Schools around Fairfax County, VA, will require ADA-compliant building access ramps to ensure students and others who require mobility devices can access various parts of the building. Our experts at REDD Team will be there to help you build new access ramps for your school that meet Fairfax County standards.
The Fairfax County government states that an accessible entrance to a school or any other building in the county must have a suitable ramp while also offering a simple approach. All entrances must be accessible with thresholds of ½-inch or less in height, although a ¾-inch high threshold is suitable if there’s a beveled edge on each side of the threshold. All doors must also be at least 32 inches wide and should either feature a lever door handle that is easy to grasp or an automatic opening system that allows enough time to allow someone to enter and leave a spot.
The access ramp that leads to this entry point must comply with ADA standards in Fairfax County. The county states that an accessible route with a slope of 1:20 or greater can be interpreted as a ramp.
How Should the Slope Work?
Fairfax County requires the lowest possible slope for a ramp. The maximum slope should be 1:12. The measurement means a slope should be 12 inches long for every inch of rise that appears.
How About the Rise?
Fairfax County states that the maximum rise for a ramp run can be 30 inches. For cases where the ramp rise is higher than 30 inches, there should be a landing in the middle.
Landing Plans
Each ramp will include at least two landings. There will be one landing at the top of the ramp, and a second at the bottom. An additional landing can appear in the middle if the ramp run is higher than 30 inches.
Each landing should be at least 60 inches long and as wide as the ramp that leads to it. For cases where the ramp changes direction in a landing, the landing must be 60 inches on each side to allow enough of a turning radius.
Are Handrails Necessary?
Fairfax County requires handrails for ramps with runs 6 inches or higher or ramps that are at least 72 inches long. Handrails are necessary for both sides of the ramp. The rails should also be from 34 to 38 inches high, plus a 12-inch extension should appear on the ends of the rail.
The rails should be designed to where there are enough suitable spaces for someone using a wheelchair to grab onto the rails. There can be a lower bar underneath the top one, or there can be enough vertical poles throughout the entire surface.
Handrails are unnecessary for curb ramps. A rail isn’t necessary when placed next to assembly seating areas, although a rail will be necessary for the side opposite the seating if there is one.
REDD Team will be there to help you produce new ADA-compliant building access ramps for your school in Fairfax County, VA. We want to help you review how well a ramp can work and find a solution that fits your needs. You can consult us at (800) 648-3696 or visit our website to learn more about how we can help you.
