The rules for constructing ADA-compliant building access ramps for schools in Palm Beach, Florida, are extensive. REDD Team is available to help you produce a new building access ramp that works for your school. REDD Team can construct new aluminum wheelchair ramps that ADA standards and rules listed in the 2020 Florida Building Code.
Slope Setups
There are multiple rules for how the slope for a building access ramp can work:
- The running slope must not be any steeper than 1:12.
- The running slope can be steeper than 1:12 in situations where there are substantial space limitations that prevent a 1:12 slope from being easy to install.
- The slope can be steeper if the maximum rise for the ramp is less than 6 inches. For ramps with rises from 3 to 6 inches, the slope can be from 1:10 to 1:12. For anything less than 3 inches high, the slope can go from 1:8 to 1:10.
- The cross slope cannot be any steeper than 1:48.
- Any landings appearing midway through the ramp should be flat and not include any slope.
Width Plans
There are also some rules to follow surrounding how wide a school access ramp can be:
- Florida requires all ADA ramps to be at least 36 inches wide.
- A 60-inch width is suitable for ramps where two wheelchairs can appear at a time.
- A curb ramp will require a wider size with a minimum 48-inch width.
- For cases where the width has a stop in the middle of a landing, that landing must be as wide as the widest part of the ramp’s run.
Landings
There are two types of ramp landings to spot for a ramp in a Palm Beach school:
- Straight
The first landing is a straight one. This landing can appear at the top and bottom parts of the ramp. The straight landing must be at least 60 inches long and as wide as the ramp run.
- Turning
The turning landing is the second one, as this landing is for situations where the ramp turns and changes direction. The landing here must be at least 60 inches long on each side, which should be enough room to allow a wheelchair to turn.
Using Handrails
Your ramp will require handrails if it has a rise of at least 6 inches. The handrails should be 34 to 38 inches high and include bars that are easy for a person using a wheelchair to handle. The rails can also include some protruding features to make them more noticeable or easier to reach, but they should not interfere with the 36-inch width minimum for a ramp. For cases where the handrails do, the ramp should be designed wider to offset that change.
REDD Team is available to serve you when you’re looking for ADA-compliant building access ramps for your Palm Beach, Florida, school. You can consult us online or call us at (800) 648-3696 if you have further questions on how to get a ramp ready at your property. We can analyze your situation and help you create a new ramp that meets whatever standards are necessary in your area.
