Handicap Ramp Forms

ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities

4.8 Ramps.
4.8.1* General. Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall 
be considered a ramp and shall comply with 4.8.
4.8.2* Slope and Rise. The least possible slope shall be used for any ramp. The maximum 
slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12. The maximum rise for any run shall be 
30 in (760 mm) (see Fig. 16). Curb ramps and ramps to be constructed on existing sites 
or in existing buildings or facilities may have slopes and rises as allowed in 4.1.6(3)(a) 
if space limitations prohibit the use of a 1:12 slope or less.
4.8.3 Clear Width. The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36 in (915 mm).
4.8.4* Landings. Ramps shall have level landings at bottom and top of each ramp and each 
ramp run. Landings shall have the following features:
(1) The landing shall be at least as wide as the ramp run leading to it.
(2) The landing length shall be a minimum of 60 in (1525 mm) clear.
(3) If ramps change direction at landings, the minimum landing size shall be 60 in by 
60 in (1525 mm by 1525 mm).
(4) If a doorway is located at a landing, then the area in front of the doorway shall 
comply with 4.13.6.
4.8.5* Handrails. If a ramp run has a rise greater than 6 in (150 mm) or a horizontal 
projection greater than 72 in (1830 mm), then it shall have handrails on both sides. 
Handrails are not required on curb ramps or adjacent to seating in assembly areas.
Handrails shall comply with 4.26 and shall have the following features:
(1) Handrails shall be provided along both sides of ramp segments. The inside handrail 
on switchback or dogleg ramps shall always be continuous.
(2) If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in (305 mm) beyond 
the top and bottom of the ramp segment and shall be parallel with the floor or ground 
surface (see Fig. 17).
(3) The clear space between the handrail and the wall shall be 1 - 1/2 in (38 mm).
(4) Gripping surfaces shall be continuous.
(5) Top of handrail gripping surfaces shall be mounted between 34 in and 38 in (865 mm 
and 965 mm) above ramp surfaces.
(6) Ends of handrails shall be either rounded or returned smoothly to floor, wall, or post.
(7) Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.


4.29.2* Detectable Warnings on Walking Surfaces. Detectable warnings shall consist of 
raised truncated domes with a diameter of nominal 0.9 in (23 mm), a height of nominal 
0.2 in (5 mm) and a center-to-center spacing of nominal 2.35 in (60 mm) and shall contrast 
visually with adjoining surfaces, either light-on-dark, or dark-on-light. The material 
used to provide contrast shall be an integral part of the walking surface. Detectable 
warnings used on interior surfaces shall differ from adjoining walking surfaces in 
resiliency or sound-on-cane contact.
4.29.5 Detectable Warnings at Hazardous Vehicular Areas. If a walk crosses or adjoins a 
vehicular way, and the walking surfaces are not separated by curbs, railings, or other 
elements between the pedestrian areas and vehicular areas, the boundary between the areas 
shall be defined by a continuous detectable warning which is 36 in (915 mm) wide, complying 
with 4.29.2.
4.29.6 Detectable Warnings at Reflecting Pools. The edges of reflecting pools shall be 
protected by railings, walls, curbs, or detectable warnings complying with 4.29.2.
4.5 Ground and Floor Surfaces.
4.5.1* General. Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms 
and spaces including floors, walks, ramps, stairs, and curb ramps, shall be stable, firm, 
slip-resistant, and shall comply with 4.5.
4.5.2 Changes in Level. Changes in level up to 1/4 in (6 mm) may be vertical and without 
edge treatment (see Fig. 7(c) ). Changes in level between 1/4 in and 1/2 in (6 mm and 13 mm) 
shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2 (see Fig. 7(d)). Changes in level greater 
than 1/2 in (13 mm) shall be accomplished by means of a ramp that complies with 4.7 or 4.8.
4.5.3* Carpet. If carpet or carpet tile is used on a ground or floor surface, then it shall 
be securely attached; have a firm cushion, pad, or backing, or no cushion or pad; and have 
a level loop, textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut pile texture. The maximum 
pile thickness shall be 1/2 in (13 mm) (see Fig. 8(f)). Exposed edges of carpet shall be 
fastened to floor surfaces and have trim along the entire length of the exposed edge. Carpet 
edge trim shall comply with 4.5.2.
4.5.4 Gratings. If gratings are located in walking surfaces, then they shall have spaces no 
greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) wide in one direction (see Fig. 8(g)). If gratings have elongated 
openings, then they shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the 
dominant direction of travel (see Fig. 8(h)).
4.7 Curb Ramps.
4.7.1 Location. Curb ramps complying with 4.7 shall be provided wherever an accessible route 
crosses a curb.
4.7.2 Slope. Slopes of curb ramps shall comply with 4.8.2. The slope shall be measured as 
shown in Fig. 11. Transitions from ramps to walks, gutters, or streets shall be flush and 
free of abrupt changes. Maximum slopes of adjoining gutters, road surface immediately 
adjacent to the curb ramp, or accessible route shall not exceed 1:20.
4.7.3 Width. The minimum width of a curb ramp shall be 36 in (915 mm), exclusive of flared 
sides.
4.7.4 Surface. Surfaces of curb ramps shall comply with 4.5.
4.7.5 Sides of Curb Ramps. If a curb ramp is located where pedestrians must walk across the 
ramp, or where it is not protected by handrails or guardrails, it shall have flared sides; 
the maximum slope of the flare shall be 1:10 (see Fig. 12(a)). Curb ramps with returned curbs
may be used where pedestrians would not normally walk across the ramp (see Fig. 12(b)).
4.7.6 Built-up Curb Ramps. Built-up curb ramps shall be located so that they do not project 
into vehicular traffic lanes (see Fig. 13).
4.7.7 Detectable Warnings. A curb ramp shall have a detectable warning complying with 4.29.2.
The detectable warning shall extend the full width and depth of the curb ramp.
4.7.8 Obstructions. Curb ramps shall be located or protected to prevent their obstruction 
by parked vehicles.
4.7.9 Location at Marked Crossings. Curb ramps at marked crossings shall be wholly contained
within the markings, excluding any flared sides (see Fig. 15).
4.7.10 Diagonal Curb Ramps. If diagonal (or corner type) curb ramps have returned curbs or
other well-defined edges, such edges shall be parallel to the direction of pedestrian flow. 
The bottom of diagonal curb ramps shall have 48 in (1220 mm) minimum clear space as shown 
in Fig. 15(c) and (d). If diagonal curb ramps are provided at marked crossings, the 48 in 
(1220 mm) clear space shall be within the markings (see Fig. 15(c) and (d)). If diagonal 
curb ramps have flared sides, they shall also have at least a 24 in (610 mm) long segment 
of straight curb located on each side of the curb ramp and within the marked crossing 
(see Fig. 15(c)).
4.7.11 Islands. Any raised islands in crossings shall be cut through level with the street 
or have curb ramps at both sides and a level area at least 48 in (1220 mm) long between the 
curb ramps in the part of the island intersected by the crossings (see Fig. 15(a) and (b)).