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Ramps, Walkways and Landings

Ramps, Walkways and Landings


Common Issues


  • Steeper than 1:14 max. gradient and/or more than 9 m max. length between landings
  • Min. landings sizes not achieved clear of handrails and kerb rails.
  • Kerb ramp top landings less than 1500 mm length required for 90 degrees turn.
  • Uneven landings, i.e., steeper than 1:40 gradient/crossfall.
  • Threshold ramps at doorways above 35 mm
  • External threshold ramps at doorways with no drainage


Design


Ramps (Between 1:14 and 1:20)

  • Gradient - Maximum 1 in 14 where the ramp exceeds 1900 mm in length
  • Length – 9000mm max (for 1:14 ramp)
  • Length – 15000mm max (for 1:20 ramp)
  • Setback - 900mm from line of boundary or 400mm from line of partition wall
  • Landing – 1200mm or 1540mm where change of direction (additional requirements where door in landing)
  • Advise the architect to add tolerance in the ramp grade on the drawing so it is not a max or a minimum (so ramp does not become non-compliant)

Door Threshold Ramps


Threshold ramps at doorways on a continuous path of travel must:

  • Rise - 35 mm maximum
  • Length of 280 mm maximum
  • Gradient - 1:8; maximum
  • Distance to Door - 20 mm (measured from top of ramp to door)
  • Edges – 45° splay where not abutting a wall
  • ​​​​​​​Weatherproof - threshold ramps to exterior doors should be reviewed to determine whether there is a requirement for the door to be weatherproof. A strip drain should be considered adjacent to the external door.


Step Ramp

  • Rise – 190mm maximum
  • Length – 1900mm maximum
  • Gradient – 1:10 (not steeper)
  • Edges – 45° splay, minimum 450mm high wall/barrier or kerb rail where balustrade is provided
  • Landing – 1200mm or 1500mm where change of direction (additional requirements where door in landing)


Kerb Ramp

  • Rise – 190mm maximum
  • Length – 1520mm maximum
  • Gradient – 1:8 (not steeper)
  • Landing – 1200mm or 1500mm x 2000mm at T-Intersection or 1500mm x 1500mm at single change of direction


Handrails (required for 1:14 ramp)

  • Height – 865mm to 1000mm
  • Setback from Wall – 50mm minimum
  • Handrail Size – 30 to 50mm
  • Clear Width – 1000mm (measured between internal edges of handrails) Length – 300mm minimum extension past ramp on either side
  • Terminations - 180° turn, turn 180° and return to post, return to floor/post, down 90° to floor and           90° into side wall
  • Kerb Rail – 150mm minimum


Tactiles (required for 1:14 ramp)

  • Colour contrasting (minimum 30% with floor)
  • Location – top and bottom of ramp
  • Setback – 300 ± 10 from end of ramp
  • Length – 600 to 800mm or 300 to 400mm where landing less than 3000mm in length
  • Width – 1000mm minimum (distance between handrails)




Codes and Standards

  • National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia – Volume 1
  • AS1428.1 Design for access and mobility - General requirements for access - new building work – Section 7


Document Control


Version 1 November 2022 – New Guide

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