5 Unique Handrail Projects For Safe Access On Ramps
Installing a handrail on an access ramp is made simple by tube clamps. Getting somebody to fabricate a handrail is usually pretty expensive and can result in long lead times. Tube clamp handrails don’t require any specialised skills or tools and can be easily installed by the customer.
Kee Klamp fittings are flexible and the range contains sloped or angled fittings to suit the pitch of the ramp. The rail can be manouevered on the uprights to suit the slope, then locked in place with the fittings grub screw. The grub screw is tightened with an allen key, making installation quick and easy.
Below are some nice examples showing different handrails on ramps, with all providing an appropriate safe access solution to suit their environment.
1. Access To The Home
The first project was an installation on a small ramp which provided access to the back door of a house. As is usually the case, the ramp had a square landing pad outside the door so that a wheelchair could stop while the door was being opened. Angled flanges were used to turn the handrail from the flat to the sloped surface and provide a neat finish.
Finishing On An End Post
In many cases, the handrail ends can be terminated on the wall of the building using a Wall Flange, but in this case it as important not to disrupt the pebble dashing. For this reason, an end post was placed close to the wall to carry the 2 rails.
2. School Access Ramp
This handrail was installed to provide safe access to kids with visual impairments and so had to be constructed with different considerations in mind. Because of their disability, the rails all needed to be smooth and continuous so that they could run their hands from beginning to end with no interruptions. Our Kee Access fittings work by running smooth with the outer edge of the tube, as opposed to running through the fitting.
Terminating A Disabled Access Rail
The handrail would also need to be terminated in a way to alert the user, rather than just stopping suddenly. To do this, the top and middle rails were joined to form a D-return. This would also mean that loose clothing wouldn’t get snagged on the rail ends.
Disabled Access Handrail Fittings
- Smooth, continuous handrail
- Meets NDA requirements
- Terminated appropriately
- Quick & easy to assemble
3. Metal Ramp Safety Barrier
Mark installed this safety rail at his home to provide a protective barrier around an access ramp. The ramp was used by family and nurses to help in his son into the house in his wheelchair. The rail acted more as a safety barrier than a handrail and would provide a safe option for nurses to gain balance and protect them from the edge of the ramp. Because it wasn’t being used by someone with a disability, a Kee Klamp handrail could be used.
Fixing To Concrete
As the ramp was steel and wasn’t really suitable for fixing to, the uprights were fixed just off it onto the concrete. They were left a little bit longer also so as to still meet the required height from the ramp to the top of the rail. We recommend leaving the overall height at between 900mm and 1100mm.
4. Ramp Access And Edge Protection
This project shows safety barriers providing access to housing estates. The barriers would provide a solid handhold for people and also stop anyone from falling over the edge of the parapet walls which were in place. The customer used a variety of angled and swivel fittings to meet the pitch of each slope, while the uprights were bedded in concrete to provide a secure fixing.
Fixing The Rail To The Parapet
Barriers such as this can also be fixed directly down into the top of the parapet, or palm fixed to the side of it if there is sufficient room. The overall height of the rail should reach a height of 1100mm where there is the chance of a fall, so the uprights may need to be cut at different heights if the parapet doesn’t run parallel with the walkway.
5. Part M Disability Rail
As this rail was used for ramp access for people with special needs, it needed to be constructed in line with Part M of the Building Regulations. The entire surface of the rail was flush and smooth with no terminations, making it an ideal solution. The pitch of the ramp changed very slightly at different points, so a swivel elbow was used to continue the handrail the entire way and ensure no breaks.
NDA Handrails
NDA handrails can also be attached straight to the wall where required. To do so, the rail should follow the same rule at either end and return into the wall to alert the user that it has finished. Handrails should run 300mm by a ramp or steps on either end to allow for the user to get a firm grip on the rail as they approach.
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