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How long should a wheelchair ramp be for 4 steps?

For commercial occupied use, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends a 1:12 slope. This means that every 1” of the vertical rise needs at least 1' (12”) of ramp length.

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Every location is different with uniquely configured entrances, but all have one thing in common: the entrance needs to be easily accessed. In some cases, a ramp needs to be installed to overcome a series of steps that lead up to an entrance. In other cases, a ramp needs to be installed up to a loading dock to offer ease of loading and unloading in and out of the building. No matter the application or specifications for your location, there are a few simple steps that you’ll want to follow to determine the proper size of ramp that you’ll need:

1. Measure

Total vertical rise you need to overcome

Example: If you are trying to bypass a set of stairs, measure from top step straight down to the ground ‍ you need to overcome Example: If you are trying to bypass a set of stairs, measure from top step straight down to the ground Available distance without obstruction measuring straight out from the highest point ‍ without obstruction measuring straight out from the highest point Usable width of the surrounding area Example: The width of the entrance or doorway where the ramp will start

2. Research

In a couple of sentences below, we will talk about ADA recommendations, but it’s important to research your local building and accessibility codes. Local codes differ by state, region, and even city. For commercial occupied use, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends a 1:12 slope. This means that every 1” of the vertical rise needs at least 1’ (12”) of ramp length. This equates to 5 degrees of incline. For more ADA guidelines, click the link above.

3. Calculate

This sounds tricky, but it’s actually the easy part.

View the Incline Calculator

4. Verify

Make sure you have enough space for the ramp length required. Compare the available distance you measured in step one with the run length value provided in the incline calculator results. You will also want to ensure there’s enough space for the width of the ramp and any platforms that will be incorporated into the system. Determine the ramp width you will need, along with the platform size based on the available space you measured for in step one. If you would like to talk to someone about measuring for ramp size, or have any questions about installing a commercial ramp, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service team!

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How do I make my outdoor ramp non slip?

A top-notch grit paint like the Slip Doctor Dura Grip and Tuff Grip traction paints can dramatically improve the safety of a long, wooden outdoor ramp if it's applied meticulously, and maintained properly. Like grit tape, non-slip paints include an aggregate that creates traction.

Handi-Treads: A-

For the most part, grit tape that you can buy at Home Depot or Amazon is not suitable for outdoor use. There is no tape-based adhesive that can realistically stand up to rain, snow, and the inevitable heat and thaw cycles. In a limited number of outdoor wooden ramp situations, non-slip grip tape can be a short-term solution to reduce slips and falls. Rain and frost are easily dealt with by grit embedded into the tape. However, the grit tape will not be able to maintain its anti-slip properties once the first snow falls. Snow shovels cannot be used with grit tape without damaging them, so the winter season is usually the end of the grit tape’s life. Not only will the snow shovel pull the tape right off of the ramp if you catch an edge, but even a plastic blade will quickly defeat the thin coating protecting the aggregate. The proper installation of non-slip grip tape requires a bit of effort as detailed here. First, it’s important that the wood surface, whether stained or painted, is clean, dry, and in good shape. Heavily grained, uneven, or splintering wood makes it difficult for the tape adhesive to completely bond, and the effective life of grip tape is directly related to how carefully and completely it has adhered to the steps. There’s no maintenance that can or should be done to the tape other than to be very careful of the edges and corners, which can be easily pulled up. Once a corner or edge begins to peel, the grip tape will quickly deteriorate. If you’re comfortable with a lifespan on outdoor wood of six months to a year, grit tape can be an inexpensive temporary solution for the wooden ramp at your home or business.

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