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School of Physics and Astronomy

University of St Andrews, JF Allen Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9SS

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include teaching areas, 3 lectures theatres, offices, library, cafeteria, computer rooms and laboratories.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in St Andrews.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is Leuchars.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
  • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 465cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 3in).
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 65m (71yd 3in) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The car park standard bays are for permit holders only.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Comments View
    • There are 2 single doors that are push pad controlled, one on each side of the double doors.
    • The push pad is at a height of 106cm.
    • There is also a set of double doors in between the two push pad opened single doors, these double doors open away from you and are heavy.
    • This manual double door opening is 226cm wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • This ramp is from the car park down to the entrance approach and bypasses the steep slope shown in photograph 4.
    • There is also a slight slope without handrails in front of the main entrance as shown in photographs 5 and 6.
    • There is uneven concrete slab paving on the main entrance approach.

Entrance (School of Medicine Link)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located from level 1 of the School of Medicine.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope bypasses the steps.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp or slope is permanent.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides going up.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left of the ramp.
    • There is / are 6 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • There is a fixed loop induction hearing assistance system in Lecture Theatre A, Lecture Theatre B and Lecture Theatre C.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Theatre (Lecture Theatre A)

  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • Designated seating is located in in the front row.
  • Wheelchairs are left with you.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • Companions sit next to you.
  • It is 13m (14yd 8in) from the designated seating area to the nearest accessible toilet.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are not trained to use the hearing system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • Comments View
    • There is a clearly marked deep step to the speaker's area.
    • There are two other similar lecture theatres B and C.
    • There are fixed loop hearing assistance systems in all three lecture theatres.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G and 1.
    • The stairs are located to the right on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 9m 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 are further stairs to the rear of the building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located off the rear corridor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G-1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 41m (44yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 99cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 122cm (3ft 11in x 4ft).
  • 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 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.

Outside Access (JF Allen Library)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the 1st floor.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
  • Comments View
    • Immediately beyond the entrance are electronic barriers which are 94cm wide.

Library (JF Allen Library)

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
  • Comments View
    • Braille and large print books can be supplied on request.
    • The library is located on the first floor.

Reception (JF Allen)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the 1st floor library entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Cafeteria)

  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 102cm (3ft 4in).
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is sandwiches and hot meals.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial and tactile signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the cafeteria on the ground floor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 196cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 5in).
    • There is 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 general domestic waste and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a medium 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 bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located off the cafeteria seating area.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 38m (41yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located off the cafeteria seating area.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are additional standard male and female toilets located on the basement level and also the first floor.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.