Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include the Department of Biomedical Science - research labs and staff offices.
- Firth Court - Perak Laboratories link (new tab) - click here.
- Addison Building link (new tab) - click here.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The campus is located to the west side of Sheffield city centre, off Netherthorpe Road and Upper Hanover Street, which can be accessed via the A61.
Follow the directions detailed on the University website Maps and Travel page (see below). - There are University-owned public car parks on Durham Road and Solly Street.
- The campus is located to the west side of Sheffield city centre, off Netherthorpe Road and Upper Hanover Street, which can be accessed via the A61.
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By Bus
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- The nearest bus stops are the University of Sheffield/Western Bank bus stops on Western Bank.
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By Train
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- The nearest station is Sheffield. Sheffield is at the heart of the UK railway network, so is easily accessed from most of the country.
There is step free access by lift to all platforms at the station. The station is 320m from the Sheffield Interchange, where buses are available to the campus, or 160m from the Sheffield Station tram stop which connects to the University of Sheffield tram stop on the Blue Line.
- The nearest station is Sheffield. Sheffield is at the heart of the UK railway network, so is easily accessed from most of the country.
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By Tram
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- The nearest tram stop is the University of Sheffield stop which is served by the Blue Line from Halfway and the Yellow Line from Meadowhall.
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Useful Links
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- For more details on how to get to the University, please see the Maps and Travel Page.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- For more information about University car parks and permits please click here.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- For more information about public transport in South Yorkshire, and a journey planner, please click here.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- To see more information on Disability and Dyslexia Support Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0114 222 1303.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Deaf Messaging Service please click here (opens new tab).
- This service provides a text alert from the University fire alarm system. Building codes for the system can be found at the web address provided.
- To see more information on Student Services Information Desk please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0114 222 1299.
- To see more information on Applicant Information Desk please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0114 222 8030.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0114 222 4488.
- Email: [email protected].
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located under the Addison Building, off Western Bank.
- The car park type is underground.
- 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 and signposted.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 328cm x 450cm (10ft 9in x 14ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- 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 car park surface is tarmac.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff and students within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Tower Court - Arts Tower Car Park (Category B).
- The car park is located off Bolsover Street.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- Access from the Tower Court car park is via the Firth Court Quadrangle entrance.
- This is a category A car park. Parking is by permit only. For more information on parking at the University please see the University parking web page.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building, by the car park.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
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Comments
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- This entrance gives direct access from the car park to floor B1.
- There is a similar entrance at the front of the building, leading from the stairs on Western Bank, adjacent to the underpass (shown in photograph 6).
Outside Access (Quadrangle Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located in the Firth Court Quadrangle.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- A UCard is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 131cm (4ft 4in).
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 218cm (7ft 2in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 218cm (7ft 2in).
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Comments
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- This entrance gives direct access to floor B2.
- Exit is by push button.
- The height of the push button is 130cm.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to Addison Building floor B and Alfred Denny Building floor B2 from floor B2.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- This level change is shown in photographs 7 and 8. There are similar steps in the same location on floors C, D, and E. There are 8 steps on floor C (shown in photographs 9 and 10). There are 12 steps on floor D (shown in photographs 11 and 12). There are 16 steps on floor E (shown in photographs 13 and 14).
- There are no doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
- There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
- The lighting levels are varied.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B1, B2, C, D, E.
- The stairs are located to the rear right of the entrance foyer as you enter via the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 9m 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 medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
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Comments
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- Access from the stairwell to the floors is by UCard.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right of the entrance foyer as you enter via the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B1, B2, C, D, E.
- 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 1000kg.
- The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 158cm x 141cm (5ft 2in x 4ft 8in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does 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 medium.
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on all floors, in the lift/stairs lobby area.
The accessible toilets on floors C, D and E have a padded back rest.
The contrast between the seat and pan on floors D and E is poor. - Female standard toilet facilities are located on floors C and E in the lift/stairs lobby area.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on floors B2 and D in the lift/stairs lobby area.
Toilet with Adaptations
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on floor B2, in the lift/stairs lobby area.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is tactile, written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens by sliding (Bi-Fold).
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 99cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 158cm x 192cm (5ft 2in x 6ft 4in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- 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 low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- 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 and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 fixed horizontal rail without a padded backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
- 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 106cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 96cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female toilet is located on floor C, in the lift/stair lobby area.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.
- This toilet is shown in photographs 1 and 2. There is an identical female standard toilet on floor E.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The male toilet is located on floor B2, in the lift/stair lobby area.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.
- This toilet is shown in photographs 3 and 4. There is an identical male standard toilet on floor D.