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Department of Engineering (Whittle Laboratory)

University of Cambridge, West Cambridge, 1 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0DY

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Whittle Laboratory is a large building that has 4 floors.
    • There is one main staircase and one main lift within the building.
    • There are three separate staircases between the lower ground and ground floor and one stair lift between them.
    • There is one set of stairs between the ground and first floors only. .
    • The floors are signed as lower ground, ground, 1 and 2.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • The nearest train station is Cambridge Station.

Getting Inside

  • There are uneven surfaces on approach to the Whittle Laboratory.
  • There is one entrance into the building providing step-free level access via two sets of double automatic doors.
  • The main entrance is not signed.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • There is a slight ramp to access the low speed lab on the lower ground floor.
  • Floor surfaces along some of the circulation routes in the lower ground and ground floor are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • Some floor surfaces are carpeted.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access stairwells.

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 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 585cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 50m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located to the rear of the building on the ground, first and second floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located to the rear of the building on the ground and first floors.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the rear of the building on the ground, first and second floors.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located in the toilet with adaptations on the first floor.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 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 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • 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 115cm.
  • The second set of doors have 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 in front of you on entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift (Main)

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the rear of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • LG, G, 1, 2 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 weight limit for the lift is 1500kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 170cm (width) x 190cm (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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Lower Ground Floor - Platform)

  • The lift surveyed is located to your right on entering the building via the main entrance.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground and ground 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 weight limit for the lift is 300kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 90cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located towards the rear left of the building.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first and second floors 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Shared - Right Hand Transfer - Shower with Adaptations)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the rear of the building on the first floor.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift 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 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 high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 245cm (width) x 250cm (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 175cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • 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 left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 50cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 50cm 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 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 93cm 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 80cm 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 waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hooks are 110cm and 142cm 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 shower with adaptations in the cubicle.
    • The flip down seat has a height of 53cm.
    • There is one vertical and one horizontal grab rail both of which have good colour contrast.
    • There are two dropdown rails with good colour contrast.
    • There is an emergency pull cord within 10cm of the floor.