Ramps are specially created for people who cannot use stairs. Any establishment, whether residential or commercial, has to have an efficient accessibility features for disabled people. However, ramps are not installed easily. It takes careful planning for it to provide a stable structure capable of carrying people at different weight.
There are different kinds of ramps that one can install. There wood handicap ramps and there are also ramps that are made of steel. Whatever ramps are used, the most important thing to achieve is the stability of the structure.
Achieving stability needs careful planning. Usually, professionals like engineers and carpenters are the ones who plan for the structure. However, people also do certain measures to plan their own ramps – and these are as efficient as professional work. If you have to install ramps at your own place, here are the requirements in planning:
Ramps are not just placed for whatever purpose. It should be specifically designed for a purpose. It is good to determine who will be the primary user of the ramp. There are people who use the ramp with their canes and crutches, while other are on wheelchairs. It is also good to see if the person using the ramp will eventually cope up with the disability. This will further determine if the ramp has to be installed permanently or temporarily. Last but not the least, the zoning requirements has to be completed before actual construction.
The first things to purchase are the safety gears. Gloves, safety glasses and other protective gears are important to ensure safe installation. The basic tools that need to be accomplished are handsaw, chalk line, mason’s cord, ratchet and socket and many more. Then, depending on the design of your wood handicap ramps, specific materials have to be bought. These may include the line level, treated lumber, joist hangers, carriage bolts, lag screws, nails and many more. It is best to ask a professional about it or visit a hardware store to see more details about the materials needed.
There are different factors to make the ramp as efficient as possible. These are specific point of entry, available area, specific angle and slope, height, width and the local building codes.
The first thing that should be measured is the actual space available to build the ramp. This should conform to the purpose of the ramp. Therefore, a person that is on crutches may need less space than the one that uses wheelchair.
This should also determine the height, width and slope of the wood handicap ramp. Typically, small spaces have steeper angle. However, as a general rule, the maximum rise of the ramp should not exceed 30 inches. If the person using rides on a wheelchair, the ideal size is 36 inches opposing the handrails. This requires the ramp to be built at least 42 inches wide.
As for the building codes, the requirements can be obtained from the local homeowners association or to any government offices. For more information, seek the assistance of the professionals.
There are different kinds of ramps that one can install. There wood handicap ramps and there are also ramps that are made of steel. Whatever ramps are used, the most important thing to achieve is the stability of the structure.
Achieving stability needs careful planning. Usually, professionals like engineers and carpenters are the ones who plan for the structure. However, people also do certain measures to plan their own ramps – and these are as efficient as professional work. If you have to install ramps at your own place, here are the requirements in planning:
- Factors To Consider
Ramps are not just placed for whatever purpose. It should be specifically designed for a purpose. It is good to determine who will be the primary user of the ramp. There are people who use the ramp with their canes and crutches, while other are on wheelchairs. It is also good to see if the person using the ramp will eventually cope up with the disability. This will further determine if the ramp has to be installed permanently or temporarily. Last but not the least, the zoning requirements has to be completed before actual construction.
- Tools and Materials
The first things to purchase are the safety gears. Gloves, safety glasses and other protective gears are important to ensure safe installation. The basic tools that need to be accomplished are handsaw, chalk line, mason’s cord, ratchet and socket and many more. Then, depending on the design of your wood handicap ramps, specific materials have to be bought. These may include the line level, treated lumber, joist hangers, carriage bolts, lag screws, nails and many more. It is best to ask a professional about it or visit a hardware store to see more details about the materials needed.
- Actual Planning
There are different factors to make the ramp as efficient as possible. These are specific point of entry, available area, specific angle and slope, height, width and the local building codes.
The first thing that should be measured is the actual space available to build the ramp. This should conform to the purpose of the ramp. Therefore, a person that is on crutches may need less space than the one that uses wheelchair.
This should also determine the height, width and slope of the wood handicap ramp. Typically, small spaces have steeper angle. However, as a general rule, the maximum rise of the ramp should not exceed 30 inches. If the person using rides on a wheelchair, the ideal size is 36 inches opposing the handrails. This requires the ramp to be built at least 42 inches wide.
As for the building codes, the requirements can be obtained from the local homeowners association or to any government offices. For more information, seek the assistance of the professionals.