I'm late getting into this thread, but I have one more thing to
add to the preceding excellent post: Remember the ADA specs etc.
are MINIMUMs, so, for ease of use, go even beyond the slope
requirements as far as you have space/money for and you'll be
glad you did. The min dims they give are OK, but still require a
fair amount of strength, especially if one is to traverse it IN a
wheelchair as opposed to someone pusing the wheelchair.
I was lucky and could see my days coming, so I designed and built
the ramp myself - it's better than and easier to use than the one
down at the local hospital! Only part I couldn't do myself was
the posts & cement - luckily had a healthy nephew for those.
Followed ADA mins, surpassed them as much as possible. Only
problem I noticed is I think the railing height recommendations
are too low and the curbing on the ramp should be inset another
inch more than spec to prevent pinched fingers. The guidelines
are clear, concise, and easy to use.
Longevity = cost; keep it in mind when doing the design. My
posts had to be 4 ft min into the ground. Lots of work.
Do NOT attach the ramp to the house unless it is properly
designed/set.
I made a micro-porch out of the top landing - yes, you do need
a bldg permit for that if you are in a snow area. I think it was
40lb/sq ft here for a roof. You could land a 737 on this one I
think!
Oh, and make it wider than you need! You WILL need the width
sooner or later. And if you can, have it end nearest an entry
point for the car.
Pop
Pop
"DanG" wrote in message
news:rXDud.65709$_g6.4866@okepread03...
|I enjoy helping people, so I try to give good advice. The very
| fact that you need to build a ramp says that you have had a
recent
| tragic development at your house. I just installed one at my
| house to accommodate my wife's broken leg, pins, and wheelchair
| from an auto wreck.
|
| I really resent the little lies of life. " I
| can't find them online anywheres." DAGS (Do A Google Search)
use
| ADA Ramp.
|
| Choice number 3 is the official .gov site which will tell you
more
| than you ever wanted to know about ADA compliance.
|
| DAGS use handicap ramp
| choices 4, 5, and 6 give good construction advice on creating
| ramps.
|
| If you are asking for construction strength and framing
| suggestions, then do so.
|
| Is this a short or long term ramp? Concrete/wood?
|
| I used 2 x 4 framing with the joists @ 24 o.c. I made 8'
modules
| using 4 x4 posts set in post holes at each 8' joint and coming
up
| 32 above the ramp height. I ran a 1 x6 up each side to create
a
| toe board and I ran 3/4" Wolmanized ply for the deck. Ran a
| vertical 2 x 6 as a handrail extending above the posts. Mine
is
| short term but safe. I happened to have some of those glue on
3M
| tread strips and it has worked well so far. We have another 1
to
| 2 months to go.
|
| Wouldn't you know, the other guy had no insurance driving on a
| suspended license.
|
| Let us know how your ramp develops.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| "Jeff Guay" wrote in message
| ...
| Hi,
| I need to install a handicap ramp to a house I own. The rise
is
| 19 inches
| which means I need 19 feet of ramp. Does anyone know where I
| can find plans
| on building a ramp that will meet ADA specs? Or at least the
| specs? I
| can't find them online anywheres.
| Thanks
| Jeff
|
|
|
|
|