Aluminum Handicap Access Ramps

aluminum handicap access ramps are becoming more of a standard requirement now in any building construction. While it has been a long practice to incorporate ramps in building designs to meet certain laws on accessibility, ramps by itself has evolved to become more responsive to particular needs of the handicap.

Ramps for the handicap are more than mere ramps. Certain requirements need to be considered to make it appropriate and safe especially the handicap on wheelchairs. The following requirements need to be considered:

1. Slope - The slope or degree of incline needs to be carefully considered in any ramp project. Steep ramps become more of a danger than a help to wheelchair users. The minimum recommended slope for a wheelchair ramp in a public place is 1:12. That means for every unit of height, the ramp will be 12 units long. So if the ramp is designed to rise 1 foot in height, it should be at least 12 feet long at a minimum. If the area has icy or wet weather, it's important to consider an even lower degree of incline like 1:18 or 1:24.

2. Landing - It doesn't do any good to have a ramp if the person on wheelchair using the ramp is unable to open a door at the top of the ramp. There must be adequate landing space to maneuver, change direction, or open a door at the top end of the ramp. Without a proper landing at the top of a ramp that leads to a door, a person in a wheelchair will likely have much difficulty in trying not to roll back down. Landing at the bottom of a wheelchair ramp is equally important to allow the wheelchair user adequate space to stop or make a safe turn when necessary. For significantly long ramps, landing space at the middle part of the slope is needed to allow the wheelchair user to rest or make a turn when necessary. 

3. Transition - Having appropriate landings means having corresponding transitions to those landings. A change in the degree of slope, a transition in the incline, is necessary for safety especially for long ramps.

4. Weight Tolerance – Any ramp must be sturdy and strong enough to hold the maximum weight possible. A ramp can be custom-made to particular user and his type of wheelchair. But this limits the use of the ramp which may end-up more of a danger than a help for others who will use the ramp. It is most sensible to have a ramp that can accommodate any load at any weight.

5. Handrails - Handrails serve a number of purposes. It allows the users on wheelchair the option to pull themselves up the ramp instead of pushing, or to stop and hold onto them if they need a break from pushing themselves, or simply help them steady themselves if they feel insecure in going up or down the ramp.

6. Edges - For safety reasons, it's important that a ramp has some sort of edge protection. This keeps the wheelchair from rolling off the side and throwing the wheelchair users out of their chair. The edge must be of adequate height to keep any chair from going over the edge in a dangerous situation.

7. Aluminum material - Material is a very important consideration and aluminum is the best option. It offers highest coefficient of friction for maximum traction. It can hold a weight capacity of up to 800lb. It does not corrode, does not get splinters, and never rots. Its code compliant mesh design allows natural drainage for rain and melting snow to pass through yet small enough to prevent small objects from falling through. It can come in various powder-coated colors that do not easily fade. Its multi-weld fabrication process ensures less deflection of ramp surface. Its unique welded cone-mounted hand rail design is more rigid and sturdy than standard side-bolted handrails. It only takes hours to install a ramp.

aluminum handicap access ramps are 100% maintenance free and 100% environmentally responsive because aluminum is recyclable. A lifetime warranty usually comes in any aluminum ramp series.

Wooden Handicap Ramps to Simplify Life

As parent's age or you parent a child with special needs you begin to realize how hard life is when you have limited mobility. When you are the caregiver of someone with limited mobility you begin to search out products that will ease their lives and that also gives them independence from having to always ask for assistance. In most cases aging parents would rather age in their own homes. It is up to us as their children to begin preparing their homes for them to use as they age. It is also our job as the parent of a child with handicaps to help make our homes accessible for them in a wheelchair or walker using Wooden Handicap Ramps and other products made for people with disabilities.

There are many different home improvements that can be done with to help aide in the processes of allowing for mobility and independence. It is up to you as the caregiver to seek out all the possible products available to help your loved one. A house needs to be a place that is safe for them. In order to create this environment you must have some special products installed to aide in this.

The first area I would look at is the ease of entering and exiting the home and vehicles. Ramps can be put in place to help with these transitions. Handicap ramps can be made to be temporary or permanent structures on a home. Metal ramps are becoming popular because they are inexpensive and can be easily installed. Wooden handicap ramps can be made to match the exterior of your home making a lovely addition to any porch. Garages can be made to be more accessible by gradually decreasing the incline so that the vehicle is able to be approached with some extra height.

Stairs always present a problem for those bound to wheelchairs. A good option to this is a chair lift for the stairs. Another improvement that you can do to create independence is to make sure your doors are equipped with handles instead of knobs. This helps with people who have limited strength or use of their hands. If you keep all doors well oiled it allows them to open more freely and this helps with transitions between rooms. It is also difficult to reach items overhead. It is important to keeps things organized and well within the reach of your loved one. It is important that they are able to care for their nutritional needs without always asking for help. Make sure your kitchen eases this ability with items placed well within reach. Also make sure stoves and refrigerators are able to be used.

All of these little things will help create an environment that helps invite independence back into your loved ones life whether they are young or old. If a loved one requires wooden handicap ramps or other special equipment to get around that does not mean they cannot be independent. The goal is to aide in their success with little improvements throughout the home environment.

Wheelchair Ramp Design Ensures Safety Measures

Whatever type of wheelchair materials you decide on (aluminum, steel or wood) as well as the materials used in your wheelchair ramp, one of the most important considerations is your wheelchair ramp design. This includes the standard inclination of the ramp’s plane for easier, less stressful accessibility for users who cannot use the stairs but use wheelchairs instead. 

More for making certain the safety measures, the design on how it should be constructed is definitely a necessity. Designing also take into account not just the dimensions, sizes, form and the materials used. The overall objective is mostly hinged on user safety as defined by the regulations in ADA or the American Disability Act. 

In it, ADA details the right safe width, the signage, and the inclination of the ramp. You also need to refer to the building codes of your homeowners’ association, your city or your municipality to check if you are also within their guidelines.

The design

After making sure you are well within the required limits, you need to consider several elements in the actual construction of your ramp. Foremost of these would include the important specific point of entry to the house and the availability of the area for the planned ramp.

Another big point would be the slope of the planned ramp. The ramp’s inclination is dependent on the height of the level that the wheelchair will navigate. This will take into account the ramp’s total length from the entrance to the inside of the house. 

Entry 

Making sure of its easy access, the area for your wheelchair ramp should meet the user’s needs, and is safe for all types of weather. Your wheelchair ramp design must have provisions that can accommodate and match the existing house features (stairs, porches, doorways and platforms.) 

One other consideration: if your wheelchair ramp has a rise more than 6 inches or longer than 72 inches, handrails are to be constructed on them. For safety purposes, these handrails have to be on both sides of the ramp.

Slope 

There may be other slope ratios that can be used on your ramp. However, the ADA’s 1:12 is the most commonly used slope. (Example: If your porch is 24 inches above ground, your ramp should safely be 24 feet long.) Again, you and your construction group should check on the local building codes if there are differences in the ratio. 

The ADA guidelines also specify that the ramp must have a slope or inclination that should not be more than 1 inch per foot. Also, the ramp’s width should be at least 46 inches in order to fit in the wheelchair, the 1½-inch space between the handrail and any surface and the 1½-inch size of the handrail itself. 

At present, wheelchair ramp design is still needed for the many shapes, types and sizes that will fit the needs of the users. Examples would include the semi-permanent ramp, the permanent one, the portables, for track wheelchairs and the many varieties for vehicle types. The design is for construction to follow the standards set by ADA in the name of greater safety.

Considerations When Planning to build a Handicap Ramp

Improving our home with Handicap Ramps can enhance the value and the appearance of our home. It is also an easy way of bringing convenient path for elders and for those with disability. Precisely, Handicap Ramps are design to develop a suitable way for them. Ideally, handicap ramp are built in order to improve home accessibility for people who can't use stairs or need a placid, less stressful way to enter or leave their home. But building this kind of home improvement requires a lot of preparation and planning. A successful project brings joy and expedient to the home owners. However, there are critical elements that must be considered prior to installing and planning for your handicap ramp. Following information will help you in order to plan well with your project.

Location or home entry

Everything in the project must be plan carefully, from nailing up to the last piece of hammering. One of the first aspects to consider is the home entry.  The accurate positioning onto the door is very significant because every angle of ramps is equally measured. In positioning the ramps next to the door you must consider things such like, is it going to be more like having ease of access from the points within the house to the doorway or if it the ramp can be easily accommodated to any existing features of the doorway, such as stairs, platforms or porches. Another tip, locations near trees or bushes, should be avoided for the leaves or pods that drops. In addition, positioning that takes advantage of neighborhood/lot wind outlines may benefit in clearing snow and leaves. That way the ramps can be easily maintained. Moreover, locating the ramp to take advantage of the exposure of the sun is a good idea that it may dry the surface if it freezes.

Design

The accurate design of the ramp is important because in this aspect will compromises the people that will use it. The design will vary depending on the condition of the user. There are lots of designs that are available and can suits the needs of the user but there are also lots of design of a ramp that are limited by the space available and obstacles. That is why experts professionally preferred constructing a U-shaped ramp, because there is more ramp distance that can be accommodated in a smaller space.

Budget

In terms of planning of installing a Handicap Ramps you must consider your budget. Budget contents all the expenses from the materials to be used, constructor to deal with, laborers that will perform the job and many more expenses. If you are on a low budget then consider buying a cheaper material but make sure that it is as reliable and durable like what you desire. There are lots of cheaper yet reliable materials to choose from such as wood, aluminum or steel. What is important is that it will be suitable for the user and that it can bring convenient to your home.

On Planning Wood Handicap Ramps

It is not a requirement for most private residences to have wheelchair ramps, but these ramps are usually provide convenience to people with issues on their mobility or to babies in strollers. Ramps are also beneficial to those who need to transfer numerous or heavy objects from a vehicle to the front of a building.

In building wood handicap ramps, one may visit the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) website. It aims to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, as well as governmental activities. In addition, the act also lays a foundation on the standard requirements for telecommunications relay services. The ADA website provides a full and specific documentation on the requisites for both public and commercial access ramps as well as standardized guidelines to cover benefits to a wide range of disabilities. Moreover, the website also includes planning and material guidelines.

In building wood handicap ramps, it is essential to devise a plan then to make the ramp on the spot. Planning should be done accordingly, regardless of the requirements and regulations. The planning phase in building access ramps serves as the backbone of the final output. A bad plan may lead to having a bad quality output. In planning, once should obtain measurements of the site carefully and accurately, so as to make a handicap ramp that matches the deck. The plan should also help visualize the scale and specific plan requirements can be consulted with the local planning office. Details that can be discussed with the planning office may include the required scales, the type of wood for any posts or piers to be utilized and placed into the ground, and the possible interference of digging to the electrical wires. Checking with the concerned local government offices is essential if the construction of the wood wheelchair ramp requires digging, as it can affect concealed underground pipes or wires. Usually, electrical wires are placed at least 24 to 36 inches or deeper while telephone lines are shallower.

It is best to plan in accordance to the guidelines when building and designing a wheelchair ramp, whether it is going to be made up of wood, concrete, or steel. In line with this, understanding and applying the ADA guidelines in building the access ramps will provide convenience to the people who are going to use it in the long run, not to mention safety and durability. The usual minimum and maximum slope range is 1:12. This means for every inch above the ground, there must be 12 inches of ramp length. This ratio is presents highly favorable accessibility, but it makes a very long ramp.

Aside from the public guidelines inculcated in the ADA, some cities also have building codes that are openly applicable to homes and those include the addition of access ramps. It can be verified with the building department the actions that can be and cannot be done. This allows the home or unit owner to consider variations in the plan if the site is identified to be incompatible with the requirements. When visiting the local building department, one may also consider bringing photos of the site, along with the construction plan, so as to provide them visually your plans to the site. Also, this can also help them suggest what your needs 

Kinds of Handicap Access Ramps

This guide compares the features and benefits of steel ramps, wood ramps, concrete ramps and aluminum ramps. 

Cost

steel handicap access ramps are almost always the lowest in cost. Though wood can be the lowest if the labor is donated or provided by a family member, yet it is the highest in cost if the labor is done by a contractor. But if this is not the case, concrete has the highest cost among the four of its kind, including the aluminum.

Maintenance

steel handicap access ramps will rust, and that’s a fact. Some touch-up is occasionally required, while wood needs to be regularly treated with a wood sealer.

Safety

Wood rots, and it’s not arguable. Wood and concrete wheelchair ramps all have solid surfaces that allow moisture to accumulate and freeze. This applies to aluminum wheelchair ramps too. From this, it will then create a dangerous ice film. Steel handicap access ramps have a gripping texture that prevents from skidding. The open-pattern ramp surface allows the moisture to pass through. This would help in getting rid of the danger of ice film. Steel and concrete are fireproof handicap access ramps. Wood and aluminum cannot withstand the heat of a fire.

Rentals

Wheelchair ramp rentals are convenient for short term disabilities. About 45 percent of wheelchair ramps were being rented, as they were not needed permanently. Anyone recovering from surgery or special events such as weddings and family gatherings, yet no minimum time or amount of ramp required.

Durability

Again, wood rots after time, while steel and concrete wheelchair ramps last for ages. It is said that aluminum has one-third the strength of steel and is three times softer. Aluminum is fine for aluminum siding and down spouts.

Ramp Design

There are some carpenters and even the concerned individuals have limited knowledge of what is a safe wheelchair ramp. Steel handicap access ramps include a free evaluation by the wheelchair ramp manufacturer's expert. The aluminum wheelchair ramps are not measured or installed by the manufacturing personnel.

Appearance

Wood wheelchair ramps can match an existing deck, but some depend on the property. Steel wheelchair ramps can look like wrought iron, while concrete wheelchair ramps can match a walkway. Though aluminum wheelchair ramps are shiny and commercial looking, but this is not suitable for residential applications.

After sales

One of the advantages of steel wheelchair ramp or aluminum wheelchair ramp is that if you move, you can take all or part of your with you. You can buy for an additional or shorten it as necessary. The steel handicap access ramps or aluminum handicap access ramp can be corrected to the new situation depending on your needs in terms of equipment or caregiver change. Unlike the wood wheelchair ramp or concrete wheelchair ramp. If you found it too steep after you buy it, there is no correction is possible.

Resale value 

If you no longer need your steel handicap access ramps, you always have the option to resale it, as there is a market for used steel handicap access ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps wherein you can resale them.

Recycling

Steel wheelchairs ramps are made from 100 percent recycled steel and are 100 percent recyclable; pressure-treated wood that are used in wooden wheelchair ramp that contains dangerous chemicals, is not allowed in landfills, thus cannot be reused.

Aluminum Ramps; why should you build one?

When someone reached a certain age they become weak and walking alone even at short distances is very tiring thus if for a long travel they likely support themselves with wheelchairs. There are also unfortunate events that can happen to people whether caused by accident or an effect after an illness where mobility is impaired; they should not consider their situation as hindrance in still living comfortable life. Old age and mobility impaired should still try to live normally in their own ways. And there are a lot of things we can do to help them.

If you are thinking about the use and installation of mobility ramps that will keep moving for you to easily transport wheelchair from any of the places like a wheelchair needed to go up like riding on van and going down. It   is desirable to find information to find solution on it. Perhaps you would think again about a ramp however, you need again to know some of the knowledge on what type of ramp you need to have. There are so many varieties of ramps on the market are ideal for negotiating steps and curbs in getting the wheelchair or power scooter  smoothly   over and under or any passage in height that a doorway may possess, and carry chair or scooter going from a vehicle and also unloading vehicle.

Perhaps you have read about aluminums. Aluminums are very light material that are cost effective but strong enough, very durable and combats rust. There are available ramps that made of aluminum that can work great enough for wheelchairs easy accessibility where installed. It could also be effective to those who have electric scooters. Aluminum on the right thickness and sturdy structure has capacity to resist great weights and resistant against the changes of weather. Aluminum handicap ramps could be a permanent fixture or can be as a portable ramp depending on choices, this can be a solution in accessing barriers in offices, businesses and in homes that can be used by people who are in wheelchairs or in their power scooters, and even for babies on strollers.

Aluminum Handicap Ramps consistently do not have a slippery type of surface it should be rough textured for strong wheel grips. When wheelchair has to be on its way on the ramps, it can provide finer and safer way for wheelchairs and mobile scooters for ease of use. The materials of aluminum ramps are of great value because it could last for long years that are why it should also be free from corrosion and that it can be used either indoor or outdoor.

You could also see some of the aluminum handicap ramps in businesses that of several types fitted into the manner of buildings. Shapes and sizes also vary but ideally the width should accommodate two wheelchairs at the same time and are fitted on doorways. However, ramps could also be upgraded into various sizes and length to the point of being the ideal choice. The construction of an aluminum handicap ramp could also depend on its dimensions of your wheelchair such as its length, height and width as well as the size of the assigned area of installation.

In purchasing portable aluminum ramps you should also know that it can be also be carried anywhere and gain easy access anywhere and even on vehicles.  Aluminum ramps either a fixture or portable ramp are much more of the ideal choice because its construction features a lightweight yet durable design, even stronger than wood.

Steel Handicap Ramps

 

As the government started noticing the flights of people with disabilities, it was not long before ordinances and policies that focus on their welfare were passed to become a regulation among the communities. With the help of the local government and private sector the regulations has been initiated and mandated, thus making it easier for disabled person to travel on their own, safely. In the old days an individual who has deformities be it inborn or caused by an accident does not have any freedom to a take a trip around the city on their own due to the lack of passage way that can accommodate them or their wheelchair.

There are no guides that will help handicapped people to be able to travel from one place to another, much more to be able to climb stairs or buildings. Since most structure is elevated it was hard for individuals that have limitations in movement and sight to scale it without any help from other people. Hence the best solution was to integrate a ramp along the path or steps that are often used. However, there are many important factors to take into consideration before any contraption can be erected.

First, one must choose the most appropriate ramp design for a house or business. It should be taken into consideration the way to where it should be located since one aspect to follow is to put the ramp on the course that is frequently used. The location should not be a hindrance to the traffic along the entrance and exit of a dwelling be it at home or in any public places. Setting up a steel handicap ramp design in some instances should be accommodated along the steps. In places and establishments that are considerably large one should expect to have stairs, escalators and elevators however, due to the limitations of the mobility of a disabled individual a steel handicap ramp design should be situated along side this mechanisms. A steel handicap ramp design should coincide with the other equipments to ensure the safety and well being of its users.

The three standard styles for wheelchair ramps are the L-shape, a switch back and a straight line, One should take into consideration the style that they need to use depending on the arrangement of the location and the architecture of the place as well as the mobility of the user. Wheelchairs can be hard to navigate at times especially if the area has limited space. That is why a steel handicap ramp design should be well proportioned for a wheelchair to be able to manoeuvres properly without giving its user a hard time in rolling up and down its ramp. Still, safety of the person that will use the ramp should be number one on the list, not only for those who uses a wheelchair to move around but also for those individuals who has other types of disabilities that needs to be guided along the way.

How Important to Build a Handicap Ramps

A lot of people are handicapped whether by a condition, injury, old age, recovery from surgery, or from a disease. And the invention of wheelchairs have helped millions of handicapped that is why in recent decades the enforcement and establishment of the ADA or American Disabilities Act to ensure that they are protected and be given privileges, have been very effective in giving immediate care and giving a privilege for handicaps. Whether they go or travel to different places, go to leisure parks, or restaurants to enjoy a weekend or even to a clinic or hospital for treatment and medication where the act implies that establishments and businesses buildings must build a ramp for use for handicapped or persons with disabilities. The ramp built is more commonly knows are wheelchair ramps, and there are a lot of type of ramps to use from cement and concrete ramps to Aluminum Handicap Ramps.

 

It will be easier for People using wheelchairs to go into a building especially if you must go up a stairs where wheelchairs and disabled will have difficulty to use and with the build of simple ramp would greatly help them and of course the business or building will give out a friendly impression to the community by providing the handicaps what they need. We could see probably in most establishments are ramps made of concrete and cement, however a lot of establishments these days and even houses are using aluminum. Aluminum Handicap Ramps might be more expensive but they are really strong and easy to install. Aluminum Handicap Ramps also last a very long time and is not prone to corrosion or rust. Before the ramps are built you must be aware of the basic guidelines and specifications to build the ramps, however there are companies you can hire to do the work but it will always be good to know what are needed to build the ramps and to ensure its sturdiness, quality and safety. 

Specifications of the handicap ramps may vary under different situations and circumstances but they still follow the standard specifications.  As for example the standard or fixed width of the ramp between the railings should be at least 36 inches or 3 feet, this will allow enough space for a wheelchair patients or their guardian to use the ramp with ease and not feel cramped, this also allows them more mobility and much better use of the ramp as it is wide enough to use a be comfortable. The Ramp should also have the guardrails and handrails for safety, the aluminum plane of floor should also be textured to prevent it from getting slippery specially if it is raining or someone accidentally spill water or soda to the ramp, the textured plane will also make the grip on the will much firmer which will make it easier for the wheelchair to pass thru.

There are lot of standards and specifications to follow but they should not be taken for granted as the standard specifications where made to ensure most of all the safety of the users.