| General | Landings | Handrails |
| Encroachment by doors at landings | ||
| Hazards | ||
| Pictures | ||
1133B.5.1 General. Ramps used as exits shall conform to the provisions of this section. Any path of travel shall be considered a ramp if its slope is greater than 1 foot (305 mm) rise in 20 feet (6096 mm) of horizontal run (5% gradient). The least possible slope shall be used for any ramp.
| Note: Any path of travel where slope exceeds 1:20, is considered a RAMP. CBC 1007.1(a), [ADA 4.8.1]. |
1133B.5.2 Width. The width of ramps shall be as required for stairways and exits.
1133B.5.2.1 Widths as for exits. The width of ramps shall be as required for stairways and exits.
1133B.5.2.2 Primary entrance and special occupancy.
- Pedestrian ramps serving primary entrances to buildings having an occupant load
of 300 or more shall have a minimum clear width of 60 inches
(1524 mm).
- Ramps serving Group R Occupancies may be 36 inches (914 mm) clear width when the occupant load is 50 or less. All other pedestrian ramps shall have a minimum width of 48 inches (1219 mm).
1133B.5.3 Slope. The maximum slope of a ramp that serves any exit way, provides access for persons with physical disabilities or is in the path of travel shall be 1-foot (305 mm) rise in 12 feet (3658 mm) of horizontal run (8.3% gradient).
1133B.5.3.1 The cross slope of ramp surfaces shall be no greater than 1 unit vertical in 50 units horizontal (2% slope).
1133B.5.4 Landings. Ramp landings shall be installed as follows.
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1133B.5.4.1 Location of landings.
Landings shall be provided at the top and bottom of each ramp. Intermediate
landings shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 30 inches (762
mm) of vertical rise and at
each change of direction. Landings are not considered in determining
the maximum horizontal distance of each ramp.
NOTE: Examples of ramp dimensions are as follows:
| SLOPE | MAXIMUM RISE (inches) |
MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL PROJECTION (feet) |
| ( 25.4 for mm) | (304.8 for mm) | |
| 1:12 | 30 | 30 |
| 1:16 | 30 | 40 |
| 1:20 | 30 | 50 |
| 1:15 | 30 | 37.5 |
1133B.5.4.2 Size of top landings. Top landings shall be not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and shall have a length of not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in the direction of ramp run.
1133B.5.4.3 Encroachment of
doors. See Chapter 10, Section 1003.3.4.4. 
1133B.5.4.4 Strike edge extension. The
width of the landing shall extend 24 inches (610 mm) past the strike edge
of any door or gate for exterior ramps and 18 inches (457 mm) past the
strike edge for interior ramps.
1133B.5.4.5 Landing width. At bottom and intermediate landings, the width shall be at least the same as required for the ramps.
1133B.5.4.6 Change of direction. Intermediate and bottom landings at a change of direction in excess of 30 degrees shall have a dimension in the direction of ramp run of not less than 72 inches (1829 mm) to accommodate the handrail extension.
1133B.5.4.7 Other intermediate landings. Other intermediate landings shall have a dimension in the direction of ramp run of not less than 60 inches (1524 mm).
1133B.5.4.8 For existing ramps or ramps not covered by Section 1003.3.4.4, landings shall be provided as set forth in Section 1003.3.4.4.
1133B.5.4.9 Hazards. Required ramps shall have a curb at least 2 inches (51 mm) high, or a wheel guide rail 2 to 4 inches (51 to 102 mm) high on each side of the ramp landing that has a vertical drop exceeding 4 inches (102 mm) and that is not bounded by a wall or fence. See Fig.
1133B.5.5 Handrails
for ramps. 
1133B.5.5.1 [For DSA/AC]
- Handrails are required on ramps that provide access
if slope exceeds 1 foot (305 mm) rise in 20 feet (6096 mm) of horizontal run (5%
gradient), except that at exterior door landings, handrails are not required on ramps less
than 6 inches (152 mm) rise or 72 inches (1829 mm) in length.
- Handrails shall be placed on each side of each ramp, shall be continuous
the full length of the ramp, shall be 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm)
above the ramp surface, shall extend a minimum of 1 foot (305 mm) beyond the top and
bottom of the ramp and the ends shall be returned.
- Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of not less than 1
1/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrail. Handrails may be located in a recess
if the recess is a maximum of 3 inches (76 mm) deep and extends at least 18 inches (457
mm) above the top of the rail.
- The grip portion
shall not be less than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) nor more than 1 1/2 inches
(38 mm), or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface
and
all surfaces shall be smooth with no sharp corners.
- Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings. Any wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements. Edges shall have a minimum radius of 1/8 inch (3 mm).
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Handrails at ramps immediately adjacent to fixed seating in assembly areas are not required.
2. Ramps that require handrails and that serve one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3 Occupancies may have one handrail except that such ramps open on one or both sides shall have handrails provided on the open side or sides.
3. Curb ramps do not require handrails.
1133B.5.6 Wheel guides. Where the ramp surface is not bounded by a wall or fence and the ramp exceeds 10 feet (3048 mm) in length, the ramp shall comply with one of the following requirements:
- 1133B.5.6.1 A guide curb a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm) in height shall be
provided at each side of the ramp; or
- 1133B.5.6.2 A wheel guide rail shall be provided, centered 3 inches (76 mm) plus or minus 1 inch (25 mm) above the surface or the ramp.
1133B.5.7 Ramps more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the adjacent ground
shall be provided with guardrails as required by Section 509, and handrails as required in
Section 1003.3.4.6. Such guardrails shall be continuous from the top of the ramp to the
bottom of the ramp.