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Helm Building

Washington Road, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540

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Access Guide

About

  • The venue has its own parking facilities.
  • The nearest parking lot is located to the right of the Helm Building.
  • The route from the parking lot is via a ramp.
  • The Helm Building is a large rectangular shaped building with 4 levels.
  • There are 2 elevators and 2 stairways within the building.
  • The floor levels are signed as 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slope.
  • The Helm Building has 1 entrance which provides step-free access.
  • The entrance gives direct access to the reception area which provides step-free access to the rest of the building.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass all steps once inside the building via the elevator.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes and lobby areas.

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • There are 9 restrooms with adaptations.
  • Restrooms with adaptations are located on every floor to the left as you exit the elevator.
  • All restrooms with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
  • Step-free male and female restrooms are located on each floor to the left as you exit the elevator.

Parking (Helm Building)

  • Parking View
    • The parking lot is located to the right of the Helm Building.
    • The nearest building to this parking lot is Helm Building.
    • The parking lot is open air/surface.
    • The surface consists of asphalt.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking can be used by faculty and staff permit holders and student permit holders.
    • Parking is free of charge.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • This entrance gives access to level 1.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:20.
  • The ramp has a resting area.
  • The width of the ramp is 3ft 10in (118cm).
  • There is an alternative ramp to the right of the entrance with a gradient percentage of 9%.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 3ft 8in (112cm).
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance, with one door unlocked.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 1in (94cm).
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 7in (80cm).
  • There is a raised threshold at the opening.
  • The doors have a low color contrast.
  • There is a second set of automatic doors, with one door unlocked.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 9in (114cm).
  • The second door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 7in (80cm).
  • The second doors have a low color contrast.

Reception

  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 3ft 6in (106cm).
  • The lowered section of the desk is at a height of 2ft 6in (76cm).
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels are even.
  • There are armchairs, couches and coffee tables in this area.
  • There is a turning space for wheelchair users in the seating area.
  • There is space for a service animal to rest in the seating area.

Elevator

  • The elevator is located on the right side of the building off the main corridor.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • The elevator has a turning space of 2ft 6in x 4ft (76cm x 122cm) in front of it.
  • The external elevator control buttons have a high color contrast.
  • The external elevator controls are at a height that can be easily reached.
  • The elevator door has a high color contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 2ft 11in (90cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 5ft 7in x 4ft 2in (169cm x 127cm).
  • The internal elevator control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high color contrast.
  • The internal elevator controls are at a height that can be easily reached.
  • Internally the elevator has: a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels are even within the elevator.
  • There are other elevators available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairway

  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are at a height of 2ft 6in (76cm).
  • The handrails cover all steps.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the highest step is 7in (18cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 12in (30cm).
  • Lighting levels are low.

Restroom with Adaptations (Level 1 - Male - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is approximately 24yd 2in (22m) from the entrance.
    • There is step-free level access into the restroom.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the restroom door.
    • The door into the restroom opens inwards and has a high color contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
    • The door into the stall opens outwards and has a high color contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the stall door opening is 2ft 9in (84cm).
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high color contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 5ft 1in x 4ft 11in (154cm x 149cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 5ft 1in x 2ft 5in (154cm x 74cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft (92cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a wall sensor flush for the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab bar on the rear wall and on the side wall.
    • The horizontal grab bars have a high color contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The toilet seat is 1ft 6in (45cm) from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low color contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet paper dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet paper dispenser has a high color contrast.
    • The toilet paper dispenser is 1ft 10in (55cm) from the floor.
    • The sink and faucets are located outside the stall.
    • The sink faucet type is lever mixer.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high color contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted paper towel dispenser outside the stall.
    • The paper towel dispenser has a high color contrast.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The stall has a wastebasket.
    • There are two coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 3ft 12in and 4ft 1in (121cm and 125cm) from the floor.
    • There is a high color contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels are even.