---
title: "Vertical circulation for differently abled people"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_6/building_technology:vertical-circulation-disabled"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/vertical-circulation-disabled
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Vertical circulation for differently abled people

Building Technology · Chapter 5: Stair, lifts and escalators

- Asked in: 2080 Chaitra, 3 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/vertical-circulation-disabled
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-5

## Question

Explain any two vertical circulation methods (structures) used for differently abled people like those using wheel chair.

## Short answer

Ramp: inclined plane with slope 1:12, width 1.2 m+, landings every 9 m. Lift: car at least 1.1 m x 1.4 m, door 0.9 m, controls at 0.9-1.2 m with Braille.

## Answer

Two methods that suit wheelchair users:

#### 1. Ramp
A **ramp** is an inclined plane (without steps) connecting two floors at different levels; it carries wheelchairs, trolleys, bicycles, vehicles and stretchers.
- Slope: 1 in 12 for wheelchairs (up to 1 in 10 only for short lengths), and about 1 in 8 to 1 in 10 for goods trolleys and vehicles.
- Width at least 1.2 m (1.5 m in public buildings), with a level landing of at least 1.5 m x 1.5 m at the top, at the bottom, at turns and after every 9 m of ramp length (barrier-free design requirements).
- Handrails at 0.8-0.9 m on both sides, a kerb or edge protection, and a non-slip surface.
- Requires a long horizontal space: a rise of 1 m needs about 12 m of ramp.

```text
        ______ upper level
       /|
      / | rise
 ____/__|
  length = 12 x rise
```

#### 2. Lift (elevator)
A lift for wheelchair users should have a car of at least 1.1 m x 1.4 m with a clear door width of about 0.9 m, control buttons at 0.9-1.2 m height with Braille markings, a handrail in the car, voice announcements, and levelling accuracy of 10-12 mm at every floor. It is the best choice for high-rise buildings.

Another aid is the **platform (stair) lift**, a small motorised platform that moves along a stair and is used where a ramp cannot fit.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What slope is used for a wheelchair ramp?
   A. 1 in 6
   B. 1 in 8
   C. 1 in 12
   D. 1 in 20
   Answer: C. Wheelchair ramps are given a gentle slope of 1 in 12 (1 in 10 maximum for short lengths). (Key point: Ramp slope)

2. Why is a ramp not always practical?
   A. It needs a long horizontal space, about 12 m for a 1 m rise
   B. It cannot carry wheelchairs
   C. It needs a motor
   D. It has steps
   Answer: A. At 1 in 12 the length is 12 times the rise, so ramps need a lot of floor length. (Key point: Ramp space)

3. Where must a level landing of at least 1.5 m x 1.5 m be provided on a ramp?
   A. Only at the top
   B. Only at the bottom
   C. Top, bottom, turns and after every 9 m rise
   D. Nowhere if handrails are fitted
   Answer: C. Landings are required at the ends, at turns and after every 9 m rise so users can rest and turn. (Key point: Ramp landings)

4. Which feature makes a lift usable by differently abled people?
   A. Control buttons at 2 m height
   B. Buttons at 0.9-1.2 m with Braille and voice announcement
   C. A very small car
   D. Levelling error of 50 mm
   Answer: B. Reachable buttons with Braille, voice announcement, handrail and accurate levelling (10-12 mm) suit wheelchair and blind users. (Key point: Accessible lift)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Vertical circulation elements; RCC dog-legged stair](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astair-circulation-068ba) — Building Technology, chapter 5
- [Why temporary structures are used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Awhy-temp-structures) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Types of bands in masonry structures](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Abands-masonry) — Building Technology, chapter 11

## Related in other subjects

- [Consistent deformation: chair-frame with couple](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ftheory_of_structures_ii%3Aconsistent-deformation-chair-frame-couple) — Theory of Structures II, chapter 2
- [Circulation, vorticity and rotational flow](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Ffluid_mechanics_mechanical%3Acirculation-vorticity-rotational-flow) — Fluid Mechanics, chapter 3
- [Rigid bar pinned at B with two vertical rods](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fstrength_of_materials%3Arigid-bar-pinned-two-rods-500n) — Strength of Materials, chapter 3
- [Wheel load train: BM at 8 m and absolute max](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Ftheory_of_structures_i%3Atrain-120-80-160-wheel-load) — Theory of Structures I, chapter 5