Question

The facility must provide wheelchair access into the building by use of ramps and curb breaks, and Ramps must not slope more than ____ unit(s) of rise to ____ unit(s) of run.

a) 1 unit of rise to 12 units of run
b) 1 unit of rise to 14 units of run
c) 1 unit of rise to 16 units of run
d) 1 unit of rise to 18 units of run

Answer 1

The slope for wheelchair ramps as required by the ADA is 1 unit of rise to 12 units of run, ensuring that ramps are safe and accessible for individuals using wheelchairs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question is related to the slope of ramps as required for wheelchair access under the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, the ADA stipulates that ramps must have a slope no steeper than 1 unit of rise to 12 units of run, which corresponds to approximately an 8.33% incline. This requirement ensures that ramps are not too steep for individuals using wheelchairs to navigate safely and independently.

Considering the given options, the answer is a) 1 unit of rise to 12 units of run. This means for every inch of height change, there must be at least 12 inches of length (or for every meter of height change, there must be at least 12 meters of length, and so on). This ratio allows for ease of use and is a critical specification in the design of accessible buildings and structures.