Access Guide
Introduction
- Basement Floor - B01 - B15, Basement Foyer
Ground Floor - G01 - G06, Reception, Department of Management / Department of Organisational Psychology Administration
First Floor - 101 - 110
Second Floor - 201 - 210
Third Floor - 301 - 313
Fourth Floor - 401 - 405.
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Comments
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- A portable hearing loop can be requested from the AV Office in the Birkbeck Malet Street Building.
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the basement, first and fourth floors.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the basement, ground and second floors.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and first floors.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on the first floor.
Centrally Timetabled Spaces
- Lecture Theatre(s) View
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Teaching Room(s)
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- To view the AccessAble access guide for CLO 101 please click here (new tab)
- To view the AccessAble access guide for CLO 102 please click here (new tab)
- To view the AccessAble access guide for CLO 203 please click here (new tab)
- To view the AccessAble access guide for CLO 204 please click here (new tab)
- To view the AccessAble access guide for CLO Basement Foyer please click here (new tab)
Getting Here
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By Road
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- Birkbeck is located in the Bloomsbury area of Central London, on Malet Street and Torrington Square. These streets are close to the Euston Road (A501) and Gower Street (A400).
- On street parking is available on Torrington Square, managed by Facilities Management at the University of London in Senate House.
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By Bus
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- A number of London Bus routes stop on Gower Street close to the College, including 14 (Putney Heath to Warren Street Station), 24 (Pimlico to Hampstead Heath), 29 (Wood Green to Trafalgar Square), 73 (Victoria Bus Station to Stoke Newington), 143 (North Finchley Bus Station to Tottenham Court Road) and 390 (Archway Station to Notting Hill Gate). Buses 10 (Hammersmith Bus Station to King's Cross Station) and 188 (North Greenwich to Russell Square Station) also stop nearby on Russell Square.
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By Train
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- The nearest railway stations are Euston, St Pancras International and King's Cross Stations. However, all of the London Terminal stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
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By Underground
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- The nearest tube stations to the college are Russell Square (on the Piccadilly Line) and Goodge Street (on the Northern Line).
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Useful Links
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- For more information, please see the Find Us page on the University Website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the Transport for London website for more details on travelling to the campus by bus or tube.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the National Rail website for details regarding trains into London.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on Disability and Dyslexia Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 020 7631 6316.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Student Advice Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 020 7631 6316.
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Email: [email protected].
Building Parking
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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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 available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Torrington Square.
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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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- The parking is permit holders only for SOAS and Senate House.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off Torrington Square.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The intercom is at a height of 125cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm (4ft 3in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp is 145cm (4ft 9in).
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Step(s)
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- There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
- The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 3 step(s) to access the entrance.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
- The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are deep.
- The steps do not have handrails.
Reception (Main Reception)
- The main reception is located in front of you on entrance.
- The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) 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 bright.
- The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
- There is/are 2 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to the main areas of the ground floor from the ground floor foyer.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a slight ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to the main ground floor area from the ground floor foyer.
- The width of the ramp is 95cm (3ft 1in).
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
- The steps and ramp can be seen in photographs 1 and 2.
- There is/are 2 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to ground floor seating area.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- These steps can be seen in photograph 3.
- There are no doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
- There is clearly written and pictorial 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 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.
- Portable hearing loops are available on request from the AV Office.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
Other Floors (Staircase A)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- The stairs are located ahead as you enter the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on the ground floor, on the first floor, on the second floor and on the third floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- There is a second staircase in the building named Staircase B, which is located to the left of the building. It is similar except that it has no lobby doors on any level and has handrails on the left only. These stairs are the only way to access rooms B04-B15. On staircase B, room 211 is located between the first and second floors.
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Other
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- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are B04 - B15.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the entrance foyer.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 630 kg.
- The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) 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 100cm x 140cm (3ft 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 has a hearing enhancement 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 good.
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Comments
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- The lift does not provide level access to rooms B04 -B15.
Eating and Drinking (Aspretto Cafe)
- The following information is for the café.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is 2m (2yd 7in) from the lift.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- The standard height for tables is 67cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are not available.
- 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 snacks.
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Comments
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- At the time of the survey (November 2021) the café was not operating.
Toilet with Adaptations (Basement - Left Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located ahead and to the left as you exit the lift on the basement floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 215cm (4ft 7in x 7ft 1in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- 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 high.
- 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 sanitary 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 112cm (3ft 8in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to your left as you exit the lift on the first floor.
- 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 270cm (4ft 9in x 8ft 10in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a push button 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 sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 126cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 77cm (2ft 6in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left 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 112cm.
- 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 124cm.
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 100cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Fourth Floor - Right Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the rear of the lift on the fourth floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from reception.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 216cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 1in).
- 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 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type 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 sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 129cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
View
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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).
- 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 114cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The male toilet is located ahead and to your left from the lift on the basement floor.
- There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
- The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
- There is a/are dropdown rail(s) on the left as you face the ambulant toilet(s).
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are adjustable.
- There are five steps with handrails on both sides to access the male standard toilet.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The female toilet is located to your left as you exit the lift on the first floor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- 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 Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- The ambulant toilet does not have horizontal wall mounted grab rails.
- There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are good.
Standard Shower (Basement)
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the basement floor after the stairs, next to the male standard toilet.
- There is not level access to the services from the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- Access to showers is via 5 medium steps with handrails on both sides.
- Entry into the shower is via swipe card.
- The room contains hand basins and a mirror.
- There is 1 deep step of 19cm to enter the shower cubicle.
- There is a bench seat by the shower at the height of 48cm.
- A push button fixed at 120cm is used to exit the shower.