Need to build a wheel chair ramp other then code are there any set standards or tricks of the trade any materials better then other need ideas Thanks
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The code by itself is hard enough. Achieving a 12:1 slope requires a lot more realestate than one would think, and 20:1 is preferred. And there are requirements for curbs, handrails, turning areas, etc.
tricks of the trade any materials better then other
I don't have an answer, but I do have a "beware."
When you get to the bottom of the ramp, you cannot have more than 1/4" of "step." If you are using deck boards of some kind or the other, you have to work out how to get them tapered to that dimension before you get to the last 3-4' ramp.
You will have sorted out how to taper the stringers/joists holding those deck boards about 4-5' before that--trust me.
I believe the ADA wants a 36" minimum width, but I always built them to be 40" wide. A huge difference.
Most of the ramps I built ended in the grass at the edge of a sidewalk, so I dug it out and ran the ramp structure below grade. This makes it very easy to have no lip at the end of the slope.
If you have an expectation that the ramp will not be needed for more than a few years, you can save a lot of work by putting a 1' square piece of treated plywood on the bottom of the posts to just set on the ground rather than digging post holes and cementing the posts into holes. This works stunningly well.
Of course, that doesn't work at the end where the entire structure is going below grade.
I built a lot of ramps early on. All of the ramps that were for elderly people got very little use (at least one of them never got used even ONCE (unless a new owner used it).
With one exception, all of the ramps I built for kids got a lot of use and at least one of them is still used daily maybe ten years later
(The one exception never got used even once).
So, if you are building for elderly, I would only bury the end and let the rest sit on the ground.
For kids or young adults, I would probably dig the post holes and pour the concrete.
Rich Beckman
You are here.
Exterior ramps are 48" clear width between handrails. Interior ramps are allowed to be 36" clear between handrails.
Of course, it should be pointed out that ADA specs really only apply to commercial/public properties. An individual home can have any width/slope ramp desired so long as it meets local code (which may or may not correspond to ADA specs, if the code even exists at all).But ADA specs do make a good jumping-off place as general guidelines.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Be careful about including "any slope" with your statement below:
"An individual home can have any width/slope ramp desired so long as it meets local code (which may or may not correspond to ADA specs, if the code even exists at all). "
In North Carolina residential ramps have a max. slope of 1 unit vertical to 8 units horizontal, and Commercial/Public slopes range from 1:12 to 1:19, with 1:20 considered flat/sidewalk.
"Be careful about including "any slope" with your statement"
I think that's why he added "so long as it meets local code"
Rich BeckmanYou are there.
Like I said, so long as it meets local code.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
In addition to the "meeting local code" statement that has already been rehashed, any contractor building an access ramp must think about the business risk of building outside of the strictest standards.
And I'm guessing that the ADA commercial standards are the strictest.
My opinion (and my practice when I was in the business) is that any residential ramp not meeting the ADA commercial code should be accompanied by a signed statement from the homeowner, absolving the contractor of liabilities based on design.
Support our Troops. Bring them home. Now. And pray that at least some of the buildings in the green zone have flat roofs, with a stairway.
"Exterior ramps are 48" clear width between handrails. Interior ramps are allowed to be 36" clear between handrails."Well, I'd be interested to know where this requirement is documented.All the ADA guidelines I've seen state:4.8 Ramps.4.8.1* General. Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp and shall comply with 4.8. Appendix Note...4.8.3 Clear Width. The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36 in (915 mm)."Note that there is no distinction mentioned about interior/exterior.
Rich BeckmanYou are there.
Ramp information taken from Chapter 5 of The North Carolina Building Code Volume 1-C Accessibility Code.
Where did you get your information for the ramps?
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm
Rich BeckmanYou are here.
Thanks
Where are you?
Southern Piedmont on SC Border. Where are you?
Just East of Asheville off I-40 exit 73. Guess the 704 is your area code.
Bob
I built a fine one in Oct for the pa-in-law. 48" wide and it is beautiful. Due to design of the home, and the grade of the setting, it was necessary to place this in the main entrance to the home. The generous width really worked out well. 3/4" Advantech, and I used roll roofing for the "tread" surface. Worked out great.
Greg
In climates where there is snow, ice, or slippery conditions I've seen roll asphalt roofing laid down as a "runner". It's quite effective.
There are commercial products made for the purpose. Roll roofing is OK for short-term but doesn't hold up well under heavy traffic.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I've only made one ... and a pretty feeble attempt, at that ... but the hardest part is the bottom edge. Even the tiniest edge really brings the chair to a stop!
I expect that is why most ramps have the last section made of steel ... so it can be thinner. If you can have that last piece enter a groove, or seam, in a walk, so much the better.
Many ramps are too smooth for sure footing. I expect that rubbery truck bedliner material would help some here.