Safety Features Of A Wheelchair Ramp
When building a wheelchair ramp is necessary, the safety of the ramp needs to be considered. If certain safety guidelines are not followed, the wheelchair ramp can be unsafe.
The slope of the wheelchair ramp is a measure of how steep the ramp is. A ramp that is too steep is not only difficult to use, but can be unsafe. The person may struggle to climb and descend a steep slope safely.
The safety guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) say that the minimum length is determined by multiplying the necessary height by twelve. This is sometimes expressed as a ratio of one to twelve.
If a ramp is six inches high, the wheelchair ramp needs to be six feet long since six inches multiplied by twelve is seventy-two inches which equals six feet. With this simple equation, the safe, minimum length of a ramp can be determined for the necessary height.
A wheelchair ramp needs to have railings on both sides to prevent a fall from the ramp if the wheelchair user were to get too close to the edge. Railings may need to be constructed in accordance with local building codes.
The materials used to build the wheelchair ramp can affect the safety of the wheelchair ramp. All of the materials that will be exposed to weather need to be water-resistant and sturdy.
Some wheelchair ramps have had compromised safety because the builder used ordinary plywood to build the sloping surface of the ramp. Even if the plywood is painted or sealed, plywood is prone to cracking and peeling after exposure to outdoor elements like rain. This tendency to crack or peel can make the wheelchair ramp unstable or weak.
The landing at the door needs to provide the wheelchair user with safe use of the door and access to the home or building. The threshold or bottom of the doorway should not be more than half an inch higher than the landing.
Related posts:
