The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has several requirements for wheelchair ramps, including:
- Slope: The maximum slope for a wheelchair ramp is 1:12, which means that for every inch of rise, the ramp must be at least 12 inches long.
- Width: The minimum width for a wheelchair ramp is 36 inches between the handrails.
- Landings: Ramps must have landings at the top and bottom.
- Handrails: Ramps must have handrails on both sides that are between 34 and 38 inches above the ramp surface.
- Surface: Ramps must be stable, firm, and slip-resistant.
- Openings: Any openings in the surface should not be able to have a ½ inch sphere pass through them.
- Resting platforms: Ramps longer than 30 feet should have resting platforms of 4'x5' or 5'x5'.
- End: Ramps should end on a hard, level surface with a minimum of 5'x5'.
A digital level can be used to measure the slope of a ramp.
