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Disabled Access Guide for Poynting Building
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 research and teaching laboratories, workshops, and computer clusters for the School of Physics and Astronomy and 2 general lecture theatres used by departments across the University.
Related link Physics West.
Related link Watson Building.
Location
The venue is situated within the centre 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.
Parking is not free for all users.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
The car park is at the side 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 is 1 designated parking bay within the car park.
The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 3.3m x 4.3m (10ft 9in x 14ft 1in).
The nearest designated bay is 18m (20yd) 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 concrete.
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.
Blue Badge parking is also available at the rear entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
There is not level access to the service.
This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
There is not level access to the service.
The main entrance includes two sets of doors, the external doors are held open permanently during operating hours.
The doors are double width.
The doors are permanently held open.
The door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in) wide.
The inner set of doors open both ways.
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in) wide.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
There is level access to the service.
This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building.
There is level access to the service.
This entrance comprises of two sets of doors, the exterior doors are heavy and open outwards towards the user (pull).
The doors are double width.
The door opening is 142cm (4ft 7in) wide.
The inner second set of doors are similarly heavy and open towards the user.
The doors are double width.
Inside Access
There is level access to the service.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
This venue does not play background music.
The lighting levels are medium.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Other Floors
The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-G-M-1-2.
There are 15+ steps between floors.
The lighting level is medium.
The steps are clearly marked.
The steps are medium height.
The steps do have handrails.
The steps have a handrail on the left side going up.
There is a landing.
Lift
There is a lift for public use.
The lift is located off the main corridor.
The lift is a standard lift.
The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG-G-M-1-2.
The lift is 18m (20yd) from the main entrance.
Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
The dimensions of the lift are 1.1m x 1.47m (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
The clear door width is 80cm.
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 medium.
The lift does have Braille markings.
The lift does have tactile markings.
Theatre / Opera House (Theatre SO6)
There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
Designated seating is located at the front of Theatre SO6.
Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
A companion may sit with you.
Companions sit either side.
It is 16m (17yd) from the designated seating area to the nearest adapted toilet.
This venue does not provide audio described performances.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
There is a larger theatre available but there is no designated wheelchair space.
Restaurant / Bar (Student Common Room / Cafe)
The following information is for the cafe.
Once inside, there is not level access to the service.
Full table service is not available.
Food or drinks are not ordered from the service counter.
There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
No tables are permanently fixed.
No chairs are permanently fixed.
Some chairs have armrests.
The nearest table is 16m (17yd) from the coffee lounge entrance.
The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 42cm (1ft 4in).
The distance between the floor and the highest dining table is 74cm (2ft 5in).
The type of food served here is sandwiches.
Level Change (Student Common Room / Cafe)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located immediately beyond the entrance.
There are 3 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are medium.
The steps do have handrails.
The handrails are on the right going up.
The ramp overcomes the steps.
Level Change (Bridge Study Room)
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading to the Bridge Study Room.
There are 6 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 both sides.
There is level access to the Bridge Study Room via the Watson Building.
Accessible Toilet
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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
The accessible toilet is 13m (14yd) from the lift.
The accessible toilet is located off the second floor corridor.
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 88cm (2ft 10in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 182cm (4ft 11in x 5ft 11in).
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 left.
The lateral transfer space is 82cm (2ft 8in).
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 not 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 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 not mirrors in the accessible toilet.
The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
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.
The towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in) high.
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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is placed higher than 74cm.
The sink is 78cm (2ft 6in) high.
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 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 Toilets
The female toilets are located on the second floor.
The female toilets are 10m (11yd) from the lift.
Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet.
This is by lift.
Lighting levels are medium.
Access to Standard Male Toilets
The male toilets are located on the mezzanine level.
The male toilets are 6m (19ft 8in) from the lift.
Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet.
This is by lift.
Lighting levels are medium.
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.
