A Complete Guide to Measuring, Safety & Accessibility
When choosing a portable ramp, it's easy to focus on factors such as price, weight or portability. However, one of the most important considerations is selecting the correct ramp length.
A portable ramp that is too short can create a steep incline, making it difficult and potentially unsafe for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and carers. On the other hand, choosing the right ramp length ensures safe, comfortable and reliable access while promoting greater independence for people with reduced mobility.
Whether you're purchasing a portable ramp for your home, business, school, healthcare facility or public building, understanding how to choose the correct length is essential.
In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know, including how to measure the rise, understand ramp gradients, consider different mobility aids and choose the safest solution for your needs.
The length of your portable ramp directly affects how safe and easy it is to use.
A longer ramp creates a gentler incline, making it easier for wheelchair users and mobility scooter users to travel up and down safely. A ramp that is too short creates a steeper slope, requiring greater effort and increasing the risk of instability.
Choosing the correct portable ramp length helps to:
At Portaramp, we help customers choose the most suitable portable wheelchair access ramp for their environment, ensuring the solution is safe, practical and fit for purpose.
Before choosing a portable ramp, you'll need to measure the rise.
The rise is the vertical height between the ground and the surface you want to access.
For example, this could be:
Using a tape measure, record the height from the ground to the top of the step or threshold.
Accurate measurements are essential. Even small differences in height can affect which ramp length is most suitable.
If you're measuring several entrances or locations, it's worth recording each measurement separately before selecting your ramp.
Once you've measured the rise, the next step is understanding ramp gradient.
The gradient refers to how steep the ramp will be once it's in position.
Generally speaking, the longer the ramp, the gentler the slope.
A gentler gradient offers several advantages:
As a general guide, you can use the following examples:
| Rise | Suggested Ramp Length* |
|---|---|
| 100mm | 1.2m |
| 150mm | 1.8m |
| 200mm | 2.4m |
| 300mm | 3.6m |
*These examples are for illustrative purposes only. The appropriate ramp length depends on the user's mobility equipment, whether assistance is available and the intended environment. Always seek professional advice when selecting a ramp.
For commercial settings or public buildings, it's also important to consider current accessibility guidance and operational requirements when determining the most appropriate gradient.
Not every portable ramp is suitable for every user.
Understanding who will be using the ramp will help ensure you choose the right length and design.
Wheelchair Users
Manual wheelchairs often require a gentler gradient, particularly for users travelling independently.
If a carer is providing assistance, a slightly steeper ramp may be manageable, depending on the situation.
Powered wheelchairs can usually negotiate steeper gradients than manual chairs, although user comfort and safety should always remain the priority.
Mobility Scooter Users
Mobility scooters typically have:
As a result, they often benefit from longer ramps with generous widths to provide a stable, comfortable transition.
Choosing the correct portable ramp helps ensure smooth access without grounding or instability.
People Using Walking Aids
Portable ramps can also benefit people using:
For these users, a gentle slope improves confidence and reduces the physical effort required when entering or leaving a building.
The intended location plays an important role when choosing a portable ramp.
Different environments present different accessibility challenges.
Homes
Portable ramps are ideal for overcoming:
Because they're lightweight and easy to store, they're a practical alternative to permanent ramps for many homeowners.
Businesses often need temporary or portable solutions to improve accessibility without carrying out costly building work.
Portable ramps provide an effective way to create step-free access for customers while remaining easy to deploy when required.
Educational environments need safe and reliable accessibility solutions that can adapt to changing requirements.
Portable ramps offer flexibility for classrooms, temporary buildings and entrances where permanent installations aren't practical.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, GP surgeries, clinics and care homes regularly use portable ramps to improve access for patients and visitors with reduced mobility.
Reliable, lightweight ramps help staff provide assistance quickly and safely.
Temporary Events
Portable ramps are also ideal for:
Their portability makes them easy to transport, install and remove as required.
Ramp length isn't the only specification to think about.
You should also consider the combined weight of:
Selecting a ramp with an appropriate weight capacity ensures safe, reliable performance and helps prolong the lifespan of the product.
Always check the manufacturer's recommended load limits before use.
Longer ramps generally offer the safest and most comfortable experience - but they can also be larger to transport and store.
This is where material choice becomes important.
At Portaramp, our portable ramps are manufactured from lightweight aluminium, providing an excellent balance between strength and portability.
The benefits include:
This allows users to benefit from longer, safer ramps without unnecessary weight.
Choosing a portable ramp doesn't have to be complicated, but avoiding these common mistakes can save time, money and frustration.
Guessing the Measurements: Always measure the rise accurately before selecting a ramp.
Choosing a Ramp That's Too Short: A shorter ramp may seem more convenient, but it often creates a steeper incline that can be difficult or unsafe to use.
Ignoring Weight Limits: Ensure the ramp is suitable for the combined weight of the user and their mobility equipment.
Forgetting About Storage: Consider where the ramp will be stored when it's not in use.
Lightweight folding ramps can make transportation and storage much easier.
Buying Based on Price Alone: The cheapest ramp isn't always the safest or most durable.
Investing in a quality portable ramp provides greater reliability, safety and long-term value.
Aluminium has become the preferred material for portable ramps thanks to its unique combination of strength and lightweight performance.
Compared with other materials, aluminium ramps offer:
These qualities make aluminium portable ramps suitable for homes, commercial premises, healthcare settings and public buildings alike.
With more than 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing safe access solutions, Portaramp is recognised as one of the UK's leading specialists in portable ramps.
We provide bespoke accessibility solutions for organisations across the rail, aviation, healthcare, education, hospitality and commercial sectors.
Our end-to-end service includes:
Whether you require a portable wheelchair ramp for a single entrance or a bespoke accessibility solution for a complex environment, our experienced team is here to help.
Selecting the correct portable ramp length is one of the most important decisions you can make when improving accessibility. By measuring the rise accurately, considering the ramp gradient, understanding the needs of the user and choosing a ramp that's appropriate for the environment, you can create a safer and more comfortable experience for everyone.
At Portaramp, we understand that every access challenge is different. That's why we work closely with customers to recommend portable ramp solutions that are practical, reliable and tailored to their specific requirements.
Whether you're looking for a portable wheelchair ramp for your home, a commercial access solution or a bespoke ramp for a specialist application, our team is here to help.
Get in touch with Portaramp today to discuss your requirements or explore our range of portable wheelchair access ramps and discover the right solution for your accessibility needs.
