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Disabled Access Guide for Mechanical Engineering
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 414 3344
Fax: 0121 414 3971
Web: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
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Introduction
Services/facilities within the building include staff offices, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, open learning / common room facilities, (the Shell Lounge), Design Centre, (enquiry-driven learning suite, research and teaching laboratories, practical and research workshops, meeting rooms, a small library.
The Shell Lounge facility includes a small catering facility offering snacks and confectionery.
Location
The venue is situated in the south-west area of the Edgbaston Campus.
The venue is not on a road with a steep gradient.
The nearest mainline Railway Station is University.
There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Parking
This venue does have its own car park situated between the Mechanical Engineering Building and the Haworth Building.
Parking is not free for all users.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
The car park is at the front of the venue.
The car park type is open air/surface.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
There are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 4.1m x 4.8m (13ft 5in x 15ft 8in).
The nearest designated bay is 32m (35yd) from the main entrance.
The furthest designated bay is 35m (38yd) 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 uneven surfaces.
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 not have to cross a road.
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 to the service.
The main external doors open away from you (push).
The doors are double width.
The doors are permanently held open during opening hours.
The door opening is 170cm (5ft 6in) wide.
There is a second set of doors within 10m of the external doors.
These doors open both ways and are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 139cm (4ft 6in) wide.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
The ramp or slope is easy.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
Inside Access
There is level access to the service.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
The lighting levels are varied.
Motorised wheelchairs are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Other Floors
The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G-1-2.
There are 15+ steps between floors.
The lighting level is medium.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are medium height.
The steps do have handrails.
The steps have a handrail on both sides.
There is a landing.
The services on the floors which are not accessible are room T1.
Lift
There are two lifts available for public use within the building, but only that shown, (i,e. the lift at the northern end of the building) is accessible. The other is inaccessible to wheelchairs users.
The accessible lift is located just off the main staircase, next to the stairs at the northern end of the main corridor.
The lift is a standard lift.
The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G-1-2.
The lift is 25m (27yd) from the main entrance.
The dimensions of the lift are 0.99m x 1.2m (3ft 2in x 3ft 11in).
The clear door width is 76cm.
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 controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
The lighting level in the lift is low.
The lift does not have Braille markings.
The lift does have tactile markings.
Level Change (The Design Centre)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located leading up to the service.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
The width of the ramp or slope is 112cm (3ft 8in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading up to the service.
There are 2 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
The steps are clearly marked.
The steps are medium.
The steps do have handrails.
The handrails are on the right going up.
The ramp bypasses the steps.
There is another ramp on the opposite side of the design centre.
Level Change (Systems Laboratory & Machining Research Group)
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located on the first floor leading down to the service.
There are 5 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are low.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are deep.
The steps do not have handrails.
Level Change (F59A, F59B & F59C)
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading down to the service.
There are 5 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are low.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are medium.
The steps do not have handrails.
There is a standard and/or platform lift to access this area/service.
Lift (F59A, F59B & F59C)
There is a lift for public use.
The lift is located next to the steps.
The lift is a platform lift.
The platform lift accesses a small level change.
The lift is 8m (26ft 2in) from the main lift.
Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
The dimensions of the lift are 0.83m x 1.35m (2ft 8in x 4ft 5in).
The clear door width is 72cm.
There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
The lift does not have an audible announcer.
The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
The lighting level in the lift is low.
The lift does not have Braille markings.
The lift does not have tactile markings.
Level Change (Mechanical Engineering Workshops)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located leading down to the service.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
The width of the ramp or slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading down to the service.
There are 4 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are deep.
The steps do not have handrails.
The ramp bypasses the steps.
Level Change (Future Engines & Labs)
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading down to the service.
There are 5 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are low.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are deep.
The steps do not have handrails.
Restaurant / Bar (Shell Lounge)
The following information is for the cafe.
Once inside, there is level access to the service.
Full table service is not available.
Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
Some tables are permanently fixed.
Some chairs are permanently fixed.
Some chairs have armrests.
The nearest table is 7m (22ft 11in) from the main entrance.
The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
The distance between the floor and the highest dining table is 70cm (2ft 3in).
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.
Lift (Shell Lounge)
There is a lift for public use.
The lift is located in the lounge leading up to the raised area.
The lift is a platform lift.
The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-M.
The platform lift accesses a small level change.
The lift is 12m (13yd) from the main entrance.
The dimensions of the lift are 0.84m x 1.3m (2ft 9in x 4ft 3in).
The clear door width is 84cm.
There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
The lift does not have an audible announcer.
The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
The lighting level in the lift is medium.
The lift does not have Braille markings.
The lift does have tactile markings.
Lecture Theatre (James Watt Lecture Theatre)
There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users within this lecture theatre.
It is 30m (33yd) from the designated seating area to the nearest adapted toilet.
This lecture theatre has an infrared assisted hearing system installed.
Library
This library does not house a regular supply of books in Braille.
This library does not house a regular supply of books in large print.
This library does not house a regular supply of books on tape or disc.
There is not an ordering service.
The library does not have computers with accessible software.
Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
Accessible Toilet (Basement)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
There is Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
There is tactile signage on or near the toilet door.
There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
The accessible toilet is 4m (13ft 1in) from the lift.
The accessible toilet is located on basement level.
There is level access to the accessible toilet.
This is by lift.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 210cm (4ft 10in x 6ft 10in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
There is not a flush on the transfer side.
The tap type is lever.
There is a mixer tap.
There is a functional emergency alarm available.
It is not a push button style of alarm.
Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
Wall mounted rails are available.
As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
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 48cm (1ft 6in).
There is a hand dryer.
The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm.
There is not a towel dispenser.
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.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is not placed higher than 74cm.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are low.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
There is no additional signage on or near the toilet door.
The accessible toilet is 11m (12yd) from the lift.
The accessible toilet is located on the first floor.
There is level access to the accessible toilet.
This is by lift.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 9in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 220cm (5ft 6in x 7ft 2in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
There is a flush on the transfer side.
The tap type is lever.
There is a mixer tap.
There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4in) from floor).
Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
Wall mounted rails are available.
As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
Mirrors are not 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 not placed higher than 100cm.
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.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is placed higher than 74cm.
The sink is 76cm (2ft 5in) high.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
Standard toilets are available.
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilets
The female and male toilets are located on the first floor.
The female and male toilets are 20m (22yd) from the lift.
Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilet.
This is by lift.
Lighting levels are bright.
There are additional standard toilets in the basement and on the second floor.
Additional Information
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.
Staff are not Text Relay aware.
