Ramps
We supply a large range of ramps for every day use, there are different types of ramps available depending on the need of the user:
- Permanent or semi-permanent ramps (usually for buildings or public access)
- Portable wheelchair ramps (usually for vehicles or small obstacles such as doorway thresholds).
- Portable scooter ramps ( they will carry a much heavier load )
| The Health & Safety guidelines recommend a gradient of 1:12 for general access and unassisted manual wheelchair users, this is very often impossible or impractical due to space constraints or restrictions. Our buying guide gives general information which you may want to consider before purchasing |
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Buying Guide
- Some ramps are designed for manual wheelchairs, some for electric wheelchairs, some for unoccupied wheelchairs and others for occupied. Be sure to check the weight specifications of the ramp to make sure that you are covered, using the wrong ramp can be dangerous
- Try a few ramps and find one which you are comfortable with.
- Rougher surfaces may be required to prevent wheel slippage, unfinished ( un-texturized ) aluminium may be slippery when wet a rough finish or material will grip tires well and prevent slippage
- Aluminium suitcase ramps can often save you in a pinch. They are perfect to bridge the gap from one landing to another when there is no permanent ramp in sight. Suitcase ramps are great for porches, office building entrances, curbs, and they're also very useful when helping wheelchairs move in and out of minivans.
- Fibreglass ramps are a relatively new innovations. Made of extremely fine non-corrosive glass fibres, they are smooth with no sharp edges and can handle any element Mother Nature cares to throw at them.
- If the ramp is for the general public, handrails are a must, Not everyone will be able to push themselves up a wheelchair ramp
- Wheelchair ramps must have a raised edge on the side to keep people from falling off.
- Don't assumes that every wheelchair has the same width wheels. Always check the width of the track,
- Clearance under the scooter or chair, at top of ramp needs to be considered for loading unoccupied power chairs and scooters
- Always make sure that the ramp is the correct lengths, a steep wheelchair ramp is difficult to climb and can be very dangerous ( tipping backwards), the recommended slope for commercial and public access ramps (for most manual chair users) is 1:12 slope (5 deg)
- Flat surfaces are necessary at the bottom and top of the wheelchair ramp.
- Ramps should be carefully ‘tested’ with assistance when first used to confirm their safety in practice for your particular application.
