The distance from the lift (middle of the building) is 9m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift and steps.
    • 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 85cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 248cm (width) x 191cm (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 143cm (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 high 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • 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.
    • The automatic door is push-pad activated, with the push pads being 87cm high to both enter and exit the facility.