ACCESS AUDIT OF WESTPORT HOUSE

Transcription

1 ACCESS AUDIT OF WESTPORT HOUSE Large sign on the highway to indicate the entrance to Purbeck District Council Large and wide entrance Entrance showing sign for opening times

2 Entrance sign Main entrance easy to find and clearly distinguishable from façade. It is clearly signed and visible from approach routes Slightly sloping ground up to main entrance but a level area is provided immediately in front the accessible entrance. Signage needs to incorporate the international symbol for access. Weather protection is provided There is no alternative accessible entrance, but the Staff entrance has only two steps from the car park, but the kerb is not clearly signed or identified. Tread is shallow, and unlikely to trip users

3 Cycle parking areas are located at the rear of the building but are not clear of pedestrian routes and are not highlighted There are two sets of automatic doors. Doors remain open long enough for a slowmoving person to pass through. In the event of a power failure the main entrance doors open and remain open for 20 minutes, at which time the battery will be recharged and will operate the doors. Doors open wide enough for all users There is a level threshold, and doors and/or frames visually contrast with wall. Doors and side panels are glass, so zone of visibility is good. The glazed doors are marked for safety and visibility, and are clearly differentiated from the adjacent glazed screens There are two designated parking bays for disabled car users clearly marked, but not signposted from entrance, but clearly visible. Also a setting down point in the same area. The proportion of designated bays is considered sufficient compared to standard bays. They are the closest bays to the main entrance. They are adequately sized, and car doors can be fully opened to allow disabled drivers and passengers to transfer to a wheelchair parked alongside.

4 There is sufficient space for tail loading. The bays are level, smooth, even and free from loose stones. The route from the parking area to buildings is accessible and adequately lit, with dropped kerbs but no tactile warnings Footpath routes from the edge of the site to the principal entrance, or from the designated parking area to the entrance, or to other main routes on site, are predominantly level. The paths have a suitable cross-fall gradient, and are wide enough for passing. The surfaces are suitable, but not varied to highlight the route. Joints are smooth and edges are clearly defined. Drainage channels are flush with the path surface and designed to avoid trip hazards. Seat provided on the low wall There is signage and landmarks to aid orientation, and vehicle and pedestrian routes are clearly distinguished Planting is kept well trimmed There are no hazards or obstructions. There are no ramps to entrances thus no need for handrails

5 Clear view in from outside to aid orientation. Lobby large enough to allow a wheelchair user and companion to move clear of one door before negotiating the second. There is transitional lighting Inner lobby door meets same criteria as entrance door Weather mat of firm texture and flush with floor of a suitable size. Two sorts of floor covering to accentuate the direction of the counter The route from the entrance door is logical, clearly defined and unobstructed. There is adequate circulation space. Colour schemes maximise effective visual contrast and there is adequate lighting Floor surfaces are suitable for the passage of wheelchair users. Colours, tones and textures are varied to help people distinguish between surfaces and fittings/fixtures etc. Floor surfaces are slip resistant and the cleaning regime avoids making surfaces slippery. The floor and wall surfaces are free of confusing glare and reflection. There are textured surfaces to aid orientation for people with impaired sight, and bright, boldly patterned floors have been avoided. Also busy or distracting wall coverings have been avoided Additional signage showing location of reception, WCs, stairs and lift would be helpful. The Waiting area is quiet and well lit, and there is space for wheelchair users to sit alongside companions. There is space for an assistance dog to rest. There is adequate visual contrast between seats and background surfaces

6 There are medium height chairs available at a meeting table Reception counter: There is a telephone provided on the counter, but there maybe some background noise. It is available at a height suitable for wheelchair users, but also standing users. A seat is nearby if required. There are no written instructions for it, as it is purely for the public to speak to officers. The Reception counter is suitably positioned and its height suits seated and standing users. There is sufficient space to manoeuvre on both sides of the counter for wheelchair users. There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter and the surface and edges are well detailed, as there is an effective visual contrast. Adequate lighting is supplied to both sides of the counter, and it is positioned to avoid silhouetting

7 A Disabled toilet is available on ground floor. The sanitary accommodation is clearly identified and is in an accessible location. Doors are light enough to open easily. Surfaces and fixtures provide effective visual contrast There is no emergency light within the compartment to ensure occupants are not left in the dark during a power failure. All requirements are catered for, including Red Emergency pull and grab rails at both sides of WC pan The cubicle door lock is easy to operate The compartment is large enough to allow manoeuvring into position for frontal, lateral, angled and backward transfer. The manoeuvring area is free from obstruction Hand-washing and drying facilities are not within easy reach of someone seated on WC. Taps are easy to operate and are temperature controlled, but the hand drier is 1200mm above floor should be between 800 and 1000mm. Lift: Location of lift is defined by visual information Landing controls within reach of all users, at 1200mm above floor, and are distinguishable against background, and are visible from any position on the lift landing. Lift floor has different frictional characteristics from landing.

8 Car dimensions sufficient to allow space for a wheelchair user and companion Full-height mirror on back wall of lift car to enable wheelchair users to reverse into and out of lift car and view lift landing Clear landing space available at each floor level Landing level sign is not visible from lift car Lift car controls, including emergency call, located easily using visual or tactile information, and within reach of all users, at 1100mm above floor. Emergency call button within reach of all users. Alarm buttons are not fitted with visual acknowledgement that alarm bell has sounded. No Emergency telephone/intercom available Lift available to first and second floors Lift door opens wide enough for wheelchair users and is visually contrasting with adjacent walls and floor. It remains open for long enough to allow slow entry and exit and has an infrared door-safety override system installed.

9 Ground Floor Interview Room: Wide door and low handle. Corridors, landings and internal doors: Corridor widths are adequate and unobstructed except for the radiators and fire extinguishers. There is turning space in most areas. First Floor landing at top of main staircase is only 1m wide. Corridor floors are level. Natural and artificial lighting avoid glare and silhouettes. Most doors have adequate space available alongside leading edge for a wheelchair user to open the door while clear of door swing. Doors are not consistent in opening either in width or in direction of opening. There is usually enough space for wheelchair users to clear one door before approaching a second. Most doors are necessary for safety and security. Doors and side panels incorporate vision panels but zone of visibility is not adequate to Internal Audit and Financial Services General Manager where opaque film has been applied. Door furniture is visually contrasting with door leaf and the handles (if required) are easy to grip and operate, within reach of all users. The door entry system panels may be too high for some users, where they are slightly higher than 1200mm above floor level, on the first floor landing and at the doorway from reception to the Environmental Health corridor, but are clearly distinguishable. Height should be between 750 and 1200mm. Many doors to individual rooms only 700mm (750mm min requirement). Self-closing devices: door pressure kept to a minimum. Electromagnetic hold-open devices or swing-free devices provided where appropriate and linked to the fire alarm. Internal steps and handrails: Steps are easily identifiable, and have a logical and consistent layout (avoiding curved flights and tapered treads and risers). The treads are long enough and all of same length. Risers shallow enough, all of same height, and unlikely to trip users. They are of a suitable unobstructed width. Intermediate landings long enough and clear of door swings except for Main FF landing which is inadequate. Nosings effectively highlight step edges. Lighting is adequate and well positioned. Handrails are provided in conjunction with a change in level and are on both sides and of a suitable height. The handrail profile is easy to grip and suitable for providing forearm support. Handrails should be extended to be continuous at half-landings on secondary staircases..