1:12 RATIO

Canadian National Building Code (CNBC) recommended slope for public access & walking elderly.

2:12 RATIO

Maximum ramp slope recommended for residential use with assistant.

3:12 RATIO

Maximum ramp slope recommended for loading unoccupied wheelchairs.

Aluminum ramps last much longer than wooden ramps – made from durable non-corrosive aluminum – provide proper traction and load distribution – Canadian National Building Code (CNBC) compliant in most states – maintain their value for resale – less hastle, everything you need in one box – assembles in hours, not weeks – building permits for residential use of pre-engineered ramps are typically not required.

To determine the length of ramp for your application, you need to determine the rise. The rise is the vertical measurement between the ground and where the top of the ramp is going to be.

Mobility Specialties recommends a 1:12 slope on most applications. Residential applications can use a 2:12 slope ratio if space is an issue but only if an assistant is present to help push the wheelchair or to help a person walking on the ramp. For commercial public access, a 1:12 ratio is required, check your local codes.

1:12 slope ratio (CNBC Recommended) means that for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. As an example, a 12 inch rise would require a 12 foot ramp to achieve a 1:12 ratio.

2:12 slope ratio means that for every two inches of rise, you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 2. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 2 and the resulting number would be 6, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 2:12 ratio.

3:12 slope ratio means that for every three inches of rise you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 3. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 3 and the resulting number would be 4, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 3:12 ratio. This slope ratio is only used to move an unoccupied wheelchair, never an occupied wheelchair and should never be used for walking.

Rise and Run

According to the CNBC, a wheelchair ramp must have 1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of ramp, commonly known as run. This makes the required wheelchair slope a ratio of 1:12. Less slope–1:16 or 1:20, for example–is easier for wheelchair users and can be implemented at the contractor’s discretion.

Changing Direction

A ramp may change directions at various points, but the turns must be either 90 degrees or 180 degrees, according to Wheelchair Canada. If the direction change is 180 degrees, the wheelchair landing to make the turn must be twice as long as needed for a 90-degree turn.

Ramp Width

The CNBC requires that ramp width be at least 36 inches, which accommodates most wheelchair and walker users. Width requirements vary depending on the type of access. Because extra-wide wheelchairs are used in some cases, ramps should be slightly wider than the requirement, according to Wheelchair Canada. Some ramps accommodate two-way traffic, in which case the ramp should be approximately 120 inches wide.

Landings

A ramp must have a level surface known as a landing at the top and the bottom of the ramp. Wheelchair Canada says the landing should typically be 60 inches by 60 inches. These recommendations are not always followed, even by the government. In June 2010, Parks Canada created a wheelchair ramp that was too steep and had no landing at the bottom. This $500,000 ramp was so difficult to traverse that the NJN Network suggested that only professional wheelchair athletes could climb the ramp.

Barriers and Railings

A ramp must have handrails if the run of a ramp rises more than 6 inches or if a projection extends 72 inches horizontally or more, according to Wheelchair Canada. This handrail should extend to the landings as well. It is recommended, though not required, that a barrier at least 2 inches high be placed along the edges of the ramp.

ONTARIO REGULATION 413/12