Alternatives to Stairs & Ladders

Ramp

• Ramps are a necessity for wheelchair users who must negotiate buildings with entrances above or below the exterior grade. A ramp should not rise more than 1 inch for every foot of length. In areas with inclement weather conditions, outside ramps are safer if they do not exceed 1 inch of rise for every 20 inches of length. Handrails on both sides make ramps more accessible to people on foot, and a minimum width of 36 inches ensures plenty of room for a wheelchair.

Stairlift

• A stairlift is a motorized seat that carries a person up and down an existing staircase. Stairlifts can be mounted on either side of a staircase, and some models can negotiate 90- or 180-degree turns on landings. Units designed for outdoor use are weatherproof and may include a security key to keep unauthorized people from using them. In the event of a power outage, stairlifts can run off of an auxiliary battery. Stairlifts come in many different sizes, some of which can hold up to 350 lbs.

Elevator

• Elisha Graves introduced the modern elevator in 1853, and it gained widespread acceptance over the following decade. Elevators use hydraulic safety systems to provide safe movement of people and goods within multi-story structures. They are usually only used in large buildings since they require a structural engineer and are expensive to install. Regulations also require the installation of a staircase along with the elevator for use in emergencies like fires.

Escalator

• Another option normally only seen in commercial buildings is the escalator. Escalators consist of a bridge-like truss spanning the two levels to be joined, which contains a track over which the chain-driven steps rotate in a continuous loop, driven by a motor. At the top and bottom of the truss, the angle of the chain drive alters in such a way to flatten the tops of the steps and allow them to slide smoothly beneath the outer edge of the stationary landing, called the comb plate.