SPARKS Meeting

Please note :

This certification relates only to the building and not to future events that may take place there.
During events, the layout of the premises may change, resulting in a change in accessibility. Responsibility for this change would then lie with the event organiser.
In addition, the certification visit only concerned the public part of the building and not the rented parts.

Description of the VENUE :

The main function studied for the audit takes into account the circulation and use of the building to get to the meeting rooms located on the ground floor and +1 floor.
The lunch area on the ground floor was taken into account during the audit, but the organisation and placement of the furniture changes depending on the event and the type of catering chosen.

Sparks Meeting is a group of rooms and a theatre available for organising events, meetings, seminars, business meetings, training courses, etc.

Sparks has around ten rooms for 10 to 250 people, plus a very large space on the ground floor for organising a lunch or reception.

Coffee corners are available upstairs for the smaller rooms.

Due to major works over the last few months in the Rue Ravenstein (renovation of the Central Station road system), it is very difficult to gain independent access from the road system.

Strong points

Staff

An reference person is available upon prior request.
There is staff available to direct and guide.

Safety

The function of the space is displayed on each door.

Parking

It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.

Identification

The building is easy to find.

Points of attention

Safety

The location is complex and there is no adapted map available.

Due to major works over the last few months in Rue Ravenstein (renovation of the Central Station road system), it is very difficult to gain independent access from the road.

You can ask in advance for a parking space in the basement, subject to availability, and/or ask for help to enter the building (via the alternative entrance on Rue Gantersteen).

Assistance is required to take the lift (badge with personnel required).

The ramp to the adapted toilet on the ground floor is very steep : 32% over 2 m.

Strong points

Parking

It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.

Entrance

The building is easy to identify.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.

Horizontal circulation

The steps can be bypassed by a well-indicated alternative pathway.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The width of the hallways is sufficient.
The width of the pathways is sufficient.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.
The lighting is sufficient.

Vertical circulation

A sufficiently large lift serves all the floors open to the public.
The lighting is sufficient.

Adapted sanitary

The adapted toilet is easy to find.
An adapted toilet is available, well signalled and easy to use.
The sink is accessible and it is easy to use.

Dining room

Some tables allow a correct positioning in a wheelchair.
The width of circulations is sufficient.
The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...

Points of attention

Parking

There are no reserved parking spaces.

Access road from the car park

The access path has a significant super-elevation.
The access path towards the alternative entrance is badly signalled.

Entrance

There is a step in the entrance.
The main entrance is not accessible and the alternative entrance is hard to find.
There is no doorbell at the entrance and the staff does not see the persons wanting to enter.
The staff does not see the persons who arrive.
Help is needed to open the door.

Home

The counter is too high.
There is at least one ramp that is difficult to negotiate.

Vertical circulation

The width of the lift door is between 80 and 85 cm.
The depth of the lift car is between 130 and 140 cm.
There is at least one too steep ramp.

Due to major works over the last few months in Rue Ravenstein (renovation of the Central Station road system), it is very difficult to gain independent access from the road.

You can ask in advance for a parking space in the basement, subject to availability, and/or ask for help to enter the building (via the alternative entrance on Rue Gantersteen).

Assistance is required to take the lift (badge with personnel required).

The ramp to the adapted toilet on the ground floor is very steep : 32% over 2 m, but accessible via 3 steps with a single handrail.

Strong points

Parking

It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to identify.
The main entrance is accessible.
There is a step lower than 18 cm in the entrance.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.

Horizontal circulation

There are a few steps, equipped with a handrail, to negotiate.
Circulation is easy everywhere.
The width of the pathways is sufficient.
Most of the transit areas are sufficiently large.

Vertical circulation

The staircases are equipped with handrails on both sides.
A lift serves all the floors open to the public.

Adapted sanitary

There is a toilet with grab bars and it is easy to use.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...

Points of attention

Parking

The parking spaces are located further than 100 metres from the entrance.

Access road from the car park

There are no seats along the pathway.
The access path towards the alternative entrance is badly signalled.

Access road from the street

There are no seats along the pathway.

Entrance

There is no doorbell at the entrance and the staff does not see the persons wanting to enter.
The door is heavy.

Home

There are no seats near the reception.
There is at least one ramp that is difficult to negotiate.

Horizontal circulation

There are no seats along the pathway.

Vertical circulation

The staircases are not secure.
The width of the lift door is between 80 and 85 cm.

A member of staff must accompany you to access the lift.

Strong points

Access road from the street

Guide-lines facilitate circulation .

Guide dog

Assistance dogs are accepted.

Home

The reception is located in front of the entrance.
The reception has no glass partition.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Horizontal circulation

Circulation is free from obstacles.

Vertical circulation

A lift serves all the floors open to the public.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people : sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...

Points of attention

Entrance

There is no device allowing the identification of the entrance.
There is no doorbell at the entrance and the staff does not see the persons wanting to enter.

Horizontal circulation

There is at least one non-secured step in the logical pathway.
There is at least one non-secured ramp in the logical pathway.

Vertical circulation

The staircases include a non-secure handrail.
The staircases are not secured by warning tiles at their top.

Dining room

The catering is buffet-style.

A member of staff must accompany you to access the lift.

Strong points

Access road from the street

Guide-lines facilitate circulation.

Home

The reception is located in front of the entrance.

Vertical circulation

A lift serves all the floors.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose from the menu, serve themselves, pay...

Points of attention

Entrance

There is no device allowing the identification of the entrance.
There is no doorbell at the entrance and the staff does not see the persons wanting to enter.
The door does not contrast with its environment.

Home

The staff does not see the persons coming into the building and cannot assist them.

Horizontal circulation

The glass walls and doors are not secured by a contrasting visual marking.
There are no guide-lines in contrasting colour facilitating circulation.
The lack of contrast between the floor and the walls makes it difficult to circulate.
The floor covering is blinding in a part of the pathway.
The pathway presents punctually a passage height of less than 2m.

Vertical circulation

The stair steps are not contrasting.
The staircases include a non-secure handrail.

Dining room

The catering is buffet-style.

Strong points

Entrance

The entrance is easy to find.
The building is easy to find.

Home

The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance.
The institution can be contacted in writing: text or email.

Wireless

Wi-Fi is free and available anywhere in the building.

Vertical circulation

The floors of the building are well marked.

Adapted sanitary

It is possible to see whether a toilet is occupied or free.
The toilets are easy to find.

Dining room

There are round or oval tables for X persons.
The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.
The catering is buffet-style.

Points of attention

Entrance

The staff does not see the persons who arrive.

Home

The reception has a glass partition or is badly lit and does not allow lip reading.
The is no email address at which to contact the institution.
There is no information available in sign language.