I've been asked to build a deck so that a wheelchair user can more easily access the garden. The deck will be flush with the patio door threshold, no problem there.
The other side of the deck will be 2' above ground and I have about 14' to fit in a ramp. That works out to a 7 in 1 slope.
Will a wheelchair cope with that in both directions? Not sure where to look for the appropriate info?
Google seems just to throw up people selling ramps & stuff.
Building regs approved document M should provide a starting point...
Cheers Phil, top man. Even found a free download...
A Google for wheelchair ramp angles produced these sites
Where I have seen decking ramps for wheelchairs and disabled access they generally have a piece of chicken wire stapled on top to increase traction as decking ramps are decidedly slippery when wet
Tony
About 1:12 is the recommended maximum slope for a ramp of 2m or less,
1:15 for 5m. If it is self (occupier) propelled a lot depends upon their strength, control and stamina. A lot of wheelchair users have difficulty controlling descent on steeper slopes and when going up a steep slope there will be a tendency for the chair to pivot if a hand is removed from one wheel. On a narrow ramp you need to include side walls to prevent the chair going off the side. Sometimes two short but steeper sections with a rest platform are preferable to a long continuous ramp.
I made a ramp for this purpose for my father's electric buggy. It's used for a wheelchair also. Deck boards were used for that. One thing that I did do was to coat it in a non-slip coating - I believe these have finely ground glass or something like that. Screwfix sells it IIRC. At any rate, this improves the grip considerably for these wheeled conveyances. I had a much longer slope than you are proposing and it made a difference to that.
Any chance you could use the space twice so to speak with a drop half way in one direction, then a half landing in the middle, and another drop to the ground back the way you came?
The Council have just changed our front garden as the existing ramp was too steep for use with a wheelchair. Fortunately by going across the grass in a diagonal we were able to have a virtually flat access. I beleive the reccomendation for a ramp is no steeper than 1 in 12. Ultimately though for a ramp into the garden it may be possible to go steeper than this although it will depend on the user/pusher.
I have just decked over our back patio to get the same effect (*) - I needed to raise the floor by 7 inches in order to be as flush as possible - there was no way that I was going to lift and relay the patio. Also doing it this way saves (hopefully) a lot of issues with the DPC as this is actually at the level I needed the ground made up to.
Cheers
Mark
(*) My deck is possibley one of the best travelled ones going - the actual decking was supplied by Jacksons and so came from Kent and was delivered to Sheffield :-)
The traditional non-slip for sailing boats is to sprinkle sand onto the varnish while wet. I've also heard of sugar being used - it dissolves out, and leaves little craters.
Or you can get the proper stuff, as paint or tape.
Andy
Interested to know your opinions on the Jacksons decking - they are just up the road from me and are one of the suppliers that I'm considering -(they are a fair bit more expensive....but we have one of their fences and I'm impressed.
I also know of people who will use nothing other than their jacure wood (our fence has a 25yr no rot warranty - is that the same on the decking?)
Cheers,
Darren
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.
Deck boards of the right profile are not slippery when wet. Chicken wire is a trip hassard & dogs hate it.
After a quick look at the Approved Doc M Phil suggested, I reckon that is going to be the only way. Possibly using two sides of the deck.
I'd be interested as well. Their fence panels are truly excellent quality.
1 in 7 really is way too steep, regardless of part M. If any doubt just set up a 1 in 7 with some timber and get the feel of it.
NT
Isn't that supremely horrible to fall over onto? (Maybe the sugar variant is slightly less nasty?)
The only deck boards they offer appear to be more like the standard wickes profile ones (albeit with an extra slot in the back to help prevent twisting)
- I can't find anywhere that sells the ones like you use dave (raised profile instead of slotted). I like that idea - but no bugger around here seems to sell them!
Cheers,
Darren
No it's not, and yes I've done it. I tripped on something while not watching what I was doing. Skin was abraded slightly but not enough for blood to appear.
These things end up being a trade off. Having a slippery surface where a wheelchair is involved is far worse.
Obviously if there is some height involved, a rail becomes important as well. I was providing a ramp in front of a step of about 150mm with earth either side so that wasn't an issue. I did put raised boards on the sides so that the chair or buggy couldn't be driven off of the ramp
Ebay item 280224042043
would be essential I reckon. Safe for all concerned.
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Actually not. Many people, especially those whose feet drag a bit when walking, find "non-slip" pads to be quite hazardous. It is far better to have a surface with a coherent finish than one which varies in friction in different places. This is especially important on ramps, which present a greater hazard than steps, to people who can walk but have some difficulty with balance.
Like Inspector Morse... :-)
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