Know This Before Building a Wheelchair Ramp

Are you ready to build a wheelchair ramp to improve accessibility to your home or business? Before you pull out your ruler and your hammer, take a moment to consider the following:
  • The needs of the primary users
  • Site requirements
  • Local building requirements Wheelchair Lifts for Home Louisiana

Wheelchair ramp installation needs to be done right in order to be safe and effectively meet the needs of people struggling with mobility challenges. Louisiana Stairlifts, your mobility experts and specialists in wheelchair lift installation, has these tips to offer anyone interested in building a wheelchair ramp.

The Needs of Primary Users

A variety of circumstances can lead to the need to construct a ramp. Sometimes mobility challenges are temporary and well-defined. Maybe your loved one has been in an accident and needs to use a wheelchair during recovery. In other cases, the ability to manage stairs safely might be a long-term problem. For example, your aging parent may slowly begin to find climbing up and down stairs progressively more challenging. Today, they use a cane, but a year from now, they may require a walker or other mobility assist. Or, if you want your business to be fully accessible, you need to be prepared to accommodate anyone in any condition.

Your answers to these questions will determine which type of ramp is best for you. Temporary rental ramps are an excellent option for those with short-term needs. If you’re wishing to make your home or business wheelchair friendly for the foreseeable future, constructing a permanent ramp is the way to go. Either way, your users need the following:

  • A ramp with a slope that is easy to climb and safe to descend. If your ramp is too steep, it won’t help anyone.
  • Spacious landings that offer ample room for turning a mobility device.
  • Safe spaces at the top and bottom for maneuvering on and off the ramp.
  • Handrails for support and side rails that protect against falling over the edge.
  • Non-skid surfaces that prevent slipping or tripping.

Site Requirements

With the needs of your users foremost in your mind, it’s time to consider the site.
 

Entry

You likely have at least a couple of choices for which entry point to use for your ramp. You want to choose the door that offers the easiest access. The door itself needs to be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. In addition, porches, entryways, and other features need to be able to manage wheelchair access.
 

Elevation Change

The total elevation change from top to bottom of the stairs dictates the required slope and run the length of your ramp. A good rule of thumb is that each inch of elevation requires 12 inches, or one foot, of ramp. So, if your stairs are 6 inches high, your ramp will need to be 6 feet long. In addition, on ramp cannot exceed 30 inches in rise. In other words, after rising 30 inches, the ramp needs to provide a flat, 60” x 60” landing platform for rest before continuing on.
 

Width

In order to comfortably accommodate a wheelchair and the required handrails and clearances, ramps need to be at least 42 inches wide.
 
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Space

With the above specifications in mind, it’s easy to see why ramps take up a lot of space. When you look at your site, check to see if there are any obstacles that need to be worked around when constructing the ramp. Trees are a big item that can affect the design of a ramp, but buildings, sidewalks, and other landscape features can also get in the way. Straight ramps work for small elevations changes, but once you get beyond 6 to 8 feet of the ramp, you’re likely going to need to construct a U-shaped ramp with a landing to save space.
 

Local Building Requirements

Beyond the needs of your users and the limitations of your site, you need to consider local building codes. Your HOA or your municipality likely has guidelines governing the construction of a ramp. Be sure to obtain the appropriate permits before beginning your project.
 

Call Louisiana Stairlifts

If you have more questions about the construction of a wheelchair ramp for your property, contact the experts at Louisiana Stairlifts. We are a leading supplier of mobility assist devices. We carry ramps, stairlifts, platform lifts, and van lifts. In addition, we are one of the finest residential elevator companies in Louisiana. When you need to make your home or business more accessible to people of all abilities, give us a call. We’ve got the products and experience you need to get the job done right.