Ramps are not present in all buildings, although they are very useful and often indispensable for those with mobility problems, for mothers with strollers and for all those people who have difficulty with steps.
Steps
Step 1. Get the right information
The requirements for ramps in public and commercial offices are very well documented, and while they do not apply to those for domestic use, they are an excellent parameter to follow in making ramps accessible to a large number of disabled people.
These parameters include both the measurements and the materials to be used
Step 2. Contact your municipality
Each city regulates the construction of ramps in the house differently. Contact the technical office to find out whether or not you can install one. If your home is not compatible with your project, they may suggest appropriate modifications.
Bring photos of the point where you would like to build access with you, in this way it will be easier to make your needs understood
Step 3. Make a plan
Regardless of the regulations and requirements, it is always wise to come up with a project, rather than go off-the-cuff.
- Take precise measurements of the construction point.
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Draw a scale project. Contact the technical office for specific requests, including:
- the type of ladder;
- the number and type of drawings. A site plan may also be needed, for example;
- details and additional information. For example, you may be asked to specify the materials and anchor points to the ground.
- If excavations are needed for your ramp, always check with the technical office of your municipality how deep they must / can be and where the sewer or gas pipes pass. Often the electric wires are 60-90 cm deep, but telephone lines can be even more superficial. Breaking a gas pipe with a pickaxe is no fun!
Build a Wheelchair Ramp Step 4 Step 4. Make a project according to the guidelines
Make sure you comply with the required strength and safety criteria. Pay particular attention to:
- Maximum and minimum slope: The maximum slope allowed for most applications is 8% (that is, for every centimeter that the ramp climbs from the ground along a length of 12 cm). While a 5% inclination is what guarantees greater accessibility. Here are some examples:
- Maximum stroke. In other words, no section of the ramp can exceed a certain length in relation to the slope. Check the laws of your municipality to find out this value.
- Landing. You must provide for the construction of a flat section at the foot and at the end of the ramp and at each point where it changes direction, without excluding the end of any maximum run. Landings usually need to have an area of 2.25 square meters.
- Leveling. Landings must be perfectly flat.
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Handrail.
They are not always required (mandatory only if the slope exceeds 6%), but they are an excellent idea for all installations that facilitate access. Handrails on both sides are required for ramps higher than 15 cm and longer than 180 cm.
- Minimum and maximum width. For example, the landings must be at least as wide as the ramp and the latter must not be less than 90 cm. Other requirements are needed for special cases, such as curbs and door openings.
Build a Wheelchair Ramp Step 5 Step 5. Submit your project
If you have made a detailed prospectus, take it to the technical office of the Municipality to obtain the permits and the inspection program.
Be prepared to work with municipal inspectors who may make changes to the design
Build a Wheelchair Ramp Step 6 Step 6. Make a list of costs for materials and work related to the project
A detail will help you to respect your budget when you go to buy everything you need, and will ensure that you do not run out of materials 2 meters from the end of the work.
Build a Wheelchair Ramp Step 7 Step 7. Construction begins
What to build and how to do it varies according to your needs, the construction site, your carpentry skills and the materials you have chosen to use. Install a solid and well-built ramp if the goal is to support the weight and passage of a wheelchair. If you are unsure whether you will be able to build it yourself, hire a professional.
Advice
- The technical office of your municipality can provide you with all the information regarding the rules governing the construction of a wheelchair ramp. You can also do research online or in the library. Check the telephone directory if there are specific offices set up for this function.
- Plan the ramp as needed - in other words if a person will use it very often, build it for this purpose. Also take into account the possibility that other needs will develop over time and therefore move accordingly.
- Examine the photographs or actual ramps already built in the neighborhood for inspiration. Talk to their owners and ask for suggestions or the name of the installer.
- Your project may be subject to restrictions based on the condition of the house, whether it is a new or old construction, if curbs are planned, or if there is sufficient space available. Be sure to thoroughly review all requirements when choosing your installation location and designing the ramp.
- Consider the climatic conditions of your region when choosing building materials. For example, if it snows for several months a year, an additional traction tool will be required.
Warnings
- You can be legally punishable if someone gets hurt on your property or if you build a ramp that doesn't quite match the safety requirements.
- Consider hiring a professional who specializes in ramp installations.
