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Mercantile House

Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 2QF

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Offices and DCQE Training Rooms.
  • The DCQE Training Rooms are located on the second floor.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Take the M275 into Portsmouth. From the end of the M275, follow signs for 'Historic Waterfront/Seafront'. Cross three roundabouts to the traffic lights by Unicorn Gate (entrance to the naval dockyard). These are the traffic lights at the top of the Guildhall Campus map (see link to Maps and Directions Page below).
    • There is a car park for permit holders on Wiltshire Street. Visitors can apply for a permit to park here in advance if required.
  • By Bus View
    • Bus routes 19, The Star 7, and the coach 700 Coastliner all stop on Cambridge Road, outside the Students' Union. There is also a University bus, linking the Langstone campus with the Guildhall Campus, which stops here.
  • By Train View
    • Portsmouth and Southsea station is located just to the north of the Guildhall Campus, approximately half a mile from this building. From the station entrance, turn left and pass under the railway lines. Cross Isambard Brunel Road, pass through the gap in the building and then cross Guildhall Square. Continue along Guildhall Walk until it meets Winston Churchill Avenue, then turn right. Cross King Richard I Road and turn left. This road becomes Hampshire Terrace. Portsmouth and Southsea is served by trains from London Waterloo and Victoria, as well as South Wales, Bristol and stations along the South Coast.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located underneath the building.
    • The car park type is sheltered.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 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 600cm x 500cm (19ft 8in x 16ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.

Site/Campus Car Park (Wiltshire Street)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Wiltshire Street.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Mercantile 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • 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 Wiltshire Street.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Mercantile Building.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in front of the building off Hampshire Terrace.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 109cm (3ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in).
  • 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 or 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.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 4 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There are only 103cm between the steps in front of the entrance and the entrance which may make manoeuvring into the building difficult.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • Estates Helpdesk is located to your left on entrance.
  • The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • 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 no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors 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 all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
    • The stairs are located to your left on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • 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 an additional set of stairs from the 10th to the 11th floors. Which can be seen in photograph 4 and 5.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are additional office space on the 11th floor.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the lift lobby from the first floor upwards.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 800 kg.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 126cm x 140cm (4ft 2in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 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 bright.

Teaching/Seminar Room(s) (DCQE Staff Development Rooms - Second Floor)

  • Directional and locational signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front.
  • The height of the lectern is 109cm.
  • The lectern is not height adjustable.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 70cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • Comments View
    • There are two separate entrances to the room.
    • There is a partition that can be used to split this into two separate rooms.
    • Located nearby to the main teaching room is the DCQUE Meeting Room which can be seen in photographs 5 and 6.

Teaching/Seminar Room(s) (Annex 1 and 2 - Second Floor)

  • Directional and locational signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 69cm and 70cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • Comments View
    • Photographs 1, 2, 3 and 4 show Annex 1.
    • Photographs 5 and 6 show Annex 2.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left as you exit the lift on the second floor.
    • There is a similar toilets in the same location on floors 3-10. Photograph 2 shows the accessible toilet on floor 3. Photograph 3 shows the accessible toilet on floor 4. Photograph 4 shows the accessible toilet on floor 5. Photograph 5 shows the accessible toilet on floor 6. Photograph 6 shows the accessible toilet on floor 7. Photograph 7 shows the accessible toilet on floor 8. Photograph 8 shows the accessible toilet on floor 9. Photograph 9 shows the accessible toilet on floor 10.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 159cm x 210cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 11in).
    • There is not 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 160cm 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 not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • 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 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 85cm.
  • 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 good.
    • There is a good 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 bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the second floor, the third floor, the fourth floor, the fifth floor, the sixth floor, the seventh floor, the eighth floor, the ninth floor and the tenth floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left on exiting the first floor lift lobby.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 6m from the lift.
    • There is a/are cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • There are horizontal grab rails on both sides of the seat and a vertical rail on the left.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.