According to NFPA Vice President Chris Dubay, recent legislative proposals across North America have sparked debate over allowing taller residential buildings with a single exit stairwell.
Currently, NFPA 101® limits these structures to four stories, while the International Building Code (IBC) restricts them to three.
Proponents of these changes argue that relaxing these requirements could boost housing supply and reduce costs.
Critics warn that such measures compromise safety standards, which are established to protect occupants in emergencies.
NFPA hosted a symposium in September, “One Stair, Two Perspectives: Single Exit Stair Symposium,” to facilitate discussions among stakeholders.
A central topic at the symposium was whether local and state legislation bypasses the traditional standards development process.
This process includes input from stakeholders with expertise in fire and life safety.
Circumventing these established methods could lead to changes that fail to meet necessary safety standards.
NFPA emphasized the importance of public policy decision-makers actively participating in the development of codes to ensure thorough evaluations and informed decisions.
Concerns were raised about the impact of single exit stairs on firefighting operations and emergency preparedness.
Firefighters noted that a single stairwell could become compromised during emergencies, creating challenges for occupants and responders.
Additionally, if ladder trucks are needed for rescues, fire departments must confirm their equipment can safely reach higher floors.
NFPA’s discussion highlighted these logistical challenges and the need for comprehensive planning.
Residents living in buildings with single stairwells must be well-informed about evacuation strategies and fire safety measures.
In cases where a defend-in-place approach is used instead of full evacuation, clear communication is vital.
NFPA emphasized that residents should understand their roles in fire prevention and emergency responses to reduce risks.
Enhancing public awareness is a key element of the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ introduced by NFPA.
The NFPA’s September symposium focused on the debate surrounding single exit stairwells in taller residential buildings.
Legislative proposals to relax current height restrictions, set by NFPA 101 and IBC standards, aim to address housing shortages but face criticism over potential safety risks.
Key discussions included concerns about bypassing the standards development process, firefighting challenges, and the importance of educating residents about fire safety protocols.
NFPA highlighted the need for robust evaluations of policy changes to maintain safety standards and released a report summarizing the symposium’s findings.
Access the report at nfpa.org/singleexit.
