What's The Building Code For Wheelchair Ramps?

Looking At Building Code For Wheelchair Ramps

It is not uncommon for people to rather choose to go with building their own exterior wheelchair ramp. Many feel that it would work out much cheaper to build their own ramp rather than buying it. It is really quite simple to build your own wheelchair ramp , however, you must make sure that you build it according to a certain building code.

  • It's extremely important that you determine the proper building code for wheelchair ramps that you need to follow when constructing, installing or purchasing a ramp for your home or commercial building.

  • Ignoring these codes and regulations could potentially see you facing legal trouble, however they can also result in providing unsafe or inaccessible ramps.

  • Familiarizing yourself with the appropriate building code for wheelchair ramps will therefore ensure you avoid any troubles and end up with a high quality unit.

The Steepness Of The Ramp

  • First of all, anything with an incline steeper than 1:20 is considered a ramp.

  • Generally speaking, ramps should not be steeper than 1:12, although exceptions are made depending on the size of the ramp and the space available.

  • Ramps of no more than 6 inches tall can be between 1:10 and 1:12, and ramps of no more than 3 inches can be between 1:8 and 1:10.

  • Ramps with a rise more than 6 inches or that extends more than 6 feet length also have to have handrails on each side.

  • Another consideration is the platform that needs to be present at both the top and bottom of the ramp.

  • Additionally, a ramp that changes directions needs to utilize a platform with a minimum size of 5 by 5 feet.

It Must Be Slip-Resistant

The floor of the wheelchair ramp must be slip-resistant according to the building code. If slip-resistant material is not used, it should me made slip-resistant by sanding or roughing it.

The Hand Railings

The top of the handrail must be a minimum of 34 inches from the ramp floor. The maximum height allowed is 38 inches. The handrails should not move or turn and should be safe and secure. If wood is used for the handrails, it must be treated to prevent injuries from splinters.

Installing One At Your Home

When you're installing a ramp at your home, you don't necessarily have to comply with these regulations. They are really in place for commercial buildings and for public places. However, you will probably still want to follow the regulations, because they will provide for the safest and most convenient experience. That's ultimately the most important thing that you should be worried about, and these wheelchair ramp regulations were developed to maintain just that. See these regulations as the perfect guideline to building a safe and successful wheelchair ramp.

Specific Coding Requirements

However, in addition to all of the above information, you should also consult any specific coding requirements your town or district you have. These may be stricter regarding certain elements of the ADA guidelines mentioned above. Another issue is that you may have to get special zoning or permissions based on the area that you're in.

This can also become an issue when you're dealing with a neighborhood association that has specific rules about the visual or aesthetic style of house modifications. Instead of running in trouble down the line, you should first ensure that you are completely aware of any and all regulations and codes, from all potential sources.

The Material Used

Finally, does the material used on your ramp make any difference in terms of the regulations that you have to follow?

  • Concrete
  • Plastic
  • Wood
  • Metal

It truly doesn't matter what material you use as long as you follow the guidelines for installing and constructing them. These different materials will be used for different kinds of ramps, and will result in different costs. However, whether you use wood, plastic or anything else, you should be able to comply with all applicable regulations.

You shouldn't worry that the building code for wheelchair ramps is anything so strict that it can lead to major headaches. However, it's very important to become familiar with the guidelines so that you can build something that's safe, easy to use and won't cause anybody any further problems. For residential purposes, these guidelines are recommendations only, while for businesses or public spaces they are generally mandated.