Ask Gary ADA

Posted By Gary Renick on December 19, 2008

Patios
In discussing patios, I am also including decks, as many of the design factors apply to both, but there are certain things that are unique to decks. The unique considerations of decks is a subject for a different day. A patio is any outdoor area, usually a poured concrete slab adjacent to an entrance to the main house. Usually there is an elevation change of 3” to 4” from the indoor floor level to the patio level. This is dealt with by using what is known as a zero threshold. This means that the elevation change is handled by a gradual change using a ramp about 24” long from the threshold of the door to the level of the patio. If this is being done during the construction phase of the house, this ramp can be blended in to both slabs so that it is not noticeable, or the entire patio is poured so that there is a slight slope from the entrance away form the house. Note: If this is a remodel and the ramp is not going to be blended in, then a 1” curb must be placed on both sides of the ramp to prevent a wheelchair from rolling off the sides of the ramp. As for the area of the patio itself, the only concern is the furniture placement. You must remember to leave enough space for a wheelchair to maneuver. This means an aisle of 36” or more and an area of at least 60” to allow enough space to turn around. The last thing we will look at for the patio is, again, a change in elevation. Also, remember that this only applies when going from the slab to a grass area or garden path. In that case we would use what is called a cut-in ramp. I will discuss this kind of ramp and many others in a future post. Accessible design for a deck involves mainly changes in elevation. In addition we need to concern ourselves with slipping and tripping. Again I will cover this in detail in a future post.

Categories: Do-it-yourself, Handicap Issues, Residential Standards
Tags: accessibility, accessible, accessible home design, powerchair, Remodeling Ada Handicap Compliance, Simple Wheelchair Accessibility Modifications, Wheel Chair Accessible Home, Wheel Chair Accessible House, wheelchair, wheelchair accessible, Wheelchair Accessible Remodeling Ada, Wheelchair Accessible Remodeling Adaptive