ADA- Compliant Ramp Checklist
Page 1
ADA-Compliant Ramp Checklist
____ 1. Slope: The steepest slope that an ADA
ramp can have is 1:12 which means for every inch
of threshold rise, the ramp must be at least 12″
(one foot) long.
____ 2. Length: the length of the ramp is directly
related to the height between the ground and the
bottom of the door along with the required
slope. For example, you want a ramp that will give
access to a building that is set above ground level,
and when you measure from the bottom of the door to the ground, the rise is 40″. To make sure
that your ramp is not steeper than the 1:12 ratio, your ramp needs to be 40′ long (40″ x 12″).
____ 3. Number of platforms: One additional platform is required for every additional 30 feet
of ramp. Why? Because the platforms serve as resting areas, and the Americans with Disabilities
Act determined that after 30 feet of continuous run, a resting area is needed.
____ 4. Platform size: The platforms at the top and bottom of a ramp must be at least 60″ x 60″.
If there are platforms in the middle of the ramp run, the platforms must be as wide as the widest
part of the ramp run that it connects to, and it must be at least 60″ long. For example, if you have
an 8-foot wide ramp section that leads into a landing and then continues on to a 6-foot wide ramp
section, the platform must be at least 8′ wide. IF the ramp changes directions, the platform(s) in
between the direction change must be at least 60″ x 60″. View the recommended platform sizes
for specific ramp layouts and the various door swing options.
Page 2
____ 5. Clearance between handrails: The minimum
clearance between the ramp handrails is 36″ so that a
wheelchair can fit between the handrails with ease.
____ 6. Handrail length: The handrail must be at least 24″
longer than the total length of the ramp. For freestanding
ramps, handrails should extend 12″ past the ramp on both the
top and bottom of the ramp. It must also be continuous within
the entire stretch of the ramp.
____ 7. Handrail perimeter: The handrail perimeter must be between 4″ and 6.25″ to be
compliant. View a composite list of all handrail requirements.
____ 8. Baluster spacing: Balusters are
required on ADA ramps to provide
protection against falling. The balusters
must not be spaced farther than 4″ apart
from one another so that a child cannot
slip through the space.
____ 9. Guardrail: The guardrail, which
is different than the handrail, must be at least 42″ from the walking surface to prevent people
from falling over the side of the ramp.
____ 10. Kick-plate: The kick-plate is located along the edges of the ramp, and it must extend
upward from the walking surface so that there is no more than 4″ between the top of the kick-
plate and the lower guardrail.
