We pride ourselves on finding some of the best employees possible to work for us, so it’s not uncommon to have an employee go above and beyond. Roland Drummond, a COR Freedom technician, volunteered to write the following article about what to expect with wheelchair ramp evaluations. Thanks Roland!
So, you have scheduled an evaluation for a ramp. What should you expect when the technician arrives? Let’s briefly go over what the technician will be looking for as your home is evaluated.
The technician will be taking many critical measurements to be sure that your ramp will be both local building code compliant as well as align with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. ADA guidelines are a set of standards and codes adopted in 1990 to, in part, ensure that accessibility and mobility aids will be safe to use.
How Does Building Code and ADA Affect Ramp Design?
As a part of code adherence, a ramp will need to maintain what is known as a 1:12 pitch. In other words, for every one inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. This will keep the ramp from being too steep. It is okay for a ramp to be too long, but it is not okay for one to be too short.
Bear in mind, a ramp cannot begin to pitch at a doorway. In other words, you shouldn’t have a sloped surface butting directly up to a door. Instead, a level platform is typically used. Generally, these platforms are 5′ x 5′ square, though there are variations depending on the specifics of the ramp design needed.
Rises of door thresholds or steps less than 3″ can generally be addressed using a transition mat like the one below.
Platform lengths are not included in the total amount of ramp needed for the project because they are not pitched.
Platforms are also required to make turns. A 90-degree turn in a ramp will require a 5’x5′ platform. Any 180 degree turn (u-turn) will require a platform that is 5’x8′.
The Evaluation
The technician will take many measurements of your home. We will need to know where the ramp is to begin (door/porch/deck) and where the ramp is to land (sidewalk/driveway). In other words, are you trying to get to the driveway from the front door? Once the start and end points of the ramp are understood, a critical measurement is taken called “the rise.” How far up (in inches) is the bottom of the door (threshold) from the driveway? This rise measurement in inches will determine the length of the ramp in feet (following the 1:12 code). This measurement will also take into account any grade variations of your property, up or down.
The technician will use a laser, line-level, or some other device to take this measurement. Let’s assume that the rise from your driveway to the threshold of your front door is 22 inches. This tells us that we need 22 feet of ramp. Now the technician can go about the job of designing the ramp layout specific to your home.
Remember that we will be following local building and ADA code when laying out your ramp, so each ramp is a custom job. Alterations to your home such as removal/restructuring of railings, removal of bushes/trees, etc. will only be suggested if necessary to allow for installation of the ramp. The technician will advise you should such alterations be necessary.
Installation
The evaluation is complete, the ramp has been ordered and delivered. The crew has now arrived to install your ramp. Interruptions to your daily routine should be minimal. Understand that you will not be able to utilize the entry/exit of your home where the ramp is being installed until installation is complete.
Installation times can take from a few hours to a whole day, depending on the size and complexity of the ramp being installed. It is very rare that a ramp is not completely installed in one day and usually less. The installation crew will do a final inspection, clean-up, and offer a few instructions to you regarding your new ramp.
A Few Items to Remember
From time to time, ramps can shift. The ground can heave. Sometimes a vehicle may bump a ramp. Whenever a ramp is not level or you notice any “wobble” or excessive “bounce” in your ramp, please call for inspection and service. These issues should be addressed and corrected as soon as possible.
Wintertime is a concern with snow and ice. Snow and ice will accumulate on any ramp that is outside, just as it would on a sidewalk. You can brush or shovel any snow to keep the ramp as clear as possible, but if you use salt to melt ice, be sure to use only “Pet-Safe” ice melter to avoid corrosion of the ramp material.
Other than occasional sweeping of your ramp and keeping the ramp clear of obstructions/tripping hazards, the ramp is generally maintenance free and should give you many, many years of service.
