Wheelchair Ramp Buying Guide

The Ramp People's Wheelchair Ramps are amongst the UK's best-selling mobility ramps and are used extensively in the NHS, the healthcare and nursing home industries, as well as by private individuals. We understand that specifying a ramp to suit your needs perfectly can be overwhelming, so we have written this guide to help ensure that you get the best ramp for your purposes.

Measurements

To ensure you select the correct ramp, first we will need the dimensions of the place you are placing the ramp, 2 simple dimensions first the total vertical rise from ground up to where the ramp will rest which we call "load height", second will be the total depth of the steps to ensure the ramp will be long enough to overcome the steps.

Ramp Length

For manual wheelchairs we would recommend a minimum gradient of 1:6. Thus, for example, for a 1 foot rise (load height) you'll need a 6 foot long ramp. For mobility scooters we recommend a minimum gradient of 1:8. Thus, for example, for a 1 foot rise (load height) you'll need a 8 foot long ramp. Mobility scooter ramps need to be longer due to the low ground clearance. Alternately you can use our Wheelchair ramp calculator by clicking on image below:

Width

It's worth remembering that your ramp needs to be wide enough to accommodate your wheelchair/mobility scooter, yet narrow enough to fit into the threshold you are bridging.

Buying for a Business ?

Wheelchair ramps are one of the easiest ways to make your business instantly accessible for disabled customers and most of the time you can achieve accessibility, please check our Making your business accessible resource centre .In this resource centre, you’ll find plenty of handy guides and tips on everything from the importance of accessibility in business.

Wheelchair Ramps Options

Channel Ramps Used to access vehicles, bridge steps and kerbs Flexible in terms of compactness, portability, weight, length and use Not recommended for mobility scooters due to side walls; Perfect allowing manual wheelchairs to overcome narrow doorways
Threshold Ramps Used to bridge single steps and thresholds Available in aluminium, fibreglass and rubber Designed to be highly durable and incredibly easy to install

Folding Folds down to half its width making it perfect if it needs to be moved regularly Lightweight, durable and have an anti-slip grip surface Suitable for manual, electric wheelchairs or scooters

Multi-folding Ramps This range folds to half its length and then to half its width, very compact! These ramps are solid, durable and have a choice of anti-slip grip surface Suitable for manual, electric wheelchairs or scooters Available in lengths up to 10ft
Premium
Bi-Fold Comprises of 2 halves that lock together when in position Available in longer lengths, 1.8-2.7m, perfect for higher rises Incredibly lightweight but strong
Cross-Fold Folds to half its length, making it extremely easy to store Lightweight, strong and have an anti-slip grip surface
Length-Fold Folds down the length of the ramp Boasts a 300kg capacity Requires no installation or fixing
Non-Folding Available in shorter lengths making them perfect for lower rises Quick and easy to setup