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Michael Smith Building

The University of Manchester, Rumford Street, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • This building is linked to the Stopford Building and the AV Hill Building on the third floor.

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Manchester.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is Manchester Oxford Road.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking (Car Park G)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
  • There are 5 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 450cm (9ft 10in x 14ft 9in).
  • The nearest designated bay is 19m (21yd) from the main entrance.
  • The furthest designated bay is 30m (33yd) 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 a dropped kerb / non stepped access from the car park to the venue.
  • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
  • The patron does have to cross a road.
  • The road is generally quiet.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

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 intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The doors open automatically.
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in) wide.
  • Comments View
    • Both sets of automatic doors open towards you.
    • A swipe card is required to access both sets of doors.
    • There is also a revolving door next to the first door, and double, manual doors next to the second set.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Reception

  • The reception desk is 10m (32ft 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • The reception desk is high height.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There are turnstiles and doors, 100 cm wide, located either side of the reception desk to access the main areas of the building. A swipe card is required to access these.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The building is divided into 4 wings and are named A, B, C and D wings and these form a square.
    • C wing houses the main reception and main entrance and the wings then follow round in a clockwise direction with D being the next, then A, then B and then back to C wing.
    • The wings in the building are divided up into an inner corridor which houses offices and an outer corridor which houses the laboratories and this is the same for all floors.
    • There is only a hearing loop system in the Michael Smith Seminar Room which is located on the ground floor, on the right as you enter the building. This also has designated spaces for wheelchair users at the front (shownin photograph 1).
    • There are also height adjustable tables available in some of the write up areas.
    • Photograph 2 shows the link to AV Hill Building on the third floor. There are 2 sets of automatic doors, 127 and 155 cm wide, at this link.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G - 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting level is bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The photograph shows the wide set of stairs that are located in C Wing and only give access to the 1st floor.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G - 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting level is bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The inner corridor on the ground floor has a set of stairs which are located centrally in the corridor and allow access to all other floors.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the B C Hub, behind reception.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G - 3.
  • The lift is 22m (24yd) from main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 97cm x 200cm (3ft 2in x 6ft 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 controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Level Change (Link to Stopford Building)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located on the third floor.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Eating and Drinking (Mellors)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 69cm (2ft).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • 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, sandwiches and drinks.
  • Comments View
    • The coffee shop is located on the left of wing B on the ground floor as you go through the turnstiles.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left as you face the reception.
    • 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 200cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 7in).
    • 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 78cm (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.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 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 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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).
    • 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 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 good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • Baby Change Facilities
    • The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet by reception.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There are additional adapted toilets located on every floor, either side of the lifts.
    • They are unisex toilets and can also be used as standard toilets.
    • The toilets either side of the lifts have the lateral transfer space on the left for the toilets on the left of the lift and on the right for those on the right of the lifts.
    • This is the same for all floors.
    • The only toilet equipped with baby changing facilities is the one opposite reception.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Plastic cups are available.
  • Plastic cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available on request.