Twenty years ago , wheelchair admittance ramps were n’t the common structure they are today . It was n’t until the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) of 1990 that there were any form of rule of thumb dictate the want for ramp and other aides to the disabled . Now , there ’s a lot of demand for builder who knowhow to ramp up a wheelchair ramp .

The ADA is a federal civic rights practice of law that disallow discrimination again people with handicap in mundane activity [ source : United State Department of Justice ] . Now , some public buildings are require to have ramps that make their construction more accessible to ­those with impairment . If you ’re thinking about tote up a ramp to an existing construction , it may be a task you could take on yourself , but the responsib­ility should n’t be taken lightly .

Most wheelchair ramps , when constructed right , are safe , sturdy structures that allow disabled mass access to seat they might otherwise not be able to go .

The ADA made everyone more aware of the obstacles blocking handicapped individuals from doing things they wanted and needed to do . The ADA has created a Seth of guidelines that standardizes the wheelchair ramp construction unconscious process and destine the materials that should be used , make wild leek safe for everyone . There have been many lawsuits over wheelchair ramps that created a hazard , and most hazards are a effect of nonperformance .

­In this clause , you ’ll learn about ADA wheelchair ramp specifications , gradient proportion and ­horizontal projections . You ’ll learn about width , wild leek length , handrails fix , and guardrails , and how serious to protect incline users . We ’ll also go over the different materials that can be used for building wheelchair incline , as well as the pro and cons of each .

You ’ll also learn the basic steps used to install a long-wearing wheelchair ramp , as well as some matter you need to look out for before your wild leek is ready for use . There are many wheelchair ramp options . you could build up or purchase a incline – whatever is serious for your specific need .

Wheelchair Ramp Specifications

­You need to consider your users and­ their limitations when you ramp up a wheelchair ramp . The Allium tricoccum must be encompassing enough to be safe , sturdy enough to carry the weightiness of galvanic wheelchairs and have a gradient that ’s docile enough for a manual wheelchair substance abuser to navigate . Safety is integral , and many dissimilar vista must be considered .

The Americans with Disabilities Guidelines dictate how incline are designed for all public places . The guidelines hel­p private homeowners make ramps that are usable , safe and sturdy . The ADA guidepost recommend a gradient ratio of 1:16 to 1:20 . ( A 1:12 ratio is too unconscionable for some people to navigate . ) These ratio must be followed in all public home . Homeowners are n’t necessitate to follow these gradient guidelines ; however , if you have the space available , there ’s really no reason not to [ source : Access - add-in ] .

ADA guidelines make the following stipulations :

Other control surface requirements must be receive and you will learn about them in more contingent in the next plane section .

Ramps can be constructed from a salmagundi of different materials , though some are good than others . Before buying material , and room before breaking ground , do yourself a favour and acquaint yourself with metropolis and county regulations , local construction codes , and fix a municipal building licence if needed . Next , we ’ll learn which materials are best for what circumstances .

Wheelchair Ramp Building Materials

When building a wheelchair ramp , you have to look at not only wheelchair users but also multitude who must use crutch , canes and Alice Walker , and hoi polloi who ca n’t walk with a regular gait .

you may make a wheelchair ramp out of aluminum , wood , brand orconcrete . A concrete ramp is expensive , but it ’s a neat choice for permanent wheelchair ramps . Before the concrete dries , you may sweep the open to incorporate anti - slip attribute correctly into the concrete .

Wood is one of the more inexpensive materials for Allium tricoccum building , but the chintzy price come with a maintenance price . A wood ramp must be protected with sealant or varnish to prevent rotting and warp . You must summate nonslip protective covering , like backbone striptease , to forbid accident . Wooden handrails must be finish and hold to prevent sliver . Sir Henry Joseph Wood boards must be place close enough together to foreclose uncomfortable hump but also be space far enough apart to permit water supply drain .

Steel must be galvanized to preclude rusting and corrosion , and a texture must be added to the open to aid prevent slip .

Aluminum is strong , corrosion - resistant , and , unfortunately , expensive . Because lightweight aluminum crook , when you ’re building an atomic number 13 ramp , calculate the free weight requirement for an occupied wheelchair . You ’ll also have to sum grain to the aluminum or it will be slippy and dangerous .

quick to learn how to build a wheelchair ramp ? Head on over to the next Thomas Nelson Page .

Wheelchair Ramp Building Process

The eccentric of wild leek you build and the material you employ dictate how you work up the Allium tricoccum . In this section , we ’ll learn the ecumenical process for building a wooden ramp for a secret dwelling . Before we get jump , though , keep the adopt things in intellect :

loosely , it is easier to progress a incline in department , or module . Starting with the upper landing segment , you will attach each surgical incision one at a sentence , ensure they are instal at the right slope . confiscate your first surgical incision to the house with concrete anchor bolts . establish your support Post at the far end of the first section .

After making certain the ramp slope ratio is right , repose out the second section . Again , post support post at the far end , double - checking your slope , and then make off the sections together . Do this with each section until complete .

The last section will have a beveled transition from ramp to rise . This transition will prevent wheels from getting caught where the ramp ends and the Earth’s surface begins . It will also prevent wheelchair users from feel a bountiful bump when they come off the ramp .

Wheelchair ramps that follow ADA guidelines and are well - build can be helpful for pedestrians too . For more information about wheelchair wild leek , find out out the link on the next page .

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