Will a wheelchair ramp fit safely at my home?
Check the entrance and landings, then match the ramp to the occupied wheelchair, intended slope, total load and wet-weather conditions. Have an occupational therapist assess use and a competent installer check support and fixing before an occupied trial. Factory evidence can be coordinated by Cambridge China Bridge.
Measure the whole entrance before choosing a ramp
Record the vertical rise, available horizontal space, clear doorway width and threshold profile. Photograph the door open and closed, including its swing, handles and any storm door. Sketch the approach and level landings at the top and bottom. Allow space for the occupied chair and helper to stop, turn and operate the door without standing on the slope.
Ask an occupational therapist to assess the intended user's access, with a competent installer reviewing the site. Agree usable ramp length and gradient from the measured rise, wheelchair instructions and user's abilities. Do not choose length from threshold height alone. Check crossfall, drainage, uneven ground and whether the deployed ramp obstructs another person's route or prevents the door closing.
Match the ramp to the occupied wheelchair
Send the ramp supplier the wheelchair model, occupied weight, overall width, wheel arrangement and ground clearance. Check usable ramp width between edge upstands, caster clearance and the transitions onto and off the ramp. Separate channel ramps need explicit compatibility confirmation: front casters and rear wheels may follow different tracks, and a helper also needs secure footing.
Read the wheelchair manufacturer's slope limits and instructions for braking, anti-tip devices and assisted use. A ramp can carry the load yet still be unsuitable because the chair grounds at the crest or becomes unstable. Keep wheelchair product checks separate; our wheelchair and mobility scooter guide covers those purchasing questions.
Verify loading and structural support
Calculate the combined load of the user, wheelchair, carried equipment and any helper who will stand on the ramp. Ask whether the stated capacity applies to the complete ramp or an individual channel, and which span, slope and support arrangement it covers. Request evidence for the exact model, including concentrated wheel loads, repeated use, hinges and locking mechanisms. Use our test report checks to examine report authenticity and coverage.
Have the installer check the bearing surfaces, required overlap, restraint against sliding, fixings and any intermediate supports against the manufacturer's instructions. A door sill may be unsuitable as a structural support. Reject improvised bricks, loose packing or unapproved drilling. Inspect the delivered ramp for transport damage, cracked welds, loose fasteners and locks that do not engage.
Check grip in the conditions you will encounter
Ask for slip-resistance evidence identifying the exact surface, test method and wet or contaminated conditions assessed. HSE strongly recommends against using sled tests to assess wet or contaminated floors. That advice concerns pedestrian footing; it does not establish wheelchair tyre traction. Ask separately about wheel grip, braking and the helper's footwear on the intended slope.
Check how water drains and how grit, leaves and mud will be removed. Ask how the surface wears, how grip strips are replaced and which cleaning products are suitable. Agree when weather conditions mean the ramp should not be used. A patterned metal surface or an 'anti-slip' label is insufficient evidence. Put these points into the pre-shipment inspection brief.
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Agree installation, assistance and aftercare
Before an occupied trial, have the installer confirm correct assembly and support, and the occupational therapist agree a safe trial plan with the user and helper. Do not use the person as a test load. Confirm who deploys, secures, checks and stores a portable ramp, whether they can manage its weight, and what happens if the chair stalls or the usual helper is unavailable.
Obtain English instructions, a maintenance checklist, replacement-part details and a named contact for faults. Stop use if the ramp moves, bends, cracks or loses grip, and arrange review. Keep tax questions separate through our disability equipment import relief guide. Cambridge China Bridge's staff in China can collect factory evidence and check supplied details against the agreed specification; home suitability needs assessment at the actual site.
Frequently asked questions
How long should my wheelchair ramp be?
Measure the rise and available horizontal space, including landings. Agree length and gradient using the wheelchair instructions and an assessment of the user's abilities. Threshold height alone is insufficient.
Can I use channel ramps with any wheelchair?
Do not assume compatibility. Confirm that casters and rear wheels remain supported throughout travel, with clearance for anti-tip devices and safe footing for any helper.
Does the ramp weight limit include the wheelchair?
Ask the manufacturer to confirm what its rating covers. Compare it with the user, wheelchair, carried equipment and any helper on the ramp, under the specified support arrangement.
Can I use my wheelchair ramp in the rain?
Only after suitability for wet use has been assessed. Check surface evidence, tyre grip, braking, helper footing and drainage. Follow the manufacturer's restrictions and stop use if grip is uncertain.