Important Wheelchair Ramp Specifications

Whether you are buying a wheelchair ramp from the market, or building one yourself, it is important to follow the proper specifications so that your ramp can be used easily and is also 100% safe. There are various building codes and minimum specification requirements that have been laid down for wheelchair ramps. Although following the specs is not mandatory for people who are putting ramps in their private homes; it is best to do so because the specifications are developed to increase the safety of the wheelchair bound and make the ramps convenient for their use.

Major Wheelchair Ramp Specifications

• The ramp should have a minimum incline of 1:12 ratio; which essentially indicates that for every inch of floor rise, the ramp should be 1 foot long.
• The ramp should be at least 3 feet in width.
• Any wheelchair ramp can be a maximum of 30 feet long without having a landing in between. If it is more than 30 feet long, there should be a rest platform every 30 feet.
• All wheelchair ramps must have proper landings at the top and bottom of the ramp.
• The landings have to be at least 5 feet in length, with the width being as much as the ramp width.
• Ramps must have handrails on both sides. Handrails should be a minimum of 2 ½ feet above the surface of the ramp, but no more than 3 feet.

These are some of the basic wheelchair ramp specifications. However, these are the minimum standards for ramps and you need not necessarily stick to these wheelchair ramp specs. The exact specs of your ramp should depend on your personal needs. For instance, if the person using the wheelchair ramp is quite weak and has a manual wheelchair, then it is better to have a slope with an incline ratio of 1:16 or even 1:20. This makes the ramp less steep and easier to navigate.

All other wheelchair ramp specifications can also be adjusted according to your needs, while maintaining at least the minimum specs as mentioned here.