In 2009, it was decided at the state level that it was necessary to remember the problems of people with disabilities. The normative documents prescribed that all buildings should be equipped so that people who can be classified as low-mobility groups, including wheelchairs, could get into them.
Relevance of the problem
Few people think that 10% of all people are disabled. Moreover, 1/3 of them can only be moved in a wheelchair. But there are such people on the street is extremely rare. One of the main reasons is the banal inability to leave the house, which, by design, does not provide a ramp for prams.
Currently, these designs are not everywhere, which significantly complicates the life of people with disabilities. But even in equipped buildings, they do not always comply with the standard. Some even call ramps boards thrown onto the steps, but this is unacceptable. The parameters of this design, or, as it is also called, accessibility devices, are governed by documents that specify all the requirements for its appearance and equipment.
Established standards
At the legislative level, it was determined that ramps for the disabled should be suitable for houses and various buildings. Standards for their installation are described in special codes of rules. It follows from them that the ramp is a stationary large-sized design with a fixed angle of inclination. According to the rules, it should not exceed 10%. This means that the indicated accessibility device must be long and gentle so that any wheelchair user can independently move on it.
Another difference between the ramp and other accessibility devices (which also include ramps, ramps) is that it is equipped with handrails on both sides. The width of this design must be at least 1 m with one-way traffic.
It is only necessary to make ramps for the disabled from fireproof materials. The standards stipulate that the fire resistance period should be at least 2 hours. From this it becomes clear that in no case can wooden structures be called a ramp.
Install accessibility devices
Speaking about the arrangement of structures designed for disabled people, first of all, attention should be paid to the angle of inclination. It is defined as the ratio of the required lifting height to the length of the section along which the inclined surface will pass. That is, in order to equip the possibility of access for strollers to a lift 10 cm high, it is necessary to note a distance of 1 m (100 cm) in length and from this section begin to make the structure. In this case, the slope of the ramp for the disabled will be 10% (10 cm: 100 cm).
Accessibility devices must be installed in all places where there is a level difference of more than 4 cm. At the beginning of each section of the lift, a platform should be equipped with a width that should correspond to the ramp and be about 1.5 m long.
Each ramp march allows you to rise to a height of not more than 0.8 m. Its slope should not exceed the ratio of height and length 1:12, if necessary, rise to a height of 0.2 m - 1:10. The transverse slope of the structure is allowed at a level of up to 2% (1:50).
One of the requirements for the equipment of the ramps is also the installation of the sides. They should be in those places where the structure does not adjoin the wall. The sides are designed to prevent the stroller from slipping. They have a height of 5 cm. If this was not originally provided for by the ramp design, then a corner or pipe can be attached along the edge at a specified distance from the surface.
Also, ramps for the disabled must be equipped with handrails. Norms oblige to make them double. The upper ones should go at a height of 0.9 m, the lower ones - 0.7 m. For preschool children, it is necessary to place them at the level of 0.5 m.
In addition, it must be remembered that the handrails must exceed the length of the ramp on each side by at least 30 cm, be round, with a diameter of 3-5 cm (an ideal option is a 4 cm cross section for adults and 3 cm for children). It is also important that the handrails run continuously and parallel to the surface of the ramp, taking into account all its additional designs.
Possible installation variations
In each specific situation, the design of the ramp must be developed individually. In some cases, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of a U-turn; in others, recreation areas are needed. There are situations when the ramp fence is not required. So, it can be omitted if the lifting height does not exceed 15 cm, the slope angle is not more than 8%, and the length of the structure is up to 1.8 m.
When equipping such accessibility devices, it must be remembered that for every 6-10 meters of the ramp march, a recreation area is necessary. If the length of the structure does not exceed 10 m, then it can be made whole.
The optimal width is 0.9-1 m. It is suitable for unilateral movement of strollers. If a structure involving two-way traffic is equipped, then its width should be about 1.8 m. If the project does not provide for the possibility of installing railings in the middle of the accessibility structure, then the angle at which the ramp should go is also changed. The norms provide that such a design is possible only provided that the slope is 1:15 (or 6.7%). After all, a wheelchair user can only hold onto one handrail. And this means that the angle of inclination must be such that it can rise or descend without outside help.
Inappropriate ramps
Unfortunately, far from all buildings can be brought the usual accessibility devices. In some situations, it is necessary to produce custom designs for a special project. Use them in places where there is no technical ability to make ordinary ramps for the disabled. Norms during their construction are practically not respected, but on the other hand, they give wheelchairs the opportunity to get into the necessary buildings. Often they are built at the initiative of the disabled themselves.
So, non-standard constructions in width are 85-90 cm, there must be a ramp guard on the sides. It will protect the disabled person from falling and help to stay on the rise. These non-format accessibility devices are made of asphalt or paving stone. These materials provide optimal grip and prevent falling.
Non-normative designs, on the recommendation of disabled societies, may be at a slope of 15% (maximum limit is 18%). But the installation of such structures is allowed only in cases where the developer or owner of the building objectively does not have the opportunity to do otherwise. It is advisable that the span of the ramp does not exceed 7 meters. Disabled people with absolutely healthy hands can climb them on their own.
In residential buildings, buildings in which wheelchairs need to have access (for example, to the social security department, the city administration and others), it is allowed to make non-normative ramps. In the middle, steps are made without fail on which a person pushing a stroller can climb. The width of the internal stairs should be no more than 30 cm, otherwise some strollers simply will not be able to pass. The flanges inside such a ramp (protecting the wheelchair from the possibility of getting on the steps) are not needed.
If you plan to make the accessibility device on the existing steps (pour some of them with concrete), then you need to know that the slope of the ramp for the disabled will be 30% on standard external steps and 50% on internal.
Special designs
In some places, instead of ramps, channels are installed. But as practice shows, this makes no sense. In many wheelchairs, the front wheels are much closer than the rear, in addition, their placement depends on the specific model. Therefore, it is impossible to put the channels so that any wheelchair can pass. Such designs are permissible only in residential buildings, they should be made for a specific stroller.
But it is necessary to place them so that they do not interfere with ordinary people. If the stairs are narrow enough (as is the case in most typical residential buildings), then it is advisable to make a remote or folding ramp.
Important Nuances
Particular attention should be paid to the reversal area. It is necessary in those cases when there is a change in the direction of the ramp. The width of such a platform should be equal to the width of two ramps, and it will be at least 150 cm in length. If the turn is 90 0 , then the width of the span intended for a turn should be greater than the width of the ramp, and the depth should be from 140 cm. increase the area.
It is important to understand how the installation of ramps is carried out in relation to the entrance to the building. This will depend on the type of door, the way they are opened and the direction of the entrances to them. It is advisable that the wheelchair user has access to the door from the side where the opening handle is located. It is also important that a person with disabilities can turn around on this site, turn to the ramp and to the entrance to the doorway.
It is important to think about the placement of the ramp in advance. It is convenient when the door opens in the direction opposite to the accessibility device. If the construction of the building does not allow a sufficiently large area for a turn, then the designers can propose to recess the door - to make a niche, due to which the place of the turn will appear at the wheelchair.
There must be a horizontal platform in front of the ramp and after the end of the inclined plane. But sometimes architects make mistakes. It is important to understand that the device of the ramp will be inferior without a platform in front of it. Even if it is, but its size is smaller than the normative, a disabled person will not be able to drive up to the ramp and use it. It is important that the stroller can fit completely on it. But do not forget about the site at the end of the accessibility device. Thanks to its presence, a person can afford to remove his hands from the wheels or handrails. It should be located strictly horizontally. It must be remembered that it is impossible to place the inclined part immediately from the door or wall.
People's needs
Many do not know why regulatory documents provide for the installation of ramps. These designs are necessary for people with disabilities. At the design stage it is necessary to consider that:
- the premises should be easily accessible to all people so that they have the opportunity to get into any building, house or apartment;
- it is necessary to ensure for all access to the necessary equipment and devices (for example, elevators);
- in the local area should be all the necessary systems.
When designing, it is important to know all the rules that govern the installation of auxiliary structures. So, the slope of the ramp should be from 8 to 10%. In exceptional cases, it is allowed to be up to 18%. But in residential buildings that are equipped with accessibility devices, it can be 50% if they are located on flights of stairs inside the building. As a rule, a removable or folding metal ramp can be located in them.
Separately, it is worth noting that it is allowed to equip houses and buildings not only with ramps, the device of which is regulated by special rules. To provide an accessible environment, ramps or ramps are quite suitable. But channels for wheelchair users, as practice shows, are useless.
Providing an accessible environment
Given the fact that many do not consider it necessary to equip houses, buildings, shops with accessibility devices, the administrative responsibility was fixed at the legislative level for those cases when the head refuses to install a ramp. A photo of such structures makes it possible to choose the most suitable option.
Failure to install an accessibility device is fraught with a fine on both individuals and legal entities. In this case, it is not scary if there is no way to install a ramp. The entrances to the entrance to buildings and premises can be equipped with any other accessibility devices. At the same time, it is permissible to make such constructions in which the disabled can only move with accompanying persons. Compliance with these requirements must be monitored by executive bodies of the federal level, municipalities, and authorities of each constituent entity of the Federation.
For example, a folding ramp can be made at the entrances, the slope of which is 50%. It is clear that a person with disabilities does not have the opportunity to either decompose it on their own or climb it. But he allows the wheelchair to leave the house with an attendant. And in the absence of even such a design, this becomes impossible. Indeed, in order to lower or raise a person in a wheelchair, you need several people who will carry him in their arms.
Rights of people with disabilities
Unfortunately, many people who belong to handicapped groups are not aware of their rights. Every disabled person must be provided with means of accessibility. Otherwise, this is regarded as a restriction of his rights. Therefore, the leaders of the housing and communal services should deal with what should be the device of the ramp, and create all the conditions for the movement of people with limited mobility. By the way, these include not only people with disabilities, but also parents of young children who are carried in a wheelchair, and other categories of the population who have difficulty with the need for independent movement.
Separately, it is worth saying that the consent of other residents is not required to install a ramp in the house. Photos of many house entrances make it possible to understand that not all people understand why they are needed. Some park cars in front of the ramps, others install billboards on platforms suitable for them, making it impossible for people with disabilities to move.
Each person belonging to a handicapped group has the right to sue and demand that a ramp be forcedly installed. Moreover, people with disabilities and other categories of citizens who need accessibility devices may require compensation for non- pecuniary damage. Persons who refuse to install a ramp bear administrative or even criminal liability.