A Ramp Is A Sloped Pathway Used To Provide Access Between Two Vertical Levels. It Facilitates The Movement of Wheelchairs

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RAMP

A ramp is a sloped pathway used to provide access between two vertical levels. It
facilitates the movement of wheelchairs.
a slope of 1:20 means that as each dimensional unit of height rises or falls, the dimensional unit of
length runs out by 20 units. A ramp that has too steep a slope will prove difficult for people to use and
could even be unsafe, whilst a ramp with too shallow a slope can require excessive length.

There are a wide range of issues that must be considered in the design of ramps, including:

 The appropriate steepness, length and width.


 The distance between landings.
 Likely users and the mode of assistance they are likely to require.
 Surface materials.
 Approach and access onto the ramp.
 The position of handrails and barriers.
 Placement of door handles and the swing direction of doors.
 Impact of a ramp on available space, existing trees, vegetation, and so on.
 Cost.
 Compliance with the building regulations.
 The availability of alternative means of access.

The gradient of a ramp and its going (horizontal distance) between landings must be in
accordance with the following table:

Max. going of ramp Max. gradient Max. rise


10m 1:20 500mm

9m 1:19 473mm

8m 1:18 444mm

7m 1:17 411mm

6m 1:16 375mm

5m 1:15 333mm

4m 1:14 285mm

3m 1:13 230mm

2m 1:12 166mm

External ramps

Approved Document M sets out the following requirements for external ramps:

 Gradients should be as shallow as is practicable.


 The surface should be firm and even.
 Stairs should also be provided as adverse weather conditions can increase the risk of slipping on
a ramp.
 Landings should be at least 1.2 metres long at both the foot and head of the ramp.
 Support in the form of handrails should be provided on both sides of the ramp.
 The approach to the ramp should be clearly marked.
 Flights should have a going of less than 10 metres and a rise of less than 500 mm.
 The surface width of a ramp between walls, upstands or kerbs must be at least 1.5 metres.
 The surface of the ramp must be slip resistant and of a colour that contrasts visually with that of
the landings. However, the frictional characteristics of the ramp and landing should be similar.
 Landings should be provided as passing places (at least 1800 mm wide x 1800 mm long) when it is
not possible to see from one end of the ramp to the other, or where the ramp has 3 or more flights.
 All landings should be level, subject to a maximum gradient of 1:60 along the length, and a
maximum cross-fall gradient of 1:40.
internal ramps

The design considerations for internal ramps are the same as those above for external ramps,
excluding issues relating to the external environment.

Steps should be provided as well as a ramp unless one of the following criteria can be fulfilled:

 The ramp is sufficiently short.


 The ramp has a shallow gradient.
 The rise is no more than the minimum that can be provided by two risers

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