Are your concrete surfaces safe?
Are your concrete surfaces safe for customers, employees, or any other visitor to your facility? Let’s walk through federal standards and common issues with sidewalks, curbs, and ramps.
ADA Standards for Curbs, Ramps, and Sidewalks
The Americans with Disabilities Act set standards for common pedestrian traffic areas. To be ADA-compliant, your surfaces must follow these standards.
- Sidewalks should have a slope of 1:12 or less. This means that for every 1 inch of height, there needs to be 12 inches of length).
- There should be no horizontal change or lift greater than ¼ inch.
- Curb ramps follow the same slope guidelines as sidewalks. Landings should be between 36 to 48 inches and the minimum width of the curb ramp is 36 inches.
- Ramps should not be longer than 30 feet without a landing. Ramps with slopes greater than 1:15 should have landings at the top and bottom.
Keeping Concrete Surfaces Safe
The easiest way to keep your concrete surfaces like sidewalks and ramps safe is to clean them often. Sweeping and power-washing these surfaces will help reduce build-up. Any debris like gravel or dirt should be removed, as well as any tripping hazards like equipment or garbage left behind. It’s also important to pull any weeds or vegetation that grow in cracks or around the edges of the surface.
Minor cracks are generally considered safe, as long as it’s not causing a change in the surface. If there is a vertical change greater than ¼”, it is considered an ADA violation. To provide some context, ¼” is the equivalent of a Tic-Tac or a piece of cardboard. Larger cracks should be repaired as soon as possible.
Pitted, spalling, and lifted concrete can also be hazardous. These larger areas may need to be resurfaced to prevent injury.
Make sure common walking areas are well-lit. Curbs, ramps, and steps should be clearly visible – use yellow or bright paint or coating if necessary.
Read more about concrete repairs and maintenance.
