Frequently Asked Questions Ramps Stairs Canopies & Awnings Shipping & Receiving Financing Installation Ramps 1. WHAT DO I USE FOR ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL? We recommend using a broom to push the snow off the sides, applying the aluminum-safe ice and snow melt for aluminum ramps, and/or installing a walkway canopy over your ramp. 2. HOW LONG WILL THE RAMP LAST? We can’t quite say how long the ramp will last because it depends on how often you move it around, if it is near salt water, how much foot traffic it has, etc. However, we have been in business since 2009, and our original ramps are still out in the field. 3. WHAT ARE THE ADA RAMP DIMENSIONS? We follow ADA ramp guidelines for minimum clearances, platform sizes, handrails, etc. View our standard layout drawings for dimensions. 4. HOW LONG DOES THE RAMP HAVE TO BE? The ramp length depends on how high your door or existing walkway is above the ground. Use our ADA ramp length calculator. 5. CAN I LEASE THE ADA RAMP? Yes, we lease our ADA ramps! We typically lease ramps for a minimum of 3 months. However, if we have the product in stock and can work within your timeline, we can most likely set up lease terms. Stairs 1. WHAT DO I USE FOR ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL? We recommend using a broom to push the snow off the sides, applying the aluminum-safe ice and snow melt for aluminum stairs, and/or installing an entryway canopy over your stairs. 2. HOW LONG WILL THE STAIRS LAST? We can’t quite say how long the stairs will last because it depends on whether the stairs are permanent or portable, if it is near salt water, how much foot traffic it has, etc. However, we have been in business since 2009, and our original stairs are still out in the field. View our aluminum stair maintenance tips to ensure your stair system stays in good condition. 3. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADA AND OSHA STAIRS? “ADA” stands for “Americans with Disabilities Act”, and any public entrance stairs must comply ADA regulations. “OSHA” stands for “Occupational Safety and Health Administration”, and all ladders and stairs within the workplace must comply with OSHA regulations. Read more about the difference between ADA and OSHA stairs. 4. WHAT SIZE PLATFORM(S) DO I NEED? Our standard ADA stairs and OSHA stairs follow the minimum stair landing requirements, but we can design stairs to meet any code. 5. CAN I LEASE THE ADA STAIRS? Yes, we lease our standard ADA stairs! We typically lease stairs for a minimum of 3 months. However, if we have the product in stock and can work within your timeline, we can most likely set up lease terms. Canopies & Awnings 1. WHAT DO I USE FOR ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL? Our canopies are designed for local snow loads, but it is best practice to avoid a large amount of snow building up on top of the canopy. Remove snow by using a push broom to knock large chucks of snow off the canopy. 2. HOW LONG WILL THE CANOPY LAST? We can’t quite say how long the canopy will last because it depends on various factors, including environment, maintenance, etc. However, we have been in business since 2009, and our original canopies are still out in the field. Carry out proper canopy maintenance to ensure your canopy stays in good condition. 3. WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF THE CANOPY? There is not a standard canopy size, so it all depends on the site and application. View our walkway canopies and metal awning pages for more info, or contact us. 4. DO YOU DESIGN PITCHED/SLOPED CANOPIES? We don’t currently offer pitched or sloped canopies, but we design canopies for stair towers and canopies for walkway elevation changes. Instead of a sloped canopy, we offer a step-style canopy that steps down when an elevation change is required. Shipping & Receiving 1. HOW ARE YOUR PRODUCTS SHIPPED? We typically ship our products on 5′ and 10′ skids via freight carriers such as FedEx. 2. WHAT DO I NEED TO OFFLOAD/RECEIVE YOUR PRODUCT? A forklift, lull, or loading dock is recommended. There are instances where our customers will hand unload a pallet, but the freight companies could charge extra if not completed within a reasonable amount of time. 3. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO RECEIVE THE PRODUCT? Our typical lead time is 2-3 weeks. However, during the busy summer season or if the project is custom, it can take up to 4-6 weeks. Financing 1. DO YOU OFFER FINANCING? In general, orders above $5,000 can be financed upon credit approval. New customers who are ordering less than $5,000 are expected to provide payment before shipment of material. This can be done by check or through all major credit cards. For those customers whose order is larger than $5,000 or will be purchasing multiple times, you can fill out our secure credit application form. 2. WHAT CREDIT TERMS DO YOU OFFER? It depends on the size of the project and the results of the credit application. Refer to our payment policy terms for help. Installation 1. DO I HAVE TO POUR FOOTING FOR THE RAMPS, STAIRS, AND CANOPIES? Ramps & ADA Stairs: Footers are not mandatory when installing a ramp or ADA stairs, but anchoring the ramp and platform footplates to a concrete slab or footers will provide full structural integrity of the system. If you aren’t installing on concrete, other acceptable surfaces include asphalt, concrete pavers, or ABS pads. Portable OSHA Stairs & Trailer Steps: These stairs are typically installed on grade and are acceptable just that way. Stairtowers: We also require that our stair towers be installed on concrete footers. With the larger structure, there are larger wind loads and point loads that the footplates will be required to hold. Walkway Canopies & Entryway Canopies with Posts: When installing our canopy systems that have posts, footers or a concrete pad is required to make sure that the system can withstand the wind loads that are required. Our engineering team will specify the concrete work as needed for the canopy system. 2. HOW BIG DO THE FOOTINGS HAVE TO BE? Ramps & ADA Stairs: Footers are not mandatory when installing a ramp or ADA stairs, but anchoring the ramp and platform footplates to a concrete slab or footers will provide full structural integrity of the system. If you aren’t installing on concrete, other acceptable surfaces include asphalt, concrete pavers, or ABS pads. Portable OSHA Stairs & Trailer Steps: These stairs are typically installed on grade and are acceptable just that way. Stairtowers: We also require that our stair towers be installed on concrete footers. With the larger structure, there are larger wind loads and point loads that the footplates will be required to hold. Walkway Canopies & Entryway Canopies with Posts: When installing our canopy systems that have posts, footers or a concrete pad is required to make sure that the system can withstand the wind loads that are required. Our engineering team will specify the concrete work as needed for the canopy system. 3. AM I ABLE TO INSTALL THE PRODUCT(S) MYSELF? Anybody can install any of our products because it is all pre-manufactured and does not require on-site welding. But for larger scale projects, we recommend using our installation services because it will be much quicker than an install crew that isn’t familiar with the product. 4. WHAT IF THE GROUND IS UNEVEN? Uneven ground can change the length of your ramp and stairs or the height of your walkway canopy. Learn how to measure the slope of your ground, and tell us your findings. 5. WHERE DO YOU PROVIDE INSTALLATION? We provide installation services nationwide. However, it is typically more cost-effective for customers to install smaller projects themselves or hire a local contractor.