THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.
Darwin Building.
King’s Buildings.
A GUIDE TO ACCESS AND FACILITIES.
Address
Darwin Building.
University of Edinburgh.
King's Buildings.
Edinburgh.
E H9 3 JR
United Kingdom.
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Telephone.
0131 650 5404
Map Link.
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http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps?building=darwin-building
If you require this document in an alternative format (e.g. large print) please contact the Estates and
Buildings Department or email [email protected], telephone 0 1 3 1 6 5 0 2 4 7 0 or write to:
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Estates and Buildings
The University of Edinburgh,
Design Group Office,
11 Infirmary Street,
Edinburgh,
E H1 1 NP
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Page 1.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is required for all staff and students unable to
self-evacuate in an emergency. Provision for staff/students/visitors who are unable to selfevacuate is the responsibility of the organiser of the class/lecture/event/meeting. While the
School is responsible for preparing this, staff and students requiring assistance should
confirm the evacuation arrangements”.
Page 2.
Table of Contents.
Introduction
Page 4.
Location
Page 4.
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Parking
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Page 6.
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Outside Access
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Entrances 1 & 2
Entrance 3
Entrance 4
Servitors Desk
Lifts
Page 7.
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Page 8.
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Page 8.
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Internal Access
Page 7.
Page 9.
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Page 11.
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Page 12.
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Stairs
Page 12
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Toilets
Page 13.
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Department Locations
Page 14.
Floor Plans
Page 15.
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Opening Hours
Page 21.
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Contact Information
Page 22.
Links
Page 23.
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Page 3.
Disabled Access Guide for the Darwin Building.
T his building has not been designed for, but in part has been adapted for the use of persons in wheelchairs, persons who have
difficulty with mobility or are infirm. Seating is available. Accessible and standard toilets are also available.
Introduction.
The Darwin building houses the School of Biological Sciences and Chemistry.
Location.
The Darwin building is located within Edinburgh University’s King’s Buildings campus; this campus is
well served by public transport and is accessible by car. The building is within three miles of the city
centre and two miles of the main halls of residence at Pollock Halls. The campus lies between West
Mains Road and Mayfield Road, about two miles south of George Square.
The nearest railway line is at Waverley Station in the City Centre.
The nearest bus stops are located on Mayfield Road approximately 160 metres from the Darwin
building. Numerous bus services stop on Mayfield Road. Details of timetables are available from
Lothian Buses, from their offices within the city and online from www.mybustracker.co.uk.
Persons with mobility difficulties arriving by vehicle can access the Darwin building from Gate 4
which is located on Mayfield Road.
Page 4.
Darwin Building Location Map image.
Page 5.
Parking.
The King’s Buildings Campus has numerous parking bays but no free parking; all parking bays within
the campus require a permit. City of Edinburgh Council parking is available outwith the campus on
Mayfield Road and the adjacent Ross Road. See Location Map.
There are currently no dropped kerbs leading from parking bays located along Mayfield Road.
Access from these parking bays to the campus is not recommended for wheelchair users without
assistance.
Disabled Parking Bays.
There are three disabled parking bays located close to the Darwin building.
Two disabled parking bays are located adjacent to Entrance 3 and the third is located to the rear of
the Swann building in the University car park. Access to Entrance 3 from the adjacent disabled
parking bays is via a paved footpath with a shallow gradient.
Access to Entrance 4 from the disabled parking bay to the rear of the building is only recommended
for wheelchair users with assistance. This is due to the route incorporating a long uneven tarmac
surface.
Disabled parking bays image.
University car park image.
University Car Parks
There is one University car park located to the rear of the Swann building which incorporates a rough
tarmac surface and a single disabled parking bay. There are additional University car parks located
within close proximity to the building and throughout the King’s Buildings Campus.
See Location Map.
If you do not hold a valid permit and require use of a University parking bay, it is recommended that
contact is made with your host or the Transport & Parking Office prior to making your journey.
See Contact Information for more details.
Page 6.
Outside Access.
There are four entrances which provide access to the Darwin building.
Entrance 1.
This entrance is located on a level paved surface to the front of the building and is the main entrance
to the Darwin building.
Entrance 1 consists of a secure single width manual glazed door. This door leads to a vestibule
area and a set of manual glazed double doors. All doors open outward, will permit the passage of a
wheelchair and incorporate door handles at a wheelchair accessible height. Please note that there
is no level access to the rest of the building from this entrance. Access to the Darwin building is via
a long staircase following the internal double doors.
Entrance 1 image.
Internal double doors image.
Entrance 2.
This entrance is located to the front of the building on a level paved surface. Please note that there
is no level access to the rest of the building from this entrance. This is due to there being a short
flight of steps between the upper and lower lobbies.
Entrance 2 consists of two sets of manual glazed double doors. Doors at this entrance incorporate a
small lip and lead to the upper level of the Swann building lobby. All doors open outward, will permit
the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles at a wheelchair accessible height.
Entrance 2 image.
Steps between the upper and lower lobby IMAGE.
Page 7.
Entrance 3.
This entrance is located on a level paved surface to the front of the building and is the recommended
wheelchair access point. Entrance 3 provides level access to the Swann building lower lobby.
Entrance 3 consists of a swipe card operated single width glazed door. This door opens inward and
will permit the passage of a wheelchair. There is a swipe card point located on a pillar to the right of
the doorway which is within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
Following the external doorway there is a level tactile surface which leads to a long ramp. The ramp
has a moderate gradient with a polished tile surface and incorporates a handrail to one side. This
ramp is suitable for self–propelled wheelchair users if negotiated with care. Please note that level
access to the rest of the building is via the internal lifts. See Internal Access for more details.
Swipe card operated door at Entrance 3 image.
Ramp leading from Entrance 3 image.
Entrance 4.
This entrance is located on a shallow paved gradient to the rear of the Swann building and is
primarily used as a staff entrance. This entrance is not recommended for wheelchair users without
assistance.
Entrance 4 consists of a secure single width door. This door opens outward, is operated manually
and will permit the passage of a wheelchair. There is a handrail to the left and a swipe card point to
the right of the doorway. Please note that the door handles and the swipe card point are above a
wheelchair accessible height.
Doorway at Entrance 4 image.
Tarmac road leading to Entrance 4 image.
Page 8.
Internal Access.
Although there is level access to all floors of the Darwin building, wheelchair users are not permitted
above the Ground Floor. Corridors on the Ground Floor incorporate good circulation space and
doors with door handles at a wheelchair accessible height.
Access to the Swann Building lifts from the lower lobby.
There is level access to the Darwin building via the internal lifts. There is a secure single width
manual door located to the rear of the lobby which provides access to the lifts. This door opens
inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporates an internal door handle at a
wheelchair accessible height. There is a swipe card point located to the left of the doorway which is
within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
Please note that the Swann building lifts do not incorporate a Ground Floor level. This means that
the Ground Floor is shown as Level 1. The Darwin building entrance is located on Level 2.
Lobby doors leading to the lifts
image.
Access to the Swann Building lifts from Entrance 4.
Please note that this access route is not recommended for wheelchair users without assistance.
The Swann building lifts and the main staircase can be accessed from Entrance 4 via a short
corridor, a ramp with a shallow gradient and two single width doors. The ramp has a smooth vinyl
surface and does not incorporate a handrail. Both doors open inward, will permit the passage of a
wheelchair and incorporate door handles at an accessible height.
Ramp leading to the Swann Building lifts image.
Page 9.
Access to the Darwin Building.
The Darwin building is accessible from Entrance 1 and the First Floor concourse. Access to the
concourse from the Swann building lobby is via the internal lifts or a long staircase. Please note that
the First Floor is shown as Level 2 within the lifts. The staircase leading from Entrance 1
incorporates a tiled surface, a rest stop between flights and handrails to both sides.
The Darwin building entrance is located to the rear of the concourse and consists of a secure set of
manual double doors. These doors open outward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and
incorporate glass panels/ door handles at a wheelchair accessible height. There is a swipe card
point located to the left of the doorway which is within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
Darwin building entrance image.
Staircase leading from Entrance 1 image.
Access to the Darwin LTC.
The Darwin LTC is accessible from the First Floor concourse. The entrance consists of a secure set
of timber double doors. These doors open outward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and
incorporate glass panels/ door handles at a wheelchair accessible height. Please note that although
this facility is open 24 hours a day a swipe card is required to gain access after 4:45 Pm. The swipe
card point is located to the left of the doorway within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
Darwin LTC entrance image.
The Upstairs Café. .
The upstairs café is located on the Sixth Floor (Level 7) of the Swann building. There is ample
manoeuvring space and seating throughout the café. Doors leading to the café remain open
throughout the day to promote ease of access. The café servery is approachable by wheelchair
users.
Page 10.
Access to the Dan Rutherford Building.
Please note that this access route is not recommended for wheelchair users without assistance.
The Dan Rutherford building is accessible from the First Floor concourse via a covered walkway.
There is a set of double doors to the rear of the concourse which provide access to the walkway.
These doors open inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/
viewing panels at a wheelchair accessible height.
The walkway has a shallow gradient, a smooth vinyl surface and incorporates two sets of narrow
double doors. These doors open inward and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at a
wheelchair accessible height. Please note that both sets of double doors must be opened fully to
permit the passage of a wheelchair. See Floor Plans for more details
Doors leading to the covered walkway image.
Covered walkway
image.
Access to the Darwin Building (Fifth Floor).
There is level access to the Sixth Floor of the Swann building from the Fifth Floor of the Darwin
building. The access route incorporates two single width doors and a short corridor. Both doors
open inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate viewing panels/ door handles
at a wheelchair accessible height. See Floor Plans for more details.
Servitors Desk.
The servitors desk is located within the Ground Floor lobby. The servitors desk can be approached
by wheelchair users but it is above a wheelchair accessible height. There is an induction loop
system is available within the Darwin building lobby.
Link corridor staircase image..
Page 11.
Lifts.
There are three lifts located within the Darwin building. Please note that lifts within the Darwin
building are not recommended for wheelchair users.
The lift call points and car controls are not at an accessible height.
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The lift car controls are not within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
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Lift control panels do not have braille markings.
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The lifts have an alarm and emergency call points.
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There is contrast between the lift walls and floor surfaces.
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There is no induction loop system.
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There are no audible announcers.
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The lifts do not have a mirror on the rear wall.
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The lift cars do not have handrails.
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There are visual floor indicators.
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The lighting level in the lifts is fair.
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Lift doors have pressure sensors.
Stairs.
There is one central staircase located within the Darwin building which provides access to all floors.
This is the only staircase which incorporates contrasting nosings and tactile coverings on steps.
There is an additional feature timber staircase located within the Ground Floor lobby. This staircase
provides access between the Ground and First Floors. This staircase incorporates deep timber
handrails to both sides but does not incorporate contrasting nosings or tactile coverings on steps.
Feature timber staircase image.
Page 12.
Toilets.
Toilets are available on floors as follows:
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Male and Female accessible toilets are located within the standard toilets on the Ground
Floor.
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Male toilets are located on the Ground, First, Third, Fifth and Seventh Floors.
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Female toilets are located on the Ground, Second, Fourth, Sixth and Eighth Floors.
The accessible toilets incorporate the following:
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There is right hand lateral transfer space.
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There is good manoeuvring space.
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There is no emergency pull chord.
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The doors open outwards.
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The width of the accessible toilet doors is suitable for wheelchairs.
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There are suitable dropdown and support rails for transfer.
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The tap type is lever operation.
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There is not a coat hook.
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The contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair.
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The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
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Lighting levels are good.
Ground Floor accessible toilet image
Page 13.
Eighth Floor
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
Department Locations.
Autoclave Room 8 2 6,
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Seminar Room 6 1 5,
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Teaching Lab 6 1 7,
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SULSA Admin Office,
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
Third Floor.
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
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Sixth Floor.
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Seminar Room 3 1 5,
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Finance & Procurement,
Research Group Support,
Second Floor.
Staff Recruitment & Contracts,
Teaching Lab 2 1 2,
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
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First Aid Room,
Computing Support,
SBS Safety Office,
First Floor.
Post Graduate Office,
Lecture Theatre 1 1 2,
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
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SBS School Office,
BTO Administrator,
Ground Floor.
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
Servitors Office,
Accessible Toilets,
Th i s Fl oo r Comp ris es:
Fermenter Lab,
Basement Floor.
Workshop,
Page 14.
Floor Plans.
The following s ix pages contain building Floor Plans . This page contains the Ground Floor Plan.
Ground Floor Plan (Level 1) – Swann Building IMAGE.
Page 15.
Basement Floor Plan – Darwin Building IMAGE.
Page 16.
Ground Floor Plan – Darwin Building IMAGE.
Page 17.
First to Eighth Floors – Darwin Building image.
Page 18.
Access Route to the Dan Rutherford Building image.
Part First Floor Plan – Michael Swann Building image.
Part Ground Floor Plan – Dan Rutherford Building image.
Page 19.
Access Route to the Swann Building
Fifth Floor Plan – Darwin Building image.
Part Sixth Floor Plan – Swann Building image.
Page 20.
Opening Hours.
Darwin Building.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9:00am-5:00pm
9:00am-5:00pm
9:00am-5:00pm
9:00am-5:00pm
9:00am-5:00pm
Closed
Closed
Michael Swann Building.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8:30am-4:30pm
8:30am-4:30pm
8:30am-4:30pm
8:30am-4:30pm
8:30am-4:30pm
Closed
Closed
Upstairs Cafe Opening Times.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8:30am-4:30pm.
8:30am-4:30pm.
8:30am-4:30pm.
8:30am-4:30pm.
8:30am-4:30pm.
Closed.
Closed.
Darwin Cafe Opening Times.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9:30am-4:45pm.
9:30am-4:45pm
9:30am-4:45pm
9:30am-4:45pm
9:30am-4:45pm
Closed.
Closed.
Page 21.
Contact Information.
Servitors Desk Darwin Building:
Telephone.
0131 650 5404
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Servitors Desk Swann Building:
Telephone.
0131 650 7026
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Building Manger:
Telephone.
0131 650 54 38.
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Email:
[email protected]
Transport & Parking:
Telephone.
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0131 650 91 01.
[email protected]
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University Switchboard:
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Email:
Telephone.
0131 650 1000.
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School of Biological Sciences:
Telephone.
0131 650 5525.
[email protected]
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Email:
Page 22.
Links.
University Homepage.
Campus Maps.
Transport & Parking.
City of Edinburgh Council Parking.
Bookable Rooms Guides.
Student Disability Service.
Darwin Building (School of Biological Sciences) Home Page.
Page 23.
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.
Darwin Building.
King’s Buildings.
March 2014
Page 24.