A neighbor is bringing his wife home from the nursing home later this week and asked me to build a ramp in his garage to help get her in the house. Both are elderly. The threshold is 15″ above the floor. If I make the ramp about 8′ long, will the slope be too steep? I know there is a standard somewhere, but not sure what it is. We can’t really go much more than 8-9′ without interfering with the car doors.
I plan to keep it simple — 2×12’s and 3/4 CDX ply for a deck. Should I leave a lip of about 4-5″ on the sides to keep from rolling off the edge?
Thanks!
-Randy (Illinois)
Replies
I think by ADA code, a wheelchair ramp has to have a slope of 12 to one. So your 15" tall ramp would have to be 15' long. On the other hand - If it's in a private residence you don't really have to follow that.
A slope of 12 to one gives an angle of about 5 degrees. But a 15" rise with an 8' run would be about 9 degrees. That would be hard for an elderly person to push anything up. But it would also depend on the weight of the person in the chair, and how strong the person is who's doing the pushing.
If the end of the ramp interferes with the garage doors, you might be able to hinge the low end of it and make it flip up out of the way when not in use.
One thing I've seen on ramps is "3/4" square "cleats" about 12" long in the middle of the ramp. Gives something for your feet to grip on, but they're short enough that they don't interfere with the wheelchair wheels.
I wouldn't just put a lip on the edge of the ramp - I'd put up a railing., If the person pushing slips and falls, you don't want them falling over the side or something.
1:12 is pretty tough if you're actually the one in the chair. This is one code maximum that it is very helpful to not 'max out' on.
T. Jeffery Clarke
Just curious Jeff -
Why would it be hard on the one in the chair ?
Boss - many people in wheelchairs find 1:12 too steep a slope, especially if the run is long. The code requires landings for just that reason. If you talk to an industry-active group (like the EPVA - Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Assn.) you'll find that ramp steepness and door pull force are two of the biggest complaints. Imagine what a house you'd have if you built it entirely to code max./min. - 7' x 7' rooms with 7'-6 ceilings and tiny windows. Code max. for ramps is too steep for many.T. Jeffery Clarke
Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum
O.K - I think I'm with you -
I was thinking of a person in a wheelchair being *pushed* by someone else Apparently you were talking about someone trying to navigate the ramp under their own power.
think the std is 5%
5% is for walks, not rampsT. Jeffery Clarke
Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum
As everyone else stated 1:12 is the max slope by ADA standards. It sounds like you won't be able to do that is the space that you have. With your steeper conditions, pay close attention to your decking and find a way to make it slip resistant. I think you will also want to consider a handrail.
If you have any space for extra width, you might want to consider that...it might be a psycological comfort with the steeper grade.
Your post doesn't desribe the ramp/door relationship
Don't forget the landing for turning the chair if it is not a straight run in.
I'm also assuming the need to unlock/open the door at the top has been considered.
bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
Hmmm... much to consider, not many options, tho. This is inside a garage with a straight shot into the door and hallway. I guess I will try the 8' run with cleats and tell him to call me if it is too steep for him. I think the garage is only about 20' long, so a long ramp would be a problem. Railing might be too, but may put it on one side anyway.
Thanks for the help everyone!
-Randy