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Scott Polar Research Institute

University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road Site, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the accessible entrance to the building may be uneven and involves travelling through the staff car park.
  • The accessible entrance has two sets of double automatic doors and can be accessed via either a ramp or steps.
    The main entrance has two sets of permanently held open doors and is accessed via steps only.
  • The entrances are signed as the Scott Polar Research Institute Entrance and The Polar Museum.
  • The accessible entrance provides access to the ground floor near the Scott Polar Research Institute reception.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • There is a steep ramp to access the Periodical Stacks, Russian Collections and a seminar room on the second floor.
  • There is a 16cm step to access room S6 on the second floor.
  • There is no access between the area of the basement accessed by the lift to the rear of the building, and the area of the basement accessed by the office staircase towards the front of the building.
  • Floor surfaces along the circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish and patterned flooring.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in the circulation areas of the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the right of the main reception, towards the rear of the museum.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, in the library on the first floor and on the second floor.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor in an area accessed by the north staircase only.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations located to the right of the main reception, towards the rear of the museum.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 255cm (width) x 485cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 123cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff only.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located Lensfield Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are not signposted or marked.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off the staff car park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not 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 slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 129cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception (Building Reception)

  • The reception is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The basement, ground, first and second 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.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 120cm (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 visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to your right on entrance.
  • The basement, ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends 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.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Periodical Stacks and Russian Collection as well as a seminar room on the second floor.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and riser recliner chairs.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs, document holders and handheld magnifiers.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located towards the rear of the museum, near the building reception and the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 10m.
    • 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 inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever 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 170cm (width) x 260cm (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 105cm (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.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • 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 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 high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 158cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a baby changing table at a height of 76cm.
      This toilet is also signed for use as a standard shared toilet.