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Department of Physics (Maxwell Centre)

University of Cambridge, West Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via level access.
  • The Maxwell Centre has 2 entrances.
    The accessible entrance at the rear of the building provides step-free level access to level 0.
    The front of building entrance provides step-free access via a steep slope to level 1.
  • The entrance front entrance is signed as the name of the building, whereas the accessible entrance has no signage.
  • The front entrance is located at the front of the building, along JJ Thomson Avenue.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On Level 0 there are steps along the link corridor leading to Department of Physics (Centre for Physics of Medicine) and these steps can be bypassed via the platform lift.
  • On Level 1 there is a steep slope along the link corridor leading Department of Physics (Centre for Physics of Medicine).
  • Floor surfaces along level 0 are vinyl, hard and smooth, having a shiny finish.
    Floor surfaces on level 1 circulation routes are tiled, hard and smooth, having a shiny finish.
    Floor surfaces on level 2 and 3 are shallow pile carpeted that are hard.
  • There are resting area along circulation routes on each floor and within the reception foyer area.
  • There is no overheard signage and wall mountaed signage is limited within the building.
  • There are permanently held open doors along circulation routes and manual doors to access stairwells.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on levels 1, 2 and 3.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilets on levels 1, 2 and 3.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on levels 1, 2 and 3.

Parking (Maxwell Centre and Centre for Physics of Medicine Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the Maxwell Centre and Centre for Physics of Medicine.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and loose chippings.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 210cm (width) x 467cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 150cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m from the Maxwell Centre accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located along JJ Thomson Avenue.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the Maxwell Centre.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not 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 99cm.
  • There is a buzzer at a height of 109cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • 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 104cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The reception is located on the ground floor and at the front of the Maxwell Centre building.
  • The distance from the rear lift is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 121cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • 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: sofas.
  • The chairs are fixed.

Lift (Rear Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located in front as you enter via the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The building levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 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 and a medium visual contrast.
  • 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 104cm (width) x 107cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • 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 and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Lift (Front Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front of the Maxwell Centre building.
  • The distance from the rear lift is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The building levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 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 and a medium visual contrast.
  • 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 105cm (width) x 208cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • 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 low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Rear Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left as you enter the Maxwell Centre via the accessible entrance.
  • The building levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 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 handrail covers 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.

Stairs (Front Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the front of the Maxwell Centre.
  • The building levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 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 handrail covers 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.

Stairs (Central Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the Maxwell Centre, beside the reception.
  • The building levels 1, 2 and 3 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the front of the Maxwell Centre.
    • The distance from the rear lift is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 153cm (width) x 223cm (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 69cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 82cm 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 100cm 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 89cm from the floor.
    • 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 83cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • 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 hook is 156cm 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 3 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the rear lift lobby on level 3.
    • The distance from the rear lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 164cm (width) x 220cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 84cm 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 104cm 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 89cm from the floor.
    • 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 82cm 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 hook is 150cm 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.