BP344 Ramp Slope Guide Philippines — The 1:20 Rule (2024 Revised IRR), Free Calculator & Worked Examples
This guide previously stated a maximum ramp slope of 1:12. That figure is outdated. Under BP344's 2024 Revised IRR (published in the Official Gazette, July 8, 2024 — currently in force), the general maximum slope is 1:20, with a steeper 1:15 exception only for shorter runs (≤10.5m length, ≤700mm rise). Landing size and handrail requirements also changed. This page has been corrected to match the current, legally effective standard.
Of every BP344 violation we see on Philippine projects, the most common — and the most expensive to retrofit — is a ramp that is too steep. Building inspectors check ramp slope first because it's the easiest non-compliance to measure with a tape and a level: pull a string from top to bottom, drop a plumb, divide.
This guide explains the 1:20 rule under BP344's 2024 Revised IRR — the standard currently in force — walks through worked examples for the rise heights you'll actually encounter on Philippine sites (150mm sidewalks, 600mm porches, 1.5m mezzanines), and includes a free ramp slope calculator you can use right now to check your design — or someone else's.
Accessible ramp at entrance, BP344 Fig. C.1.1 — the standard most retrofits get wrong is the landing, not the slope itself.
For every 1 unit of vertical rise, an accessible ramp must generally travel at least 20 units horizontally. A steeper 1:15 slope is allowed only as an exception — and only where the ramp's total length is 10.5m or less and the rise is 700mm or less. Outside those limits, 1:20 governs. The old 1:12 figure now applies only to swimming pool transfer areas, not general accessible ramps.
BP344 Ramp Slope Calculator
Enter your rise and (optionally) the available horizontal run. The calculator returns slope ratio, percentage grade, BP344 verdict, required landings, and total footprint.
Why 1:20, and Where the Rule Comes From
The 1:20 general maximum comes from BP344's 2024 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, published in the Official Gazette on July 8, 2024 — the currently governing standard, superseding the older 1:12 figure many references (including earlier versions of this guide) still cite. A gentler slope requires less upper-body effort to self-propel a wheelchair over distance, and the 2024 IRR tightened the general requirement accordingly while carving out a narrow exception for space-constrained sites.
Three things follow from this:
- 1:20 is the general ceiling — 1:15 is a narrow exception, not an alternative target. The steeper 1:15 slope is only permitted where the ramp's total length is 10.5m or less and the rise is 700mm or less. Outside those limits, 1:20 governs regardless of site constraints.
- There are no "short ramp" exceptions to the slope itself. A 150mm sidewalk lip still needs a compliant run at whichever standard applies. Tiny ramps fail BP344 most often because designers treat them as trivial.
- Existing buildings get no relief. Retrofits to existing public buildings must meet the same current standard — only the routing and materials are flexible.
Fig. A.1.1 — Plan of Ramp, 3,000mm Wide, from the AEDO BP344 Visual Reference.
The Full BP344 Ramp Checklist (2024 Revised IRR)
Every BP344 Ramp Must Satisfy All of These
| Parameter | BP344 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum slope (general) | 1:20 — unlimited length, landing every 15m |
| Maximum slope (exception) | 1:15 — only if length ≤10.5m and rise ≤700mm, landing every 10m |
| Clear width between handrails | 1,200mm minimum |
| Landing dimensions (top, bottom, intermediate) | 1,800mm minimum, level |
| Handrails | Both sides, 700mm AND 900mm height (dual), 300mm horizontal extensions at top and bottom |
| Raised edge (both sides) | 100mm minimum height |
| Tactile warning strips | Required at head, foot, and all landings |
| Handrail diameter | 33–36mm, graspable, continuous |
| Surface | Non-slip finish; contrasting strip at top and bottom edges |
| Cross-slope (landings) | ≤ 1:50 (drainage only) |
| Door swing onto landing | Must NOT reduce landing clear space below the minimum 1,800mm |
Worked Examples — The Rises You'll Actually Encounter
Standard Sidewalk Lip — 150mm Rise
The single most overlooked ramp condition in the Philippines. Storefronts, barangay halls, and renovated lobbies routinely install a 600mm "stub" ramp for a 150mm step. That's roughly 1:4 — five times steeper than the current general standard allows.
| Required minimum run (1:20 general) | 150 × 20 = 3,000mm |
| Alternative under 1:15 exception | 150 × 15 = 2,250mm (rise and length both within limits) |
| Top + bottom landings | 2 × 1,800mm |
| Total footprint length (1:20 general) | 6,600mm |
If you cannot spare 6.6m of sidewalk frontage, the space-constrained 1:15 exception brings the footprint down to about 5.85m — still substantial. The correct answer for tighter sites is often not a steeper ramp but relocating the accessible entrance or absorbing the level change into the interior floor finish.
Typical Residential / Commercial Porch — 600mm Rise
| Required minimum run (1:20 general) | 600 × 20 = 12,000mm |
| Alternative under 1:15 exception | 600 × 15 = 9,000mm (rise ≤700mm, length ≤10.5m — eligible) |
| Top + bottom landings | 2 × 1,800mm |
| Total footprint (1:20 general) | 15,600mm (15.6m) |
| Total footprint (1:15 exception) | 12,600mm (12.6m) |
This is the case most architects discover too late. A 600mm finished-floor-level above grade — extremely common in Philippine commercial buildings designed for flood clearance — now requires at least a 12.6-meter accessible ramp envelope even using the steeper exception, or 15.6m at the general 1:20 standard. Plan it on the site plan, not the architectural detail sheet.
Mezzanine or Half-Storey — 1,500mm Rise
| 1:15 exception eligible? | No — rise exceeds the 700mm cap |
| Required minimum run (1:20 general — only option) | 1,500 × 20 = 30,000mm |
| Intermediate landings | 1 × 1,800mm (landing required every 15m) |
| Top + bottom landings | 2 × 1,800mm |
| Total footprint length (straight) | 35,400mm (35.4m) |
This is when you switch to a switchback or a lift — more decisively than ever. A straight 35.4m ramp is rarely feasible on any Philippine lot. Because the 1:15 exception is capped at 700mm rise, it cannot help at this scale — a switchback (U-turn at the intermediate landing) cuts the footprint roughly in half but requires a wider landing. For full-storey rises (≥ 3,000mm) especially, an accessible vertical platform lift is almost always more practical than a compliant ramp under the current 2024 IRR.
The 5 Ramp Mistakes Building Inspectors Flag Most Often
From the projects we audit and the BP344 violations our team has corrected on retrofit jobs across Philippine commercial buildings:
| # | Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slope built to the old 1:12 rule | The single biggest new-era mistake: designs referencing outdated guides (1:12) now fail the 2024 IRR's 1:20 general standard. |
| 2 | No landing at the door | Door swings onto the ramp slope; wheelchair user cannot hold position while opening the door. |
| 3 | No intermediate landing at the required interval | Landings are now required every 15m (1:20) or 10m (1:15 exception) — a rest stop is a code requirement, not a convenience. |
| 4 | Single-height handrail | The 2024 IRR requires handrails at both 700mm and 900mm — a single 900mm rail (the old standard) is no longer sufficient. |
| 5 | Smooth glazed tile finish | Looks premium, fails the slip-resistance requirement — especially when wet from Philippine rains. |
What it costs to fix after pouring: in our experience, retrofitting a non-compliant concrete ramp on a finished commercial building runs ₱45,000–₱180,000 per ramp, depending on whether the slab needs to be extended or replaced. Designing it correctly from day one costs nothing extra.
Two Ways to Get From This Calculator to a Compliant Building
Use the free AEDO BP344 Reference
Ramp slope is one standard. The BP344 Reference covers the full accessibility envelope — every dimension you need for permit-ready drawings, with illustrated diagrams for ramps, parking, toilets, corridors, doors, pools, and signage.
- 40+ dimensioned BP344 diagrams
- Ramps, parking, toilets, doors, corridors
- Pool deck and signage standards
- Used by architects and engineers nationwide
- 100% free — no login, no paywall
Have AEDO design it BP344-compliant from day one
The most expensive BP344 problem is discovering it at the permit stage. AEDO designs the accessibility envelope — ramps, parking, toilets, corridors — before the floor plan is finalized, so compliance is never a retrofit.
- BP344-sealed accessibility details on every project
- Pre-submission audit of existing drawings
- Retrofit ramp design for non-compliant buildings
- Permit-ready architectural + structural drawings
- Free initial consultation
Retrofitting an Existing Non-Compliant Ramp
If you've inherited a too-steep ramp on an existing public building, you have three options ranked by cost and complexity:
- Extend the run. Pour additional concrete to lengthen the ramp until slope reaches 1:20 (or 1:15 if your rise/length qualify for the exception). Only works if you have the horizontal space.
- Switchback the route. Cut the existing ramp at a new landing, turn 180°, and continue. Doubles the ramp footprint but halves the linear distance required.
- Install a vertical platform lift. For rises greater than 600mm with no room to extend, a code-compliant accessible lift is recognized as an equivalent solution under BP344's "equivalent facilitation" provision.
What is not a fix: adding more handrails to a steep ramp, putting in non-slip strips, or posting an "Assistance Required" sign. Inspectors reject all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1:10 or 1:12 ever acceptable now?
Not as a general ramp standard. Under the 2024 Revised IRR, 1:20 is the general maximum, with 1:15 permitted only as a narrow exception (≤10.5m length, ≤700mm rise). The 1:12 figure now applies specifically to swimming pool transfer areas, not general accessible ramps — check any ramp built to the old 1:12 assumption against the current standard.
Does the ramp gradient rule apply to driveways?
No. Vehicular driveways are not pedestrian accessible routes. But the section where a driveway crosses a sidewalk — the curb ramp — has its own gradient limit of 1:15 under the 2024 IRR, and must also comply with BP344 cross-slope limits.
What about ramps inside parking garages?
The vehicle ramp itself is exempt. But any pedestrian ramp from the parking level to the lobby — including the path from accessible parking slots — must satisfy the current 1:20 general standard (or the 1:15 exception where eligible).
Do temporary or event ramps need to comply?
Yes if the event is open to the public. Modular aluminum ramps sold in Philippine hardware stores are often pre-engineered to the older 1:12 spec — verify the manufacturer's slope rating against the current 1:20/1:15 standard before renting, since older stock may no longer be compliant.
Where can I get a sealed ramp design?
Any licensed Philippine architect or civil engineer can produce one. AEDO's design-build team includes BP344-sealed ramp details in every commercial project we deliver — at no extra design fee.
Where can I find a free BP344 reference with all accessibility dimensions?
The AEDO BP344 Reference is a free visual guide covering 40+ accessibility standards with dimensioned diagrams — ramps, accessible parking, PWD toilets, corridors, doors, pool decks, and signage. No login, no paywall. Built by Filipino engineers and used by architects across the Philippines for permit-ready accessibility design.
Can AEDO audit my existing drawings for BP344 compliance?
Yes. Send your architectural drawings with an inquiry to AEDO and we'll provide a written BP344 gap assessment within 48 hours — marking up ramp slopes, parking dimensions, toilet layouts, and corridor clearances before you submit to the building official. This pre-submission audit is free for projects we subsequently design or build.
Free BP344 Reference — Every Accessibility Dimension in One Place
This guide covers ramps. The AEDO BP344 Reference covers everything else — parking, toilets, corridors, doors, pool decks, and signage — with the dimensioned diagrams architects use directly in permit drawings. 40+ standards, fully illustrated, zero cost.
| Standard | This Guide | BP344 Reference (free) |
|---|---|---|
| Ramp slope (1:20 rule, 2024 IRR) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ramp landings & handrails | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accessible parking dimensions | — | ✓ |
| PWD toilet compartment layout | — | ✓ |
| Door clear width & hardware | — | ✓ |
| Corridor & passageway widths | — | ✓ |
| Pool deck & transfer wall | — | ✓ |
| Tactile & wayfinding signage | — | ✓ |
| Dimensioned diagrams (40+) | — | ✓ |
No login. No paywall. Built by AEDO's engineers and used by architects and developers across the Philippines for permit-ready accessibility design.
Building or Renovating a Public Facility? The Ramp Is the Easy Part.
A correct ramp slope is one checkbox on a 40-item BP344 compliance list. The hard part is designing all of them into a building that still functions beautifully — before the permit is submitted, not after. AEDO's design-build process starts with the BP344 envelope and works the architecture inward, so compliance is never a surprise.
- BP344-sealed ramp, parking, and toilet details on every commercial project
- Pre-submission BP344 audit of existing drawings — catch violations before the building official does
- Retrofit ramp design for non-compliant existing buildings
- Permit-ready architectural and structural drawings
- Free initial consultation — send your drawings or site description, get a written BP344 gap assessment within 48 hours
Already have drawings? Upload them with your inquiry and we'll mark up the BP344 gaps before we discuss any project scope.