Your guide to wheelchair ramps and part M building regulations - Modular Wheelchair Ramps
We know that wheelchair ramps & part m building regulations can be confusing so we have condensed down the relevant information regarding wheelchair ramps. Our Modular Wheelchair Ramps are designed to be portable and temporary - therefore they do not need to comply with building regulations (Part M or Part K) - if you require your system to be fully compliant please get in contact as this something we can provide but the specification needs to be carefully aligned with the intended usuage and the installation site.
The following guide is intended to ensure that if a required your Modular Wheelchair Ramp adheres to the highest interpretation of all regulations. Specifically this is Part K; Part M (1 & 6) of the Building Regulations plus BS 8300:2001
Access into a Dwelling - Design Considerations
This information comes from Part M building regulations: Section 6:- (Section 6.9) it is important that the surface of an approach available to a wheelchair user should be firm enough to support the weight of the user and his or her wheelchair and smooth enough to permit easy manoeuvre. It should take account of the needs of stock and crutch users.
- (Section 6.15-a) Has a surface width which is firm and even
- (Section 6.15-b) Ramp flights have an unobstructed width of at least 900mm
- (Section 6.15-c) Ramp flights are not greater than:
- 5m at a 1 in 12 gradient
- 10m at a 1 in 15 gradient
- (Section 6.15-c&d) Ramps exceeding these lengths must have a landing
- (Section 6.15-d) Top and bottom landings and any intermediate landings are at least 1.2m x 1.2m exclusive of any door swings
- (Section 1.26-i) There is a handrail on both sides
- (Section 1.26-f) The ramp surface is slip resistant especially when wet and of a colour that contracts visually
Access into a Dwelling- Handrail Provisions
- (Section 1.37-a) The vertical height to the top of the upper handrail from the pitch line of the surface of the ramp is between 900mm and 1m and from the surface of a landing is between 900mm and 1100mm
- (Section 1.37-e) It contracts visually with the background against which it is seen
- (Section 1.37-g) It terminates in a way that reduces the risk of clothing being caught
- (Section 1.37-h) Handrail profile is either circular with a diameter of between 40mm to 45mm or oval preferably with a width of 50mm
Access into a Dwelling - Stepped Approach
NOTE WHERE THERE APPEARS TO BE A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GUIDANCE IN PART M AND PART K, PART M TAKES PRECEDENCE- (Section 6.17-a) A stepped approach to a landing must have a width of at least 900mm
- (Section 6.17-b) The rise in a flight of steps should not exceed 1800mm
- (Section 6.17-d) Step rises are no more than 150mm and no less than 75mm
- (Section 6.17-e) Step depth should not be less than 280mm
- (Section 6.17-f) Where the step flight has three or more risers there should be a continuous handrail on at least one side of the flight
Part K Building Regulations
Section 2: Ramps- (Section 1.41) Provide guarding at the sides of flights and landings when there is a drop of more than 600mm. Ensure that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any openings in the guarding
- (Section 2.4) Ramps should be clear of any permanent obstruction
- (Section 2.5) Every ramp which has exposed sides should have handrails including upstands of at least 100mm from surface. They should give firm support and allow a firm grip, handrails can form the top of the guarding if the heights can be matched
- (Section 2.6) Ramps should be provided with landings
- (Section 2.7) Ramps and their landings should be guarded at their sides in the same way as stairs