Building a wheelchair ramp

[Beth Burnside]

I need to build a wheelchair ramp from the inside of the garage into the house. I don’t want to have to take my mom out of the garage to get her in the house. If anyone has any good ideas or plans or pictures I would really appreciate them.

[doug seibert]

No problem unless you’re short on space in the garage………How big a garage do you have and how many steps do you need to rise…….. does the access door open out into the garage or into the house? TELL us more about the site……..

The steepest ramp allowed in a residential setting would be 1:8……1:12 or greater is safer and more comfortable………you also need a flat landing at the top and bottom………and maybe handrails(?)…………

For the(long)technical ADA guidelines……the link opens to ramps…….. try:

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/reg3a.html#Anchor-19425

Here’s an article on building ramps………

http://www.wheelchairramp.org/rampman/manual/rampindx.htm

And another site with a modular twist to construction……

http://www.wheelchairramp.org/rampman/articles/handyman/handyman.htm

[homebild]

Not sure about the 1:8 for residential use. In these parts the slope can only be 1:12 or less.

And there are other considerations:

With most ramps, no section can be longer than 12feet without an intermediate platform breaking up the run. This is to prevent a ‘runaway wheelchair’.

Also, ramps must be at least 44″ wide with railings at least 32″ high….comfortable enough for those walking and those sitting in a chair to use.

Your best source of information about how you should build and are allowed to build a wheelchair ramp is your local building code enforcement office. Call them. Luck.

[Brotherston Homecare]

Depending on how long of a run you need, you can get a portable ramp that can work in several different applications.

YOu can e-mail me at Jim@brotherstonhomecare.com for more information.

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