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.
A wheelchair ramp that is too steep can be a real safety concern. A steep wheelchair ramp can make it unsafe for the person to propel themselves up and down the ramp.
The recommended wheelchair ramp slope, as indicated by the safety guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is expressed as a ratio of one to twelve. The highest point of the ramp is multiplied by twelve to find the necessary length of the ramp.
Therefore, if a ramp needs to be six inches high to meet the landing of the doorway, the ramp has to be a minimum of seventy-two inches or six feet long. If the ramp needs to be one foot high, the minimum length is twelve feet long.
Railings on the sides of the wheelchair ramp are an important safety feature. The railings can prevent the wheelchair user from tipping over the edge of the ramp if they get too close to it.
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.
Many people make the mistake of using plywood for easier construction of the ramp. However, plywood is susceptible to becoming cracked or peeling when exposed to the weather. A wheelchair ramp made of plywood, even if it is painted, can become weak and unsafe.
A safe wheelchair ramp has a landing that is wide enough to allow the wheelchair user easy use of the door. The bottom of the doorway should be no higher than one half inch or less from the landing. Otherwise, the wheelchair user can have difficulty entering the home or building. - 26706
A wheelchair ramp that is too steep can be a real safety concern. A steep wheelchair ramp can make it unsafe for the person to propel themselves up and down the ramp.
The recommended wheelchair ramp slope, as indicated by the safety guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is expressed as a ratio of one to twelve. The highest point of the ramp is multiplied by twelve to find the necessary length of the ramp.
Therefore, if a ramp needs to be six inches high to meet the landing of the doorway, the ramp has to be a minimum of seventy-two inches or six feet long. If the ramp needs to be one foot high, the minimum length is twelve feet long.
Railings on the sides of the wheelchair ramp are an important safety feature. The railings can prevent the wheelchair user from tipping over the edge of the ramp if they get too close to it.
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.
Many people make the mistake of using plywood for easier construction of the ramp. However, plywood is susceptible to becoming cracked or peeling when exposed to the weather. A wheelchair ramp made of plywood, even if it is painted, can become weak and unsafe.
A safe wheelchair ramp has a landing that is wide enough to allow the wheelchair user easy use of the door. The bottom of the doorway should be no higher than one half inch or less from the landing. Otherwise, the wheelchair user can have difficulty entering the home or building. - 26706
About the Author:
Moses Wright is a subject matter expert in wheelchair safety and changing wheelchair parts. Always check your wheelchair regularly. Prevent accidents, be safe.
