The Typical ADA Requirements For Ramps

A handicap ramp or wheelchair ramp must be included in all new construction projects. It must meet the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These ramps are safe for users who use wheelchairs or walkers, and they can also be used by people with strollers. 

The primary ADA guidelines regarding ramps include the slope, length, landing size, placement, and handrail construction. The local building code may have additional requirements or substitutions that must be adhered to in addition to the ADA guidelines.

Ramps can be used to allow users with strollers or wheelchairs to access the ramps. Handicap ramps must be included in any building project to ensure that users can move safely and without hassle.

Specifications For ADA Ramps

A ramp, as defined by the ADA, is a sloping route with a slope greater than 1:20 (one-inch vertical rise for every twenty inches of horizontal length or run). It must comply with the ADA standards for ramps.

• Ramps can have a maximum slope of up to 1:12.
• Ramps should be at least 36 inches in width Ramps may be wider in some areas.
• To prevent anyone from falling off, all edges should be covered.
• All ramps must have top and bottom landings that are at least 60 inches in length and as wide as the ramp.
• The landing area must not exceed five feet in size
• If the rise of a ramp is greater than 6 inches, or its length exceeds 72 inches, it must have handrails.
• Cross slopes (areas in which a ramp slopes sideways perpendicularly to its length) must not exceed 1:50. Surfaces must be slip-resistant, stable, and must be slippery.
• At the bottom and top, a level landing is necessary.
• For exterior sliding doors, the maximum threshold height at entry is 3/4″ (19 mm), and for doors with no modification, it’s 1/2 inch (13mm).

ADA Ramp Handrails

Handrails must be provided on all sides of handicap ramps that have a height greater than 6 inches or have a horizontal projection greater than 72 inches. Handrails are not required for curb ramps. 

These guidelines are specific to ADA-compliant ramps:

• Handrails must be installed on each side of every ramp segment. The inside fence of switchbacks must be continuous. Handrails that are not continuous must extend at least 12 inches beyond their top and bottom segments and be parallel to the ground.
• Between the handrail and wall, 1 1/2 inches must be left.
• If the handrail is installed in a recess, it must be at least three inches deep and at least 18 inches from the rail’s top.
• The handrail surfaces must be uninterrupted without interruptions or obstructions.
• The handrail’s top surface should be between 34 inches and 38 inches above the ramp’s floor.
• The gripping surface of the handrail must be between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
• Handrails must be free from sharp or abrasive edges. The radius of the edges must not exceed 1/8 inch.

Ramp Slope

The maximum slope allowed under ADA guidelines is 1:12. However, the ADA recommends a gradual slope of 1:16-1:20 whenever possible. Some people find it difficult to navigate at a 1:12 ratio. Public buildings may require a steeper slope. The slope of the ramp and the materials used to make it may require an extra anti-slip texture.

Why Are ADA Ramp Requirements Important?

These numbers are part of the official ADA ramp slope requirements.

• The National Council on Disability has calculated these specifications to ensure that Americans with disabilities have safe, fair, and seamless access to public places.
• Even if your wheelchair ramp is in place, it could still not be compliant with the ADA.
• A wheelchair is a device that disabled people purchase. They expect the right size and shape to fit all ADA ramps. It is essential to ensure that the specifications are correct.

ADA Parking And Driving Requirements

Many people with disabilities will need van and wheelchair ramps to get into and out of their cars. It is therefore important to be aware of the ADA parking requirements.

• Parking spaces should be available at both the entrance and exit to your parking lot
• Accessible at least one of every six spaces
• They must be at least 96 inches wide and have an access aisle of at least 60 inches width