Application and Intent Statement

9.8.5.4.(1)

To minimize the risk of injury to persons as a result of tripping, slipping, falling, contact, drowning or collision.

To facilitate the timely movement of persons to a safe place in an emergency.

Slope of interior and exterior pedestrian ramps, in buildings to which Part 9 applies [see Sentence 1.3.3.3.(1) of Division A for application of Part 9].

To limit the probability of an excessively steep slope in areas that are not intended to be barrier-free:

under difficult surface conditions related to the weather, in the case of exterior ramps,
in residential occupancies, where users may include those with a limited ability to negotiate ramps,
in mercantile or industrial occupancies, where users are likely to be better able to negotiate ramps, and
in other occupancies, where users are likely to be able to negotiate ramps, but are present in significant numbers, or are unlikely to use ramps without assistance.

This is to limit the probability of:

persons losing their balance, or
persons losing their balance in an emergency, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place.

This is to limit the probability of harm to persons.