According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a recent symposium report, One Stair, Two Perspectives: Single Exit Stair Symposium, outlines the discussions held on the proposed height increase for single exit stair apartment buildings in the United States and Canada.
The report covers safety concerns surrounding legislative proposals to permit six-story single exit stair buildings, up from the current three- or four-story limits established by NFPA and International Code Council standards.
The report was developed following an international symposium in September, which convened experts from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia to evaluate the implications of this potential change.
Christian Dubay, NFPA vice president and chief engineer, stated: “There are many safety factors to consider before approving the construction of single exit buildings beyond current limits, and what works in one jurisdiction may not be appropriate elsewhere.”
Dubay emphasized the need for a safety-focused approach to policy-making rather than unilateral legislative actions, which can bypass established, consensus-based safety standards.
The NFPA report identifies several safety risks related to the proposed building height increase.
A primary concern is the vulnerability created by a single point of egress.
If a single exit stairway is obstructed by smoke or fire, occupants may be unable to evacuate safely.
This risk is particularly pressing in taller buildings, where more people rely on a single exit.
The report also highlights the potential complications for emergency responders.
Counterflow, or the interaction between evacuating residents and first responders moving into the building, can obstruct rescue efforts and worsen the spread of smoke or fire.
Post-occupancy behaviors, such as obstructed exits or inadequate maintenance, add further complexity and emphasize the need for rigorous inspection and testing of safety measures in single exit stair buildings.
The NFPA symposium participants stressed the importance of research to fully understand the safety implications of six-story single exit buildings.
The report outlines six areas requiring additional study, including the impact of a single exit on firefighting operations and comparisons with dual-exit buildings to determine potential risks accurately.
Fire data limitations also present challenges, as current data lacks specific insights into single-exit impacts on evacuation outcomes, necessitating detailed fire modeling.
Human factors such as age and mobility are critical in assessing evacuation safety, particularly in taller buildings.
The report calls for an investigation into the influence of demographic characteristics on egress effectiveness.
Additionally, it highlights the potential for newer technologies, like lithium-ion batteries, to introduce additional fire risks, which may impact safety in single exit stair buildings.
To advance understanding, NFPA plans to fund a research project through the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) aimed at closing knowledge gaps highlighted by the symposium.
This research will involve a comprehensive code analysis and egress modeling, focusing specifically on the risks and feasibility of six-story single exit stair designs.
Insights from this study will be shared with standards organizations, contributing to future decision-making on single exit stair safety requirements.
The NFPA emphasizes that this research aligns with its commitment to safety through consensus-based codes and standards.
The organization recommends that legislative bodies exercise caution, ensuring that new safety policies are informed by thorough research and expert consensus.
The NFPA’s report on the Single Exit Stair Symposium addresses critical safety concerns associated with legislative proposals in the U.S. and Canada to allow six-story single exit stair apartment buildings.
The symposium gathered fire safety experts from multiple countries, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established code development processes to avoid safety risks.
Key issues highlighted include single egress vulnerability, emergency response challenges, and the impact of demographic factors on evacuation success.
The NFPA has initiated research to further assess these risks, aiming to ensure that any policy shifts are informed by data and expert consensus.
Findings will contribute to future NFPA and ICC code revisions, guiding safe building practices across North America.
