What are the Requirements for Egress Ramp Slope?

[jar546]

A contractor recently installed a ramp leading from a deck with a slope of 1:6 (1 unit vertical to 6 units horizontal). According to the 2018 IRC, egress ramps should generally have slopes within specific ranges for safety. However, the contractor argues that because this ramp is not directly serving the primary egress door, it doesn’t need to follow these guidelines.

What are the specific requirements for ramp slopes under the IRC, and does the location of the ramp impact whether it must meet these standards?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

R311.8 (2021):

R311.8 Ramps. Where required by this code or provided,
ramps shall comply with this section.

Exception: Ramps not within or serving a building, porch
or deck.

R311.8.1 Maximum slope. Ramps serving the egress
door required by Section R311.2 shall have a slope of not
more than 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3-
percent slope).

Other ramps shall have a slope of not more than 1 unit
vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5 percent).

Seems clear to me. If there's a ramp, a ramp has been provided. If the ramp doesn't serve the required egress door, the maximum slope allowed is 1:8. A ramp with a slope of 1:6 doesn't comply.

 

[jar546]

R311.8 (2021):



Seems clear to me. If there's a ramp, a ramp has been provided. If the ramp doesn't serve the required egress door, the maximum slope allowed is 1:8. A ramp with a slope of 1:6 doesn't comply.

Agree, however someone felt that the ICC needed to weigh in on this. I think it is an obvious answer and surprised that had to be clarified.