Building a Permanent Wheelchair Ramp

Building a permanent wheelchair ramp is not terribly difficult and anyone with some basic carpentry skills should be able to manage the job fairly easily.
Because the ramp will be a permanent structure local building codes must be adhered to but the following information is pretty common in most jurisdictions.

Ramp slope
The National Building code specifies a 1 in 12 (1:12) slope which is 12" of ramp for every 1 inch of rise. Of course a lower slope is acceptable and possibly may be more appropriate for a user in a manual wheelchair and has limited strength.

Ramp Surface
The ramp surface can be metal, concrete or wood and must have a non-slip finish. With a concrete ramp, simply roughing up the surface when it is poured should be sufficient. A metal surface will need to be etched, have peel & stick abrasive strips or be painted with a paint containing some type of abrasive. Wooden ramps, by far the most common, can also be painted with abrasive containing paint or have self sticking abrasive strips.

Ramp Railing
Ramps must have railings on both sides if the height is more than 6". The railings should be between 34" and 38" high and provide a barrier which will prevent a wheelchair or scooter from being driven off the side.

Ramp Landings
Ramp landings at the beginning and end of the ramp must be a minimum of 5' x 5' and be level. A landing may not need to be constructed if there is a suitable level solid surface of the correct size at either end. In situations where the length of the ramp exceeds 29' (9 meters) there must be an interim landing 4' long and the full width of the ramp somewhere along it's length at intervals of no more than 29'.

Ramp Turns and Change of Direction
Turns, corners, changes of direction etc. are acceptable in wheelchair ramps but the must be level and a suitable size. Generally a 90 degree turn will require a 5' x 5' landing and a 180 degree turn will require a landing 5' x twice the width of the wheelchair ramp. For very long ramps a level turn landing will suffice as an interim landing as well.

Disabled Ramps and Access

Michael Brown Builders have been specialising in disability adaptations since we were
established.

We work with individuals, Local Authorities and commercial organisations
in modifying homes, shops, restaurants and offices for elderly and disabled people,
including:

- Full Disabled Access Audit 
- Installation of disabled access wheelchair ramps
- Modification of doors and doorways for disabled access
- Installation of handrails and handles
- Installation of disabled access toilets and bathrooms, inc. showers and baths
- Design and Build disabled access ramps

Easy and Efficient - The most flexible disabled access solution

Ramp systems by MBB, offer a flexible and durable disabled access package,
encompassing state of the art design, proven manufacturing skills and fast and efficient
installation.

As a long established business we have particular experience in working with local authorities and councils, as well as a variety of business organisations of any size. We therefore fully appreciate the need for high quality yet cost effective disabled access, that is not only practical and reliable, but fit in aesthetically with minimum disruption to any kind of situation - residential, domestic, commercial or industrial.

Our products and services fully comply with legislation introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which states the requirement for businesses and service providers to modify and adjust building entrances and exits to improve access for disabled people. Ramp systems by MBB are also compliant with relevant building regulations.

Disabled Ramp systems by MBB offer a number of major benefits:

• Proven designs and installations

• Sturdy and durable system

• System components easy to install, easy to dismantle and easy to reconfigure

• Premium quality modular steel construction

• Handrails galvanised prior to powder coating to prevent rust if the powder coating is accidentally damaged

• MBB access ramps full range of attractive hard-wearing powder coated paint finishes

• Slip-resistant mesh flooring is more practical and highly cost-effective than concrete ramps, providing

• Ice resistance

• Excellent drainage

• Light and easy to manoeuvre panels, which are simple to install

• All products can be refurbished and reinstalled

•  Gates and steps can be incorporated into the design