REDD Team designs and manufactures aluminum ramp systems for schools, campuses, portable classrooms, and higher-education facilities where both student/public access and employee access matter.
In school settings, ADA Standards govern the public, accessible route, while OSHA rules apply to staff-only areas and jobsite conditions (maintenance platforms, rooftops, trailers, and construction phases). Our approach aligns each ramp with the correct framework so your campus is safe, compliant, and operational on day one.
Two Frameworks, One Campus
- ADA (public access): Ramps that serve students, families, and visitors must meet ADA technical criteria for slope, landings, width, handrails, surfaces, and edge protection. These ramps form part of the accessible route through the school.
- OSHA (employee/temporary access): Staff-only routes and jobsite conditions rely on OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces rules in general industry and Subpart X during construction, including guard/handrail strength and safe walking surfaces.
What ADA-Compliant School Ramps Require
REDD Team layouts are engineered to the ADA’s core geometry, so approvals and inspections are always predictable, no surprises!
Slope
- Running slope should be 1:12 (8.33%) max with cross-slope 1:48 max.
- 30 inches max before a landing is required.
- 36 inches min clear (between handrails where provided).
Landings
- Landings must be level at the top and bottom of each run; 60 in × 60 in clear where direction changes; designed to prevent water accumulation.
Handrails
- Handrails are required on both sides where the rise of a run exceeds 6 inches, with compliant heights and extensions; add edge protection at runs and landings.
- For tight existing conditions, short steeper runs are permitted (up to 1:10 for rises ≤6 in. and 1:8 for rises ≤3 in.). However, we favor gentler slopes for usability, especially for schools with younger students.
OSHA Considerations on School Sites
Where ramps serve employees only (rooftop maintenance, mechanical platforms, loading yards) or exist during construction, OSHA requires:
- Stable, slip-resistant walking-working surfaces
- Guardrails where edges are exposed
- Compliant handrails and transitions
Our aluminum platforms and ramped approaches integrate guard/handrail systems sized to OSHA loads and detailing. We coordinate with the GC when Subpart X applies during phasing.
Why Aluminum on Campus
Wondering about aluminum for ramps? Aluminum delivers the strength schools need without corrosion or repaint cycles. In addition, it’s much lighter to handle for rapid installs. Also, when paired with slip-resistant, self-draining decking, it helps maintain footing in rainy or snowy conditions.
Aluminum is ideal for exterior approaches and portable clusters.
Components to consider are bolt-together and reusable, so assemblies can be easily and quickly relocated or reconfigured between semesters as swing space moves.
Wet-Condition Detailing That Passes Inspection
Landings are notorious problem areas when it comes to OSHA & ADA-compliant access ramps for schools.
REDD Team details platforms and grade breaks to shed water and protect walking surfaces. They are in line with ADA, which states that landings must be level and prevent water accumulation.
Threshold plates, proper slope transitions, and continuous rails help further reduce trip points and keep doors operating freely for the safety of staff, teachers, students, and visitors.
Integrated Campus Circulation
It should be noted that accessible routes never include stairs, but most campuses still need companion code stairs for general use and OSHA stairs for maintenance. As a single manufacturer, REDD Team supplies coordinated aluminum ramps, stairs, and platforms, so finishes, fasteners, and inspection points are consistent across the site.
Engineered, Submittal-Ready Systems
Every REDD Team access product is engineered and mechanically tested. We provide code-aligned drawings and notes that cite the ADA provisions for public ramps and OSHA criteria where employee access applies. Our goal is to always streamline the plan review and field inspection to make things easier for everyone involved.
Call us (800) 648-3696 or contact us online for OSHA & ADA-compliant access ramps for schools. Share threshold heights, grades, and door locations; we’ll return a campus-ready configuration for ADA for public routes and OSHA, where staff-only access applies. It will be complete with drawings, submittals, and a clear path to installation.
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