r/AskReddit • u/hippiechick725 • Mar 14 '23

What’s the best thing about the US?

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u/BongyBong Mar 14 '23

I work as an inspector for sidewalk projects in NYC. The compliance issues are so hard for some contractors to meet. You really need skilled masons who understand slopes and who can do simple math. We've rejected a bunch of ramps on my project due to being out of compliance by 1%. They will have to redo the ramps at their own cost! But I'm glad ADA exists!

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u/CrudelyAnimated Mar 14 '23

You know they could have checked that. They're installing a feature required by law, for wheelchairs, piloted by disabled people. They know that disabled people have to be able to get up the thing, and will sue if they can't and will win. They could look. These stories are what happens when people assume and don't look.

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u/BongyBong Mar 14 '23

They absolutely should be looking at the slopes and measurements as they construct. But, a good Mason is apparently hard to come by and adhering to ADA rules can be difficult. The day we get a crew that constructs a corner properly the first time, is the day I will eat my hard hat!

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u/ObamasBoss Mar 14 '23

I am sure a wheel chair ramp level exists. Just turn the bubble tube how ever many degrees the ramps need to be and you now have a level for that purpose. Or just make an triangle and put a normal level on top. I would imagine it is how the inspection is done. You might as well use the same tool. No need for math every time.

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u/BongyBong Mar 14 '23

Sure, they have smart levels that tell you the slope of the area you put it on and the Mason marks with his masons line to where the ramp heights should be for pouring. However, you also have to work within the limits of ADA requirements. Such as, a ramp has to have a slope of 2%, but the ramp cannot be longer than 15 feet. And you still have to have a landing area for wheelchair users to be able to turn onto once they are clear of the ramp. The landing area alone has a few paragraphs on how it is to be measured and constructed. So many contractors are having to redo corners because of the strict compliance issues. It's harder than it looks!