Access up and down a ramp for YOUR Home!

Home modifications and access to homes for the Disabled community in Washington State are a major issue. This particular issue is about the need for all involved to comply with the safety standards and the laws we have. The safety of our citizens is priority one. This is a standards issue that is constantly being compromised due to many factors such as time, lack of knowledge or money.

In regards to ramps, agencies, good intentioned Groups or organizations etc… many times are putting a couple of pieces of plywood together regardless of the height, length or safety issues. Although this seems to satisfy that need for a ramp, in many cases the problems for the person in need have just begun?

Many ramps are made to fit between the steps and the current sidewalk etc..  regardless of the actual height of, or distance needed to properly allow access. We need to comply with the 1:12 guideline. Under some conditions 1:10 is acceptable.

In some cases the surface of the plywood is left bare and this alone creates a dangerous slick and unacceptable answer. Then the next step in saving money many times is to place rolled roofing on top of the plywood to create a non-skid surface.

This (roofing/rollway matter) will only last but a short time before the wheels of the chair begins cutting into this surface. Each time the person uses the ramp the grit, designed for a roof surface not a traveled on surface begins to be tracked in and out of the house. Due to its specific designated design it will shortly begin picking up the black tar in the roofing also.

We are required to have a 5' foot level landing at the top and bottom of the ramp and many times to save money, the bottom of the ramp, is the bottom of the job. In many applications like a rural setting or main access from an alley only etc. this will create another unpleasant condition by leaving the person in the dirt, and unable to stay clean or load/unload properly.

The handrails are another item that seems to have many interpretations. The fact is many are using 2x4s placed flat on the top of a vertical post. This seems to be the fastest, cheapest and easiest answer. This is the not what was designed for a ramp handrail. Safety first, please!

These are a few of the big issues but the bottom line is we need to treat others, as we like to be treated. Good intentions, trying to save a buck and sympathy should not compromise anyone's safety or ability.

There are other ramp issues like:

1.      Locations that sometimes compromises safety so not to disturb the esthetics.

2.      Bottom landing ending in street, use of this for the level area.

3.      No use of kick rail etc…

We can chat more about this subject later!