Commercial Building ADA Entrance and Ramp Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]

Commercial buildings open to the public must comply with ADA Title III (42 U.S.C. § 12182) and ANSI A117.1-2017 standards governing accessible entrances, ramps, and routes. Failure to maintain compliant accessible entry points exposes building owners to DOJ enforcement actions and private litigation. This checklist guides ADA Coordinators through a systematic evaluation of all entrance and ramp elements required under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

  • Industry: All Industries
  • Frequency: Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: ADA Coordinator
  • Total Items: 40
  • Compliance: ADA Title III - 42 U.S.C. § 12182 Public Accommodations, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design § 404 Doors and Doorways, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design § 405 Ramps, ANSI A117.1-2017 Section 405 Ramp Requirements, 28 CFR Part 36 Subpart D New Construction and Alterations

Accessible Route from Public Way

Verify that an accessible route connects public transportation stops, parking, and passenger loading zones to the accessible building entrance.

  • Is there at least one accessible route connecting the public sidewalk or right-of-way to the building entrance?
  • Is the accessible route free of protruding objects that reduce clear width below 36 inches?
  • Is the running slope of the accessible route 1:20 (5%) or less where no ramp is provided?
  • Is the cross slope of the accessible route 1:48 (2%) or less?
  • Are accessible route surfaces stable, firm, and slip-resistant?

Entrance Doors and Gates

Evaluate all primary and accessible entrance doors for compliant hardware, clear width, and operating force.

  • Does the accessible entrance provide a clear opening width of at least 32 inches when the door is open 90 degrees?
  • Is the door maneuvering clearance on both sides of the entrance door compliant with ADA requirements?
  • Does the door hardware use lever, loop, or push-type mechanisms operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting?
  • Is door-opening force 5 lbf or less for interior hinged doors and 15 lbf or less for exterior doors with closers?
  • If power-assisted or automatic doors are present, do they comply with BHMA A156.10 or A156.19 standards?
  • Are thresholds at accessible entrances 1/2 inch or less in height, with beveled edges where height exceeds 1/4 inch?

Ramp Dimensions and Slope

Measure and document ramp running slope, cross slope, clear width, and rise to verify compliance with ADA and ANSI standards.

  • Is the ramp running slope 1:12 (8.33%) or less?
  • Is the ramp cross slope 1:48 (2%) or less?
  • Is the ramp clear width at least 36 inches between handrails?
  • Does each ramp run have a vertical rise of 30 inches or less before a level landing?
  • Are ramp surfaces stable, firm, and slip-resistant?

Ramp Landings and Handrails

Inspect top, bottom, and intermediate landings for correct dimensions, and verify handrail height, graspability, and extensions.

  • Are top and bottom landings at least 60 inches long and at least as wide as the ramp?
  • Do handrails run continuously on both sides of all ramp runs?
  • Are handrail gripping surfaces between 34 and 38 inches above the ramp surface?
  • Do handrails extend horizontally at least 12 inches at the top and extend to the slope of the ramp run at the bottom?
  • Are handrail gripping surfaces circular with 1-1/4 to 2-inch outside diameter, or non-circular with a perimeter of 4 to 6-1/4 inches?
  • Are handrail ends rounded or returned smoothly to floor, wall, or post?

Edge Protection and Curb Ramps

Check ramp edge protection, curb ramp flares, and detectable warning surfaces at transitions to vehicular areas.

  • Is edge protection provided at ramp drop-offs (curb, wall, rail, or 4-inch min barrier)?
  • Do curb ramps have detectable warning surfaces of contrasting color and texture (truncated dome pattern)?
  • Are curb ramp flares, where provided, no steeper than 1:10?
  • Are curb ramps at least 36 inches wide, excluding flares?
  • Are counter slopes of adjoining gutters and road surfaces at transitions 1:20 or less?

Accessible Entrance Signage

Confirm that accessible entrance signs are correctly located, display the International Symbol of Accessibility, and provide directional guidance where needed.

  • Is the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) displayed at all accessible entrances?
  • Are directional signs provided at non-accessible entrances indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance?
  • Do accessible entrance signs meet character height, contrast, and finish requirements?
  • Are tactile signs with Grade 2 Braille provided at permanent entrance doors?

Accessible Parking and Connecting Route

Assess accessible parking spaces, van-accessible spaces, and the route connecting parking to the accessible entrance.

  • Is the required number of accessible parking spaces provided per the ADA parking ratio table?
  • Are van-accessible spaces at least 132 inches wide (96-inch space + 60-inch access aisle) or 96 inches wide with a 96-inch access aisle?
  • Is an accessible route provided from accessible parking spaces to the accessible building entrance without crossing vehicular traffic lanes?
  • Are accessible parking spaces identified with ISA signs mounted at least 60 inches above the ground surface?
  • Are access aisles adjacent to accessible parking spaces at least 60 inches wide and marked to discourage parking in them?

Documentation and Remediation

Record deficiencies identified during the inspection, assign corrective actions, and document the overall accessibility status.

  • Were any barriers to accessibility identified during this inspection?
  • Have photographs been taken of all non-compliant conditions?
  • Have corrective actions been assigned to responsible parties with target completion dates?
  • Please provide additional notes, barrier descriptions, or remediation details?

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Why Use This Commercial Building ADA Entrance and Ramp Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This commercial building ada entrance and ramp inspection checklist [free pdf] helps all industries teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for ada coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 40 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly.

Ensures compliance with ADA Title III - 42 U.S.C. § 12182 Public Accommodations, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design § 404 Doors and Doorways, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design § 405 Ramps, ANSI A117.1-2017 Section 405 Ramp Requirements, 28 CFR Part 36 Subpart D New Construction and Alterations. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Commercial Building ADA Entrance and Ramp Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 40 inspection items across 8 sections: Accessible Route from Public Way, Entrance Doors and Gates, Ramp Dimensions and Slope, Ramp Landings and Handrails, Edge Protection and Curb Ramps, Accessible Entrance Signage, Accessible Parking and Connecting Route, Documentation and Remediation. It is designed for all industries operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Commercial Building ADA Entrance and Ramp Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for ADA Coordinator professionals in the all industries industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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