Wheelchair Ramp Safety Features Worth the Investment

If you’re preparing to install a wheelchair ramp at your home, it’s important for you to consider the necessary safety features in its installation. A failure to properly abide by safety guidelines for wheelchair ramps could lead to an increased risk of injury. And, for owners of public properties installing wheelchair ramps, there are also potential liability issues if the ramp is not installed safely and in accordance with ADA specifications.

Here are a few examples of some of the most important safety features you must also consider when setting up a wheelchair ramp at your commercial or private property.

High Weight Capacity for Safe Use

It’s important that any wheelchair ramp you install has sufficient weigh capacity for your needs, and there are many different types of wheelchairs to consider. Manual wheelchairs weigh far less than motorized wheelchairs—just 35 lbs., as compared to powerchairs that start at 150 lbs. and go as high as 350 lbs.! Before buying a ramp, check the specifications for weight capacity and compare that to the weight of the wheelchair, plus any accessories, plus an occupant.

Hand Rails Provide Support and Control

On commercial properties, any ramp model that is longer than 6' must have hand rails. This standard doesn’t apply to private residences, but it’s always a good idea to consider railings to assist with mobility. Rails give individuals with mobility issues support—whether they’re in a wheelchair, walker, cane or rollator. It also gives them something to hold onto themselves if they need a break while going up the ramp.

Landings Create Safer Resting Areas

You will need to use level landings or other flat surfaces at the top and bottom of the ramp, allowing users to open doors at the top of the ramp and to give themselves enough space to turn or stop as needed. A landing can be an especially important safety feature at a home entrance because it gives a wheelchair user a stable, level area to position themselves before opening or closing a door. Without enough space at the top of the ramp, a wheelchair could begin to roll backward while the user is trying to reach for the door handle or maneuver through the doorway, creating a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. Usually, these flat landing surfaces come in five-foot squares, but you can find other sizes or customized landings to meet your needs.

Surface Traction Helps Prevent Slips

Any wheelchair ramp should have a safe walking surface for caregivers and wheelchair users alike. Investing in a ramp with appropriate traction can make a meaningful difference in preventing slips and maintaining control, especially when the ramp is exposed to wet or changing conditions. A slippery ramp surface can turn a routine trip into a serious fall, potentially resulting in an injury that requires medical attention or a hospital visit. This is particularly important in northern states, where snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can make outdoor ramps much more difficult to navigate during the winter.

Different types of materials provide different levels of traction. Wood, for example, will often include non-slip aluminum treads at certain intervals. Aluminum ramps will incorporate other special surfaces into the decking design, such as a grit-coat or ridges. Diamond grip surfaces are also a common feature, as are checker and punch plate styles, which provide superior traction in winter conditions when snow and ice are prevalent.

Safety Side Curbs Help Keep Mobility Devices on the Ramp

It’s a good idea to have safety side curbs that are at least 2" tall to help reduce the risk of a wheelchair or mobility device rolling over the side of the ramp, or a caregiver or other pedestrian stepping off the edge. Side curbs can also gently alert wheelchair users to the edge of the ramp, giving them an added visual or physical indication of where the usable ramp surface ends. Most longer wheelchair ramps include side curbs or raised edges as an important safety feature, and they should not be treated as an optional extra when choosing a longer ramp. Investing in a ramp with appropriate side protection can provide added peace of mind and help make the ramp safer for everyone using it.

How to choose the right ramp

Ramps come in varying sizes and styles to cover many different types of wheelchairs and scooters, as well as various sizes and configurations of steps and ascents. When deciding on right the wheelchair ramp, consider the following factors beyond the safety features described above.

• Length: What length of ramp do you need? This depends primarily on the height of the rise where the ramp is installed. Use the mobility ramp calculator that will use the height of the rise to give you several recommendations based on ADA guidelines.
• Type: There are solid ramps, folding ramps, track ramps, modular ramps and threshold ramps. These types of ramps have their own unique benefits, designed for use in specific circumstances. Track ramps are for manual wheelchairs only and feature two separate runners. Threshold ramps are ideal for small rises in entryways. Portable ramps can be folded and stowed when not needed, whereas solid ramps are a more permanent mobility solution.
• Width: The width of the ramp is also important to consider. It must be wide enough for your wheelchair or scooter with a few inches to spare—36” according to ADA guidelines, which also happens to be the standard width of most doorways.

It’s in your best interest to speak to a professional to help you select a wheelchair ramp that provides the safety features you need to be comfortable, while meeting the needs you have for your wheelchair or scooter.

If you would like assistance selecting a wheelchair ramp with the safety features that fit your needs, please contact us or call us at 866-887-1001.