Everything you need to know about kerb ramps

Kerb ramps: what you need to know

Using kerb ramps on and around your site makes access easy for both workers and pedestrians. Providing a safe and non-slip way to move from a high kerb to a lower roadway or path, kerb ramps come in two different types – those made for vehicles and those made for people.

Vehicle access ramps look like half a speed hump and are typically installed into the right angle created by a gutter. They are super tough and can withstand up to 15t of weight, making them ideal for vehicle access in and out of your site.

A pedestrian kerb ramp, on the other hand, is a simple flat ramp device that provides safe pedestrian passage during road works and construction projects. They’re also known as wheelchair ramps and safety ramps, and have a non-slip textured finish for safety even in wet or slippery conditions.

Typically lightweight and portable, these plastic access ramps are ideal for use where a footpath has been closed for street works. Adding a ramp provides a safe way for wheelchair, trolley, pram and bike users to move from footpath to road level without dropping down into the gutter.

Responsible contractors ensure that all road users, including wheelchair users and those with prams, strollers or trolleys can easily negotiate kerbs and gutters during construction periods.

Looking out for pedestrians and local residents who need to continue moving around the area during construction projects is an important part of your project and contributes to positive public relations for your business.

Plus, there are practical considerations too: kerb ramps can be very useful when loading and unloading building supplies and equipment. Taking delivery of smaller items and unloading them at the site is made much easier with the help of a portable ramp.

Some sites may require a trench cover rather than a ramp, especially if there is a large gap between surfaces.

Keeping the path open for everyone

Ramps also assist with keeping neighbouring businesses happy and ensuring that renovations and refit projects enable the business to continue trading, without being hampered by customer access issues.

If you’re renovating a shopping centre carpark for example, and customers cannot easily manoeuvre trolleys around the area, it’s bound to lead to headaches from the property manager.

Make sure you take all users into account when planning out your project, and ensure access isn’t hampered by altered or cordoned-off paths. Having a set of pedestrian ramps in your fleet of equipment will ensure you’re always prepared to create safe pathways on and around site.

Types of kerb ramps

Portable pedestrian kerb ramps

Made from highly visible yellow plastic, heavy duty kerb ramps are an essential product to have on site during works where footpaths are closed. Hard-wearing and designed for use in the civil and construction industries, Jaybro’s yellow kerb ramp is essential during works on and around footpaths, nature strips, kerbs, carparks and commercial or retail buildings.

These rolled edge portable access ramps are 85mm high and they can easily adapt to a range of different kerb heights. With recessed fixing points, the pedestrian ramp can easily be bolted down for safety and security, leaving the textured non-slip surface without intrusive bolts that could become a potential trip hazard.

This 1.3 metre wide ramp has small lips at the outer edges to ensure wheels do not roll off the edge unintentionally, whilst still leaving plenty of room for adequate movement. The ramp is profiled in a stackable fashion, making it easy for multiple ramps to nest together for storage or transport.

Vehicle kerb ramps

Reflective vehicle ramps are made from tough recycled rubber and are designed to allow safe access for vehicles and wheeled devices like wheelbarrows and trolleys over road side kerbs.

This makes them ideal for use during medium to long term civil and construction projects where cars and other vehicles need to smoothly access the site. And, because they are sold as modular sections, it’s easy to create the exact length you need by combining any number of centre sections with two end caps.

Kerb ramps provide an easy thoroughfare for equipment like plasterboard trolleys, delivery trolleys, wheelbarrows and equipment on wheels or castors like site storage boxes. Installing a kerb ramp helps to reduce trip hazards during road works and other types of projects, by providing smooth passage for moving equipment and supplies in and out of site.

Jaybro’s reflective kerb ramps come in 150mm and 100mm high variants for different types of kerbs. The design of the ramp – being sloped at the front and the ends – ensures that vehicles and other devices can engage the ramp from any angle without damage. They are usually installed by positioning them neatly into the right angle created by the kerb, however, can also be installed offset from the kerb to create a drainage channel.

How to install vehicle kerb ramps

Our rubber vehicle kerb ramps are sold in modular sections and can be installed using asphalt pins or bolts for both concrete and asphalt pavement applications. When properly installed they have a maximum weight capacity of 15 tons making them tough enough for a range of different construction applications.

To install kerb ramps, we recommend using Powers Blue Tip Screw Bolts to securely fix them to concrete and asphalt surfaces.

Each kerb ramp section and each end cap takes two screw bolts for installation. We sell fixings separately, so to add these to your order go to the screw bolt page here.

Keep reading: more ways to ensure pedestrian safety around your construction site

3 traffic control equipment products to boost safety on site

Pedestrian Safety Equipment for Crossings

Staying safe around moving equipment: How to separate people and plant on site

Get a quote on kerb ramps

Our temporary pedestrian and vehicle kerb ramps are available for fast delivery to your site, right across the country. Fill out this form to get a quick quote on kerb ramps today!