Skip to main content

Building 37 (George Thomas)

University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • Level 1: Digital print services
    Level 2: Academic administration and student services centre
    Level 3: Finance, communication and marketing
    Level 4: Corporate services and meeting rooms.

Opening Times (Student Services Building)

  • Monday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Parking Information

  • Visitors who hold a Blue Badge can park in any parking bay on campus without needing a University parking permit. Staff and students should obtain a University parking permit from the University’s parking team, which is free of charge to Blue Badge holders.
  • There is a map showing disabled parking bays on Highfield Campus: please click here to view.
  • If there is not a designated disabled parking bay near to a particular building, then a standard parking bay can be reserved for use by a disabled visitor by contacting parking services on 023 8059 2416.

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders, Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • 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 5 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 300cm x 600cm (9ft 10in x 19ft 8in).
    • 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 route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not 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 Highfield Campus Car Park.
    • The car park is located at the north east of the campus.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park (Highfield Campus Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the north end of the campus off Broadlands Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Buildings 45 and 16.
    • 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.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not 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 Building 32 (EEE) and Buildings 45 and 16.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Building 45, 16 or 32.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building off University Road.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 112cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 137cm (4ft 6in).

Reception (Main)

  • The building reception is located directly ahead as you enter.
  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) 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 medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing system is available only on request.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • Comments View
    • Visitor reception, General enquiry and Enabling services support are all found here.

Opening Times (Main Reception)

  • Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to careers centre, income office and left side of the building.
    • The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the careers centre, income office and the left side of the building.
    • The width of the ramp is 121cm (3ft 12in).
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • There are similar steps to the left and right of the ramp.
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to left side of the building from the lift on level 4.
    • The width of the ramp is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • This level change is shown in photograph 4.
    • 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 clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing system is located at the student services reception.
    • The hearing system is available only on request.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.

Reception (Careers Centre)

  • Careers centre is located to the left as you enter.
  • The desk is 42m (45yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is ramped or stepped access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is an accessible entrance at the rear of the ground floor with an automatic, 150cm wide, push pad activated door which opens away from you. This entrance is to the right of the careers office.

Opening Times (Careers Centre)

  • Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Reception (Income Office)

  • Income Office is located at the rear of the ground floor to the left.
  • The desk is 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is visible from the entrance.
  • There is ramped or stepped access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar reception desk for the Exams Office to the left of the Income Office, shown in photograph 2.

Opening Times (Income Office)

  • Monday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The stairs are located directly ahead as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 23m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a spiral staircase at the rear left of the building, shown in photographs 3 and 4.

Lift (Main)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located ahead as you enter at the rear of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 2, 3 and 4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The lift is approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 140cm (5ft 3in 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does 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 medium.

Lift (Left Side)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the rear left of the entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 450kg.
  • The lift is approximately 61m (66yd 2ft) 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 87cm x 121cm (2ft 10in x 3ft 12in).
  • 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 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 medium.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 37m (40yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the ground floor.
    • There are similar accessible toilets on level 3 and level 4, an example is shown in photographs 3 and 4. These toilets are accessible by the main lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • 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 lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 151cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 120cm 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • 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 100cm.
  • 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 poor.
    • There is a poor 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 medium.
  • Comments View
    • High contrast strips are under the wall mounted rails.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • There are similar male and female toilets on level 2, 3 and 4.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear of the ground floor.
    • 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 40m from the main entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.