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Mobile medical trailers
Mobile medical trailers are commonly modular prefabricated structures built off-site and then transported to their specified locations. They are utilised in both the NHS and the private healthcare sector for various purposes, including but not limited to blood donations, vaccination programs, health screenings, and GP appointment rooms. To facilitate access, an accompanying modular ramp or step unit is often necessary to overcome a door threshold.
What is a temporary classroom?
A temporary classroom typically takes the form of a portable modular structure positioned in a parking lot or within the school's playground. This setup allows students to continue receiving face-to-face learning either on-site or nearby, even when construction activities are in progress. Additionally, an accompanying ramp is often required to connect the building and the ground, addressing the elevation difference.
Custom Access Ramps
With a track record spanning more than three decades, we excel in producing custom access ramps. Like a Meccano kit, our system has modular sections that can be customised in an extensive range of lengths, widths, heights, configurations, and colours to suit different access specifications.
What is a changing places toilet?
A Changing Places Toilet is a large, accessible restroom equipped with additional space and specialised equipment designed to cater to the requirements of individuals with severe disabilities. In contrast to a typical accessible toilet, Changing Places facilities are equipped with amenities such as privacy curtains, lifting hoists, and adult-sized changing benches.
Improvements towards an accessible city
Navigating physical barriers in cities can be a daunting task for many individuals with disabilities. The challenges they face range from a lack of drop kerbs to inaccessible toilets and buildings. However, there are numerous improvements that can be made to reduce these struggles and ultimately create a more inclusive and accessible urban environment. This article explores several suggestions aimed at enhancing accessibility for disabled city dwellers.
What is a modular ramp?
A modular ramp comprises of interchangeable prefabricated sections that are easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured to suit each project’s specific accessibility needs. Similarly to other ramps, they provide access to buildings and spaces for disabled and able-bodied users. In addition, they can often provide walkway access over obstacles such as pipes and cabling during maintenance works.
An accessible London – Rapid Ramp playing its part.
Ensuring accessibility for all individuals in cities, including London, is of utmost importance. While significant improvements have been made in recent years, there is always room for further modifications. At Rapid Ramp, we are committed to doing our part by supporting local authorities, businesses, and schools in their efforts to enhance accessibility. We specialize in providing modular wheelchair ramps, offering practical solutions to facilitate smooth and safe passage for individuals with mobility challenges. By collaborating with various stakeholders, we strive to contribute to the ongoing mission of creating inclusive environments for everyone in our cities.
Wheelchair ramps in Scotland
Rapid Ramp remains committed to serving Scotland with our wide range of public access ramps and steps. Our service packages cater to various needs and include Supply Only, Supply & Installation, and Ramp Rental. These offerings are available across all regions, ensuring accessibility for public access projects throughout Scotland.
How much does a wooden wheelchair ramp cost?
The cost of a wooden wheelchair ramp will depend on various factors, including the design, size, usage, labour time, and if it needs to comply with access regulations, e.g. Document M and K. Unfortunately, a wooden ramp is designed as a one-use option and requires costly, consistent maintenance to prevent warping, rot, splintering, and cracking. Modular steel ramps are far superior in terms of long-term productivity, reusability, cost efficiency and safety (e.g. a fire-resistant material).
Accessibility checklist for polling stations
All individuals, including disabled voters, have the right to convenient access when they visit polling stations, free from obstacles that could hinder their ability to vote. These obstacles may manifest as physical challenges, such as steps, insufficient signage, the absence of accessible toilets, and difficulties with building entrances and exits. This article delves into important accessibility factors for voting personnel, encompassing temporary solutions like ramps.
Stage ramp
Various performers with different mobility levels utilise stages. Within the entertainment industry, service providers such as theatre owners and event organisers must guarantee that performance spaces, including stages, are wheelchair-accessible in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010. Achieving this requirement often involves implementing platform lifts, ramps or incorporating accessibility considerations during the design process.
Do your ramps & steps require building control sign-off?
Specific minimum requirements, safeguards and features are necessary to achieve building control sign-off for ramps and steps. For example, Building Regulations require ramps for public use to accomplish a minimum width of 1500mm, while for dwelling ramps, the minimum is 900mm. Also, ensure that you have assigned a Building Control Officer (BCO) for the project. The term 'building control officer' generally (although not always) refers to an employee of the local authority, whereas 'approved inspector' is a private sector individual or organisation and often is your point of contact for sign-off.
Guide to choosing an access ramp
Access ramps are intended to overcome kerbs, door thresholds and obstructions such as pipes and cabling. Depending on the type of ramp you choose, it may hold a different weight limit, such as our modular ramp has a tested loading capacity of 1,000kg. But, all variations should aid users in scooters and wheelchairs. This guide breaks down questions surrounding choosing ramps, including available types, usage, and compliance with ramp regulations.
Steps with handrails
For safety purposes, we always recommend choosing access steps with handrails included. Handrails are designed to provide the user with stability and support; without them, a user could trip and fall over. Also, if you require sign-off from the building control, a platform is mandatory with any step unit.
Public access steps - complying with regulations
Public access steps often need approval from building control authorities. If your project specification necessitates this, any step system must adhere fully to the requirements outlined in Documents K and M of the Building Regulations. Additionally, it should include other essential safety measures and features to prevent falls, collisions, and injuries in a public environment.
How to make a Christmas market accessible
The holiday season brings joy with its festive atmosphere and various events, such as markets held throughout the UK. Since these gatherings offer a service to the community, it's crucial for them to comply with the 2010 Equality Act, ensuring accessibility for everyone. By incorporating temporary adjustments, individuals with disabilities can enjoy equal opportunities to partake in the festivities.
Recommendations for an inclusive building design
An inclusive design should be implemented from the earliest phases of a building project (design and planning) and considered throughout to ensure standards are maintained. Within the design, the types of signage, lighting, visual contrasts and materials should be reviewed, as well as how access to the building will be accomplished.
Platform slip resistance test
We are delighted to report that the Rapid Ramp Platform continues to provide a professional, tested standard of slip resistance. As evidenced by a recent pendulum test, the mesh platform was successfully evaluated to provide adequate levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions.
How to create an accessible workplace for disabled people?
There are countless reasonable adjustments that employers can and must legally implement to create an accessible workplace for disabled people. Ultimately, improvements are made to empower the disabled workforce and to help individuals efficiently accomplish the day-to-day requirements of their job role.
Fire safety design regulations for schools
It is important that professionals such as designers, contractors, building control officers, fire safety officers and school leaders remain updated with the latest fire safety guidelines and regulations, including the Building Bulletin 100 (BB 100) produced by the Department for Education.
Car park wheelchair ramps
Car parks are used daily by various types of users and often provide access to other service levels, including shopping malls and hospitals. As a service provider, car park owners must ensure these buildings are wheelchair accessible to comply with the Equalities Act 2010. This requirement is often achieved with lift access to different levels and ramps.
What does DDA stand for?
DDA stands for the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The act protects the rights of disabled people, including (but not limited to) those with a physical disability, mental impairment or visual impairment. Please note that The Equalities Act 2010 replaced the Disability Discrimination Act in England, Wales and Scotland.
What is an expanded metal ramp?
An expanded metal ramp has a perforated mesh surface that is often diamond-shaped to allow water to drain through rather than puddle, freeze, or become slippery. The surface is achieved by cutting and stretching sheet metal until it forms the shape required. The same technique is used within our Rapid Ramp manufacturing process.
Aluminium Ramps vs Steel Ramps
This article compares aluminium ramps to modular steel ramps, highlighting the advantages & disadvantages of both materials. Aluminium is desirable due to its lighter weight characteristics for portable ramps; however, it also has an increased theft risk compared to steel for scrap metal opportunists.
Part K – what does it cover?
Part K of the building regulations covers provisions to prevent falls, collisions, and injuries. The document also covers ramps, handrails, ladders, and stairs. Please do get in touch if you require ramps and steps. We have a system for temporary and permanent use.
How to design outside steps?
Outside steps need to withstand exposure from extreme weather conditions and often need to comply with Part M and K of the Building Regulations if they are for public use or provide access to a council-owned dwelling. We further advise a slip-resistant walkway surface and a fire-resistant step system for users’ safety.
Designing a narrow wheelchair ramp
A narrow wheelchair ramp is often appropriate for projects with limited space. We usually only install compact ramps when no other suitable exits are available. However, if a fully compliant system is obligatory regardless, then a reasonable amount of space is needed to achieve the minimum compliant ramp gradient and width.
The Scottish ramp regulations
The Scottish ramp regulations are very similar to guidelines for other parts of the UK. For example, The Part M regulations state that a ramp must achieve a minimum gradient. Buildings and spaces for public use must accomplish a minimum ramp minimum width of 1500mm and can accomplish a minimum compliant gradient of 1:15.
Fire escape guide for disabled people
Everyone, including disabled people, have the right to access safe escape routes and exits in the event of a fire. Those with disabilities and wheelchair users are considered especially at risk. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out the legislation that England and Wales must comply with.
Do Schools Need An Accessibility Plan?
Yes, it is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010 for schools to have an accessibility plan. This needs to be approved by their governing or trust board. Fundamentally, it must support disabled pupils in accessing and benefiting from education, facilities, and services.
Specifying the right airport ramp
When discussing airport access ramps, we first need to look at an example of passenger footfall for context: London Heathrow was one of the world’s busiest airports, with over eighty million passengers passing through in just 2019 alone (Heathrow Airport Limited, 2020).
Improving Hospital Discharges (NHS Long Term Plan)
People in the UK are living longer than ever before. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that in 2019, the life expectancy for women increased to 83.6 years, up four months compared with 2018. For men, this increased to 79.9 years, up three months.
What is a portable ramp?
A portable ramp is an easily removable system that provides temporary wheelchair access over a small step, kerb or entrance into a car. The product is mostly used when a fixed ramp solution such a modular ramp is not required. Portable ramps are made from a variety of materials, e.g. plastic, rubber or aluminium.
Ramps suitable for hospital beds & Patient equipment
Patient-moving equipment such as hospital beds and stretchers are in use daily in healthcare and NHS facilities. At times, these are moved in and out of buildings, and provisions need to be made to allow a quick exit for beds in the event of a fire.
Improving disabled access at UK festivals
Most people can enjoy access to music at any time, anywhere. However, for disabled festival-goers, e.g. wheelchairs users and individuals with disabilities, seeing their favourite band live can be mentally or physically challenging without the correct provisions in place.
What is a DDA compliant Ramp? - Compliance with Disability Discrimination Act
The Equalities Act 2010 replaced the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005 (DDA). However, the term 'DDA compliant ramp' is still commonly used when discussing laws protecting the rights of disabled people to access buildings, services and spaces.
