Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Building

University of Cambridge, West Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

  • About View
    • The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Building is a large D-shaped building.
      There is a Main Block to the right of the building, and a Lab Block to the left of the building.
      The Lab Block is arranged around a central courtyard connected to the Main Block with circulation routes in the Lab Block connecting the Main Block to the front and rear of the building.
      The Main Block is arranged over 4 floors, and the Lab Block is arranged over 3 floors.
    • There are 3 lifts and 4 staircases within the building.
      There are 2 lifts in the Main Block, and a goods lift in the Lab Block.
      The lift to the front of the building in the Main Block is the North lift.
      The lift to the rear of the building in the Main Block is the South lift.
      The lifts in the Main Block may be used to access circulation corridors in the Lab Block.
      There is a main feature staircase in the Main Block, with 2 additional staircases between the Main Block and the Lab Block to the front and rear of the building.
      The stairs in the Main Block connect to circulation corridors in the Lab Block.
      There is a further staircase to the left of the building in the Lab Block.
    • The floors in the Main Block are signed as Level 1 for the lower ground floor, Level 2 for the ground floor, Level 3 for the first floor, and Level 4 for the second floor.
      The floors in the Lab Block are signed as Level 1 for the lower ground floor, Level L2 for the ground floor, and Level L3 for the first floor.
    • View information on Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Building.
  • Parking and Public Transport View

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building from the Charles Babbage Road end of Philippa Fawcett Drive is step-free via slopes on a very easy gradient.
  • There is ramped or stepped access on the approach from Philippa Fawcett Drive, and from the building car park off Charles Babbage Road.
  • The building has a single entrance off Philippa Fawcett Drive with a single automatic door.
  • The entrance is signed as Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.
  • The entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on Level 2.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Levels L2 and L3 in the Lab Block are slightly elevated compared to levels 2 and 3 in the Main Block.
    The difference in elevation is overcome by separate exit doors in lifts, and additional landings on staircases.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
    There are some patterned floor surfaces on level 4 in the Main Block.
  • There is seating in the Wolfson Atrium in the Main Block on level 1.
    There is seating in the reception area and along the main gallery near the lecture theatres in the Main Block on level 2.
    There is further seating along circulation corridors in the Lab Block on level L3, and along gallery walkways in the Main Block on levels 3 and 4.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage in the lift lobbies and stairwells throughout the building.
  • The Main Block is largely open plan, with manual double doors permanently held open along circulation routes in the Lab Block.
    There are key card/push pad released manual doors on circulation routes between the Main Block and the Lab Block on all floors, and for the lift lobbies and stairwells in the Main Block on levels 3 and 4.
    There is a variation of manual door styles including double doors, and single doors with or without a locked extension leaf.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 7 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on all levels within the building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations on levels 1, 2, L2, 3, and L3 have a right hand transfer space.
      The toilet with adaptations on Level 4 has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on levels 1, 3 and 4 in the Main Block.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on Level 1 in the Main Block.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 472cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 94m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope and steps.
    • The ramp from the car park is width restricted to 121cm.
      The ramp from the car park overcomes alternative stepped access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located off Philippa Fawcett Drive, opposite the Department of Materials Science building.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide .
  • 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 do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 85cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 104cm.
  • 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 95cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 105cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the left after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
  • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • 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: armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Lift (North Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 14m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Levels 1 through 4 in the Main Block, and Levels 1, L2, and L3 in the Lab Block are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 and tactile markings.
  • 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 130cm (width) x 145cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is also a lift to the South side of the building.
    There is a further goods lift in the Lab Block.
    The goods lift button for Level 1 of the Lab Block is marked as Level L1.
    The goods lift also has a control button for Lab Block Level L4.
    Lab Block Level L4 is out of bounds for purposes of access.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead from the main entrance.
  • Levels 1 through 4 in the Main Block can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are additional staircases to the North and South sides of the building in the Main block.
    There is a further staircase to the front left of the building in the Lab block.
    These additional and further staircases can be used to access levels 1, L2, and L3 in the Lab Block.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 - Main Block - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the left after the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
    • 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 outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 140cm (width) x 216cm (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 81cm (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 a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • 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 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The mirror has been angled for ease of use.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level L2 - Lab Block - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the building in the Lab Block.
    • The distance from the North lift is 60m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 220cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • 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 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 low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • The mirror has been angled for ease of use.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.