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Nicholson Building

The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5DA

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; The School of Environmental Sciences, Nicholson Lecture Theatre, laboratories, glasshouses and teaching rooms.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located to the rear of the foyer as you enter.
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located to the rear left of the foyer as you enter and on the first floor, to the left from the lift.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located to the left of the foyer as you enter and on the second floor, to the left from the lift.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The car park is located off Pembroke Place on Brownlow Street.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Brownlow Street Car Park.
    • The car park is located off Brownlow Street.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 235cm x 490cm (7ft 9in x 16ft 1in).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Brownlow Street.
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 235cm x 490cm (7ft 9in x 16ft 1in).
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Brownlow Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park (Brownlow Street)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Brownlow Street, designated Car Park 28 on the University Campus Map.
    • 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.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 470cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The marked zone is 130cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by anybody.
    • Parking charges apply for all users.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment cannot be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 12m from the Brownlow Street Car Park Entrance.
    • There are barriers to enter and leave the car park with a push button that is 120cm in height to receive your ticket.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with '203 Nicholson Building'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key fob reader is 91cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 123cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading down to the entrance, right of the steps.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located leading down in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 9 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Lift View
    • There is an easier slope further to the left (shown in photographs 8 and 9), although it leads to 1 medium step without handrails (shown in photograph 10).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • The archives area of the lower floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is laminate and tiles.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is bench seating and single seats without armrests at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
    • The system is infrared.
    • There is a hearing loop within the lecture theatre.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the left as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1 and 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.
  • Other Information View
    • The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the archives section of the lower floor, accessed via a further 10 steps (shown in photographs 5 and 6).

Lift

  • The lift is located to the rear left as you enter.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 320kg.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 70cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 100cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are moderate to good.

Lift (Goods Lift)

  • The lift is located to the left as you enter.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG and G.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 500kg.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is not a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is medium.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
  • The clear door width is 70cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 77cm x 123cm.
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The internal controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift controls are 140cm high.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are low to moderate.
  • This is a goods lift and has heavy, manual, sliding doors inside.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 297cm x 261cm.
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 93cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 110cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 99cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a fixed baby change table available .
    • The height of the baby change table is 103cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the left as you enter.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There is 1 deep step to access the male toilet urinals (shown in photographs 3 and 4).
  • Baby Changing Facilities 2 View
    • There are further male and female standard toilets on the upper floors.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the ground floor standard toilets.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is a deep step to access the shower.