Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Department of Biochemistry (Sanger Building)

University of Cambridge, Old Addenbrookes Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The Sanger Building has 1 main entrance which provides step-free access via a steep slope.
  • The entrance is signed Department of Biochemistry.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on level 1.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead wayfinding signage is provided through the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access the stairwell.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on level 1 and level 3, off the main corridor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on level 1 off the main lobby area and on levels 2 and 3, next to lift 2.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on levels 2 and 3, next to lift 2.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is 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 a handrail on the left going up.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 9 steps with 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 steps are unmarked.
  • 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 142cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 141cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by revolving.
  • The width of the opening is 132cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a double manual door next to the one surveyed which is accessed by key card.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has uneven surfaces.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 111cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception 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.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • 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.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Entrance (Reception Area)

  • This entrance is located ahead from the main entrance.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 139cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 135cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the circulation areas of the building.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Lift 1)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front of the building, off the main lobby area.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Ground and levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 139cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 152cm (width) x 254cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • Some 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.

Lift (Lift 2)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the rear of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 138cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 152cm (width) x 253cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right side of the building.
  • Levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • 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 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level 1, off the main lobby area.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 13m.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a 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 168cm (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 78cm (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 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 45cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm 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 rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 163cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 waste bin and 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 3 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 3, off the main corridor.
    • The distance from lift 2 is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and uneven surfaces.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • The door has a 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 136cm (width) x 206cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 65cm (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.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm 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 rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 155cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 waste bin and 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.