Ramp: questions on NCARB's passing solution

[Katherine]

These questions may be answered elsewhere, but I haven't found them yet:

1) NCARB's passing solution seems to show 5' wide ramps and stairs. Is this necessary, or overbuilding?I get why the 5' ramp simplifies the ramp/landing/handrail situation for the run between 30" and 26", but then could the next two ramps be 44"?

2) The last piece of ramp between 3" and 0" is shown with handrails, though the code states that handrails are not required on ramps where vertical rise between landings is 6" or less. Can anyone clarify why these would be needed?

Thanks, all. Trying to figure out what I misinterpreted on the last round, as I'm re-taking BDCS in week.

[mick2]

If you start the ramp at 5'-0" wide you must complete the whole ramp at 5'-0" wide or wider, you can't reduce the path of egress.
Hand/guardrails are required on open side of the ramp even if it is less than 6" elevation. We don't want the wheelchair to take a tumble off of the open edge .

[Katherine]

Got it. Makes perfect sense. Thanks Mick!