Nearly every business needs a ramp to make accessibility easier for those with mobility differences. You know that having accessibility solutions creates equal opportunities for individuals to enter your store, restaurant, or venue, but you’re not sure where to begin. Not to worry — EZ-ACCESS® has you covered! We’ll teach you how to choose the right commercial ramp to create accessibility for patrons and employees alike.
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Ramp?
Understanding what makes a good ramp will help you in your search. In general, a commercial ramp needs to be:
- Compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Durable, especially if it will be exposed to weather or heavy traffic
- Low-maintenance, so you don’t spend excessive time and money repairing it or keeping it in shape
Factors Affecting Your Choice
A ramp needs to be tailored to the space it will be in, who will be using it, and how it will be used. For a ramp in a commercial building, you’ll want to assess the location, take measurements, and factor in how the environment will affect it.
- Assessing the Area – Is there a lot of space to work with? Will you need to overcome a few stairs or reach another story of the building entirely? Does the space call for an extra-wide ramp? How much traffic will be going through the area at once? These questions and others should be evaluated to really dial in on what the ramp needs to do and what features it will need to truly create accessibility in your unique space.
- Taking Measurements – To comply with ADA standards for commercial wheelchair ramps, there are prescribed ratios for the slope of the ramp, requiring one foot of ramp for every inch of rise. Until you know the height difference between the lowest and highest points you need to connect, you won’t be able to calculate the necessary ramp length. Our Incline Calculator Tool will help you determine how much ramp length you may need. Additional measurements will be needed to ensure sufficient ramp width, space for turns, and that any other ADA regulations can be met.
- Considering the Environment – If your ramp will be outdoors, it needs to be durable enough to handle whatever Mother Nature brings without deteriorating or requiring regular repairs.
Why Aluminum Modular Ramps Are the Perfect Commercial Access Solution
Modular ramps allow for customization on a short timetable. EZ-ACCESS ramps offer prefabricated pieces built from aluminum, providing durability that can be delivered in as little as a few days. The components of the PATHWAY® HD Code Compliant Modular Access System are customizable in their configuration, with unlimited combinations to get your business the access solution it needs. Use the Ramp Selector Tool to get an idea of what options may be right for your space. Need a ramp that’s multi-story, extra-wide, or beyond the standard measurements we offer? Our Customer Service team will connect with you to create fully unique solutions crafted by our Research & Development team. With limitless possibilities, EZ-ACCESS will deliver the right ramp for your business. All it takes is getting in touch today!
