Ramps to avoid stairs and obstacles
Stairs are a great way to go from one level of a building to another, but they’re not always the most suitable way if you’re carrying something heavy or bulky, or there are other circumstances that make it difficult to use the stairs. Many older places have stairs at the entrance, but don’t have any alternative for mothers with a pram or a pushchair or people in wheelchairs. A procession of people might also prefer a more gradual ascent or descent than you get with stairs. In cases like these, and others, the thing that you need is a ramp.
Naturally, there are other kinds of obstacles that might be difficult for people to overcome. A permanent or temporary platform at a higher level than the surrounding surface will require a ramp, and even a high pavement can sometimes need one. Preparing for an event in a historic town square or similar location may well involve different levels which must be incorporated into the set-up and communicated using ramps.
As events take place with the presence of public, there may be norms and rules regarding aspects affecting ramps such as:
- The maximum gradient allowed in the ramp;
- The dimensions – and particularly the width – of the platforms used to make the ramp;
- The frequency of landings along the ramp, to allow people to rest if necessary;
- Whether elements such as chair-stops or safety rails are obligatory, and if the dimensions are stipulated.
Please get to know the rules regarding ramps in your country when inquiring about a ramp.
With GUIL’s ramps, you can build the ramp you need for every event. The shape, length, width and inclination can be configured as necessary in each case, with the length and inclination being interdependent, of course. The gradient should be no steeper than 1 in 10, and possibly less, so that people can walk up without excessive effort: for a 1-metre-high platform, the ramp should be 10 metres long. We would also recommend the use of handrails on both sides of the ramp.
Depending on the space available, a ramp can be built in a number of shapes: straight, in zig-zag, around an obstacle such as a raised platform. Let us help you to design the best ramp for you.
PLATFORMS: Our ramps are made with our standard TM440 stage decks, manufactured in strong phenolic plywood board and EN AW 6063 80-T6 aluminium alloy frames, with a rough-texture surface which ensures a sure grip for users, be they walking or on wheels, as well as excellent fire-resistant properties.
The decks also have the continuous rail, a slot running along every element of the frame, where accessories such as handrails or access stairs are attached.
LEGS: The legs for our ramps are the same models that we use for our platforms, with numerous internal veins for maximum strength. Of the various models of leg that we produce, for use on ramps we recommend the fixed legs with levellers, which provide quick adjustment of up to 5cm, to individually fit each leg to a perfect height and make a supremely stable and solid ramp, even when it is being set up on irregular terrain.
When the ground is particularly uneven, you will probably need to use our telescopic legs, which can be ordered with or without the levellers, which offer a greater range of adjustment but retain the final touches with the screw foot.
CONNECTORS: The TMU-01 deck-to-deck connector and the TMU-02 deck-to-deck clamp (1 of each free with every TM440 platform) and the TMU-04 leg-to-leg clamp (1 free with every 4 telescopic legs of 70-120cm or more) – all standard items when making stages with the TM440 decks – guarantee that the platforms are all joined together to make a stable, cohesive unit that ensures the safety of all users. We recommend buying extra TMU-01 and TMU-02 connectors and using two of each one on every side that connects with another platform.
RAMP STARTER KITS: The only items produced specially to make ramps, GUIL’s ramp starter kits (Ref. RMP-01 and RMP-03) include an aluminium starter plate (40cm for the RMP-01 and 100cm for the RMP-03) with connectors, 10cm fixed-length legs for the bottom platform of the ramp, and two angle-adjustable telescopic legs for the top platform.
HANDRAILS: A ramp can often be required to reach a height of 1 metre, and we strongly recommend the use of handrails along the sides to ensure the safety of the users. GUIL’s TMQ collection of handrails comes equipped as standard with chair-stops, as well as all the necessary connectors to join them to the platforms and to each other. The handrails are available in 500 mm, 1000 mm and 2000 mm lengths.
ACCESSORIES: The continuous rail along the frame elements allows safety rails and chair-stops to be fitted to any platform, to guarantee the safety of the people using the ramp.
GUIL’s stage platforms are easy to set up, and the connectors and leveller legs mean the ramp can be assembled and adjusted to provide a solid and reliable surface for people of reduced mobility. You can use the same decks, legs, connectors, handrails, etc, to make a stage or a ramp, according to what you need on each occasion.
The phenolic film covering and sealed edges of the boards, combined with the aluminium frames, means that the TM440 stage platforms are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. They are not made for long-term installation outdoors, but can be left in place for a few days if the event requires it.
GUIL’s stage decks are strong and versatile, and are available in several standard sizes, as well as in special sizes and shapes, such as triangular, which allow large landings to be made for a ramp if necessary. With them, you can plan and build the ramp that you need, in a number of formats according to the requirements of the terrain where it will be installed.
GUIL manufacture platforms with the strength, versatility and other conditions to make events with our ramps and platforms a resounding success. The platforms themselves can be used to make ramps, stages, choir risers, grandstands for spectators at sporting events,… The list is as varied as the kinds of events that need to be organised. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice on how to get the most out of your platforms.
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