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Handicapped Accessible Ramps
The following document includes excerpts and examples from the 2018 North Carolina Building Code and the 2009 ANSI A117.1, effective date 1/1/2019. To view the full code click on the link here Chapter 4. Accessible Routes, 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities | ICC Digital Codes (iccsafe.org)
Term Definitions:
- Ramp: a slope or inclined plane for joining two different levels, as at the entrance or between floors of a building.
- Slope: a surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a rising or falling surface.
- Cross Slope: the slope that is perpendicular to the direction of travel.
- Rise / Run: The rise of the ramp is the vertical dimension and the horizontal projection or run of the ramp is the horizontal dimension.
(405.2) Slope:
- Ramp runs shall have a running slope greater than 1:20 and not steeper than 1:12.
Exception:
- In existing buildings or facilities, ramps shall be permitted to have slopes steeper than 1:12 complying with Table 405.2 where such slopes are necessary due to space limitations.
Slope | Maximum Rise |
Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 | 6 inches (150 mm) |
(405.3) Cross Slope:
- Cross slope of ramp runs shall not be steeper than 1:48.
(405.5) Clear Width:
- The clear width of a ramp run shall be 36 inches (915 mm) minimum. Handrails and handrail support that are provided on the ramp run shall not project into the required clear with of the ramp run.
(405.6) Rise:
- The rise of any ramp run shall be 30 inches (760 mm) maximum.
(405.7) Landings:
- Ramps shall have landings at the bottom and top of each ramp run.
405.7.1 Slope:
- Landings shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48, and floor surfaces shall be stable, firm, and slip resistant.
405.7.2 Width:
- Clear width of landings shall be at least as wide as the widest ramp run leading to the landing.
405.7.3 Length:
- Landings shall have a clear length of 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum.
405.7.4 Change in Direction:
- Ramps that change direction at ramp landings shall be sized to provide turning space
- Circular Space: The turning space shall be a circular space with a 60 inch (1525 mm) minimum diameter. The turning space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance.
- T-Shaped Space: The turning space shall be a T-shaped space with a 60-inch (1525 mm) minimum square, with arms and base 36 inches (915 mm) minimum in width. Each arm of the T shall be clear of obstructions 12 inches (305 mm) minimum in each direction, and the base shall be clear of obstructions 24 inches (610 mm) minimum. The turning space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance.
(405.7.5) Doors and Doorways:
- Where doorways are adjacent to a ramp landing, maneuvering clearances required by sections 404.2.3 and 404.3.2 shall be permitted to overlap the landing area. Where a door that is subject to locking is located adjacent to a ramp landing, the landing shall be sized to provide a turning space comply with section 304.3.
404.2.3 Maneuvering Clearances
- Minimum maneuvering clearances at door shall comply with Section 404.2.3 and shall include the full clear opening width of the doorway. Required door maneuvering clearances shall not include knee and toe clearance.
404.2.3.1 Floor Surface:
- Floor surface within the maneuvering clearance shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48
404.2.3.2 Swinging Doors:
- Swinging Doors shall have maneuvering clearances complying with the table below.
TYPE OF USE | MANEUVERING CLEARANCES FOR MANUAL SWINGING DOORS | ||
Approach Direction | Door Side | Perpendicular to Doorway | Parallel to Doorway (beyond latch unless noted) |
From Front | Pull | 60 inches (1525 mm) | 18 inches (455 mm) |
From Front | Push | 48 inches (1220 mm) | 0 inches (0 mm) (3) |
From hinge side | Pull | 60 inches (1525 mm) | 36 inches (915 mm) |
From hinge side | Pull | 54 inches (1370 mm) | 42 inches (1065 mm) |
From hinge side | Push | 42 inches (1065 mm) (1) | 22 inches (560 mm) (3&4) |
From latch side | Pull | 48 inches (1220 mm) (2) | 24 inches (610 mm) |
From latch side | Push | 42 inches (1065 mm) (2) | 24 inches (610 mm) |
- Add 6 inches (150 mm) if closer and latch provided.
- Add 6 inches (150 mm) if closer provided.
- Add 12 inches (305 mm) beyond latch if closer and latch provided.
- Beyond hinge side.
404.2.3.3 Sliding and Folding Doors:
- Sliding doors and folding doors shall have maneuvering clearances complying with the table below.
Approach Direction | MINIMUM MANEUVERING CLEARANCES | |
Perpendicular to Doorway | Parallel to Doorway (beyond stop or latch side unless noted) | |
From Front | 48 inches (1220 mm) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
From non-latch side | 42 inches (1065 mm) | 22 inches (560 mm) (1) |
From latch side | 42 inches (1065 mm) | 24 inches (610 mm) |
- Beyond pocket or hinge side.
404.2.3.4 Doorways without Doors:
- Doorways without doors that are less than 36 inches (915 mm) in width shall have maneuvering clearances complying with the table below.
Approach Direction | MINIMUM MANEUVERING CLEARANCES Perpendicular to Doorway |
From Front | 48 inches (1220 mm) |
From Side | 42 inches (1065 mm) |
304.3 Turning Space Size
- Turning Space shall comply with Section 304.3.1 or 304.3.2
304.3.1 Circular Space
- The turning space shall be a circular space with a 60-inch (1525mm) minimum diameter.
304.3.2 T-Shaped Space
- The turning space shall be a T-shaped space withing a 60-inch (1525mm) minimum square, with arms and base 36 inches (915mm) minimum in width. Each arm of the T shall be clear of obstructions 12 inches (305mm) minimum in each direction, and the base shall be clear of obstructions 24 inches (610mm) minimum.
(405.8) Handrails:
- Ramp runs with a rise greater than 6 inches (150 mm) shall have handrails complying with section 505.
505.2 Location:
- Handrails shall be provided on both side of stairs and ramps.
505.3 Continuity:
- Handrails shall be continuous within the full length of each stair flight or ramp run. Inside handrails on switchback or dogleg stairs or ramps shall be continuous between flights or runs.
505.4 Height:
- Top of gripping surfaces of handrails shall be 34 inches (865mm) minimum and 38 inches (965mm) maximum vertically above stair nosing’s, ramp surfaces and walking surfaces. Handrails shall be at a consistent height above stair nosing’s, ramp surfaces and walking surfaces.
505.5 Clearance:
- Clearance between handrail gripping surface and adjacent surfaces shall be 1 ½ inches (38 mm) minimum.
505.6 Gripping Surface:
- Gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts, other construction elements, or obstructions.
Exceptions:
- Handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom surface of the handrail shall not be considered obstructions, provided the brackets or balusters comply with the following:
- Not more than 20% of the handrail length is obstructed.
- Horizontal projections beyond the sides of the handrail occur 1 ½ inches (38 mm) minimum below the bottom of the handrail, and provided that for each ½ inch (13 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension above 4 inches (100 mm), the vertical clearance dimension of 1 ½ inches (38 mm) can be reduced by 1/8 inch (3.2 mm), and
- Edges shall be rounded.
- Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted to be obstructed along their entire length where they are integral to crash rails or bumper guards.
505.7 Cross Section:
- Handrails shall have a cross section complying with circular and noncircular cross section requirements.
- Circular Cross Section: Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of 1 ¼ inches (32 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum.
- Noncircular Cross Sections: Handrails with a noncircular cross section shall have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches (100 mm) minimum and 6 ¼ inches (160 mm) maximum, and a cross-section dimension of 2 ¼ inches (57 mm) maximum.
(405.9) Edge Protection:
- Edge protection shall be provided on each side of ramp runs and at each side of ramp landings.
Exceptions:
- Edge protection shall not be required on ramps not required to have handrails and that have flared sides. (Flares shall not be steeper than 1:10, if curbs adjacent to the ramp flares are painted, the painted surface shall extend along the flared portion of the curb.
- Edge protection shall not be required on the sides of ramp landings serving an adjoining ramp run or stairway.
- Edge protection shall not be required on the sides of ramp landings have a vertical drop of ½ inch (13mm) maximum within 10 inches (255 mm) horizontally of the minimum landing area specified in Section 405.7.
- Edge protection shall not be required on the sides of ramped aisles where the ramps provide access to the adjacent seats and aisle access ways.
405.9.1 Extended Floor Surface:
- The floor surface of the ramp run or ramp landing shall extend 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the inside face of a railing complying with section 505.
405.9.2 Curb or Barrier:
- A curb shall be provided and be a minimum of 4 inches (100 mm) in height
- Barriers shall be provided and constructed so that the barrier prevents the passage of a 4-inch (100mm) diameter sphere where any portion of the sphere is within 4 inches (100 mm) of the floor.
(405.10) Wet Conditions:
- Landings subject to wet conditions shall be designed to prevent the accumulation of water.
Reference Diagram:
This document has been created to provide you information to guide and assist in construction or modification of handicap accessible ramps. All information was obtained from 2018 North Carolina Building Code and 2019 ANSI A117.1, effective date 1/1/2019. For further guidance and or questions please contact Morehead City Planning & Inspections Department by phone (252)-726-6848 or email MHCPI@moreheadcitync.org.