All public buildings need wheelchair ramps in spaces where there are stairs. A ramp is necessary for allowing accessibility, plus it’s easier to plan than if you have an elevator or mechanical lift. However, every local area will have different standards for planning wheelchair ramps for public buildings. REDD Team is here to help you plan a ramp that works based on local rules. Review some of the standards you must check when designing your ramp.
- Slope
We can start by looking at the slope. The slope measures how steep the ramp will be. Most areas have a standard where the slope can be greater than 1:20 or not any steeper than 1:12. The slope measurement entails how many inches the ramp can run for each inch of height change. For example, if a 1:12 slope has a 10-inch rise, that ramp is 120 inches long.
- Slope For Smaller Rises
There might be times when you can’t meet that 1:12 slope. But you may be allowed to produce a ramp with a slope steeper than 1:12 if the rise is slight. A ramp with a six-inch rise could have a 1:10 slope, for example.
- Width
The next part to review is the width. The width of your ramp should be enough for the wheelchair user to have enough room to fit in the space. Most local areas have a width requirement of at least 36 inches. You can also produce something wide enough to accommodate two wheelchairs at a time, although depending on where you are, you might have to add a rail in the middle.
- Ramp Length
Now, we can look at how long the ramp is. Most communities don’t have set limits on how long a ramp should be, but the general rule of thumb is to look at the total rise of your ramp, which leads to the next point.
- Rise
For the next part, we’ll move from horizontal to vertical measurements with the rise. The rise is the total vertical rise between both ends of the ramp. Most communities limit the rise to 30 inches. For example, if you’ve got a 1:15 slope, the ramp can be up to 450 inches long.
- Landings
The sixth part to review involves the landings. Landings will appear at the top and end of the ramp, but they can also appear in the middle if the total rise of the ramp is more than 30 inches. Local areas will have rules on how long each landing should be, but 60 inches is the more common. You’ll also need to keep those landings as wide as the rest of the ramp.
- Railings
The last standard to review concerns the railings on your ramp. The railings will appear on the ramp’s unprotected sides. Check your local code to see how high the railings should be, including if you need any in the middle if you have an extra-wide ramp.
These guidelines for planning wheelchair ramps for public buildings are essential to review when planning your ramp. REDD Team can work with whatever local standards you need to follow. Based on those local rules, let us know your specifics, and we’ll plan a customized American-made ramp for you. To learn more, call 800-648-3696 or visit our website for details.
