Installing mobility ramps in your household is not just a matter of freedom and convenience but also of safety. Selecting the correct mobility ramp will not only save you pain, but also the pain of buying something that does not meet your needs. When purchasing mobility ramps for your home, ask yourself these questions:
Do I need to get a building permit?
Before you buy a mobility ramp, check to see if you will need a local building permit. Some areas may want you to apply for a permit in order to verify the ramp conforms to your local building codes.
Am I going to use the ramp inside or outside of my home?
Exterior ramps need to be weather-proof. Consider the climate you live in. Do you live in the colder regions? If so you will need a mobility ramp that has a good non-slip surface and is not prone to icing. If you live in the desert you will need a ramp that will hold up to high heat and ultraviolet rays.
How long of a mobility ramp should I purchase?
Many people are surprised to learn how long a mobility ramp needs to be. 1:12 is the recommended ratio for a mobility ramp. This means for every inch of rise there should be 12 inches in length. If you are using a manual wheelchair you should probably use a ratio of 1:20. This is especially true if the ramp is for an elderly person. You should always use the longest ramp you have room for. Never go steeper than a ratio of 1:8. A steep ramp is hard to manage and there is a possibility of tipping backwards. Any ramp with a rise of 6 inches or more should have hand rails. Try our new mobility ramp calculator!
Do I need a mobility ramp that’s permanent?
Permanent ramps are usually made of concrete. They last forever, but they can be very expensive. They can also be made from galvanized steel or wood. Ramps made of these materials require a higher degree of maintenance.
What if I want to move the mobility ramp later or re-configure it ?
Semi-permanent ramps are also called modular mobility ramps. They are usually made from aluminum and are an attractive, flexible, easy to assemble alternative to permanent mobility ramps. Little or no site preparation is required and because of its modular design, these aluminum mobility ramps are perfect for when it is desirable to have a ramp where portable ramps are not sufficient enough to meet your accessibility needs. The modular mobility ramps design makes this system easily expandable because all of the sections are interchangeable. They can be moved and re-configured by adding 45, 90 and 180 degree turns with landing areas depending on your needs. They are easy to install and remove and can store in a very small space.
What are the weight specifications I need?
Some ramps are designed for manual wheelchairs, some for electric wheelchairs, some for unoccupied wheelchairs and others for occupied wheelchairs and scooters. Be sure to check the weight specifications of the ramp you intend to purchase. Make sure that it will safely support how you intend to use it. Many times, people buy the inexpensive wheelchair ramps, only to find out that they were designed for unoccupied wheelchairs.
I found this video while researching this article. It shows good and bad layouts of mobility ramps. The quality is a little sketchy but it makes a lot of good points. I hope you find it useful.
Passed in 1990, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The following specs for mobility ramps are published ADA Accessibility Guidelines as amended through September 2002. To see the entire document click here.
General. Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp. Ramps are essential for wheelchair users if elevators or lifts are not available to connect different levels. However, some people who use walking aids have difficulty with ramps and prefer stairs.
Slope and Rise. The least possible slope shall be used for any ramp. The maximum slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12. The maximum rise for any run shall be 30 in (760 mm). Curb ramps and ramps to be constructed on existing sites or in existing buildings or facilities may have different slopes and rises if space limitations prohibit the use of a 1:12 slope or less. These allowable differences are as follows:
(1) A slope between 1:10 and 1:12 is allowed for a maximum rise of 6 inches (150 mm).
(2) A slope between 1:8 and 1:10 is allowed for a maximum rise of 3 inches (75 mm). A slope steeper than 1:8 is not allowed. Ramp slopes between 1:16 and 1:20 are preferred. The ability to manage an incline is related to both its slope and its length. Wheelchair users with disabilities affecting their arms or with low stamina have serious difficulty using inclines. Most ambulatory people and most people who use wheelchairs can manage a slope of 1:16. Many people cannot manage a slope of 1:12 for 30 ft (9 m). Try our new mobility ramp calculator!
Clear Width. The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36 in (915 mm).
Landings. Ramps shall have level landings at bottom and top of each ramp and each ramp run. Landings shall have the following features:
(1) The landing shall be at least as wide as the ramp run leading to it.
(2) The landing length shall be a minimum of 60 in (1525 mm) clear.
(3) If ramps change direction at landings, the minimum landing size shall be 60 in by 60 in. (1525 mm by 1525 mm).
Level landings are essential toward maintaining an aggregate slope that complies with these guidelines. A ramp landing that is not level causes individuals using wheelchairs to tip backward or bottom out when the ramp is approached.
Handrails. If a ramp run has a rise greater than 6 in (150 mm) or a horizontal projection greater than 72 in (1830 mm), then it shall have handrails on both sides. Handrails are not required on curb ramps or adjacent to seating in assembly areas. Handrails shall have the following features:
(1) Handrails shall be provided along both sides of ramp segments. The inside handrail on switchback or dogleg ramps shall always be continuous.
(2) If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in (305 mm) beyond the top and bottom of the ramp segment and shall be parallel with the floor or ground surface.
(3) The clear space between the handrail and the wall shall be 1 – 1/2 in (38 mm).
(4) Gripping surfaces shall be continuous.
(5) Top of handrail gripping surfaces shall be mounted between 34 in and 38 in (865 mm and 965 mm) above ramp surfaces.
(6) Ends of handrails shall be either rounded or returned smoothly to floor, wall, or post.
(7) Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.
The requirements for stair and ramp handrails in this guideline are for adults. When children are principal users in a building or facility (e.g. elementary schools), a second set of handrails at an appropriate height can assist them and aid in preventing accidents. A maximum height of 28 inches measured to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface or stair nosing is recommended for handrails designed for children. Sufficient vertical clearance between upper and lower handrails (9 inches minimum) should be provided to help prevent entrapment.
Cross Slope and Surfaces. The cross slope of ramp surfaces shall be no greater than 1:50.
Edge Protection. Ramps and landings with drop-offs shall have curbs, walls, railings, or projecting surfaces that prevent people from slipping off the ramp. Curbs shall be a minimum of 2 in (50 mm) high.
Outdoor Conditions. Outdoor ramps and their approaches shall be designed so that water will not accumulate on walking surfaces.
Architecturally designed for a clean, modern appearance, aluminum modular mobility ramps are designed as an attractive, flexible, easy to assemble alternative to permanent galvanized steel ramps or old fashioned wooden ramps. Little or no site preparation is required and because of its modular design, these aluminum mobility ramps are perfect for when it is desirable to have a semi-permanent ramp where accessibility needs extend beyond the scope of portable ramps for wheelchairs, scooters and more.
Before you purchase one, check with your insurance company as they may be reimbursable as “Durable Medical Equipment”. Also, check whether or not you will need a building permit. Some cities may require you to obtain a permit in order to verify the ramp conforms to your local building codes.
Made from a non-slip, non-rusting, non-rotting, all aluminum extruded surface, modular mobility ramps
The modular mobility ramps design makes this system easily expandable because all of the sections are completely interchangeable. They can be moved and re-configured by adding 45, 90 and 180 degree turns depending on your accessibility needs. They are easy to install and remove and can store in a very small space.
Modular mobility ramps are not only designed to address the accessibility needs of the residential market. If you own a business these ramps can bring your business into ADA compliance. They can be used inside or outside. Do not risk a lawsuit by not being up to Federal ADA Standards.
