Need advice about handycapped ramp?

Question

i need suggestions on how i can put railing on a 5' 6" by 8' ramp it has a sloop of about 1 1/2 " by 1' i am making it for my mother at her home and do have cement experience . but have not got an idea for a sturdy affordable hand rail i need something i can anchor to the cement then add on or a way to put it outside the cement and it stay put and not move what should i use i think 2by 6 painted but do not want to stick it in the cement and do not know of a bracket that will hold it from wobbling as she needs it to hold her self up . pleas give any idea and suggestion with material and way of putting to tether . and thank you for the help

Answer 1

What you can do is go to your local Home Cheapo and buy a drill bit for concrete. Then use concrete anchors (that spread themselves apart to grabe the concrete) and bolts to fasten your wood to the concrete.  Then build off of that wood (with wood screws, not nails) your new railing.  Hope this gives you some ideas.

Answer 2

You will want to install metal railings. If you can weld, you can easily make them yourself. A lot of guys run back yard metal shops and can make something like this for you easily.

I have also made safety railings from 2" steel threaded pipe from Grainger Industrial Supply www.grainger.com. There are flanges to bolt it down, and numerous fitting to join pipes at angles , Ts, or straight. You might want to use 1 or 1 1/2" pipe for your application.

Another option would be to use Creform http://diy.creform.com/. This is industrial grade steel pipe coated with plastic used in various settings to build all manner of workstations, material handling fixtures, railings, etc.

Answer 3

home depot has strongtie brackets that you can set in the concrete while its wet, there made for mounting posts too it should work for your application

Answer 4

I contacted the local Labor agency for the union labor council in my area. They built one for my father for a donation that was about the same as the materials would have cost me. Also the Red Cross/Crescent, may have contacts.  Also the local or State agency on Disabilities may have some suggestions.