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Education

8.5.4 Entrances and reception

Entrances to the school need to balance the needs of accessibility and security. The principal entrance should be for everyone and should be easily distinguished and welcoming by use of signage, colour and lighting. The ever increasing need for the school to be secure should be carefully considered. Electromagnetic locks with remote release, intercom, CCTV and Proximity Readers can maintain a secure environment that is still accessible to all users and visitors.

Entrance lobbies should be large enough to allow for manoeuvre by people using pushchairs and wheelchairs. Floor surfaces at the point of entry should not impede movement, and glazing to lobbies and doors should allow clear vision at a variety of heights to avoid the risk of clashes or collisions.

The entrance lobby can also act as a transition zone where people with sight disabilities can adjust from a bright exterior to an interior with more subdued lighting. See also 6.5 Doors and Entrances, 6.6 Lobbies and Corridors.

On entering the school, the reception point should be obvious and communication should be possible at both standing and seated heights. Reception counters should include a lower level for wheelchair users, and include a hearing induction loop to assist the hearing impaired.

The reception area is where waiting is most likely to occur. Many people find standing uncomfortable or impossible for more than a short period. A choice of seating is desirable to accommodate a variety of needs. There should also be a space within the arrangement of seats for a wheelchair user to wait alongside others.

The reception area is where a variety of interior fittings are also likely to be located. This may include:

General directional and informational signage
Public telephone
Reception bells and intercoms
Induction loops
Lift

Buttons and controls should be easy to operate, clearly identified, contrasting from their surroundings, and at a height of no more than 1200mm above ground level (see fact sheet 4.3 Signs and Notices, 6.13 Interior Fittings, 6.14 Communication Aids and 6.20 Colour and Lighting.

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