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Dorothy Buchanan Building

University of Roehampton, Digby Stuart College, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building from the direction of the Sir David Bell Building is on a long slope with a steep gradient.
  • The approach to the building from the direction of Digby Stuart Square is via a long ramp with a steep gradient with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a single external entrance into the building with automatic double doors.
  • The external entrance is signed as Dorothy Buchanan Building.
  • The external entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor.
  • There is a step-free internal entrance on the ground floor from the adjacent Howard Building with manual double doors.
  • There is a stepped internal entrance on the ground floor from the adjacent Sir David Bell Courtyard Wing building with a manual single door.
  • There is a step-free internal entrance on the first floor from the adjacent Sir David Bell Courtyard Wing building with a manual single door.
  • There are stepped internal entrances on the first floor from the adjacent Howard Building, but these entrances were out of bounds for purposes of access at the time of survey (March 2026).

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Some circulation routes are through teaching rooms.
  • There are 6 medium height steps with a handrail on the right-hand side going up for access to the raised level on the ground floor.
  • There is a ramp with a slight gradient, level resting areas and handrails on both sides for access to the raised level on the ground floor. The ramp overcomes the steps.
  • There are 5 deep steps with a handrail on the right-hand side going up for access to the Engineering and Fabrication Workshop Tech Hub room Buc002 and stairwell to the right of the building.
  • There are 5 deep steps with a handrail on the left-hand side going up for access to the Engineering and Fabrication Workshop Tech Hub room Buc002.
  • There is only stepped access to room BucB02 on the basement floor.
  • There is only stepped access to room BucM02 off the stairwell on the mezzanine floor.
  • There is a slope with a slight gradient on the first floor between the social space rooms Buc104 and Buc105 and the shared standard toilets to the left of the building.
  • There is only stepped access to room Buc104 off the main stairwell on the first floor from within the building.
  • There is step-free access via lift to room Buc104 via the adjacent Sir David Bell Courtyard Wing building.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in the open plan areas on the ground floor and in the social space rooms Buc104 and Buc105 on the first floor.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are key card released manual single doors on the ground floor for access to the Engineering and Fabrication Workshop Tech Hub room Buc002 and stairwell to the right of the building.
  • There are manual double doors on the first floor between the social space rooms Buc104 and Buc105 and some of the first floor shared standard toilets.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor to the right and left of the building, and on the second floor to the right of the building.
    • There is only stepped access to the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor to the right of the building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The facilities on the ground floor have a transfer space on the right-hand side.
    • The facilities on the second floor have a transfer space on the left-hand side.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the left of the building, and on the first floor to the right of the building.
    • There is only stepped access to the ambulant toilet on the first floor.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and first floors to the left of the building, and on the second floor to the right of the building.
    • The shared standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and first floors to the right of the building.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the second floor to the right of the building.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the ground floor to the left of the building.

Entrance (External)

  • This entrance is located along the walkway between the Sir David Bell and Howard buildings.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 112cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 188cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 108cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right after the external entrance.
  • The distance from the external entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The ground, first, and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 138cm (width) x 160cm (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 mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located diagonally right across the corridor after the external entrance.
  • The ground floor, the first floor landing, and the first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not 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 18cm.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell on the landing between the ground floor and the first floor.
  • There is a single manual door with a locked extension leaf to access the stairwell on the first floor.
  • There are key card operated automatic single doors with locked extension leaves for access to the Environmental Laboratory & Project Studio on the first floor, and the Digital Laboratory on the second floor.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides between the ground floor and the landing between the ground floor and the first floor, and only on the left-hand side from the landing upwards.
  • The depth of the steps between the ground floor and the first floor is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The depth of the steps from the first floor upwards is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the configuration and location of windows.
  • There are additional stairs to the right of the building for access between the basement room BucB02, the ground floor G, the mezzanine floor M, and the first and second floors.
  • There are manual single doors for access to this stairwell on the ground floor G, the mezzanine floor M, and the second floor.
  • There is a key card activated automatic single door off this stairwell for access to the Environmental Laboratory on the first floor.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the left of the building.
    • The distance from the external entrance is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope.
    • 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 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • 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 183cm (width) x 236cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 112cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • 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 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 117cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 77cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 114cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 142cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Shower with Adaptations (Second Floor)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within the toilet with adaptations on the second floor on the right-hand side of the building.
    • The distance from the lift is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • Step-free access from the lift is through the Digital Laboratory & Project Studio.
    • 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 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • 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
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 54cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 142cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for Students who may need assistance during a fire or emergency.
  • The University strongly advises students who may need some assistance to evacuate a building during fire or emergency to have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). This is so the University Security staff can help the student escape to a place of safety.
  • If you have a temporary or permanent physical or mental disability; learning difference; injury; health condition; impaired sight, hearing or mobility, that affects your ability to evacuate a building unaided, a PEEP is strongly recommended.
  • Many of the University's buildings have lifts which cannot be used during a fire alarm activation. Refuge Points are provided in the protected escape stairwells and lift lobbies with communications systems so Security can be called for assistance during an emergency.
  • Campus Security staff are trained to help you leave the building and get to a place of safety. They are trained in first aid, mental health first aid, and in the use of evacuation aids such as Evac Chairs. They will respond quickly to calls from the Refuge Points and help you to evacuate to a safe place outside the building and provide any further help you may need to remain comfortable and fully informed of the situation.
  • Although many procedures in emergency evacuation plans can be similar, everyone is unique, which is why a PEEP developed for your specific needs is highly recommended. A PEEP is not intended to be disempowering or reduce your independence, it's one of the ways the University accomplishes its duty to promote your equality and provide a safe place in which you can learn, work and live. The University may need to provide equipment to alert you to a fire alarm or make some building adaptations to facilitate your escape and to reduce your need for personal assistance.