Handicapped Ramp Instructions

Materials

• Pressure-treated wood, aluminum or concrete is best to use when building ramps. These structures must be sturdy and be able to withstand outdoor conditions. The uprights on wooden ramps must be buried securely in the ground. Paint wood surfaces and apply water-proof stain to increase the life of the ramp. Apply sand-grit strips to the floorboards to reduce the risk of slipping on wet or icy surfaces.

Parts

• Ramps are used by people with various disabilities to exit or enter a structure that is customarily fitted with steps or stairs. These ramps provide a slow, steady incline for someone using a wheelchair, crutches, or canes to move from one level to another safely. To achieve this, ramps have several parts---landings (level areas at the top and bottom of the ramp and anywhere there is a turn), handrails, flooring, and a canopy for bad weather if desired. If designed for a public building, each part of the ramp should meet guidelines set out by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Though it is not always mandatory that these guidelines be met in private structures, doing so will make your ramp as safe as possible and add value to your home.

Measurements

• Follow the ADA guidelines when measuring for your ramp. The ramp must be at least 36 inches wide to allow enough clearance for a standard wheelchair. The top and bottom landings (level areas for exit and entry and turning around) must be at least 5 feet by 5 feet and as level as possible. Bolt the top of the landing into the foundation of your home to prevent it from moving away from the threshold.

  Place handrails at least 1.5 inches clear of the wall for easy gripping and 34 to 38 inches off the ground on each side of the ramp. Use pipe that is rounded or folded over on the ends or wooden handrails with smooth, sanded ends.

  The slope of the ramp is the most important measurement you will make. Design your ramp floor with a slope that is no more than 1 inch of rise (height of ramp) to 1 foot of run (length of ramp). In other words, if the doorway is 2 feet higher than the ground where the ramp will end, the ramp must be at least 24 feet long. If the slope is any steeper than this, the disabled person using it may not be able to maintain her balance going down, have the strength to travel up, or may even tip over. Though 1:12 is the maximum ratio, some homeowners prefer a gentler 1:16 or even 1:20 slope. For a 1:16 slope, if you have a 2 foot rise, the ramp will need to be 32 feet long, or 24 inches (rise) multiplied by 16 (slope) equals 384 inches (run). Divide 384 inches by 12 inches to get 32 feet of run.