Blog Category : Uncategorized

Pedestrian Ramp Railing Requirements

Pedestrian ramp walkway with stainless steel handrail on one side, and cable railings and handrail on the other side.

A pedestrian ramp is a sloped walkway located indoors or outdoors that is used for easier access to an elevated floor level. A sloped ramp is one option for making a building or public place accessible, others include a lift. or an elevator. A ramp is provided in public places for individuals with disabilities, who use a wheelchair, or individuals who have difficulty maneuvering stairs. In addition, a ramp creates easier access for wheeled items like baby carriages, luggage, or grocery carts.

When are railings required on ramps?

Ramps are required in public spaces at any point where an elevation change occurs and would typically be addressed with stairs.

Ramp Railing Requirements

  • Location – Handrails are required on both sides of a ramp with a rise greater than 6 inches
  • Mounting – Handrails can be floor-mounted or wall-mounted.
  • Handrail Graspbility – Circular handrails must have a diameter between 1-1/4 and 2 inches. If the handrail is not circular, it should have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches minimum and 6.25 inches maximum.
  • Extension – The leading edges of the handrail must extend horizontally, a minimum of 12 inches past the ends of the ramp. This applies to both the top and the bottom of the ramp.
  • Extension Return – Handrail extensions must return to the guard wall or floor to avoid entanglement with clothing or other materials.
  • Height – The railing must be a consistent height along the ramp typically at 34-38 inches.
  • Clearance – Handrail clearance of 1-1/2 inches between the gripping surface of the handrail and the adjacent surface is required.
  • Contrast: Handrails should have a color or finish that contrasts with the adjacent surfaces, making them more visible to people with visual impairments.
  • Maneurving Space – The center space between the handrails must be at least 36 inches to provide room for wheelchairs and pedestrians to maneuver along the ramp.
  • Slope – The maximum allowable slope for ramps to ensure they are safely navigable for individuals with mobility impairments. The maximum slope for a ramp is 1:12. In layman’s terms this means that for every inch of rise, there should be 12 inches of ramp length.
  • Landings – Ramps must have level landings at the top and bottom, and depending on the ramp, at intervals along the ramp, to provide resting places and turning spaces. Intermediate landings are required in ramps that have a total rise exceeding 30 inches. Intermediate landings must be provided at intervals not exceeding 30 inches of vertical rise. If a ramp changes direction at a landing, the minimum landing size should be 60 inches by 60 inches. If a ramp makes a 180-degree turn at a landing, the minimum landing size should be 60 inches by 60 inches in the direction of the turn and 48 inches by 48 inches in the opposite direction.

Edge Protection Requirements for Ramps

Edge protection shall be included on ramps higher than 1/2 inch. The purpose of this is to keep wheelchair casters and crutches on the surface of the ramp. This can be accomplished with 4-inch height curbs, barrier rails, or by extending the surface past the rail by at least 12 inches. Barrier rails must be designed to prevent the passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.

Interior Pedestrian ramp at casino sports betting facility with ADA handrails

A handicapped ramp must comply with building codes and comply with ADA standards. Also, many municipalities may impose additional regulations. Consult local guidelines, along with federal codes and ADA requirements, for pedestrian ramp railing installations.

For more information refer to these references

Code of Federal Regulations Title 28 Part 36

ADA standards for accessible design

IBC Section 1012 Ramps

If you like this blog, you may also like these.

At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building premium craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applicationsContact us to get your project started.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Read More

Sleek Stainless Steel Cable and Glass Railing Ideas

Stainless steel railing posts on mahogany stairs and top rail

The sleek aesthetic of stainless steel cable and railings makes a beautiful design accent for decks, stairs, and balconies. Stainless steel has a clean modern appearance while being durable with minimal maintenance. Stainless can have a brushed, mirrored, or powder-coated finish to create the desired design effect. Whether for an interior or exterior railing project we customize our stair and railing designs to fit your requirements.

modern staircase and LED lighted treads

Ultra-modern Stainless Railing and Stairs

To achieve the desired ultra-modern aesthetic for this home we created a floating zig zag stringer staircase with 316 stainless steel cables and railing posts. To accent the steps and create ambiance as well as light the stairway, we included brushed stainless steel risers that reflect the under-mounted LED lighting. These cool design elements resulted in a one-of-a-kind modern staircase.

Vertical and Horizontal Stainless Steel Cable Railing

An important design element for this home was to provide a seamless flow between the home to the patio, poolside spaces, and beyond to the ocean beaches. Equally important was to create a serene place to relax without impeding the ocean views. This clever combination of vertical and horizontal cable railings achieves this result while adhering to national pool regulations. The railings have mahogany top rails that conceal strips of LED lights to provide ambiance for nighttime entertaining. The 316 stainless steel railing posts are finished with a number 6 brushed polish. Stainless steel escutcheon plates were CNC machined to perfectly fit the posts and conceal the mounting plates.

Deck cable railing in our Chicago style made of 316ss

Rustic Industrial Stainless Deck Railings

Chosen for its angular design and open cutouts our Chicago-style cable railing system adds a sleek contemporary look to any home. The industrial elements of the home include an exposed timber beam structure with large metal flanges and bolts. This combination of warm woods, clad siding, and stone create a refined and rustic appeal. Since this is a coastal home the cable railing posts are made of type 316 stainless steel and are designed to be fascia mounted to the deck.

View of Villa on the ocean with infinity edge pools and sleek stainless steel cable railings

Sleek and Sophisticated Stainless Railings

Located in Oil Nut Bay is a luxurious private community on the eastern end of Virgin Gorda in the BVI. It features a stunning beachfront, upscale villas, and world-class amenities.

When a hurricane took out the original metal railing system on this villa, the owners decided to replace it with our sleek and sophisticated high-quality 316 stainless steel Ithaca-style cable railing system. The clean lines and slim posts add a touch of elegance to the exterior of the villa. The cable infill has a transparent appearance and was the perfect choice to maintain the unobstructed views of the azure ocean waters.

Mirror polished stainless steel cable railing on balcony, stairs and decks in an ocean front setting

Mirror Polished Stainless Railings

Mirror-polished stainless steel cable railings bring a sense of glamour and sophistication to this villa situated in the British Virgin Islands. Specifically tailored for the interior balconies, stairs, and exterior decks, these railings seamlessly blend into the surroundings, allowing the azure ocean waters to serve as a breathtaking backdrop.

Our Ithaca-style cable railings are surface mounted on the decks and balcony and fascia mounted on the stairs and made of 316 stainless steel.

Sleek Brushed Stainless Steel Cable Railing by Keuka Studios

Simply Sleek Stainless Steel Cable and Railing

As a fashion designer, this client has an eye for minimalist design. Her objective was to eliminate the appearance of joints on her railing to create a clean modern aesthetic. We were asked to design and build a stainless steel cable railing that would optimize the view and not distract the eye. She chose our Ithaca Style cable railing system for its thin posts. Since the home is located on the ocean the railing material chosen for this project is solid 316ss for the railing posts and top rail. Paying attention to every detail even the decking was designed without joints.

Nautical Style Stainless Steel with Cable and Glass

Coastal homes featuring a nautical interior design have an inviting and relaxed beachy vibe. This style for a staircase can be achieved in a variety of ways. For a couple of beach houses pictured above, we collaborated with the designers on different approaches. One homeowner preferred to use a combination of stainless steel cable connecting to wide white wood newel posts with brushed stainless round handrails. The other design style uses a glass infill with brushed stainless steel rectangular posts, round handrails, and nautical-style lighting in the stairwell. Both stair railing projects complement the charming shiplap wall paneling.

Before and After

Modern Minimal Transformation

A sleek transformation replaces a dated wood stair railing with slim stainless steel railing posts and cables. The level railing was designed to use fascia-mounted stainless steel posts along the top of the stairwell and surface-mounted posts on the steps. The cable infill creates a more visually pleasing unobstructed view making the overall space feel more open and larger. Also, the new handrail is more easily graspable than the old version.

At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Read More