Maximum cross-slope for non-ADA walkway

[tavo75]

Does anyone know if there is a maximum cross-slope for non-ada walkways? I have a housewalk (3' wide) going from the front entry of a house to the house driveway(perpendicular to the driveway). The idea was to warp the sidewalk where it met the driveway. The driveway has a slope of 15% so the cross slope of the sidewalk where it meets the driveway would be 15%. I am wondering if the cross-slope of the walkway would exceed any building codes. I am only finding ADA cross slope minimums. Does someone know of any codes that would specify the cross slope for Non-ADA walkways?

Thanks,

 

[PELS]

Can you use a stair step(s) to make the transition from the walkway to the driveway slope? Either that or re-route the walkway to intercept the driveway at a point where it is less steep.

I am not aware of any local or national codes that address your issue so it may come down to an "annoyance" issue for the users. What effect will it have when you're ready to sell your house?

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

If your willing to have a 15% slope driveway, there is nothing to prevent a 15% slope sidewalk.

 

[tavo75]

Thanks geopave, but the 15% would be the cross slope of the housewalk. driving around my neighborhood i did see house walks make similar transitions but not as extreme as 15% but definitely steeper than the 2% allowed by ADA.

 

[655321]

I don't think you'll find a recommendation anywhere for a sidewalk with a cross-slope even close 15%. But as you mentioned, warping it back to a more reasonable cross slope sounds like it would work, and it is really the only option you have, unless you soften the driveway grade, or move the sidewalk somewhere else. Think about it this way, 5-1/2 inched in 3 feet is 15%, yes it's alot, but it's not like you'll need a rope to lower yourself to the driveway, lay it out with a couple of tape measures, I think it sounds worse then it it is.

Building Codes are different everywhere, but I would guess that if the 15% driveway is acceptable, the sidewalk transition would also be ok. Come to think of it, I doubt there's any specific language in the building code that even says you need a sidewalk from the driveway to the front door.

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

My response was more tongue in cheek. I would suggest putting a step or two where the sidewalk meets the driveway and keeping the sidewalk at 2 to 4 percent. Note that the steps will be different heights across the width to meet the driveway slope.

 

[655321]

Steps with a varying heights across the width would be dangerous in my opinion, besides the difference across 3' feet is 5-1/2 inches, that's one step. Sounds more like a trip hazard then anything.

Warp it from 15% back to 2% in 5' feet or so. Match the longitudinal grade of the sidewalk to the high side of the driveway and warp down so you don't create a sump for water to collect.

 

[newnickname]

The walk is 3' wide. (3.0'x0.02=0.06) The drive is 15%. (3.0'x0.15=0.45) (0.45-0.06=0.39) (0.39/0.06=6.5)

If you transition/warp the difference at a 6% rate of change it would take 6.5 feet to make up for the 0.39'.