Electric Wheelchair Ramps For Home and Building

Wheelchair ramps are inclined planes which allow wheeled equipments to be transported between different heights. Though initially built for wheelchairs' use, people with strollers, trolleys and carts can also make use of these wheelchair ramps. The multiple benefits of having a wheelchair ramp has made it a common sight inside publicly accessible buildings such as shopping malls and government agencies.In fact, some countries such as America has passed an act that dictates every building should be accessible by wheelchair users. Therefore, most buildings will choose a multipurpose wheelchair ramp over wheelchair lifts.

Most buildings will choose to have the permanent wheelchair ramp installed, this is done by bolting the ramp's handrail to the ground or cementing the whole structure to the ground. Permanent wheelchair ramps are for buildings which are have already identified the access point for the wheelchair users. Ramps are adjusted differently depending on vertical distance it needs to clear. If the stairs were to have a few steps only, a straight gently inclined wheelchair will be suitable. However, if the stairs are steep, a snaking wheelchair ramp will be more suitable as it will be unsightly to see a wheelchair ramp stretching all the way out to the main road outside the building. Moreover, the wheelchair ramp must adhere to international standards in terms of its steepness. It must not be steeper than 1 inch for 12 inches of distance. A gentle sloped wheelchair ramp is definitely the safest way for a wheelchair to ascend.

The traditional way of making wheelchair ramp is to use mainly concrete, however, there is a recent shift towards using steel and aluminum to build the ramp. The reason is that these metals are lighter than concrete and more importantly, they are constructed in a modular way. Sections can be welded together at the joints. It is also easy to remove and sell as used wheelchair ramps to other buildings.

The other type of ramp is the semi-permanent wheelchair ramp. These are structures which need a few strong men to carry into place and commonly used for events where manual and electric wheelchair users are expected. They are temporary set up and usually rented by the event organizers.

The last type of ramp is the portable type. This is usually made of aluminum and carried by the side of the wheelchair user. The lightweight of the portable wheelchair ramps makes it easy to bring around. They are also durable compared to other less desired materials such as wood.

As portable wheelchair ramps are quite personal to the manual electric wheelchair users, it is important the user considers what type of wheelchair is he using and the corresponding safest incline required of the portable wheelchair ramp.You should also know the length of the portable ramp and where will it be deployed most of the time. I will discuss a few of the portable wheelchair ramps available in the market: Roll up ramps can be unrolled into short ramps of 3 or 5 feet. Their light weight makes this kind the lightest of all wheelchair ramps and easiest to carry around. However, they are limited to use for lower steps.
Single fold ramps are sturdy and slightly heavier than roll up ramps.They can easily negotiate mid level inclines with ease. The only drawback is that single-fold ramp does not become smaller when folded, it still takes up a considerable volume to the wheelchair user. Hence, it will troublesome to bring this along your travels. Multiple fold ramps come in 4 sections which are folded to form a heavy 12 feet portable wheelchair ramp. For their robustness, it can handle the heaviest of wheelchairs and steep steps, it can be used to enter vehicles too.

Track ramps is the last variation of portable wheelchair ramps. The length is adjustable depending on the steps and steepness it needs to overcome. Track ramps are sold in pairs. Each ramp forms a track to keep the movement of the wheelchair in a straight manner up and down the ramp. Wheelchair users will not have the danger of veering off the track. Sometimes, stair lifts for building are used as replacement for ramps.

Used electric wheelchair ramps have different specifications depending on the use of it within the environment. In the case of home use, it recommended to use a 3:12 slope that denotes one foot of ramp for every 3 inches vertical rise. As for business use, the ratio will be 1:12 which is a gentler slope than residential use.

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portable ramp for wheelchair

 This article shows some of the different ways portable wheelchair ramps can be used.

If you use a wheelchair or have a loved one who does, even if temporarily, portable wheelchair ramps may be a big help. Stationary ramps outside your home or outside and inside of public buildings are useful. But what about buildings that were built before ramps were required? Or what about dealing with the inside of buildings, maybe even your own apartment or house? Portable wheelchair ramps can help you overcome potential obstacles.

Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Portable ramps can help you get out of vans, overcome stairs where no ramps exist, and navigate the inside of your own home or apartment. Let's look at these individually.

You may have a van for transportation and if getting in and out of the van is tricky, portable wheelchair ramps can help. A track ramp, for instance, is lightweight and is a type of ramp you may see used for this purpose a lot. It's not quite as easy to set up as a multi fold ramp for example, but it can be a reliable and lightweight method for climbing in and out of your van.

A portable ramp for wheelchair users can also help when you're going into territory where no ramps exist or at least you're not sure they do. Portable wheelchair ramps can take the guesswork out and ensure that you can get into buildings that are older and not up to current standards or even historic buildings where permanent ramps are not possible to add to the building. A portable ramp means you are always a part of the action in such cases. If a portable ramp isn't necessary all the time, you can always rent a portable wheelchair ramp instead of buying one.

A portable ramp could even be useful inside your own home or used inside the homes of friends and family. If you're visiting a friend for dinner, for example, and their house doesn't have an outside ramp, portable ramps might be the answer to an easier evening. Your own home or apartment may have places that are difficult or even impossible for you to navigate without help. A portable ramp could put an end to these frustrations.

If you do decide that buying a portable ramp is a good move for you, how do you choose what type to get? There are many types of portable wheelchair ramps and some may be better or worse for you. Consider your lifestyle and that of your family. Are you on the go a lot or do you spend more time at home? Where do you intend to use the portable ramp the most? Is convenience most important to you? Is storage of serious concern? Do you need the ramp to be as lightweight as possible? These questions can help you filter out your portable ramp options.

When actually looking at portable ramps to buy, test out their durability and stability. You may want a lightweight ramp but is it worth it if you feel the ramp is unsteady? Research the different materials the ramps come in and decide what will work best for your needs. Make sure the ramp fits with your wheelchair and that the weight capacity is good enough.

Portable wheelchair ramps can serve many functions and may help make your life a little less complicated and more convenient.



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