In today's world, everyone has the right to freedom of movement. In order to implement it, it is enough to make convenient entrances and approaches to all kinds of buildings.
Ramps do an excellent job of this task. However, they are not enough to do as necessary. Having said that there was enough material for so much, or there was no more space. These are just excuses. If done, then right. And for this you need to know what a ramp for the disabled is, the size of its parts and the requirements that it must meet.
What is a ramp, and what parts does it have?
If you need to connect two horizontal surfaces that are located at different levels, then steps are installed between them. In situations where there is no physical possibility to climb the stairs, it is replaced by a plane with a slope. This design is called a ramp. With proper design, it is able to provide easy and unhindered movement to the height of mechanisms with wheels.
The design of the ramp, which meets the requirements of GOST, always consists of three parts. Each of them is mandatory and cannot be excluded.
So, the ramp is formed:
- from a flat area in front of him;
- tilted surface;
- and platforms in its upper part.
To get a convenient ramp for the disabled, the dimensions of each of its elements must be strictly measured. Otherwise, it will be difficult or almost impossible to use.
Types of ramp designs
Stationary ramp
It is installed in those places where it is intended to be used for a long time. This is usually the entrance to a building. Such structures may have one or more spans. Their number depends on the height of the stairs and the availability of free space in front of the entrance.
Folding ramp
This design is convenient in places where free space is limited. It has a special mount located on the wall or railing. If necessary, you can fold and disassemble the ramp for the disabled. The dimensions of the hinged structure must be made so that it can easily be moved from the sitting position to the working position and vice versa.
Removable ramp
This group of ramps, in turn, is divided into several types: roll ramps, ramps and sliding structures. The first of this list are small in size. In addition, their feature is that they can be folded like a rug. Ramps are also small and are used to overcome low obstacles, such as borders. A sliding or telescopic ramp extends from a hidden space and can be installed anywhere on the stairs.
Sizes of the ramp platforms
Smooth horizontal surfaces should be present at the beginning and end of the structure. If the ramp is long or has turns, then there are more such sites. Then they will be placed at the end of each climb. The platforms should not be narrower than the width of the ramp. They are required to freely fit a wheelchair. And in this space it should be convenient and deploy. Thus, a ramp for the disabled, the dimensions of the platform of which fit into the values: the width is twice as long as its span, and the length is at least 1.5 m, will be quite convenient. On it you can safely remove your hands from the wheels and not risk slipping.
Width and length of construction
They must be such that the stroller fits easily on the ramp for the disabled. Sizes - width and length - are clearly regulated by GOST. They differ for designs with one-way and two-way traffic. In the first case, the width should be at least 90 cm or 1 m. If there is two-way movement on the ramp, the width is doubled.
The maximum length of the lifting surface must not exceed 36 meters. Moreover, the length of one inclined section cannot be more than 9 m. This means that after this period a turning platform is necessary.
Along the edges of inclined surfaces, beads are necessarily mounted. Their height should be at least 5 cm. They are necessary in order to prevent the wheelchair from slipping off with a disabled person. Their absence is allowed only in cases when the ramp borders a wall or a solid handrail is fixed along its edge.
The angle of inclination of the surface of the ramp
The slope is calculated as a quotient in which the height of the ramp is divided by its length along the surface of the earth. It can be expressed as a percentage or in degrees. And recording in the form of a ratio of two numbers is also possible.
This characteristic is the main one in the design. If the slope is small, then the ramp may turn out to be too long. And in the case of a very large angle, it will be impossible to enter it. Therefore, they need to be accurately calculated when a ramp for the disabled is still being designed. The dimensions according to GOST for the slope are limited by the maximum value, which is 5% (slightly less than 3º). The lifting height for this value should not exceed 80 cm.
In exceptional cases, a slope increase of up to 10% is allowed (a little more than 5.5º). Then the ramp is mandatory equipped with handrails. Because independent lifting of a disabled person on it will be difficult.
If the ramp involves two-way traffic, then the maximum slope for it is 6.7%.
Handrail Requirements
They are equipped with a design without fail in the following cases:
- when the height of the span exceeds 15 cm;
- or the length of the inclined surface is more than 180 cm.
Handrails limit on both sides and along the entire length of the ramp for the disabled. Their sizes depend on who will rise more often: adults or children. The level of the handrails is recommended to be double. The first is at a height of 60-70 cm, and the second is about 90 cm, for children the first value is reduced to 50 cm.
Other ramp requirements
- On an inclined plane, a coating must be fixed, which contributes to an increase in friction. This is necessary to reduce sliding on the ramp.
- All parts of the structure should not interfere with pedestrians.
- If only one person will use a specific ramp for the disabled, the dimensions of the structure can be calculated individually for his stroller.
- The material of the structure should not destroy the staircase.
- It is recommended to equip the ramp with special dampers to make its operation silent.
It is necessary to take into account all of the above points before you start installing the ramp.