Wheelchair ramps are a statutory necessity in building construction. The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( ADA ) gives construction specifications of wheelchair ramps. These ramps enable disabled people and patients to move into and out of buildings without undergoing undue difficulties. Hence, construction of wheelchair ramps to ADA specifications is compulsory. Some construction consultants endorse long-tread lower-riser steps. These long-tread lower-riser steps are much safer and easier, compared against a 1:12 slope ramp because of a stronger ground grip. However, the wheelchair must be slanted back a bit lifting the front wheels to provide enough clearance to arrange the riser. As such, they are helpful often for attendant-propelled wheelchairs.

A sloping route constructed with a slope greater than 1:20 is thought of as a ramp in ADA specs. The ADA plans for wheelchair ramps are detailed in the schedules and appendices. The simplicity of employing a modular ramp relies on the slope as well as the length of the ramp. Typically , ramp slopes in the range of 1:16 to 1:20 are preferred. Most wheelchair users can manage a slope of 1:16. However, a slope of 1:12 for a distance of approximately 30-ft. would be extremely troublesome for disabled people using wheelchairs. As such, the least possible slope must be used in the Construction or alteration below the ramp. Construction or alteration below the stipulated requirements is not permitted.

The ramps must have level landings both at the head of each ramp. To obey ADA directions of building wheelchair ramps, the landings must be as wide as the ramp leading into the landing. The minimum landing length needs to be sixty inches. If there's a direction change of the ramp, the minimum landing size needs to be sixty inches by sixty inches. Ramps and landings with drop-offs must be protected with curbs, railings, walls or projected surfaces to protect users from slipping off the ramp. Outdoor ramps and landings should be planned for complete water drain to avoid slipping on wet surface.

Handrails with a maximum height of twenty-eight inches from the ramp surface to the apex of the rail surface would be advisable. To help kids, a 2nd set of handrails in between the top rail and the ramp surface must be provided. The ramp should be built with handrails on both sides, if the ramp has a rise bigger than six inches. The gripping surface of the rail must be continual. The ends of handrails should be rounded or joined to wall or post or floor to avoid injury to users.

Specifications of ADA require that the slope of a ramp should be one inch or lesser for every 12 inches of ramp run. ADA further specifies that the the wheelchair ramp surfaces must be hard, stable and regular. Soft loose surfaces and irregular surfaces that might impede wheelchair movement need to be evaded. Carpets, loose sand or gravel and wet clay are usually considered soft loose surfaces. Cobblestones and such like are treated as irregular surfaces. Pressure treated wheelchair ramps are the most acceptable methodology of ramp construction.

ADA counsels a static friction coefficient of more than 0.5 for surfaces utilised by standard people. On the other hand, the static friction coefficient endorsed for ramps is 0.8 to help disabled people using wheelchairs from slipping. Pressure treated wheelchair ramps would normally comply with to the ADA suggestions of slip resistant surfaces.

The DIY wheelchair ramps are customarily made of steel. They are modular in design for straightforward use by wheelchair folks. The ramp is typically of steel mesh type so that water and snow don't stagnate on the ramp. These ramps are available both with handrails on both sides or without handrails. The standard widths offered change from thirty inches to sixty inches. Lengths are set by the requirements of the user. Steel turning landings are also available with sizes of four ft. by 4 ft. and 5 ft. By five ft.

Wheelchair ramps for GMC Safari as well as GMC Safari vans fitted with ramps for use by disabled people and patients are available from many van dealers in most American cities. GMC Safari vans with wheelchair ramps can be purchased for prices ranging from $6,000 to $25,000, depending on the model of the GMC Safari and its condition.
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