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Department of Biochemistry (Hopkins Building)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include laboratories and student and staff offices.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to 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 not available.
    • 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 dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is 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 permanently held open (at the time of the survey).
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 132cm (4ft 4in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 9 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is 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 70cm (2ft 4in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • 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 71cm (2ft 4in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 9 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Lift View
    • There is a lift to access this entrance.
    • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Accessible Entrance Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located outside of the accessible entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 500kg.
  • The lift is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the side entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The lift door is manual, light and opens outwards.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 139cm x 108cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Opening Times (Reception)

  • Monday 08:30 - 13:00.
  • Monday 14:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 13:00.
  • Tuesday 14:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 13:00.
  • Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 13:00.
  • Thursday 14:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 13:00.
  • Friday 14:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The desk is 13m (14yd 8in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not 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 not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to the majority of the first floor.
    • The width of the ramp is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • This ramp can be seen in photograph 1. On the second floor there is a similar ramp in the same location. This can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • 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 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 not a hearing assistance system.

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.
  • It takes approximately 7 to 14 days to process an order.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1 and 2.
    • The stairs are located ahead of the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the accessible entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • 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.
    • There's a similar staircase at the rear of the venue. This is shown in photograph 2.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 129cm x 125cm (4ft 3in x 4ft 1in).
  • 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 medium.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the basement floor..
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on floors G, 1 and 2.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Basement Floor)

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the basement floor ahead on exiting the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) 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 signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 67cm (2ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 216cm x 179cm (7ft 1in x 5ft 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 160cm (5ft 3in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and storage items.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 poor.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
    • There is not 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) to the right of the toilet and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 180cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • 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 covered cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 poor.
    • The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is no soap available.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 149cm (4ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • The transfer space is also obstructed by the sink.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the basement floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female and male toilets are located ahead of the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 11m from the accessible entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • It was not possible to access the female toilet.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the basement floor.
  • There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.