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.

Strength

Steel is a much stronger material and can withstand greater weight limits without bending or deforming.

Our own steel modular ramp has a loading capacity of 1,000kgs and can safely support high volumes of public footfall, hospital beds, moving trollies, heavy medical equipment, wheelchairs, prams, and mobility scooters.

Usage

Aluminium is a light material suitable for portable style ramp products such as suitcase ramps, which can be independently lifted and put down. Portable ramp products are particularly useful at providing temporary access to dwellings.

Aluminium ramps

In comparison, our steel Rapid Ramp is a heavier and denser product making it suitable as a semi-permanent or permanent installation.

Its modular design also enables the product to be easy to reconfigure for endless application and specification needs.

Suitable projects for a Rapid Ramp continue to include residential buildings, heritage sites, listed buildings, hospitals, schools, modular offices, units, and classrooms. >Click For Case Studies<

Question: Do you need a fully compliant ramp?

It’s important to note that if your ramp must comply to P art K and M of the Building Regulations and/or DDA requirements, then you will need a fixed ramp system.

The following must be included:

Minimum gradient and width:

Dwelling applications - minimum gradient of 1:15, minimum width 900mm. We recommend 1000mm for extra manoeuvrability.
Public applications - minimum gradient of 1:15 and minimum width of 1500mm.

The system must also include the following compliant features:

Warm to touch, 900MM Infill Handrails - included on the ramped sections to prevent users from climbing or falling through gaps.

Yellow Tread Strips - A safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp or a change in level.

Trombone Ends - These are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes from snagging.

Slip-Resistant Ramp Platform – such as self-draining mesh platform to allows water to pass through rather than puddle on the surface and potentially freeze.

1100mm High Rail – These handrails attach to any level sections.
Rest Platform - A rest platform at every 5 metres of ramp is required to allow the user to pause.

We do a fully compliant ramp system designed with the highest standards of provisions to prevent falls, collisions, and injuries in public settings such as schools, hospitals, shops, offices and heritage sites >>Learn more<<

The project specification should help determine if a portable aluminium ramp or semi-permanent steel ramp will be the best option.

Corrosion Resistance

An aluminium ramp is does not rust. On the other hand, steel must be treated to ensure its corrosion resistant. For example, the steel components of the Rapid Ramp System are zinc coated, and hot-dip galvanized in accordance with BS EN ISO 14713-2:2020, creating a non-conductive, slip-resistant and scratch resistant surface.