I need to build a wheelchair ramp at my wife’s grandparents any guidelines on the recommended width and slope on the ramp for ease of access.
Also what is best to use on the deck of the ramp? some of the composites I have looked at had a rough enough surface to act as a tread or should I just use 5/4 decking?
Thanks, Chris
Replies
Gotta be 48" wide and a 1 pitch. (1" rise on 12" run). I don't know how high you have to go, but you may have to build a landing. I've used 5/4 decking with the epoxy sand strips or paint that they use around pools.
okay that sounds fine I am only about 2' off of the ground so a landing may be used depending on how far they want it to stick out
Thanks
2' off the ground means you'll need 24 feet of finsihed ramp length in order to be code compliant.
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and 1/12 is the minimum. I've build one at 1/20 that was nice and comfortable.
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You're right, I forgot to mention that 1/12 is minimum. 1/20!? That 's a looooong ramp.
1/20 waas the pitch. The ramp was more like 26' longIt was around the back side of the house. You drive in to the end of the house ands wheelchair up the ramp to the porch on the other end of the house, then in through sliding glass door. Kept the ramp out of view, butr very easy access. Had I made it only 1/12, you would have exited the car, then down slightly to hit the ramp, then up a steeper ramp.. This one brought tjhe ramp close to the car, which was good in mud season. Surface drainage went opposite direction of ramp
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site for ADA info
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.8
Piffin's right on the money. 1:12 is considered maximum slope with 1:20 preferred. The website in the prior post will have all the recommendations you need with regard to dimensions.
The slope somewhat depends on the use. If the client will be pushed up by an able-bodied person then a steeper slope may be fine, but if the client wheels up or is pushed up by an older person then a shallower slope is needed. Space and money limits that, of course.
As for decking, wood tends to get slippery when wet, especially if in a damp climate or a shady location where algae can grow. Some people use roll asphalt roofing (granulated) as a runner.
here's one I did for a rollercoaster ride at the local zoo...
(now why a kid in a wheelchair would ever ride a roller coaster????)
I did mine 1/16 to get it to land just right...used a composite 5/4 decking that had a "textured groove" machined into it...Ultra Deck maybe?? Anywho, seemed to work out ok.
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Don't you have requirements for continuous graspable handrail?
Mike