Is A Platform Always Required?
In many accessibility guidelines, including Building Regulations Part M, ramps are typically shown with a level platform or landing at the top. The purpose of this platform is to provide a safe, flat area where a wheelchair user can stop, manoeuvre and open a door comfortably.
However, in practical situations — particularly in private homes — there are circumstances where a full platform may not always be necessary.
Understanding when this may be appropriate depends on how the ramp will be used and who it is intended for.
Why Platforms Are Normally Recommended
Platforms are generally included at the top of ramps because they provide several important safety benefits.
A level landing allows a wheelchair user to stop safely without being on a slope. It also provides space to open a door and manoeuvre the chair without rolling backwards.
For this reason, most wheelchair access ramps installed at main entrances include a platform as standard.
Situations Where a Platform May Not Be Necessary
There are occasions where the use of a platform may not be essential.
One common example is where the ramp is being installed for someone who is able to walk, but finds steps difficult due to reduced mobility. In these cases the ramp may simply be used to make a doorway easier to negotiate rather than to accommodate a wheelchair.
Another situation can occur where space outside the doorway is very limited and the doorway itself opens into a room with sufficient internal space. If the ramp user can step directly inside onto level flooring, the need for an external platform may be reduced.
Platforms may also be unnecessary where the ramp is serving a secondary entrance, such as a back door, rather than the primary entrance to the property.
In some cases the ramp is intended only for supervised use, where the individual will not be using it independently or unattended.
Considering the Individual Circumstances
Every property and every user’s needs are different. The available space outside the doorway, the direction the door opens, the height of the step, and the mobility of the person using the ramp all influence the most suitable solution.
Where a ramp is intended for wheelchair access, a platform will normally form part of the design. However, where the ramp is simply assisting someone who walks but struggles with steps, the design may sometimes be simplified.
A Practical Approach
At Craftmasters, each ramp installation is considered individually based on the property and the intended use. While accessibility guidance such as Part M provides helpful reference points, many domestic situations require a practical solution that works safely within the available space.
The goal is always the same: to create safe, reliable access that improves everyday mobility without making the installation unnecessarily large or intrusive.
If you are considering installing a ramp at your property and would like to discuss the available options, feel free to contact Craftmasters for further information.
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