ADA Wheelchair Ramp Specifications

• The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. man in wheelchair image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com

  July 2010 marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA provides protection for the more than 50 million Americans living with a disability. From signage to restroom facilities to the proper construction of wheelchair ramps, the ADA establishes regulations to ensure safety and equal opportunities for those with disabilities.

Requirements

• Public buildings and facilities, both new and existing, are required to comply with ADA regulations for wheelchair ramps. Businesses and employers that do not provide safe access and accommodations for people with disabilities can face steep fines and even lawsuits for noncompliance. Under very limited circumstances, certain buildings or facilities may be deemed exempt from these regulations if the structure does not allow for compliance due to issues like terrain.

Slope

• Under ADA regulations, any portion of an accessible path that has a slope greater than 1:20 is considered a ramp. The preferred slope for a wheelchair ramp is between 1:16 and 1:20. A newly constructed ramp must not have a slope of more than 1:12 and a rise of no more than 30 inches. The cross slope of the ramp surface can be no greater than 1:50. To protect people from falling off the ramp, the landing must have some sort of a wall, curb or projecting surface.

Landing

• The correct construction of the landing is essential to the safety of those in wheelchairs. The landing must be level at the top and bottom to ensure the wheelchair does not tip over. The landing must also be built to the same width as the ramp itself with a minimum length of 60 inches. If the ramp changes direction, the minimum size of the landing must be at least 60 by 60 inches.

Handrails

• Handrails should be easily accessible and comfortable. Handrails on both sides are required for ramps with a rise of more than six inches or a horizontal projection of more than 72 inches. The top of each handrail must be placed 34 to 38 inches above the surface of the ramp with a clear space of 1 and 1/2 inches between the wall and handrail. Handrails must also have a continuous gripping surface with ends rounded or returned smoothly to the floor, wall or post.