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Foster Building

University of Lancashire, Fylde Road, Preston, PR1 2HE

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • Foster Building has three entrances.
  • There are two entrances to the front of the building. The main entrance gives access to the left side of the building, The Medical and Wellness Centres entrance gives access to the right side and lecture theatre 2, 3 and 4.
  • There is also a ramped entrance on the rear right hand side of the building giving access to the rear seating of the lecture theatres.
  • The entrances are signed with the name of the building and the service within that side of the building.
  • The main entrance gives access to the entrance foyer on the ground level, and the Medical and Wellness Centre entrance gives access to the lift lobby on ground level.
  • The two sides of the building are not connected internally.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On ground level there is a platform lift to overcome four steps. This gives access to a staff office.
  • There is no access to FB066-070 Mezzanine, lower ground level, the Medical Centre and Lecture Theatres 2, 3 and 4 via the main entrance.
  • Access to these is via the entrance to Medical and Wellbeing Centre at the front right of the building.
  • Access to the rear of the lecture theatre 2, 3, and 4 is via the rear entrance.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny surface.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby area, at the time of the survey (May 2026) these were permanently held open.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located to the right of the main entrance and via the Medical and Wellness Centre entrance.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations on ground level is also signed for use as a shared toilet.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located are located on all levels of the building .
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilets with adaptations in Fosters Cafeteria seating area.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right side of the Engineering Innovation Centre, off Pollard Street.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 233cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 44m from the Engineering Innovation Centre main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is additional parking nearby for staff and student permit holders in the Hope Street Car Park.
    • The Blue Badge bays in this car park have faded markings with the marked zones to both sides only.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the front left of the building.
  • 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 117cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 203cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Foster Lift 1

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left of the main entrance, in the left side of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The levels LG, G and 1 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 tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • At the time of survey (May 2026) the lift was out of order. There is a sign on the door giving directions to an alternative located in the Harris Building, which is back out of the main entrance and turn right, ahead and enter the Harris Building, turn left and follow the corridor to the end. Take the lift to the first floor and follow the signs for the Foster Building. There is an internal link between to two buildings.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The levels G and 1 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Link Entrance to Maudland Building from Foster Building

  • This entrance is located at the end of the main corridor of the Foster Building on level G.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 188cm.
  • The doors has a high visual contrast.

Medical and Wellbeing Centres and Lecture Theatres Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the front right of the Foster 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 with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 108cm.
  • Members of the public visiting the Medical Centre must use the Medical Centre intercom to gain access.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 179cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a key card reader to exit. The height of the reader is 120cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is an additional entrance to the lecture theatres at the rear of the building that provides ramped or stepped access to the rear of the lecture theatres only, as shown in the photographs.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level G - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the main entrance, to the rear of the corridor on the left.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 18m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • 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 157cm (width) x 184cm (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 87cm (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 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 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 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 68cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 99cm 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 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 are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.