In a district as active as Montgomery County, schools can’t afford guesswork at the door. Everything must run efficiently and safely without any fumbles or disasters.. Stairs, ramps and accessibility systems for school buildings in Montgomery County, MD have to meet code the first time, install fast around bell schedules, and stand up to everyday traffic that naturally occurs from students with backpacks to carts and deliveries.
The Code Picture in Montgomery County
Maryland uses the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS), which require jurisdictions to adopt the I-Codes statewide. In practice, that means Montgomery County enforces the 2021 IBC/IEBC family with local amendments. Accessibility is tied to ICC A117.1 and the Maryland Accessibility Code, which incorporates the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Please remember that local jurisdictions can’t water these down.
What reviewers expect for ramps in Maryland is familiar nationwide:
- Running slope at or below 1:12 (8.33%) and cross-slope at or below 1:48.
- 30 inches maximum rise per run before a landing.
- Clear width 36 inches minimum (between handrails where provided).
- Level landings (typically 60 in. long) at the top, bottom, and at changes of direction.
- Handrails on both sides where rise exceeds 6 inches, with required extensions, plus edge protection.
For elementary school users such as students, staff, and visitors, the ADA even recommends a secondary, child-height rail below the primary handrail which is something we can include when a district standard calls for it. ADA Archive
Built for Daily School Use
Montgomery County schools see and experience everything Mother Nature can throw at them such as rain, freeze–thaw, and humid summers. REDD Team’s aluminum assemblies pair structural members with slip-resistant, self-draining decking so footing stays predictable in wet weather. Also, aluminum’s natural corrosion resistance means no rust cycles and fewer paint-and-patch work orders, useful across a large campus portfolio.
Prefabricated to Fit School Calendars
REDD Team ships prefabricated stairs, ramps, and platforms as labeled, bolt-together kits. There is absolutely no field welding at the entry. The main perk is that it keeps noise and barricades down and lets facilities teams schedule work at night, over weekends, holidays, or short summer windows. Our submittals call out the specifics reviewers look for (slopes, widths, landings, rail heights/returns, drainage, edge protection) to keep plan review and inspection straightforward.
Portable Classrooms and Phased Work
Enrollment shifts and campus expands. Those items are constant in Montgomery County. MCPS documentation underscores the need to address barriers over time and across many sites. Our modular systems are reconfigurable and relocatable. Each is one ideal for swing space and portables, so the same kit can move as clusters shift without starting from scratch.
The “Last Inch” At the Door
Believe it or not but most field issues show up at thresholds and landings, not in the middle of a run. We size maneuvering clearances, coordinate door swings and hardware, and use low-profile threshold plates so wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and carts roll through smoothly. Rest assured that, landings are detailed to stay level and shed water, aligning with ADA expectations to prevent accumulation.
One Coordinated System
An accessible route never includes stairs, but campuses still need companion code stairs for general circulation and OSHA-aligned stairs for rooftops and service areas. As a single manufacturer, we supply coordinated aluminum ramps, code stairs, OSHA stairs, and platforms so finishes, fasteners, and inspection points are consistent site-wide.
If your district is planning access upgrades, additions, or portable clusters, talk with REDD Team about stairs, ramps and accessibility systems for school buildings in Montgomery County, MD that install quickly and pass review without drama. Call us at (800) 648-3696 or contact us online for a site-specific layout and quote.