Access Guide
Summary
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Service
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- Student Support Office, Reception, Chaplains Office, Student welfare Room, Tutorial Room, Weston Computer Room, The Lord Glenamara Room, Bursars Finance and Operations Offices.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor.
- Gender neutral toilet facilities are located is located on the ground floor to the left as you face reception by Stair 3.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The College of St Hild and St Bede is located off the Gilesgate Roundabout on the A690, which links Junction 62 of the A1(M) with the City Centre.
- There are several car parks located throughout the College site, which require a permit to park. Permits can be issued to visitors on request.
- For more information on how to get to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- Bus routes 20 and X20, which run between Durham and Sunderland, stop on Leazes Road, just outside the College.
- For more information on the bus routes 20 and X20 to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
- Durham Railway Station is located approximately 1 mile to the east of the College, on the far side of the city centre and River Wear. Buses run from outside the station to the city centre.
- For more information on trains to Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on Durham Railway Station please click here (opens new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. - To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located outside the main 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 level changes with no dropped kerbs.
- The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff and visitors within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Visitors Car Park.
- The car park is located down the hill in front of the main building.
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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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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located down the hill opposite the main building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Hild Gym East.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is concrete.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by permit holders and visitors.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- Signs are clearly presented.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is step free access from this car park.
- Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is not a campus map available within the car park.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building .
- There is stepped access to the reception and the majority of the building via the main entrance.
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is laminate and carpet.
- There is bench seating at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
- There is a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- A fixed loop is located in the main reception.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 08/06/2021.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
Outside Access (Hild Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the front of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'College of St Hild and St Bede'.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 10cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Outside Access (Lower Ground Floor Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the rear right of the building as you face the main entrance.
- This entrance gives access to lower ground toilets and Joachim Room.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 90cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 96cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located at the front of the entrance, between the doors and just inside of the second door.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
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Comments
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- To the right as enter the first set of doors there is a steep ramp with handrails on both sides to access the Joachim Room (photograph 4).
Reception (Hild Main Reception)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the top of the steps in the main building.
- The reception point is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the reception entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is visible from the entrance.
- There is stepped access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
- The height of the reception counter is 115cm .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a lowered section of the counter.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 70cm.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are not trained to use the hearing system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 08/06/2021.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is laminate.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
Step(s)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located ahead of you via the main entrance.
- The step(s) is/are used to access reception (photograph 1, 2 and 3) , offices, S.C.R, Tutorial Room and Weston Computer Room.
- There is/are 10 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
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Stepped Level Change 2
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- There is a/are step(s) located on the ground floor just past stairs 4 from the main reception.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Weston Computer Room, Bursar and Finance office, Operations Office, The Lord Glenamara Room and stairs 5 (photograph 4, 5, 6 and 7).
- There is/are 7 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- Just before these steps there is a single step which is 22cm high to access the tutorial room. There are 3 steps down and 4 steps up.
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Stepped Level Change 3
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- There is a/are step(s) located to the end of corridor through the door to the right as you enter the main entrance.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Alan Pearson Common Room, Carol Carr Reading Room, George Smith Reading Room, Post Graduate Common Room and Stair 2.
- There is/are 11 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- The handrails only cover the first 3 stairs.
Step(s) (West Side)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located to the end of corridor through the door to the right as you enter the main entrance.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Alan Pearson Common Room, Carol Carr Reading Room, George Smith Reading Room, Post Graduate Common Room and Stair 2 ( Photograph 1,2 ).
- There is/are 11 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- The handrails only cover the first 3 stairs.
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Stepped Level Change 2
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- There is a/are step(s) located through the double doors past the Alan Pearce Common Room and stair 2.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Stair 2 leading to lower ground floor and corridor leading to GS RM, CC RM.
- There is/are 4 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
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Stepped Level Change 3
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- There is a/are step(s) located to the end of the corridor from the last set of stairs.
- The step(s) is/are used to access George Smith Reading Room, Carol Carr Reading Rooms.
- There is/are 4 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 19cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
Other Floors (Stair 2)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located just ahead of the first set of west side stairs.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the first set of west side stairs.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1 and 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.
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Other Information
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- The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Single door leads to accommodation on floors 1 and 2 (photograph 1, 4, 5 and 6) Double doors lead to Post Graduate Common Room on the lower ground Floor (photograph 1, 2 and 3).
Other Floors (Stair 3)
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Stairs
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- The stairs are located to the left of reception.
- The stairs are approximately 10m from the reception doors.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
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- The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Student Accommodation is located on floor 1 and 2.
Other Floors (Stair 4)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located to the corridor along to the right of reception.
- The stairs are approximately 15m from the reception lobby.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, LG, 1 and 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
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- The area(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Student welfare room and student accommodation on level 1, 2 and 3.
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Comments
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- The stairs leading to the lower ground floor have handrails on both sides (photograph 5 and 6).
Laundry Room
- There is a laundry room on the same corridor as the accessible toilet located to the end of the corridor, 21M from the lower ground floor accessible entrance.
- The width of the door is 75cm wide.
- The washers and dryers are both accessible.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand 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 within the lower ground corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the lower ground entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a gender neutral toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- There is no lock for the toilet door.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm.
- 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 high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 265cm x 215cm (8ft 8in x 7ft 1in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 102cm from floor level.
- 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 114cm (3ft 9in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by storage items.
- There is a flush 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 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 fair.
- 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 general waste (with no lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest and a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- 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 104cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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 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 105cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 99cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- 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 fixed baby change table available .
- The height of the baby change table is 91cm.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on either side of the accessible toilet.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m from the lower ground entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- 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 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.