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Faculty of History (History Building)

University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Site, West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9EF

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level access with bollards.
  • Faculty of History has 3 entrances. The main entrance and rear entrance provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
    The entrance to the left of the main entrance has a steep ramp and steps to access the first floor.
    The doors at the main entrance are automatic and the doors at the other 2 entrances are manual.
  • The main entrance is signed as History Faculty.
    The 2 other entrances are not signed.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception on the ground floor.
  • The rear entrance has step-free level access.
    The first floor entrance has a steep ramp and steps for access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access between the ground floor and 5th floor.
  • There is stepped access only to the basement and the 6th floor.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth with some having a shiny finish.
  • There is a resting area (common room) on the 1st floor.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridors and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the male toilet on the first floor.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th floors.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement and 1st floor.

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 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 105cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • 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 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 80cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 71cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • 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 uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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 85cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 98cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift 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 even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Main)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the main entrance.
  • The basement and ground floors and floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 15 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (B to 1)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the rear of the building.
  • The basement and ground floors and floor 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 15 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is 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 18cm.
  • 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the main entrance behind the reception desk.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 19m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens by sliding and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 219cm (width) x 270cm (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 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-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 visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 109cm 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 low 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 104cm 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 100cm 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 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.