How to Measure Wheelchair Ramp Ground Slope Call (513) 889-2492 ORDER NOW Tracy Mikulec Tracy Mikulec, a seasoned leader in the digital marketing realm, currently serves as the Director of Digital at SixAxis, a pioneering manufacturer of industrial and commercial safety products from renowned brands like SafeRack, ErectaStep, and Upside. With a career spanning over three decades, Tracy has been at the forefront of digital innovation, ecommerce, and technology strategy. Since January 2015, Tracy has been instrumental in shaping the digital landscape at SixAxis, LLC, based in Andrews, South Carolina. His role involves leading digital strategies and overseeing technological advancements for SixAxis and its diverse portfolio of brands. Dec 19, 2019 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes ADA Requirements The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires wheelchair ramps to have a slope no steeper than 1:12 so that people in wheelchairs can go up and down without assistance. This means that for every inch of rise in the threshold, the wheelchair ramp must be 12 inches (one foot) long. For example, a door threshold height of 25″ requires a 25′ ramp along with a 5’ x 5’ threshold platform. Any threshold that is more than 30″ off the ground requires at least one resting platform in the middle of the ramp to break it up. Why? Because the ADA requires a resting platform for every additional 30′ of the ramp run. Therefore, if the threshold is 32″ high, one resting platform is required; if the threshold is 62″ high, two resting platforms are required. What you will need Stakes String or twine Hammer Line level Tape measure Handicap Ramp Slope & Length Calculator Why is it Important To Measure? In a perfect world, every construction site would be completely flat, but all site workers know that is not the case. Therefore, ground slope measurements are required to make sure that the slope of the handicap ramp is accurate. If the ground is sloping upwards from the door threshold, the ramp will likely require less ramp material than if the ground is flat or sloping downwards. This typically means that the ramp will be less expensive if the ground is sloping upwards and more expensive if it is sloping downwards. Diagram 1 The 30″ threshold height correlates to a 30′ ramp because the ground is neither sloping upwards or downwards; it is completely flat. Diagram 2 On the left side of the building, the ground is sloping upwards, which means that the 30″ threshold will require a ramp that is less than 30′. On the right side of the building, the ground is sloping downwards, which means that the ramp will have to be longer than 30′. It will also require a resting platform in the middle of the ramp that will add an additional cost. A resting platform is required for every additional 30′ of ramp run. Where to Measure Slope measurements need to be taken where the wheelchair ramp will sit, so you will first need to figure out the best layout. To determine the best layout: Measure the height of the door threshold Determine the required ramp length For every inch of rise, a foot of ramp run is needed (i.e. door threshold height = 20”, so ramp run = 20’) Make sure to account for the required 5’ x 5’ platform at the door threshold Remember, for every additional 30′ of ramp run, an additional 5’ x 5’ resting platform is required Note any obstacles or space limitations If there are no obstacles or space limitations, the ramp layout does not matter; choose the preferred layout If there are obstacles or space limitations, a switchback ramp or L-ramp would be best If there are two buildings side-by-side, a common platform ramp could be used to maximize space utilization Once the layout is determined, measure the ground slope every 10′ in the direction(s) that the ramp will travel. To measure an L-ramp, measure from where the threshold platform would sit to where the first platform would sit in increments of 10′. Then measure from the platform down to where the ramp would end. For modular buildings, here is a ramp configuration plan. How to Measure Take a measurement from grade to the finished floor at the entrance (FFE (finished floor elevation) = _____ inches) Hammer a stake in the ground at the entrance door and tie a string to it. Hammer a second stake in the ground straight out from the building at approximately the location where the threshold platform will end (typically 5’4” away from the building), and tie the string to it from the first stake making sure it is taut. Place a line level in the center of the string and move the string up or down until the line is level. Measure the distance from the ground to the string at the first stake (S1 = ______ inches) and measure the distance from the ground to the string on the second stake (S2 = ______ inches) Calculate the ground level relative to the finished floor elevation (FFE) by using the following formula: FFE_2 = FFE + (S2 – S1) Hammer a third stake in the ground approximately 10’ from stake 2 in the direction of the ramp travel. Tie a string from stake 2 to stake 3 and make sure that the string is taut. Place a line level in the center of the string and move the string up or down until the line is level. Measure the distance from the ground to the string at stake 2 (S2 = ______ inches) and measure the distance from the ground to the string at the third stake (S3 = _____ inches) Calculate the ground level relative to the FFE @ stake 2 by using the following formula: FFE_3 = FFE_2 + (S3 – S2) Repeat this process every 10’ to the approximate location of where the ramp will end Where to Place Stakes Ramp Slope RELATED ARTICLES: Pros & Cons of the 5 Most Common Ramp Materials [Infographic] How to Measure for a Wheelchair Ramp Must-Know ADA & IBC Guidelines Test Your Knowledge of Wheelchair Ramps Complete 2010 ADA Guide Get a Quote for an Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp Ramps ADA Ramp Slope Requirements Read More » March 13, 2018 Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022
ADA Ramp Requirements Outline Call (513) 889-2492 ORDER NOW Tracy Mikulec Tracy Mikulec, a seasoned leader in the digital marketing realm, currently serves as the Director of Digital at SixAxis, a pioneering manufacturer of industrial and commercial safety products from renowned brands like SafeRack, ErectaStep, and Upside. With a career spanning over three decades, Tracy has been at the forefront of digital innovation, ecommerce, and technology strategy. Since January 2015, Tracy has been instrumental in shaping the digital landscape at SixAxis, LLC, based in Andrews, South Carolina. His role involves leading digital strategies and overseeing technological advancements for SixAxis and its diverse portfolio of brands. Dec 06, 2017 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. This includes ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to buildings and facilities. One way to provide equal access is by installing ramps, which allow people who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments to enter and exit buildings. ADA ramp requirements specify the minimum standards that ramps must meet in order to be considered accessible. These requirements apply to both new construction and renovations of existing buildings. Some of the key requirements for ADA ramps include: Make sure your wheelchair ramp is ADA-compliant. 1. Ramp Slope The steepest slope that an ADA ramp can have is 1:12 which means for every inch of threshold rise, the ramp must be at least 12 inches (one foot) long. If you’re unsure about how to do the calculations, use the ramp slope calculator. The ramp length is directly related to the height between the ground and the bottom of the door, along with the required slope. For example, the door on your building is 40 inches above the ground. To ensure that your ramp is not steeper than the 1:12 ratio, your ramp needs to be 40 feet long. 2. Ramp Width ADA ramps must be at least 36 inches wide, which allows people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices to safely navigate the ramp. 3. Platform Landings ADA ramp requirements include landings at the top and bottom of the ramp. These landings should be at least as wide as the ramp and at least 60 inches long. Landings provide a place for people with disabilities to rest and turn around if necessary. Number of Resting Platform Landings Following the ADA ramp requirements, the maximum rise for a single ramp run is 30 inches. That means that the maximum length is 30 feet, so one additional platform landing is required for every additional 30 feet of ramp. Why? Because the landings serve as resting areas, the Americans with Disabilities Act determined that after 30 feet of continuous run, a resting area is needed. Ramp Length (ft.)Landings Required0-30None31-60161-90291-1203 Landing Size Width: the landing must be at least as wide as the widest ramp run that connects to the landing. Length: the landing length must be at least 60 inches without obstruction. Change in direction: if the ramp changes direction, you need a landing with a clear space that is at least 60 inches by 60 inches. Doorways: if there are doorways that lead onto a landing, see the following ADA ramp landing requirements. 4. Guardrails and Handrails ADA ramps must have handrails on both sides that are between 34 and 38 inches above the ramp surface. Handrails help people with disabilities maintain balance and stability while using the ramp. Railing extensions If a railing is present along the side of a ramp, it must extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom of the ramp. This helps people with disabilities maintain their balance while using the ramp. Clearance between handrails The minimum clearance between the ramp handrails is 36 inches so that a wheelchair can fit between the handrails with ease. View all ADA ramp handrail requirements, including length, perimeter, location above the walking surface, and more. Baluster spacing Balusters are required on ADA ramps to protect against falling. The balusters must not be spaced farther than 4″ apart from one another so that a child cannot slip through the space. Guardrail The guardrail, which is different than the handrail, must be at least 42 inches from the walking surface to prevent people from falling over the side of the ramp. 5. Surface The surface of an ADA ramp must be slip-resistant and smooth. This is important for the safety of people with disabilities, as well as for those who may be pushing strollers or using other mobility devices. 6. Edge protection Edge protection is required along the edges of an ADA ramp run and landing. There are two types of edge protection to choose from: Extended ground surface: the ramp and landing walking surface must extend at least 12 inches past the inside edge of the handrail Barrier/kickplate: you cannot have a gap larger than 4 inches between the ramp or kickplate and the bottom of the guardrail. It is important to note that these are the minimum requirements for ADA ramps. In some cases, additional features may be needed to make a ramp fully accessible. For example, a ramp may need to have a wider landing at the top if there is not enough space for a person using a wheelchair to turn around. In summary, ADA ramp requirements are designed to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to buildings and facilities. By following these requirements, building owners and designers can create ramps that are safe and accessible for everyone. We get all of our information from the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA-Ramp-ChecklistDownload News Creating Safe & Equal Access for All with Wheelchair Accessible Ramps Read More » September 4, 2022 Ramps What is a Modular Wheelchair Ramp? Read More » January 11, 2024
