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E Block - Student Union and Student Wellbeing

Harrow Campus, Watford Road, Northwick Park, Middlesex, HA1 3TP

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • Access to E Block is via the ground floor of A Block - Maria Hewlett Building.
    • E Block contains the Services for Students which includes; Student's Union Office, Counselling and Specialist Monitoring, Student Wellbeing Services, Active Learning Classrooms and Education Tech Research Labs.
    • You can access A Block on floors 1-4 of E Block.
    • You can access X Block from the ground and first floor of E Block.
    • For more information on student counselling services please contact: [email protected].
    • For more information on Disability Learning Support and Student Advice please contact: .
    • [email protected].
    • For more information on Student Wellbeing please contact: [email protected].

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Harrow.
  • The nearest mainline station is Kenton.
  • The nearest underground station is Northwick Park.

Site/Campus Car Park (Harrow Campus Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the north of the campus.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Campus Reception entrance to the Main Building and the Sports Hall.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 495cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, permit holders and staff permit holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment can be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Main Campus entrance into Main Building / Campus Reception / Street.

Entrance (Street Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the west end of the Street.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access 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) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 165cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is an alternative single door entrance with a width of 82cm which can be seen in photograph 3.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to your right on entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 14 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Outside Access (West Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Watford Road.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'University of Westminster'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to enter the main automatic doors.
    • The entry push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 95cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is also a revolving door next to this one.
    • The width of the revolving door is 115cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.

Reception (Watford Road / Security Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to your left on entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the Watford Road Entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free 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 good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 108cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet and tiles.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Security Barriers View
    • There are security barriers at the reception.
    • The minimum width between the security barriers is 54cm.
    • The width of the wider security barriers is 100cm.
    • A key card is required to pass through the security barriers.
    • The height of the key card reader is 92cm.

Entrance (Students' Union and Student Wellbeing)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the A Block ground floor corridor, to the right.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is one set of manual, double doors, which may be difficult to open between the A Block ground floor corridor and this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with an unlocked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance from the A Block corridor.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There are no doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The lift to gain step-free access to floors in this block is Lift A in the Maria Hewlett Building.
    • Images 1-4 show the corridors on floors 1-3 of E Block.
    • Images 5 and 6 show an Active Learning Classroom and an Education Tech Research Lab on the first floor.
    • Image 7 shows the student wellbeing waiting area on the ground floor.
    • Image 8 shows the Student Union Office on the ground floor.

Lift (A)

  • The lift is for staff use only.
  • The lift is located to your left upon entering via the West entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Watford Road entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1425kg.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 107cm (3ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 223cm x 150cm (7ft 4in x 4ft 11in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • There are three similar lifts located here. The middle lift surveyed goes from the ground floor to floor 7. The lift on the right goes from the lower ground floor to floor 7. The lift on the left was not in use at the time of survey (February 2024).

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The stairs are located at the rear of E Block.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m from the E Block entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The lift to gain step-free access to floors in this block is Lift A in the Maria Hewlett Building.
    • Please see the separate guide for that building for more details.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of E Block, immediately on the left as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the E Block entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 167cm x 194cm (5ft 6in x 6ft 4in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (3ft).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 128cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot 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 are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 95cm.
    • 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 117cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Gender Neutral)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The gender neutral toilet is located on the ground floor of E Block, along the corridor to the left.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 14m from the E Block entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • It was not possible to access the gender neutral toilet.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • At the time of survey (February 2024), this toilet was locked.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Staff do not receive deaf awareness training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.