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Editor's Note: Mr. Toombs, of New York City, is well qualified to write "Architectural Suggestions" of value to Polios. He has several times served the Foundation professionally and has consented to prepare material for this department each month. Perhaps we can steer this into a campaign for at least one ground level or ramp entrance to all important buildings. What a boon that would be to polios as well as to all handicapped or aged persons!

THE generally sloping site of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation has necessitated the frequent use of ramps between its buildings. From these, data becomes available as to the grades which are suitable for chair or crutch patients. For while normally pushed by attendants, wheel-chair patients are often able to propel themselves up easy ramps for considerable distances and without harmful exertion.

SHORT RAMPS -- Up to 10 feet an 8% grade is a fairly easy task for the average patient. One very satisfactory 10 ft. long ramp has a 10% grade. A 14% climb is a tough job and is too steep.

For longer distances, easier grades are necessary. A ramp 50 feet long with a 2% grade is comfortable going for the average patient. 3% grades are reasonable for distances up to 100 feet, although the patient needs to rest at intervals. A few ramps at Warm Springs are as steep as 6% for 50 feet, but this is a stiff pull for even a strong-armed patient. As a rule, long ramps should not exceed a 3% grade.

For patients who walk with crutches, the above data is also applicable. The importance of a non-slip surface becomes, in their cases, an urgent necessity. Short ramps, particularly, should have rough surfaces. In ramps of wood, planks should be laid crosswise, or if lengthwise, preferably covered with some material to prevent slipping. Concrete ramps should have float sand finish to leave rough surface.

STEPS -- In the instances where steps are unavoidable, such as in swimming pools, steps with a rise of 6 inches to tread of 12 inches are satisfactory for average use. Treads should be without nosings. Although obviously to be avoided in planning for Polio Patients, a few steps can be managed by many with considerable ease if a hand-rail is provided. Adults and children require different heights. For adults, a satisfactory hand-rail for steps is 36 inches above a tread measured on the line of the face of the riser below. For children, 18 inches.