New research from Pew shows that modern multifamily buildings are significantly safer in terms of fire deaths: fire fatalities in post-2000 apartments occur at less than one-quarter the rate of modern single-family homes. This is striking, because one of the most burdensome code requirements in multifamily has long been the mandate for two separate stairwells in buildings above three stories—a rule built on older fears of fire egress risk. If newer buildings with modern sprinklers, fire-rated materials, self-closing doors, and advanced alarms can perform so much better, the justification for requiring two stairwells—even in smaller buildings—warrants serious reexamination.
Critics of the two-stair rule argue that it adds 6 – 13 percent to construction costs and eats up 7 percent of floor area...
RSK: With new fire-resistant construction and materials, some of these codes may be outdated. However, it is never easy to reverse a safety code.
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- - Volume: 25 - WEEK: 41 Date: 10/7/2025 1:38:33 PM -