Whether you’re in need of ramping your home to be able to return home from a hospital stay, or someone living with a disability, there are a number of important considerations which can mean the difference between independent or dependent access to your home. Basing a decision on how to ramp the home based only on price can be misguided as there are a number of details that may make a difference between independence vs. dependence and level of quality. Ramping can be costly and it is important to do it right the first time. The cost can be far higher if it requires having to rebuild the ramp within a few years due to breakdown of materials, having to reconfigure the ramp to achieve independence, or having to pay caregiver help for independent use of the ramp. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind for choosing the right ramp for your home.
Choosing the right materials
The first consideration for ramping is choosing the right materials for ramping. Traditionally people have commonly utilized wood for ramp construction. Wood offers the advantage of some low cost material options, which can be made to look nice however poses the disadvantage of a material that requires maintenance and that can decay. Many types of wood can be utilized for ramping, some of which are: treated lumber, cedar, or composite lumber. Treated lumber offers a low cost option, though it does require maintenance and upkeep. Though this can be a cost effective option if not properly maintained longevity may be limited to as short a few years. Another wood option is cedar lumber. Cedar has a natural water resistance and bug resistance which makes it a very nice option though it has a higher cost than treated lumber. Cedar can be maintained with paint or stain or allowed to age naturally if a rustic appearance is desired. Another lumber option is that of composite decking, this is a nice low maintenance option that requires a much higher up-front cost though it usually eliminates the need for continued maintenance or upkeep. The majority of the cost for wood ramp construction is in the labor component, dependent on the type of wood used there can often be a relatively lower cost for materials. Typical wood ramp system are fixed into concrete footings and are more permanent in placement, BILD offers unique systems which are modular (as discussed below) and do not require footings, thus making it much easier and quicker to install, and possible to install in the winter.
Other options are available that also reduce the need for maintenance which include steel and aluminum ramping options. Aluminum ramps offer a non-rust option and some offer a lifetime warranty. Aluminum ramps sometimes come with options also with powder coating and custom coloring which can enhance the aesthetics of this option, though they often entail a higher cost for materials (with a lower cost for labor). A heavier and sometimes more cost effective option is steel ramping which again can be powder coated as well for appearance however it does not offer the longevity of aluminum as it is more prone to rust.
Another option for ramping your home is the use of concrete to create a ramp. This offers a sturdy material that is low maintenance and quite permanent. It is extremely important to have a well thought out layout with a concrete ramp system, as it can be quite costly to do in the first place, and even more costly to remove and redo if needed. This option (particularly with landscaping techniques) can provide a very aesthetic solution that does not even have the appearance of a traditional ramp.
Importance and placement of an upper landing and intermediate landings :
Another important consideration is that of having an upper landing. One of our local ramp providers regularly quotes ramps that ramp directly into the home without incorporating an upper landing into the layout. This lowers the overall cost of the ramp setup, but makes it nearly impossible for any wheelchair user or caregiver to easily safely manage the entry into the home. Any wheelchair user will tell you how challenging it is to manage doorways much less manage them on an incline! Placement of an upper landing is important with sizing depending on the turning radius needs of the wheelchair user. Often a 4X4 upper landing may be sufficient for a wheelchair user, though other times 5X5 or larger area may be required dependent on a wheelchair user’s needs. An important consideration for the upper landing is to keep as much space as possible to the handle/swing side of the door so the wheelchair user (or ambulatory individual) can avoid the door swing with approaching the doorway. ADA recommends at least 18”, however for optimal access leave as much platform space to the handle side of the door for an easier approach.
Choosing the proper gradient
Many people are aware of the ADA code which mandates a minimum of 1:12 pitch for commercial ramping. This means that for every inch of rise there must be at minimum 12 inches of length for a ramp. This ADA code is a federal code for commercial ramps, and public places however for most residential situations (unless this federal mandate has been adopted) this commercial code may not apply. It is always best to check with your local inspector’s office regarding specific code requirements in your area.
As for the fact that residential ramping is typically not bound to ADA requirements, it is important to consider a number of factors to determine a proper pitch for your ramp. Considerations for this may call for a ramp that is more gradual in pitch than an ADA gradient, or may in some cases call for a steeper pitch. Considerations for determining a slope include some of the following factors: how much space is available for ramping, what is the individual budget for a ramp, is the goal for the wheelchair user to manage the ramp independently, what are the abilities/limitations of the wheelchair user (shoulder pain issues, endurance, etc), if the goal is caregiver assisted stair management what is the size/ability of the wheelchair user, and what is the size/ability of the caregiver to assist. It is very important with measuring the total rise of a ramp to consider the total height difference from the top landing and incorporate the height difference of where the ramp ends. If the ramp runs downhill and finishes at a lower point than the bottom of the steps/porch, this will increase the total pitch of the ramp. This is very important to account for.
Another consideration is what type of wheelchair is being used – power vs. manual. If the individual is able to use a power wheelchair the wheelchair motors are able to do the climbing, in which case a steeper pitch may be an option as long as there is a strategy in place to have significant assist if the batteries die or if there are mechanical issues. Most power wheelchair manufacturers recommend staying below a 9 degree slope which is equivalent for every 1 degree of rise 6.3 degrees of run. If you are utilizing a power wheelchair for a steeper pitch (or even in general for managing community ramps) talk with your wheelchair provider about adapting the following settings in a drive mode of your power wheelchair to allow for safe management of ramps. For many power wheelchairs the following settings can be adjusted in at least one drive setting: slower speed, high power setting, slow acceleration, and proper balancing of the wheelchair to avoid posterior tilting of the wheelchair. Another important instruction for the wheelchair user is to avoid acceleration of the wheelchair when on a pitch, and to maintain a forward tilt of the wheelchair when going forward up a ramp in the wheelchair (to avoid posterior weight shifting of the chair).
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/slope-degrees-gradient-grade-d_1562.html
Modular versus fixed:
Installing a fixed wheelchair ramp can present a number of challenges in regards to time required for installation, and some prohibitive situations in cold climates. Fixed ramps require concrete footings, and require permits as the fixed nature of the ramp means that the ramp becomes a permanent part of your property rather than a moveable structure.
Typically modular ramps offer a number of advantages as they are semi-permanent structures that do NOT require footings and typically do not require permits making the ramping process much quicker and easier. Modular ramps offer flexibility in design as they can be reused at a different location, or can be reconfigured (expanded or shortened) whereas a fixed ramp system typically not be reused or modified. This flexibility in design comes in valuable as it helps the ramp to retain value as it can be reused (whether the wheelchair user moves or has the ability to sell the system), it means that the ramp layout can also be modified if needs of the wheelchair user changes (more gradual pitch required due to shoulder pain or aging needs). Modular systems have traditionally been available mainly for aluminum ramp systems, however options that BILD offers are now available for steel, composite, and wood systems as well. Modular ramp systems typically can be assembled in less than a day. There are modular ramp systems available in custom colors with powder coat finishes as well.
Other ramp design considerations
A number of design considerations that can be useful for good ramp setups. Some of those considerations may include the following aspects: traction treads for friction and safety, BILD offers also a roll-on traction coating material that can be applied to almost any surface including wood and metal, for both indoor and outdoor use.
Other considerations include the importance of intermediate landings to provide rest breaks as needed. What is also important for the design of the ramp is the importance of placing a 4.5” height ledge along the sides of the ramp. Having at least a 4.5” barrier along the sides of the ramp prevent the wheelchair wheels from sliding off the edge of the ramp. This height of edging provides a safe stop point to prevent wheelchair castors from running off the edge of the mat. Another helpful guide for ramp design includes glow in the dark taping along the sides of the ramp – many of these great design features are incorporated into the modular ramp Q-ramp systems which provide also an industry best 1200# modular ramp weight capacity.
Lift alternatives to ramping the home
Often-times lift considerations may be another option as an alternative to wheelchair ramping if the individual would like to achieve access to the home which dependent on the situation may be more cost effective, and may actually conserve space. This can be a great solution also for individuals who wish to achieve access in a sheltered area (such as the garage to avoid dealing with the elements – such as snow or rain). Here are some other options to consider for access to the home. Lifts can also preserve aesthetics and space by eliminating the need for ramping and may create easier access by conserving space. The right lift for any individual will depend on the abilities of the wheelchair user and on the layout of space available for access.
Here are some of the lift options which can create access both within the home as well as outside of the home. The requirements for the individual as well as best fit for the home will vary greatly depending on the individual situation so consulting with your therapists and home accessibility provider can help you to know your options for the right solution. BILD offers the advantage of a physical/occupational therapist perspective in determining the best solution. Another important perspective for lift selection is determining wheelchair compatibility as details such as wheelchair width and weight are important considerations for what works best in a lift system.
Stair lifts – A great option for those who are able to manage standing transfers to and from the home independently. Outdoor systems typically run on AC current (or outlet current), and indoor stair lifts typically run on DC current or battery power with recharging capacity for backup if needed. Stair lifts come as straight lift systems or curved lift systems. BILD offers unique and premium stair lift systems which require lower maintenance needs and superior designs.
Porch Lifts or VPL (Vertical Platform Lifts) – VPLs provide vertical lifting capability and allow an individual to preserve space and energy by allowing the lift do the climbing. Vertical lift systems require outlet power though can have battery backup capacity. Important safety features of a vertical platform lift system include the upper landing gate which provides security at the top landing that prevents falls. Vertical Platform lifts can be a more cost effective solution than ramping, preserve yard space, and allow access in sheltered areas such as the garage without taking up extensive space as a ramp may. VPLs may be used as elevator systems within the home as well with the use of an elevator enclosure.
Convertastep – This is a unique platform lift system which can be operated with or without railings and uses a remote control to activate the platform to lift up to an upper landing. This again can be a more space conscious solution and more aesthetic solution to home access than ramping. The convertastep lift system provides an internal width of 31” and weight capacity of 700#.
Inclined Platform Lift – An IPL or inclined platform lift offers another solution for safe stair management with eliminating the need for transferring out of a wheelchair. IPLs allow the wheelchair user to roll onto a platform and ride up the stairs to the upper level. This option has again been utilized within the garage area to preserve floor space and allow independent access for the wheelchair user. Varied systems can allow the platform to fold up out of the way for pedestrians to manage the stairs walking.
Caregiver Assisted Wheelchair Lifts – Mechanical caregiver assisted chair or wheelchair lift systems such as the Mobility Lifter system can provide caregiver assisted access not only into and out of the home, however also in the community as well. These lift systems simply require an able bodied and properly trained assistant to assist individuals either in an integrated seat or by interfacing with their own wheelchair to provide easy assist and access into and within the home as well as the community. the systems can be disassembled also for travel purposes also.
There are many considerations and options available for access to your home. If you’d like an individualized assessment and consultation to find the best solution for you please contact us at BILD at 262-671-2032 (WI) or 847-453-8866 (IL). BILD offers not a unique perspective of accessibility consultants who are physical & occupational therapists along with our own carpentry staff best suited to determine any of the above products that will best meet your physical and environmental needs. Call us today and let us find a safer, aesthetic, and more independent solution for your safety at home. Visit us to learn about more ramp, lift and other accessibility options at www.bildnow.com. Visit BILD for ramp solutions for your home