Home Access Made Easy

• Recommendations

1. Gradient of ramps should be 1:12 or less for normal wheelchair use
2. Resting platforms needed every 5 metres of 1:12 ramp
3. Allow a 50mm gap between handrails and the house walls (to prevent scraped knuckles)
4. Allow 300mm gap between ramp and house where windows open outwards

 

Tools needed for approximate survey:

1. Go Access Design Work-Sheet (print pdf here)
2. Tape measure

Add these items for an accurate design where space is limited and measurements are critical

1. Laser level (best), or
2. Manual level or spirit level

Surveying Hints:

Based on current Recommendations here are a few points to keep in mind when surveying for a new ramp

Step by Step Survey for Ramp Placement:

1. Measure "rise" at doorway, (fig A)
2. Decide what size landing platform (if any) is needed,
3. Decide which way the ramp will be placed in relation to the home
4. Stand back and see if the ground is sloping from where the ramp will join the landing platform to where it is expected to end at ground level. (fig A)
5. Measure the difference. If the ground is sloping down from the home the ramp will need to be longer to maintain the desired gradient. If the ground is sloping up from the house to where the ramp will finish it can be shorter.
6. Multiply "rise" by preferred gradient (usually 1:12 to 1:20) to arrive at total length of ramp needed, (fig B)
7. When designing the ramp, take account of current Recommendations (see left)