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Student Services Centre and Wellbeing Services

Hugh Nisbet Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Location

  • This venue is situated in the Hugh Nisbet Building, Riccarton Campus.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Curriehill.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.

Parking (Third Gait)

  • 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 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 490cm x 480cm (16ft 1in x 15ft 9in).
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the West Side - Gait 3 entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 22m (24yd 2in) from the West Side - Gait 3 entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • 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.

Outside Access (James Watt Centre Link Bridge)

  • This information is for the entrance located at first floor level at the south side of the building.
  • 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 permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the 1st floor of the building.

Outside Access (Scott Russell Building Link)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor level at the north end of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the building.

Outside Access (West Side Entrance - Third Gait)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the west side off the building, in the car park on Third Gait.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 147cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The width of the ramp is 100cm (3ft 3in).

Outside Access (East Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at ground floor level opposite Linlithgow Hall.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
    • The stairs are located on the main corridor by the James Watt building link.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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 small staircase with single heavy doors from G to 1 in the Learning Commons area (photographs 5 and 6). There are fire escape staircase giving access to floors B, G, 1 and 2 to the west side of the building and by Lecture Theatre 4 (photographs 7 and 8), used mainly as fire escape staircases.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the basement and third floor service areas.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the south end of the building in the Learning Commons area and link bridge.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, M,1, 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the entrance from the Link Bridge.
  • 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 156cm x 149cm (5ft 1in x 4ft 11in).
  • 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 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 bright.

Outside Access (Student Services Centre)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor main corridor.
  • 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 136cm (4ft 6in).

Reception (Student Services)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is a touch screen.
  • The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Comments View
    • There are self-service kiosks with touch screen at low level.

Outside Access (Wellbeing Services)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the main corridor.
    • There is step free 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 86cm (2ft 10in).

Reception (Wellbeing Services)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the 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.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • The nearest accessible toilets are located on the ground floor of the Hugh Nisbet Building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 29m (31yd 2ft) from the entrance from the Link Bridge.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are standard toilets, with washing facilities, on the basement level, next to the Muslim Prayer Room.
    • There are further standard toilets near the stairs and on the second floor.

SafeZone

  • SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
  • For information about the SafeZone please click here.