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Bennett Building

University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include
    • The Department of Geology
    • The Department of Geography
    .

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Entrance 3)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off University Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Bennett Building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 323cm x 580cm (10ft 7in x 19ft).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the University Road.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the University Road.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Bennet Building.
  • Comments View
    • This car park can be used by visitors, but permits must be applied for in advance and displayed otherwise a penalty notice will be issued. A Permit only gives a right to search for a space.
    • This car park has a barrier at the entrance (shown in photographs 5 and 6).
    • People wishing to access the car park need to press a button on the barrier to talk to security.
    • This button to the intercom can be reached from a vehicle.
    • Access to the Bennett Building from the car park requires a swipe card.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the quad outside the Physics Building, Rattray Lecture Theatre, and Bennet Building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A UCard is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm (3ft 2in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the right going up the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp is 114cm (3ft 9in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of and immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 7 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are in the centre of the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The entrance surveyed was at the top of the ramp.
    • The door is push pad activated to exit.
    • The second door is push pad activated to enter and exit.
    • The height of the push pads is 93cm.
    • There are 2 sets of double automatic doors at the steps for this entrance (shown in photographs 11 and 12).
    • These doors have not been surveyed.

Outside Access (Lower Ground Floor Main Building Entrance 3 Car Park)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the main building, in the Entrance 3 Car Park.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A UCard is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 122cm (4ft).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm (5ft 2in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 131cm (4ft 4in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to both sides of the entrance as you face it.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 92cm (3ft).
  • Comments View
    • The handrails for the ramps are on the opposite side to the building.

Outside Access (Lower Ground Floor Link Building Entrance 3 Car Park)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the link building, in the Entrance 3 Car Park.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A UCard is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm (2ft 9in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
    • The width of the ramp is 123cm (4ft).

Outside Access (Bennet / Physics Underpass)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the front left of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 93cm (3ft 1in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 2 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance gives access to rooms BU01 - BU008.
    • There is a deep step leading into room BU07.

Reception (Department of Geology and Department of Geography Administration Office)

  • The Department of Geology and Department of Geography Administration Office is located to the right of the main entrance as you enter.
  • The desk is 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is/are 3 unmarked step(s), with a central handrail, for access to the upper section in the main foyer. .
    • The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the upper section in the main foyer.
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • This level change is shown in photographs 11 - 14.
    • There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the Astronomy research laboratory on the Lower Ground Floor.
    • The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • This level change is shown in photographs 15 - 16.
    • There is/are 3 unmarked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the central area of the Lower Ground floor, including Lecture Theatres 4, 1, 5 and 8, and room LG5.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the central area of the Lower Ground floor, including Lecture Theatres 4, 1, 5 and 8, and room LG5``.
    • The width of the ramp is 119cm (3ft 11in).
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • This level change is shown in photographs 17 - 20.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around (Bennett Building Link)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the area.
    • There is a steep ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the Bennett Building Link from the Bennett Building.
    • This level change is shown in photographs 3 - 4. There is a similar ramp leading between the main building and the Lower Ground Floor Link Building Entrance 3 Car Park entrance area (shown in photographs 5 - 6).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors (Foyer)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1.
    • The stairs are located on the upper level of the foyer.
    • The stairs are approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on the basement floor and on the first floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a similar set of stairs from G, 1 to the left hand side of the building as you enter via the main entrance, in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment (shown in photographs 5 - 6).

Other Floors (Right Hand Side)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, LG, G.
    • The stairs are located along the corridor to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the lower ground floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Other Floors (Spiral)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2.
    • The stairs are located on the first floor, ahead as you exit the main lift.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main lift.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is not a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are additional research rooms.
  • Comments View
    • This staircase is a spiral staircase.

Lift (Main)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located along the corridor to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, LG, G, 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 750kg.
  • The lift is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 145cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Lift (Lower Ground Floor Platform Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead as you exit the main lift.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 90cm x 130cm (2ft 11in x 4ft 3in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is a steep ramp without handrails to access the lift on the lower level.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 176cm x 300cm (5ft 9in x 9ft 10in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 95cm and 103cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 119cm.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the lower ground floor.
  • There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
  • Comments View
    • There is a deep step to access the shower.
    • The shower has a fixed shower head and twist/turn controls.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the basement floor and the first floor.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the lower ground floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the lift entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is an ambulant cubicle in the standard toilets on the lower ground floor.
    • The standard female and male toilets on the first floor are for staff use only.