Building Plan For A Wheelchair Ramp

Rarely do people consider the blessing of simply being able to enter/exit the home, unless a wheelchair bound disability makes stairs an impenetrable barrier. A person lucky enough to have caring friends and family may also have ready hands to lift him/her beyond the steps. However, the handicapped are totally depending on other individuals to simply go out and enjoy the sunshine, go to appointments, run errands, or go to the mailbox. A ramp simply makes everyday life more pleasant, with a greater level of independence. Thus, a ramp into the home is essential. Since many people cannot afford to pay a construction worker to modify an entrance, the Internet has resources to acquire a building plan for a wheelchair ramp.

A building plan for a handicapped accessible ramp depends on the home, the space available, the terrain around the home, and the materials necessary for building, and the specifications for a proper ramp. For instance, a ramp cannot be too steep, or the disabled individual will have a difficult time ascending the ramp, and in danger of a descending runaway. Therefore, a ramp is designed to have 1-inch of incline for every foot of ramp. Also, the width of a ramp is important, to avoid getting stuck or falling off the edge. The standard width of a ramp is at least 3-feet, to accommodate the width of most wheelchairs, whether manual or electric.

While adhering to the width of a ramp is usually not a problem, the length can be a challenge. Realistically, most people do not have the yard space to build a ramp straight to the door. In consideration of the problem, many wheelchair ramps are designed with switchbacks. A switchback is when the ramp rises in one direction and switches back to rise in the opposite direction. The number of switchbacks needed is determined by the elevation necessary to enter a home.

Unfortunately, a series of 3-4 switchbacks can look ungainly, and detract from the beauty of the home. Therefore, some ramps include duel use designs. For instance, one ramp ascends right to a deck. On the other side of the deck, a ramp extends to the home. Thus, a deck between the switchbacks is both serviceable and pleasing to the eye. Made of wood, the ramp also has nice rails to improve the look and provide added safety for the handicapped. Not only do the rails prevent slipping off the side, during inclement weather, the disabled person may find the rails useful for pulling him/herself up a slick ramp, or slowing a descent. For wood ramps, professionals recommend adding sand to the varnish coat, to give the ramps added traction.

Sometimes, a cement ramp is a solution to accessibility. However, the building challenges are different. Knowing how to deal with cement is the main issue. Because of the cost, a cement ramp is not solid cement. Generally, after establishing a temporary frame, with barriers between the house and the ramp, a base is poured. After pouring the base, filler is added. The filler is usually compacted dirt. Therefore, a special building tool is required to make sure the dirt is pounded and compacted solid. Then, cement is added to finish the ramp.

Because cement is harder to handle, and requires a certain amount of expertise, most people opt to build a prefabricated modular ramp, or a wooden ramp accompanied by a deck, to compliment the home. Whatever the homeowner decides to do, the ramp must meet certain requirements by law, to protect the wheelchair-bound citizens. So, individuals who are capable of wielding a hammer can probably follow the directions to create a permanent ramp or install the components necessary for a modular ramp to assist a handicapped love one, without detracting from the beauty of the home.

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