Hus Vänern

Activities in the house

In Hus Vänern you will find Café Vänern, classrooms, workshops, labs, study environments and offices. Hus Vänern is one of Karlstad University's most famous profile buildings.

Contact information

If you have questions about the house, or have found errors or deficiencies that need to be addressed, please contact us via customer service or submit an error report via this website.

Elevators

The buildings are equipped with several passenger elevators. - It is prohibited to transport bicycles in all elevators. - In the event of a fire, the elevators must not be used. - In the event of a power outage, the elevators automatically go down to the nearest floor. - If an elevator stops between floors, the emergency signal button must be held down for at least 15 seconds. Outside an alarmed elevator, an alarm signal sounds and a call is automatically connected to the elevator emergency service, which is available 24 hours a day.

Entry

The entrance is unlocked between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. At other times, entry is permitted with your Kau card. Signs and notices Always contact the landlord if you wish to put up signs, or for events outside the premises.

Car parking

Parking spaces intended for vehicles with disability permits are located close to the entrances.

Entrances and elevators

The entrances are accessible and all floors can be reached via elevator.

Tactile walkways

Tactile walkways for people with visual impairments are available from the bus stop to the welcome center at the main entrance.

RWC and rest room

Toilets adapted for the disabled are available on each floor. In the rest rooms and on the RWC there are security alarms with red push buttons marked "emergency signal". Alarms are indicated locally by sound and a red flashing light outside each room. It is important that you who see and hear this alarm contact the person who needs help. The security alarm is forwarded to the reception during the day. Alarms are reset inside each room by pressing the reset button.

Pedestrian and public transport

Getting to Karlstad University is easy, no matter how you prefer to travel. Buses run smoothly from, among other places, Stora Torget and stop right outside the main entrance to the University. By bike from Stora Torget it takes about 19 minutes. It is about a 20-minute walk to Välsviken Station for onward travel by train, or a 15-minute bus ride to central station.

Bicycle parking

Located outside the main entrance.

Car parking

The nearest parking spaces can be found on the north side of the building. Staff and visitors by car are referred to paid parking spaces within Karlstad University. Fees can be paid via the Aimo park app or payment machine. Prices and zones can be found here: Parking Karlstad University, Karlstad - Aimo Park Sweden For people with a special parking permit, there is a parking space adjacent to the building.

Transport

Larger deliveries to and from the University Library are made via the cargo intake/goods reception on the north side. For deliveries to the goods reception, the supplier calls the number at the gate.

Lighting

In public areas such as corridors and stairwells, lighting is controlled with presence sensors. Entrance lighting is time-controlled. Tenant areas (offices and labs) are lit manually via push buttons and turned off automatically. The lighting is energy-efficient and LED-based.

Temperature

A room can feel warm to some and cold to others. How we experience the temperature depends on several things, such as activity level and clothing. Our property technicians ensure that the systems are working and that the temperature and ventilation are set correctly, but each individual experiences the climate differently. We always strive for the best possible indoor climate. We ask for your understanding that the systems sometimes need some time to adapt to weather changes. This delay is a natural part of how energy-efficient buildings work in a country with large temperature variations in certain seasons.

Ventilation

The ventilation is adapted to the number of people and equipment used in the rooms. The number of people the room is suitable for is stated in the rental agreement. The lab has demand-controlled ventilation that increases the airflow when the fume hood is opened. Closed fume hoods use less energy.

Extended operating time ventilation

After working hours, the ventilation is switched off to save energy. You can start it manually with a push button in corridors and copy rooms. The ventilation continues for a preset period of time.

Error reporting / adjustments to the indoor environment

If you experience problems with the indoor environment, please contact us via customer service or submit a fault report via the Akademiska Hus website.

Akademiska Hus has ambitious climate and energy work and strives to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, which is reflected in everything we do in our properties. You can read more about our climate goal here: Our path to net zero – 2040 | Akademiska Hus

Heating and cooling

The building has a water-based heating system with radiators and is equipped with smart sensors that are designed to ensure an optimal indoor climate with as low energy use as possible.

Sun protection

Automatic solar shading is an important part of the building's climate envelope and contributes to energy efficiency, comfort and architectural expression. The purpose of solar shading is to reduce unwanted solar radiation and heat load during warm periods, while preserving daylight and views.

Water

To save water, we have installed low-flush toilets and faucets that reduce water flow. We have also installed shower heads and mixers that save water without compromising comfort.

For you as a tenant

We want to create sustainable and resource-efficient buildings and campuses as possible – and we can only do that together. Through small, simple measures in everyday life, we can reduce energy use and contribute to both a lower climate impact and a better indoor environment. How you can contribute · Turn off lights when you leave a room, and use natural daylight whenever possible.

· Turn off equipment completely when not in use – computers, monitors, printers, etc.

· Close fume cupboards when not in use – they use a lot of energy

· Keep windows closed when heating or cooling is on to maintain an even indoor climate.

· Avoid blocking vents – they are important for good airflow and energy-efficient ventilation.

· Use less water. Hot water requires a lot of energy. Report dripping taps and run the dishwasher full.

· Report faults in lighting, heating or ventilation so that they can be fixed quickly.

SCARED - WARN - ALARM - EXTINGUISH

• save yourself and others around you, but don't take too many risks yourself

• warn others who may be in danger

• alert the Emergency Services by calling 112

• put out the fire if possible

Automatic fire alarm

Evacuation alarms in case of fire are triggered via smoke detectors placed in escape routes, technical spaces and in spaces where many people gather. Triggered alarm, i.e. signal to evacuate, given via bell throughout the house.

Triggered alarms go to the emergency services. Limit the source of the fire by closing windows and doors.
You can manually trigger the evacuation alarm using push buttons in connection with the escape routes.

Fire cells

The building is divided into a number of fire cells to prevent fire and smoke from spreading.
Each fire cell is delimited by fire-rated walls and doors. In principle, all floors, stairwells, elevators, operating spaces and waste rooms are their own fire cells. Doors in fire cell boundaries can be set in the open position for transport with magnetic suspension and closed manually with a push button labeled "fire door closer". When an evacuation alarm is triggered, the doors close automatically within the alarmed area.

Doors in fire cell boundaries must absolutely not be blocked by wedges or the like!

Escape routes / Assembly point

See evacuation plans in corridors.

The stairwells form independent escape routes. Two stairwells can be reached from each workplace. The escape routes, which are marked with green, luminous escape signs, must never be blocked. The green signs are always lit and have a battery backup to illuminate even in the event of a power cut.

If the fire alarm is triggered, all personnel must leave the building, close all doors behind them and gather at the assembly point. The staff reports there to the evacuation recipient and leaves their name and group affiliation or equivalent. No one may depart from the assembly point until this is done.