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Herchel Smith Building

University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free with level access.
  • The Herchel Smith Building has three entrances.
  • Two entrances provides step-free access via a slight slope to the ground floor.
  • The entrances are signed as Main Entrance and Clinic Entrance. The third entrance has no signage.
  • The Main Entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • The Clinic Entrance is located at the left side of the building and gives access to the clinic area on the ground floor.
  • The rear entrance is located at the rear of the building and has stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the ground floor of the building.
  • There is no lift within the building, the first floor can only be accessed via the staircases.
  • The floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes, there are seating areas within both the main and clinic reception foyer.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are automatic doors along circulation routes throughout the office area and the clinic area of the building on the ground floor.
  • There is one manual door between these areas on the ground floor.
  • There are manual doors around first floor circulation area.
  • There are automated doors into Clinic Room 4, Clinic Room 6 and the C8 First Aid and utility room.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor of the Herchel Smith Building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located along the corridor in the centre of the Herchel Smith Building.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the rear left corner of the Herchel Smith Building.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located within the male and female standard toilet.

Parking (Herchel Smith Building Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the Herchel Smith Building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 233cm (width) x 465cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 15m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located within the Addenbrookes Hospital grounds, along Robinson Way.
    • The name of the car park is NCP Car Park 2.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the front of the Herchel Smith 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 122cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 97cm.
  • The door is opened by use of a key card reader.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
  • There is step-free access via slope as you enter.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.

Entrance (Clinic Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the left side of the front of the Herchel Smith 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 102cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 98cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Rear Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the Herchel Smith Building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 4 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 between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 107cm.
  • There is stepped access as you enter.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 6cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The reception is located in front right as enter via main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has uneven surfaces, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 72cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds and windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not 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: tables.

Reception (Clinic Reception)

  • The reception is located in front as you enter the Herchel Smith Building via the clinic entrance.
  • The distance from the clinic entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 118cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 71cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter the Herchel Smith Building via the main entrance.
  • Ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 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 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.
  • There is an additional staircase in the rear left corner of the Herchel Smith Building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Corridor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located along the corridor in the centre of the Herchel Smith Building.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope and manual doors.
    • 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 door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 138cm (width) x 185cm (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 74cm (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 are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have 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 97cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 116cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high 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 mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 147cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Clinic - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in-between the clinic entrance first and second door, on the left.
    • The distance from the clinic entrance is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever 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 144cm (width) x 202cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 left as you face the toilet.
    • 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 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 115cm 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 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 115cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 87cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 98cm from the floor.
    • 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, a sanitary bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 149cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.