Holywell Building Accessibility

The Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute occupies offices on both the ground and first floor of the Holywell building. Reception is in the entrance foyer which has seating opposite the reception desk. Access to the first floor is either via the stairs or the lift in the entrance foyer.

The Departmental Disabilities Co-ordinator is Colette Nicolle. email Colette

If you exit the foyer to the right of the main stairway and turn directly left, the second room on the right is the disabled toilet. There are no toilet facilities on the first floor.

All offices and corridors are separated by fire doors. There are designated fire exits at the extreme right and left of the building on the ground floor (see plan) and refuge points for wheel chair users are on the first floor in the stairwells either side of the building.

If a disabled person is in the Department they may need assistance as the lift cannot be used as a means of escape in case of fire. If you are a disabled person, the best strategy is to make your way to a stairway if at all possible or to wait for a fire marshall to assist you to the stairway. Look out for the fire marshall they will be wearing a marked fluorescent tabards.

The stairway is termed a refuge and is particularly suited for disabled people with mobility difficulties waiting to get further assistance out of the building. The fire marshall will ensure that the door to that staircase is closed when all other occupants have left. These fire doors will halt the smoke and flames from entering the refuge for a period of time. The marshall will leave the building and inform the evacuation officer immediately that a disabled person requires assistance and give exact details of your location. It is best to try to remain calm during this period when you may be on your own. Help is on its way.

There is no loop hearing assistance system within the Holywell building.

Ground floor plan (click on the image for a full size version in a separate window)