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Civil Engineering Building

University of Cambridge, West Cambridge Site, 7a JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via level access from the car park and via slopes from the road.
  • Civil Engineering Building has one entrance comprising three separate doors.
    All three doors provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
    The accessible entrance door is a push pad activated, single automatic door,
    There is also a manually revolving door and a manual opening towards you door located to the right of the accessible entrance door.
  • The entrance is signed 'Civil Engineering Building Department of Engineering'.
  • The accesible entrance door provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, the majority having a shiny finish.
    Some flooring also has patterned finish.
  • There are resting areas at the end of the circulation routes and within reception foyers.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building and to access stairwells.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 5 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on each floor of the Civil Engineering Building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilets on each floor of the Civil Engineering Building.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on each floor of the Civil Engineering Building.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor.
    • Standard shower facilities are located along the corridor on the ground floor and on the left side of the building.

Parking (Civil Engineering Building Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the left side of the Civil Engineering Building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 467cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m from the accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The security barrier to the car park opens via use of the intercom or the key card reader.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Civil Engineering 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 86cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 134cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 93cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Ground Floor)

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter the Civil Engineering Building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 5m.
  • 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 77cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 123cm to 133cm from the floor.
  • The part of the desk in the middle is 93cm high.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • 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 space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, sofas and stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • The intercom within the seating area is 115cm high.

Lift (Left Side Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the end of the corridor on the left side of the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The 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 tactile markings, Braille 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 129cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 136cm (width) x 158cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and Braille markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Left Side Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the end of the corridor on the left side of the building.
  • G, 1, 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear 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 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 and unshaded light sources.

Reception (First Floor Reception Office)

  • The reception is located in the centre of the corridor on the first floor.
  • The distance from the left side lift is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 76cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • 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: sofas.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer and Shower)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the end of the corridor on the left side of the building.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 242cm (width) x 290cm (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 188cm (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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 medium 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 103cm from the floor.
    • 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 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm 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 sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 153cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
    • There is an accessible shower available within this toilet.