Accessibility
Choosing a Ramp for Your Single Family Home, Part 2
The Rise and the Run of a Ramp
In our two previous segments, we introduced the idea of purchasing a ramp into several different sections and introduced those sections to you. We also offered a variety of options to choose from trying to determine what ramp is best for you. In this part of our seven part series, we will review the most important aspect of purchasing your ramp: the rise, and the run.
Determining a Ramp’s Rise
The single most important piece of information when looking for a ramp is the rise. Well, what is that, a rise? It is just like it sounds, the rise up from the ground. The rise is the distance between the ground to a landing or top surface (i.e. sidewalk to porch). To calculate your rise, measure each step’s height, and then add the heights together and that is your rise. This distance, measured in inches, will better help our ramp experts determine what size ramp is needed.
Determining a Ramp’s Run
A second important piece of information is the run. Also like it sounds, the run is the length of distance from one end of the ramp to the other. Again, the run should be measured in inches. As you can see from the above image, the ramp’s distance covers the diagonal slope that starts on the ground and goes up to the top of the rise.
ADA Ramp Standards
Per ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, the slope ratio to follow is 1:12, that is for each inch of rise you are required to have at least one foot of ramp. This is to prevent the ramp from being too steep. To give you an example, you have two stairs outside the front door, and they measure 4” tall each (8” total rise), it’s required by ADA to have an 8 foot ramp.
As we all know, for most every rule there is always an exception. If someone were in a wheelchair, and they are pushed up or using a motorized scooter (assisted), the ADA allows the slope at 2:12, meaning for the same 8” total rise stated above, you could safely utilize a 4 foot ramp or longer. Given the motorized capability of the scooter, it can handle a ramp with a steeper incline. However an incline steeper than this will make it very difficult for even a power chair to handle.
Next Time: Part 3 Moving Up the Ramp
Now that you understand the concepts of the rise and run of a ramp and the ratio required by the ADA, we can move on to part 3 wheelchair and scooter equipment and how to move equipment up the right ramp for you. Check back soon for part 3!!
We Want to Hear from You
If at any point a question pops in your head about something we’ve covered, please do not hesitate to contact us. The biggest reason an unsatisfied customer returns a ramp is because it was the wrong length. We don’t want that to happen to you. This is why we created this tutorial because we believe that the best customer is an educated customer.
For more information on the rise and run call Handi-Ramp at (800) 876-7267
