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### Ordering Materials

Example ramp:
Two level landings, each 58" x 98 1/2"; 29' of sloped surface required. Use two 116" modules and two 58" modules to obtain the needed length (other combinations are possible).

| Draw an overhead view of the ramp and make several copies. On the first copy, determine the number of landings and modules needed. Pages 22 through 26 describe the materials needed. Begin a materials list, keep a separate page for each landing and module ordered so that during construction pieces can be matched to their intended purpose.
| On the next copy of your overhead view, determine the number of support structure needed. Pages 27 and 28 describe the materials needed. You can estimate how long each 4x4 needs to be by adding 34" to the distance between the ramp surface and the ground for each post location. Remember that the legs of the support structures do not have to be equal in length. Also, if you are placing 4x4s in the ground for handrail support at the bottom of the ramp add at least 2' for each sunken 4x4. Determine the 2x6s needed for the cross supports for the landings and modules. Add this material to your list.

Now determine if 2x4 diagonal bracing is needed, keeping in mind that diagonal bracing is needed when the top of the cross support is more than 21" off the ground, and that diagonal bracing is needed on each side of the 4x4 support posts. Also determine the number of gussets you will need and the number of 1'x 1' plywood pads needed for the base of the support posts (thirty-two 1'- square pads can be made from a 4x8 sheet of 3/4"-thick plywood).

Determine the number of 3/8" carriage bolts needed to connect modules and landings together (three per connection). To determine number of 1/2" carriage bolts, remember 4x4's with diagonal bracing require 10" bolts, 4x4's with gussets require 8" bolts, and 4x4's bolted to only one cross support require 6" bolts.

The next step is to determine the dimensions for the guardrail/ handrail (see page 34). Decide if you are going to use plowed 2x6 for the top handrail or if you will have a 1 1/2"-round handrail.

On the overhead view of the ramp determine the lengths needed for the guardrail. You should have an equal number of 2x6s and 2x4s. Use the longest possible continuous 2x6 for your top railing. If you have a 15' long section of ramp, order 16' long boards. (Maintain a 4"-spacing between the spindles, ten 30"-long spindles per 59" run of ramp).

The last step is to determine lumber for steps or boardwalks that might be needed. You are now ready to combine all of the lumber needed onto to a materials order form (page 20). Keep the individual component sheets to refer to during construction. This will reduce the chance of using the wrong lumber for a particular component.

### STATE SALES TAX LAW CHANGES

(State of Minnesota)
Chair lifts, ramps, and elevaators and building materials used to install or construct them are exempt from sales tax if they are authorized by a physician and installed in or attached to the owner's homestead.
Sales tax must be paid on the purchases and a claim for refund filed by the owner of the homestead property to obtain a refund of the sales tax paid. If tax was paid by a contractor, the home owner must file a claim for refund of sales tax paid by the contractor including sufficient information to verify the amount of sales tax paid on the project. Contractors are required to furnish a statement to the home owner for material costs and taxes paid.
This exemption is effective for sales after January 1, 1990.

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