FAQs Access Ramps

With the passing of the Americans With Disability Act, access ramps must be provided wherever possible and this is a legal requirement, not just a gesture of goodwill. Clearly, not all businesses will be able to create or afford a permanent ramp access structure to enable access to their building but it is entirely possible to provide a short portable ramp to aid wheelchair access. These are relatively inexpensive and will ensure you are doing your best to comply with the Americans With Disability Act. So what are the basic access ramps FAQs?

Public buildings

Trying to make sense of legislation can be confusing at times and if a business is not doing well complying with it, that may be very damaging to the business. So what are some of the access ramps FAQs with respect to providing access for people with disabilities?

The Act states that all new buildings of businesses and public buildings should have disabled access. These are usually made from permanent materials such as concrete. If a room only allow restricted access in front of a building then they are not asked to comply with building an access ramp but they must take reasonable steps to allow access for wheelchair users and other people with disabilities.

Providing different types of ramps

There are quite a few different types of ramps available ranging from permanent to portable. The portable access ramps can be made from different materials, such as wood or aluminum and are a perfect solution when the access ramp is only required for certain occasions.

The access ramps FAQs for portable or temporary solutions are mainly to address the immediate issue of access for a limited amount of time. This is why different material such as wood or aluminum can be used. As the temporary ramp will not receive as much wear and tear to it, a wooden structure will suffice. It is the cheapest option followed by aluminum and fiberglass.

Portable access ramps

When considering access ramps FAQs on portable ramps, there are a couple of different designs to think about as the FAQs mainly target the function of different designs for access ramps. Suitcase ramps, usually made of fiberglass are very easy to store as they are about the size of a suitcase. They open out in sections to accommodate the wheelchair but they can only handle around 200 pounds so heavier wheelchairs or disabled people will not find these useful.

A rollup ramp is a better solution as an access ramp and they have a variety of lengths to choose from too. They are strong and can take a lot of wear and tear. These can be used for events that require disabled access to be provided.
Before purchasing an access ramp, it is better to consider the purpose, the duration and the reason for the provision. Other access ramps FAQs include material construction, legal responsibility, location and budget. Once you find some of the basic information you need from access ramps FAQs, then you can research into the best available access ramp for your needs. There are a number of companies that can provide access ramps either on a purchase or rental basis. If you need a permanent access ramp then consultation with an architect or builder might be helpful.