SICO RAMP INFORMATION

SICO RAMP INFORMATION Ramps take up a lot of space, there’s no way around that. In the U.S., building codes require the slope to be 1’ of length for every 1” of rise or 1:12. So, a ramp going to 30”h would need to be 30’ long not counting any landings or guard rail hoops (which will add to the footprint.) Our standard SICO ramp sections are either 6’ long (6” rise) or 8’ long (8”rise.) Additionally, ramps need to have a level area that’s called a “landing” at a maximum of 30’ of travel. A ramp to 72”h would need two intermediate landings. In most cases landings are also turnarounds where the ramp path will make a 90 degree or 180 degree turn. This helps to make a smaller overall footprint. When a person in a wheelchair must make a turn, there needs to be a clear 60” diameter circle of space to allow ample room for the turn. We use 6’ x 8’ platforms for turnarounds as this provides the required space plus allows for the typical 12” extension of handrail hoops as well as adapting well to two 4’w SICO ramp sections where there is a turn which may be 180 degrees. The codes also require 3’ between handrails (which are attached to the guard rails.) SICO ramps are 48”w platforms which allows for the guardrails with attached handrails. On our ramp sections the guard rails are “top mount” so they are within the 4’ ramp section width. On landings/turnarounds the rails can be either top mount, top mount with continuous handrails or edge mount guard rails. Certain configurations will require certain types of rails to work properly. The SICO top mount with continuous handrails will usually connect to the handrails of the ramp section rails so there is no break in the handrails where the ramp meets the landing. Usually, our ramp configurations are not “handed” (as in “left” or “right” handed.) If you can set it up in one direction, usually the mirror configuration is also possible with the same equipment. For higher stages with 6” rises, we can save a customer some cost by using the 8’/8” increment ramp sections up to a common height (24” or 48”) and from that point, switching to the 6’/6” sections to match the height range of the stages. Some customers will first purchase a ramp to only the lowest height of the stages they purchase to save cost and space. They can always add the higher ramp components later. While it limits the use of the stage when a ramp is required, it’s a way to save initial cost. An alternative to a ramps are “wheelchair lifts” available from other companies. A wheelchair lift is basically a small “elevator” platform for one wheelchair at a time which takes up a lot less space than a ramp. The downside to these is that they require electrical power and the length of the time cycle to raise or lower, both of which could be an issue in an emergency.