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Waterhouse Building Block A

The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB

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Access Guide

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Summary (The Waterhouse Buildings General)

Summary (Block A)

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; the Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Molecular Laboratory, Cell Culture Laboratory, Bioanalytical Laboratory, Bioinformatics Suite, research nurses, offices and meeting rooms.
    • Waterhouse Buildings - Block B link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the second floor.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor and the second floor.
    • Shared standard toilet facilities are located first floor, second floor.
    • There is no ground floor to Block A.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking (Block A)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located at the Ashton Street end of the building, accessed from Dover Street.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 480cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 150cm wide.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m from the Main Entrance - Ashton Street.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Brownlow Street.
    • The car park is located on Brownlow Street accessed from Pembroke Place.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There is additional standard parking between Blocks B and C off Dover Street. There is additional standard on-street campus parking for permit holders on Ashton Street and Dover Street.

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 - Ashton Street)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the Ashton Street end of the Waterhouse Buildings.
    • This entrance gives access to the level 1 common corridor to Blocks A, B, C, D and F.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'BLOCKS A, B, C, D & F'.
    • 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 card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 107cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 97cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 193cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you approach the entrance from the car park.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left as you approach the entrance from the car park.
    • There is/are 7 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • 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.

Outside Access (Main Entrance - Brownlow Street)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor at the Brownlow Street end of the Waterhouse Building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor common corridor to blocks C, B, D and lifts to access Blocks A and F.
    • This entrance is signed with 'WATERHOUSE BUILDING BLOCKS A, B, C, D, E and F'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 132cm .
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 140cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 141cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • At the time of survey scaffolding restricted the access to the entrance.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Outside Access (Side Entrance - Dover Street)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the car park between blocks B and C.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor blocks, B, C and D and lift and stairs to Block A.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'BLOCK B'.
    • There is step-free 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 card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 110cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 96cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 157cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Getting Around (Common Corridors)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl and stone.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Other Floors (Staircase A)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the right as you enter via the main entrance - Ashton Street at first floor level.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance - Ashton Street.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1 and 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • 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 not a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
  • Other Information View
    • There are additional fire escape staircases to the rear of Block A (floors 1, 2), Block B, Block C and Block D (floors G, 1, 2).

Other Floors (Staircase B)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located in the centre of the building by Block B.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 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 not 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 provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
  • Other Information View
    • There are additional fire escape staircase to the rear of Blocks A, B and C.

Lift (Lift 2)

  • The lift is located in the common corridors at the centre of the building by the side entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the 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 630kg 8 Persons.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 low.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 88cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 130cm x 145cm.
  • 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is 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.
  • This lift has level access at ground floor level from the main entrance - Brownlow Street and the side entrance - Dover Street. This lift has level access at first floor level from the main entrance - Ashton Street.

Entrance (A1 - First Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor to the left as you enter via the common entrance at the Ashton Street end of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to first floor rooms, laboratories and toilets.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'BLOCK A'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 148cm (4ft 10in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 103cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 102cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
    • There is a similar entrance on the second floor level to A2.

Entrance (A2 - Second Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the second floor main corridor, to the right as you exit lift 2.
    • This entrance gives access to second floor rooms, laboratories and toilets.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'BLOCK A'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 149cm (4ft 11in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 103cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 102cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.

Getting Around (Block A)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is tiles and vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and 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.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Level 2)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on level 2 on the left as you enter via the level 2 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 and written text 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 good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 232cm x 231cm.
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 116cm from floor level.
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 154cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is 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 good.
    • 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 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 not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 122cm (4ft).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 73cm (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 good.
    • 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 80cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on level 2 to the rear of the building.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 49m from the Block B Lift 2.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • 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 92cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female and male toilets are located on level 1.