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The University Library

Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2ST

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level access.
  • The library has one entrance. There are automatic doors at the entrance.
  • The entrance is signed as The University Library.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 5 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and first floors at the front and rear of the building and on the second floor at the rear of the building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the male and female toilets on the ground floor at the front and rear of the building.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor at the front and rear of the building.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first and second floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor at the front of the building.

Parking

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • 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 are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 192cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 112cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There are double manual doors to next to the second door.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left from the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 90cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There are security barriers with a wider opening which are operated by staff.
  • The width of the narrow barrier is 50cm.
  • The width of the wider barrier is 96cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the barriers is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 143cm (width) x 150cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a hearing assistance alarm system and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the building.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the library may include doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, sofas and stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, long tables, desks, height adjustable desks and booths.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 93cm to 123cm from the floor.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ebook.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (Breastfeeding Room)

  • The room surveyed is located on the second floor.
  • The distance from the lift is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and a lift.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The room has no disposal facilities.
  • Seating available in the room includes: armchairs.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • A key code and fob are required to access this room. The key code can be found in the description of the room in the students Google calendar.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Front - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • 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 170cm (width) x 220cm (depth) and there is 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 96cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 50cm 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 110cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 high 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 108cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Rear - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor at the rear of the building.
    • The distance from the barriers is 32m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • 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 153cm (width) x 225cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 50cm 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 110cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 high 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 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 82cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.