Ramps

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Location and identification

The ramp should be located in a logical position and be easily recognisable.

By co-locating staircases with step-free routes, those who cannot or do not wish to use the staircase will have an alternative option nearby.

Building users who miss the transition between level and sloping surfaces risk falling. At the start of a ramp, identification of the handrail together with a discernible change in luminance between level and sloping floor surfaces will give visual indications of a gradient change.

For those who are blind or have low vision, visual contrast and lighting may not provide sufficient warning of the presence of a ramp.

Design considerations

• Where possible avoid the design of level changes which would result in the need for a ramp or stairs.
• Position stairs, lifts and ramps in the same location in the building to allow building users to choose their preferred method of changing level.
• Draw attention to a ramp by using higher levels of local lighting. 
• Use different floor finishes to lead to the ramp. 
• Introduce changes in the auditory environment to give notification of the presence of a ramp (e.g. carpet to hard flooring).
• Ensure handrails contrast with wall finishes. 
• Ensure the start or end of a flight can be identified visually by contrasting landing and sloping finishes.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.1 Access routes shall enable people to: (c) move into spaces within buildings by such means as corridors, doors, stairs, ramps and lifts

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall: (a) be easy to find, as required by Clause F8 Signs

Ease of use

The design of the ramp should accommodate its convenient and easy use by a wide range of people.

Ramps need to have certain characteristics to make their use as easy as possible:

• Consistent throughout the building. This will provide consistency and familiarity to building users.
• Wide enough. Ramps need to be wide enough to facilitate the movement of people, and furniture or other bulky objects between floors. Clear identification of the edges of a ramp will assist all users.
• Straight ramps. Curved ramps should be avoided as they are more difficult to negotiate by wheelchair users, those with buggies and those using walking aids.
• Cross falls. Cross falls can cause stability and control problems for a range of building users. While cross falls are not usually an issue with internal ramps, ramps subject to wetting may need to be designed to ensure that surface water does not collect on landings.
• Gradient and length. Steep or long ramps present significant difficulties to wheelchair users and their companions. They may not have sufficient strength to use them and control and braking will be difficult especially where cross falls are present. Low gradient ramps may be easier to use but result in longer travel distances and more landings which is not an efficient use of space. Where slopes are steep, wheelchair users risk tipping forward when descending or falling over backwards when ascending. 
• Landings. Landings are important on ramps to provide areas to rest for building users who find their use difficult or strenuous.
• Handrails. Handrails are necessary on both sides of the ramp and landings as users who have a weakness on one side may only be able to use the handrail on their strong side. Wheelchair users might use a handrail to pull themselves up a gradient they find challenging, combining a push on one wheel and a pull on the handrail with the other hand.
• Intermediate handrails. The provision of intermediate handrails dividing a wide ramp into separate channels allows everyone to be in easy reach of support. This is particularly important when a number of people are using the ramp at the same time. 
• Horizontal handrail sections. Horizontal handrail sections at the end of ramps not only provide support getting on or off a ramp but also give advance warning of the start or finish of a ramp. 
• Second handrail. A second and lower handrail may be appropriate in some buildings often used by small children.
• Handrail detail. Handrails need to be easy to grasp, give comfortable forearm support and have fixings and supports that do not interrupt use.

Many ambulant disabled people find it easier to negotiate a suitable staircase than a ramp because of the sloping walking surface.

Design considerations

• Ensure multiple ramps within the same building all have a similar design.
• Ensure the ramp is wide enough with minimal or no cross fall and sufficient headroom for normal use.
• Specify the gradient to be as low as practical and equal on all flights in a series.
• Provide a level landing of adequate length at the top and bottom of each flight.
• Ensure flight slopes are straight. Changes in the direction of travel should occur at intermediate landings.
• Where the overall rise of a ramp is excessive, provide an alternative means of step-free access such as a lift.

Handrails

• Ensure handrails are provided to each side of a ramp and landings throughout its length (including intermediate landings where this does not obstruct the use of adjoining access routes).
• On wide ramps, install intermediate handrails.
• Ensure handrails are easy to identify visually against their background.
• Position handrails at heights suitable for all users.
• Ensure handrails have horizontal extensions at the top and bottom of a ramp protected by adjacent walls.
• Ensure handrails are easy to use and grip without the hand slipping.
• Ensure handrail design allows for continuous holding unobstructed by handrail fixings.
• Ensure the ends of handrails terminate in a way that signifies that the top or bottom of a ramp has been reached. 
• Consider the installation of domed buttons on the surface of a handrail at the end of a ramp to give tactile warning of the end of the handrail.

Building Code reference

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.1 Access routes shall enable people to: (c) move into spaces within buildings by such means as corridors, doors, stairs, ramps and lifts.

D1.3.3 Access routes shall:

(c) have a safe cross fall, and safe slope in the direction of travel,
(k) have handrails of adequate strength and rigidity as required by Clause B1 Structure,
(l) have landings of appropriate dimensions and at appropriate intervals along a stair or ramp to prevent undue fatigue.

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall:

(a) be easy to find, as required by Clause F8 Signs,
(b) have adequate activity space to enable a person in a wheelchair to negotiate the route while permitting an ambulant person to pass,
(i) have handrails on both sides of the accessible route when the slope of the route exceeds 1 in 20. The handrails shall be continuous along both sides of the stair, ramp and landing except where the handrail is interrupted by a doorway.

Ramp safety

The design of the ramp should make its use as safe as possible.

The important requirement of a ramp is that it should be as safe as possible:

• User awareness. Being aware of the presence of a ramp is an essential part of reducing the risk of injury. In addition to physical injury, falls can also have serious psychological and social consequences, affecting confidence, mobility and general well-being, especially among older building users. 
  
  Contrasting the surfaces of level landings with sloping flights and providing tactile warnings will give advance warning of the start of a ramp. 
  
  Upstands at the side of ramps can prevent wheelchair users from falling over the edge of the ramp but also provide detection for people who are blind or have low vision who are using a cane.
  
  Service ramps have steeper gradients than pedestrian ramps and are not suitable for people to use except in an emergency.
• Alignment and length. Building users who are distracted or who have vision impairment run an increased risk of tripping on the change of gradient of a ramp which is aligned in the direction of their travel.
  
  Landings are important on long ramps to provide areas to rest.
• Predictable. The design of the ramp needs to be predictable and enable building users to stay on the walking surface.
• Width. When medical emergencies occur, ambulance officers may have to use ramps to move patients on stretchers.
• Underside of ramps. Building users who are distracted, have a vision impairment or are using a long cane run the risk of colliding with the underside of ramps and landings which are not physically protected.
• Surface finishes. There is a risk of stumbling if frictional characteristics change (for instance, between sloping and level finishes). 
• Handrails. Handrails need to be parallel with the floor surface, easy to identify, contribute to movement and within reach for all users.
  
  Most wheelchair users do not use handrails on ramps. However, they can assist to steady a user, especially on existing ramps where the length or gradient might be excessive.
  
  The end of handrails that are not returned to the wall or floor present a potential hazard which could increase the risk of clothing being caught or children being injured by running into them.
  
  Where a handrail is being used for support, its sudden termination without warning could cause building users to stumble and fall. Having a continuous handrail across landings and round corners is particularly useful for those who are blind or have low vision.
  
  Handrails and fixings need to be secure as significant forces may be exerted when recovering from a fall.
• Obstructions. Doors and windows which open onto ramps can present serious hazards when they are opened.
  
  Fixtures such as fire extinguishers are easy to walk into and should be located away from trafficable areas.
• Lighting. Good artificial and natural lighting is essential and assists safe use. Poor visibility of changes in gradient can lead to trips and falls.

Design considerations

User awareness

• Ensure tactile and visual warnings will alert those who are blind or have low vision to the presence and location of a potential hazard.
• Ensure that level and sloping floor finishes contrast with each other, are easily recognisable and with uniform slip resistance. 
• Provide upstands to the edges of ramps.
• Ensure service ramps will not be mistaken for a circulation route.
• Provide barriers where there is a risk of falling.

Alignment and length

• Ensure ramps are conveniently placed perpendicular or at the side of the path of travel to limit the risk that someone will accidentally trip because of the change of gradient.
• Provide adequate landings at regular intervals which on changes in direction are large enough for all potential users.

Predictable

• Ensure the ramp is predictable and has edge protection to help users stay on trafficable surfaces. 

Width

• Ensure that ramps are wide enough to be usable including by ambulance staff carrying someone on a stretcher.

Underside of ramps

• Ensure the area beneath a ramp is enclosed or protected.

Handrails

• Ensure handrails and ramps are protected by adjacent walls or upstands and do not project into circulation space.
• Ensure the ends of handrails are returned back on themselves or are returned to the walls.
• Ensure handrails contrast with their immediate background.
• Divide wide flights with central handrails (subject to means of escape requirements). 
• Match handrail heights with the range of arm movements. 
• Ensure handrails are continuously graspable along their entire length without obstruction.
• Ensure handrails are easy and comfortable to grip without sharp edges, and able to provide adequate resistance to hand slippage.
• Ensure handrails are strong enough to support users and fixed to the structure in a way that supports the required loading. 
• Ensure handrails extend past the top and bottom of the ramp.
• Provide balustrades for protection if necessary.

Obstructions

• Ensure ramps and landings are designed to be free of permanent and temporary obstacles. 
• Position doors and windows such that they do not pose a hazard to those using the ramp.

Lighting

• Ensure artificial lighting is provided with switches which are easy to identify and reach at the top and bottom of each ramp.
• Ensure artificial lighting is even and bright enough to distinguish sloping from level surfaces with no glare from wall lights, spotlights, floodlights or low-level light sources.
• If time-delay or sensor-operated lights are used ensure that the timings accommodate the needs of all users.
• Locate the ramp away from areas where natural lighting could cause glare problems from low sun. 

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D1 Access routes:

D1.3.3 Access routes shall:

(b) be free from dangerous obstructions and from any projections likely to cause an obstruction,
(c) have a safe cross fall, and safe slope in the direction of travel,
(d) have adequate slip-resistant walking surfaces under all conditions of normal use,
(k) have handrails of adequate strength and rigidity as required by Clause B1 Structure,
(l) have landings of appropriate dimensions and at appropriate intervals along a stair or ramp to prevent undue fatigue,
(m) have landings of appropriate dimensions where a door opens from or onto a stair, ramp or ladder so that the door does not create a hazard

D1.3.4 An accessible route, in addition to the requirement of Clause D1.3.3, shall:

(e) have means to prevent the wheel of a wheelchair dropping over the side of the accessible route,
(i) have handrails on both sides of the accessible route when the slope of the route exceeds 1 in 20. The handrails shall be continuous along both sides of the stair, ramp and landing except where the handrail is interrupted by a doorway.

Building Code clause F4 Safety from falling:

F4.3.1 Where people could fall 1 metre or more from an opening in the external environment or floor of a building, or from a sudden change of level within or associated with a building, a barrier shall be provided.

Building Code clause G8 Artificial light:

G8.2 Spaces within buildings used by people, shall be provided with adequate artificial lighting which, when activated in the absence of sufficient natural light, will enable safe movement. Requirement G8.2 shall apply to: 

(a) all exit ways in multi-unit dwellings, group dwellings and communal residential (except backcountry huts), communal non-residential, commercial and industrial buildings,
(b) all access routes except those in outbuildings, backcountry huts, and ancillary buildings, and
(c) all common spaces within multi-unit dwellings, group dwellings, and communal residential (except backcountry huts) and communal non-residential buildings.