Thinking about adding a wheelchair ramp? It can’t be that hard, right? Can’t you just lay some wood from the ground to the door or porch? There’s actually a lot more to it. In order to have a well-designed ramp, you need to think about safety, usability, and durability. Whether you’re building one at home or for a business, here are some key things to consider before getting started.
Things to Keep in Mind Before You Begin
Before digging out your tool belt, you should take a few minutes to consider some important guidelines. Many of the following items are standards from local building codes and guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
- Slope & Incline: The golden rule for a safe ramp is a 1:12 ratio— use one foot of ramp for every inch of height. Going steeper than that can be dangerous to navigate, especially for manual wheelchair users and caregivers.
- Width Matters: Make sure you have at least 36 inches across. This will give enough room for standard wheelchairs and mobility aids like walkers.
- Resting Platforms: If the ramp is longer than 30 feet, adding a flat platform somewhere in the middle allows people to stop and rest if they need it. You’ll also need a platform for any turns you have to make. Those platforms should be at least 5 feet by 5 feet in order to allow enough room to turn a wheelchair without the user’s feet hitting the railings.
- Handrails & Edge Protection: For ramps with a rise of more than 6 inches, handrails not only add stability, but they also prevent people from accidentally stepping off the side.
- Traction & Surface Material: A wet or icy ramp can be a serious hazard. Using a slip-resistant surface is a must, especially for outdoor ramps. For wooden ramps, you can add slip-resistant treads, and most aluminum ramps have built-in ribbing for traction.
ADA Compliance: If your ramp is for a public or commercial space, following ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards is non-negotiable for legal and safety reasons. ADA doesn’t technically apply to homes, but we use it as a good rule of thumb for the safety of our customers as well as to meet most local building codes.
Designing a Ramp Layout
1. Measure and Assess the Site
Start by evaluating your space and identifying any obstacles that could affect your ramp layout. You’ll want to consider:
- The total rise from ground to your door threshold or porch. However, you’ll also need to consider any grade variation between your home and the landing area of the ramp. In other words, if your landing area is several inches lower than the ground near your porch/door, you’ll need to take that into consideration and add the difference to your rise measurement. In rare cases, the landing area is actually higher than the ground near the home. If that’s the case, you can actually subtract the difference for your overall measurement.
- Existing sidewalks, the driveway, or another area you’re trying to land the ramp.
- Potential obstructions like trees, landscaping, stairs, and city sidewalks.
2. Choose the Ramp Configuration
Usually wheelchair ramp design falls into one of three basic configurations:
- Straight Ramp: This is the simplest design because it’s literally just a straight run. But remember, you usually don’t want to land in the middle of a yard. We have done plenty of straight ramps, but, as a rule of thumb, most ramps we build have a turn or two in order to land them on a sidewalk or driveway.
- L-Shaped Ramp: This is one of the most common configurations and includes a 90-degree turn with a landing for tight spaces.
- Switchback Ramp: Features multiple landings and turns for areas with higher rises. This allows longer ramps to fit into more confined areas. We often use this configuration at homes where there isn’t much yard space.
3. Select the Right Materials
The materials used in the wheelchair ramp design all have upsides and downsides:
- Wood: Provides a natural look but requires regular maintenance and sealing to prevent deterioration. If you’ve ever had to maintain a wooden deck, you can expect the same kind of maintenance.
- Aluminum: Lightweight, rust-resistant, and fast to get set up. More than 90% of our customers choose aluminum. Some people don’t like the look as much as wood, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Concrete: Highly durable but requires professional installation and proper curing. Concrete usually comes with the highest price tag.
- Steel: Usually has sturdy construction. Heavier than aluminum and can be prone to rust over time.
- Composite Decking: Less maintenance than wood, but can cost more.
4. Ensure Proper Safety Features
- Handrails: Install on both sides of the ramp if the rise is greater than 6 inches.
- Edge Protection: Add curbs or guardrails to prevent wheelchairs from rolling off.
5. Plan for Future Accessibility Needs
A well-designed ramp should accommodate future mobility needs. Consider features like:
- A slightly wider width for larger mobility devices.
- A gentle slope for easier manual wheelchair use. Remember, a 1:12 slope is the bare minimum. You can always use an even more gradual slope, if it makes things easier. The only downside is you’ll end up with a longer overall ramp that will cost a bit more.
- Weather-resistant materials to reduce long-term maintenance.
To Sum It Up
If you give thought to your wheelchair ramp design, you’ll increase mobility, promote independence, and, most importantly, ensure safety. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, taking the time to plan out the ramp’s design is always worth it.
Need expert help? COR Freedom specializes in designing and assembling wheelchair ramps to fit your specific needs. Contact us today to discuss your project!
In the meantime, you can find answers to more ramp questions in our video library.
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