SOTTER ENGINEERING CORPORATION Consultants
26705 Loma Verde, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Telephone: 949-582-0889 FAX: 949-916-2193
In an independent study conducted by Sotter Engineering Corporation, multiple transition ramps were evaluated against ADA accessibility standards.
The study evaluated seven transition ramps from multiple manufacturers to determine whether they met ADA requirements for slope, level transitions, and accessibility compliance. The testing identified significant differences in performance among the products reviewed.
Ramp ADA Compliance Testing Results
Date tested: 5/17/16
Test no.: 1610-1921
Report date: 1/4/17
Ramps tested: 7
Guidelines for this study were provided by the Department of Justice’s revised regulations for Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010. These regulations adopted revised, enforceable accessibility standards called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, “2010 Standards.” On March 15, 2012, compliance with the 2010 Standards was required for new construction and alterations under Titles II and III. March 15, 2012, is also the compliance date for using the 2010 Standards for program accessibility and barrier removal.
The 2010 Standards set minimum requirements – both scoping and technical – for newly designed and constructed or altered State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Specific to these regulations, the following sections were utilized for this ramp study:
303 Changes in Level
303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303.
EXCEPTIONS
- Animal containment areas shall not be required to comply with 303.
- Areas of sport activity shall not be required to comply with 303.
303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.
303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.
303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406.
And from 405 Ramps:
405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405.
EXCEPTION: In assembly areas, aisle ramps adjacent to seating and not serving elements required to be on an accessible route shall not be required to comply with 405.
405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12.
EXCEPTION: In existing sites, buildings, and facilities, ramps shall be permitted to have running slopes steeper than 1:12 complying with Table 405.2 where such slopes are necessary due to space limitations.
| Ramp Study Results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramp Manufacturer/Model | Ramp Height | 303.2 Vertical Change in Level PASS/FAIL | Ramps Side Slope/Grade | 405 Slope/Grade of Ramp PASS/FAIL | Product Observation | Overall Ramp Rating for ADA Compliance | ||
| PASS/FAIL | Grade | |||||||
| 1 | SAFEPATH PRODUCTS 45-3/4″ L x 17-3/4″ W x 1-1/2″ H MRAEZ 1310 |
1-1/2″ | PASS | 21.2% | PASS | 7.0% | ADA Compliant | PASS |
| 2 | PRIDE MOBILITY PRODUCTS 40-3/4″ L x 17-1/2″ W x 1-1/2″ H Rubber Threshold |
1-1/2″ | PASS | 59.0% | PASS | 7.1% | ADA Compliant comes in multiple pieces | PASS |
| 3 | DISCOUNT RAMPS 35-3/4″ L x 8-7/8″ W x 1-5/8″ H Silver Spring THFS-15 Foam |
1-5/8″ | FAIL | 100% No side approach |
FAIL | 14.5% | Front edge too steep and slope too steep | FAIL |
| 4 | DISCOUNT RAMPS 43″ L x 12-1/2″ W x 1-1/2″ H Silver Spring DH-TR-15 |
1-1/2″ | PASS | 35.5% | FAIL | 11.0% | Slope too steep | FAIL |
| 5 | DISCOUNT RAMPS 42″ L x 24″ W x 2-5/8″ H Silver Spring Rubber DH-UP-8 |
2-5/8″ | FAIL | 100% No side approach |
FAIL | 8.5% | Front edge too steep and slope too steep | FAIL |
| 6 | PEMKO 41″ L x 11-3/4″ W x 1-1/4″ H RR1.25FMR |
1-1/4″ | PASS | 40.5% | FAIL | 8.9% | Slope too steep | FAIL |
| 7 | EZ ACCESS 39.5″ L x 13-7/8″ W x 1-1/2″ H TAEM1.5 |
1-1/2″ | PASS | 76.9% | FAIL | 8.5% | Slope too steep | FAIL |
Key Findings
- Seven transition ramps were independently tested.
- Products were evaluated against ADA accessibility standards.
- Several ramps failed due to excessive slope or transition design limitations.
- Some products did not provide adequate side approach accessibility.
- SafePath and Pride Mobility were the only products in the study that achieved an overall ADA-compliant rating.
- SafePath was identified as an ADA-compliant single-piece transition ramp.
This study confirms that SafePath has the only single piece transition product that exceeds ADA requirements.
The study highlights the importance of selecting transition products that comply with ADA requirements for slope, accessibility, and level transitions.
ADA Compliance Summary
| Manufacturer | Overall ADA Rating |
|---|---|
| SafePath | Pass |
| Pride Mobility | Pass |
| Discount Ramps THFS-15 | Fail |
| Discount Ramps DH-TR-15 | Fail |
| Discount Ramps DH-UP-8 | Fail |
| Pemko | Fail |
| EZ Access | Fail |
This independent study demonstrates the importance of evaluating transition ramps against established ADA standards. Product design, slope, and accessibility performance can significantly impact compliance, making independent testing a valuable resource for architects, contractors, facility managers, and property owners.
Independent testing provides valuable information regarding accessibility performance and helps organizations make informed decisions when selecting transition products.
Click here to view the full Engineering Report (PDF).
Respectfully submitted,
SOTTER ENGINEERING CORPORATION
J. George Sotter, P.E., Ph.D.