Wheelchair access ramp- front door?

MoonB

Hi Folks,

Building a new house in the country and the builders put the wheelchair ramp at the front door instead of the back. Think it looks really weird, no step at front door, just a big slope of concrete on all sides right up to front door. No level area at front door at all! Do you know if the building regulations now require wheelchair access at the front door or is the back door sufficient?

Thanks!

Poor Uncle Tom

You should get your answers here....
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1655,en.pdf

Your wheelchair/disabled access should be to the MAIN ENTRANCE to the dwelling.

sydthebeat

MoonB wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Building a new house in the country and the builders put the wheelchair ramp at the front door instead of the back. Think it looks really weird, no step at front door, just a big slope of concrete on all sides right up to front door. No level area at front door at all! Do you know if the building regulations now require wheelchair access at the front door or is the back door sufficient?

Thanks!

firstly, as PUT has linked to, what is required is 'sloped access'... in my opinion its a very unimaginative and aesthetically displeasing solution just to pour a mass concrete 'ramp'....

i always recommend that the ground level around the access (which should be the MAIN ENTRANCE !!) be built up to create this sloped access.

also, a 1200mm level area should be provided outside the access.

Contact the professional that is certifying the build and ask their advise...

MoonB

Thanks to you both for replies. Answers the first question, the access does have to be the front door.

Sydthebeat, you say a 1200mm level area should be provided outside the access. Does this mean a flat area just outside the front door or a flat area on the driveway before the 'ramp' starts? At the moment there is no flat area by the door, it starts sloping at the front door.

Thanks!

Poor Uncle Tom

Flat level area is meant to be just outside the door and also remember the maximum step of 15mm (this includes the threshold)

r-i-tect

MoonB wrote: »

Sydthebeat, you say a 1200mm level area should be provided outside the access. Does this mean a flat area just outside the front door or a flat area on the driveway before the 'ramp' starts? At the moment there is no flat area by the door, it starts sloping at the front door.

Thanks!

Try to imagine the difficulty that someone will have trying to access the entrance while standing on a slope, simple error that is constantly done on a daily basis.

Mellor

Ramps should not be built into any new dwelling. Its just poor design.
And should only be used as a retrofit solution.


Given a blank slate, you should provide level access. This is a gentil slope (1 in 20 max) up to the door, that has no noticeable start, finish or edges.