A Guide To ADA Wheelchair Ramps

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has laid down certain requirements and specifications for the building of wheelchair ramps. This is to ensure that all wheelchair ramps, whether they are built by the user or ramp manufacturers, are absolutely safe for use by people in wheelchairs. Thus, prior to buying or building any chair ramp, you need to be aware of these regulations for ADA wheelchair ramps. This article provides you with important information on ADA ramps and how to be in compliance with the ADA wheelchair ramp regulations.

1. All newly constructed wheelchair ramps should have a slope of at least 1:12 ratio. Wheelchair ramps can rise for a maximum height of 30 inches for a single run, after which it should have a landing. If a wheelchair ramp has to be built in an already existing building and there is not enough space for a 1:12 slope, then the ADA wheelchair ramps may be built with the following slope guidelines:
   • A wheelchair ramp slope of 1:10 to 1:12 ratio, not exceeding a rise of 6 inches from the ground surface.
   • An ADA wheelchair ramp may have a slope of 1:8 to 1:10 ratio, but not for a rise of more than 3 inches. A wheelchair ramp with a slope lesser than 1:8 ratio is not permissible under any circumstances.
2. To be considered an ADA wheelchair ramp, it should have a clear width of at least 36 inches.
3. Wheelchair ramps must have landings at the very top of the ramp as well as where the ramp meets the ground. For every 30 feet of ramp run, there should be one level landing. Landings shall comply with the following ADA regulations:
   • The width of the landing should be at least as much as the width of the wheelchair ramp.
   • A landing should be at least 60 inches long.
   • If there is a change in the direction of the wheelchair ramp, the landing where the turn is should be at least 5 feet x 5 feet.
   • If any landing has a doorway, there should be enough space on the landing to accommodate the wheelchair after the door has been opened.
4. Any wheelchair ramp that is more than 6 inches high, or if it is more than 6 feet in length; it should have a handrail on either side of the ramp so as to be in compliance with ADA ramp regulations. If it is a switchback or dogleg ramp, the handrails must extent through the entire length of the wheelchair ramp; else the handrails should go on for a minimum of 1 foot from the top of the wheelchair ramp and 1 foot till the bottom.

The top of the handrail needs to be a minimum of 34 inches from the ramp floor, with 38 inches being the maximum height allowed. The handrails should be secure and should not move or turn in their fixtures.

Thus, to be an ADA wheelchair ramp, all the above specifications and requirements must be carried out when building the wheelchair ramp.