When you need to make your site-built, modular or mobile building accessible to people with disabilities, REDD Team’s aluminum handicap or wheelchair ramps are guaranteed to meet your local building codes and other requirements.
The Federal Government passed legislation in 1990 to protect the rights of disabled Americans. This landmark legislation, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), provides many civil protections for wheelchair-bound citizens and those with other mobility issues. The law requires equal access to buildings and public places, specifically by means of handicap accessible ramps.
REDD Team is the original aluminum access solutions company. For over 25 years, we have designed and manufactured temporary and permanent solutions for industrial, commercial, military and municipal enterprises, that are flexible in design, easy to install, and designed to meet all necessary accessibility laws and building codes.
In addition to the summary of federal regulations we discuss below, it’s important to talk to your local building department to learn the intricacies of the accessibility code in your local jurisdiction. There are often differences between city and county building codes and the standards set forth in the ADA.
Standard ADA Ramp Regulations
ADA standards stipulate that any part of a “path of travel” with a slope greater than 1:20 (a vertical rise of one unit for every 20 units of horizontal travel) is considered to be a ramp (also called a handicap ramp).
Slope, Rise and Clear Width Requirements – Ramp runs must have a running slope no steeper than 1:12 to accommodate the widest range of users, except in existing buildings and facilities where there are space limitations. The cross slope must not exceed 1:48. Any changes in level aside from the running slope and the cross slope are not permitted. The maximum allowable rise is 30 inches and the minimum clear width is 36 inches (there are exceptions within employee work areas).
Landing Specifications – Ramps are required to have level landings at the tops and bottoms of each ramp run. The landing must also be as wide as the widest ramp run and have a minimum clear length of 60 inches. If the ramp direction changes between runs, there must be a minimum 60-inch square clear landing at the intersection. Landings subject to wet conditions must be designed to prevent the accumulation of water.
Handrail Requirements – Handicap ramps require handrails on both sides if the ramp run has a rise greater than 6 inches. They must be between 34 and 38 inches high and extend at least 12 inches from the end of the ramp to prevent wheelchair casters and crutch tips from slipping off the ramp surface. Handrails must not rotate within their fittings.
Handicap ramps should always be provided alongside main entrances and areas where the majority of people travel and conduct business. If a wheelchair-bound person is required to travel to the back of a building to use a ramp, the building owner will be in violation of the ADA because the goal of the law is to treat the disabled person and the non-disabled person equally.
There are other sections of the legislation that apply to boat launch ramps, wheelchair ramps at recreation facilities and sports stadiums, and handicap ramps for playgrounds. We have the expertise to design and engineer ramps for any application.
REDD Team’s aluminum handicap ramps and other safety products are durable, lightweight, virtually maintenance-free, and are very economical. Call us at 800-648-3696 for more information about our high-quality access solutions.
