Building Wheelchair Ramps - How to Build a Wheelchair Ramp

The staircase is a huge hindrance for people bound by a wheelchair. They need other people to lift them from one place to another even for performing basic tasks. This not only makes them dependent on others but also hurts their self esteem. By building a wheelchair ramp, we can help these less fortunate people to a great extent. So, how to build a wheelchair ramp?

Procedure for Building Wheelchair Ramps.
This procedure adheres to the Americans with disabilities act mandates.
In some cities, a permit is required to build wheelchair ramps. Contact the municipal government office to check if you need one. Get it before building the ramp.

Step 1: First define the length of the ramp. For every 12 inches of the length of the ramp, the downwards slope should not be more than 1 inch. Calculate the height of the surface that the ramp will be leading to, in inches. Multiply this number by 12. The resultant will give you the minimum length of the ramp to be built. You cannot build a ramp shorter than this length. Exceeding this length is however, allowed. While building wheelchair ramps, always ensure that the ramp leads to the driveway or a sidewalk to facilitate the person sitting on the wheelchair to easily use it.

Step 2: Mark the length and width of the area where you will be building the wheelchair ramp. Use a snap chalk to do the markings. The width of the ramp should ideally be about 45 inches, although, 36 inches is the minimum requirement.

Step 3: Mark the places on the line where the posts supporting the ramp will be erected. The posts should be at a distance of 48 inches from the other and they should be present on either side of the ramp. 24-inch deep holes should be dug at the marked places, where the posts are to be erected.

Step 4: Now cut the posts such that they extend 24 inches below the ground level and rise 36 inches above the the surface of the ramp. Use 4 by 4 boards to erect the posts and pour concrete into the space around the posts to make them intact. Make sure the erected posts are exactly vertical to the ground.

Step 5: Next step is to determine the positions of the sideboards to be attached. Starting with the high end of the ramp, determine the position on the post that is at the same level as the surface to which the ramp leads to. At 2.75 inches below this level, make a marking on the inside and outside of the posts to accommodate the space that will be required by the flooring. Carry out this process for each post as you go down the ramp while making marks on each post, just a little bit below the previous one, in order to cater to the distance that will be occupied. This step creates the 1 inch slope that was discussed in step 1. If this process is properly followed, you will have marks on each posts that are four inches below the mark on the previous post.

Step 6: Now create 2 by 4 inches stud sideboards and connect them to the posts such that there is one side board on either side of each post. Drive a single nail through the sideboard and the post to attach them to each other. Only a single nail is used right now, so that you can adjust it later if required, after nailing the other sideboards. In the end, ensure that at least 2 to 3 nails have been hammered in to each side board to attach it strongly to the posts. Safety is of utmost importance when building wheelchair ramps.

Step 7: This time use 2 by 4 inches studs to create floor joists. The length of the joists should be enough to extend from one side of the ramp to the other side. Placing the boards horizontally across the top of the sideboards, nail them appropriately. These joists should be placed such that they are located at every 24 to 36 inches down the length of the ramp. These joists should also be present at each end of the ramp and at every edge.

Step 8: Using a circular saw, start cutting plywood pieces for building the floor of the wheelchair ramp. Cut the pieces to length and nail them in the joists using shorter nails. Place multiple nails in each joist so as to avoid the creaking of wood.

Step 9: This step includes building the side rails. The posts must be drilled in the ground such that their length extends about 36 inches over the surface of the ramp. Boards of size 1 by 4 are then attached to the posts by appropriately nailing them to it. Thus the side rail is built.

Wheelchair ramp building is therefore an intricate task but is worth the effort. The procedure explained above is the most common one for building wheelchair ramps. However, you might have to do some modifications to this procedure depending on the location, where the ramp is to be built. Modifications might also be needed if the ramp is to be built indoors. But, under no circumstances should the safety measures be compromised while building a wheelchair ramp. Hope this article helps you bring smiles on many faces.