Kerb Ramps: When to Use Them and How to Choose Them

Kerb ramps provide a steady slope from the road to the kerb. Kerb ramps have a wide variety of different uses, with the most common being for construction work, work sites and ensuring access for the physically disabled. In this article, we will break down the different types of kerb ramps, why they are necessary, and how to choose the right one for you.

As mentioned, the most common situation that we find kerb ramps in, is during construction work. Very often, a construction team will be required to carry out work in an area that could block access for pedestrians. For example, if a construction company is contracted to repair signage on a storefront, this might then require them to erect scaffolding on the pavement just outside. In this scenario, it is important to reroute the pedestrians in order to ensure that they don’t get too close to the work and potentially come to harm.

The problem is that many people find it difficult getting on and off of kerbs. This is why in most cases, kerbs will naturally be lowered at crossings. This ensures that those who use sticks to walk, or who ride mobility vehicles, will be able to easily get up onto the sidewalk.

Chances are, that if you are directing members of the public around your scaffolding or construction set up, you will need to ask them to step off of and then back onto the kerb. And there probably isn’t a lowered section here. That’s where kerb ramps come in useful.

But with all that said, there are many other situations in which kerb ramps can be beneficial. For example, if you are hosting an event in a temporary location, you might find that there is no easy disabled access on the sidewalk outside. In this situation, you may wish to use kerb ramps to help cater to a broader range of patrons.

Likewise, kerb ramps can be very useful when loading and unloading products. If you have a shipment that needs to be delivered and you need the vehicle to bring those products closer to the property or delivery location, then having a kerb ramp with you can help easily facilitate this.

With many different use cases and with many different potential situations, it should be no huge surprise that there are a broad range of kerb ramps and a number of factors to consider when purchasing.

First, you need to ensure that the kerb ramp will fit the area of kerb in question. Kerbs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials (including rubber and metal). Likewise, they may be curved at some points, and will vary in height! There is a big difference for example, between a moulded rubber kerb and a permanent concrete kerb.

Most kerb ramps will be designed to work on multiple different types of kerb, but you will still need to choose carefully when selecting the right style. Likewise, you need to consider other factors such as the maximum capacity. If the kerb ramp is going to need to bear the full weight of a delivery truck, then it will need to be built with a much sturdier construction versus one intended for disabled access.

It’s also very important to consider the local laws. Most areas will not permit tampering with the sidewalks without prior permission from the local government – so make sure you have this permission first.

Have a look through Safetyline’s popular range of kerb ramps to find one that suits your needs!

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