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English Faculty Building

University of Cambridge, 9 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The English Faculty Building has 2 entrances. Both entrances provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
    There are double, automatic doors available at the main entrance, whilst there are key-card activated double, automatic doors available at the rear entrance.
  • The main entrance is signed as the Faculty of English 9 West Road.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception area on the ground floor.
  • The main entrance is located on the East side of the building and has step-free level access.
    The rear entrance is located on the West side of the building and has step-free level access via some uneven surfaces.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth or carpeted and smooth.
    There are some floor surfaces which have a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided by the lifts on each floor.
  • There are manual doors to access staircases and some corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the basement, 1, 2 and 3 floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on basement, 1, 2 and 3 floors.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the basement floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the East side of the building, off of West Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 89cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 159cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 80cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 162cm.
  • 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 ground floor of the building, on the right as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 92cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were low 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 and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building, ahead and on the right as you enter the reception area.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, ground, 1, 2 and 3 floors 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 low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 160cm (width) x 134cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the building, ahead and to the left as you enter the reception area.
  • The basement, ground, 1, 2 and 3 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 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Stairs (North Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the North side of the building at the end of the ground floor corridor.
  • The ground, 1, 2 and 3 floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the basement floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 22m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 202cm (width) x 255cm (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 138cm (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 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 114cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm 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 109cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 118cm 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 is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • There is a shower with adaptations within this toilet with adaptations. The height of the shower controls is 97cm. The height of the seat is 55cm. The shower has an adjustable and detachable head. There are twist/turn mixer controls.