Product category:
Access Control, Door Entry Systems
News Release from: Rampsol | Subject: Ramp Access Solutions
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 April 2005
Ramp Access DDA compliance
Rampsol helping Bromley AEC to stay ahead of DDA compliance.
Ramp Access Solutions (Rampsol) has over the past four years installed six wheelchair access ramps at Bromley Adult Education College where they try to, in the words of property manager George Rose, 'stay ahead of the game' regarding DDA compliance The college is housed at three main centres: the Widmore Centre, Bromley, the Poverest Centre, Orpington and the Kentwood Centre, Penge
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 9 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Five ramps have been installed at Bromley, one at Penge and one is planned for Orpington.
Each ramp is different in order to meet local conditions and has to comply with special planning requirements because most of the college buildings are designated as listed buildings.
This means that each building should be able to be restored to its original condition at any time.
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For this reason the use of bricks and mortar were out of the question so, after reviewing the systems available on the market, George Rose chose to work with Rampsol.
Rampsol has been supplying ramps for wheelchair access since 1986 and its Toughform ramps are ideal for Bromley AEC because they are designed for use where there is a high volume of pedestrians in areas such as schools, public buildings, railway stations, offices, shops, factories and theatres.
Because of the all-steel, modular and free-standing type of construction, the ramps are manufactured at the Rampsol headquarters in Romsey and assembled on site without disturbing the building, existing groundwork and underground services.
In addition, the system can, if required, be dismantled, modified and/or moved at a later date.
The first system, installed four years ago, was at the main entrance at the Widmore Centre.
Due to a change in college parking policy for the disabled, this ramp has since been completely redesigned providing an additional access entrance.
It was carried out with a minimum of inconvenience and cost thanks to the modular design of the Toughform racks that allowed a lot of original material to be reused.
One of the most challenging ramps was the side entrance to the Craft Centre.
This had a total drop of one metre from the pavement to the entrance and to handle this and provide safety for the users a ramp was designed with four slopes of 1 in 12 with landing areas.
Also installed is a ramp providing access to the rear of the Craft Centre and two into the Arts Centre that will operate in conjunction with an external access lift that is to be installed in the summer holidays.
A ramp has also been installed at the AEC facility at Penge.
This is similar in design but is fitted with white handrails rather than black as these are more in keeping with the building.
Toughform ramps satisfy the requirement of Part M of the Building Regulations and all ramps are supported by a free standing mechanical jacks system.
Although described as temporary, their strength and rigidity are not in doubt as every year the Craft Centre takes a delivery of 12 tons of clay on pallets and the ramps handle this easily.
George Rose says: "I have presented Rampsol with numerous challenges but they have always come up with a solution".
"The preparation is extremely thorough".
"For example, at Orpington where we are planning a new ramp, the Rampsol engineer was on site for four hours with laser levels and from this they will provide me with detailed plans".
"The installation teams are always very helpful and flexible being willing to work long hours over weekends and school holidays to get the job finished.".
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