From Brian
BC Single Exit Stairs!
The Province of BC has once again been a pioneer, adding new provisions to the BC Building Code to permit Single Exit Stairs in buildings up to 6 storeys in height.
But, not everyone is happy about it.
BC Fire Fighters are very concerned. Is this fear mongering from a traditionally very conservative group, or are single exit stair designs legitimately dangerous given that the fire and life safety provisions of our building code were generally based on actual tragedy?
Others are concerned that the now in-force provisions were rushed given that the Province didn't undertake a public review prior to implementing the regulation change. Our review and application of the provisions in projects has suggested there are wording issues that require interpretation which not everyone is going to agree on.
Today, we look at various commentary and questions that have been expressed by various groups on this topic, including what is happening in the United States, which is also exploring single exit stairs as a way to help address the housing crisis.
Noncompliant Brian
Intel
Concerns with Single Exit Stairs
In a follow up video to his initial video commentary on single exit stairs in North America, Uytae Lee discusses why many are concerned with allowing a single exit in buildings.
youtu.be
B.C. fire chiefs worry about 1-stairwell building code changes
Rob Easton of CBC News explores the Single Exit Stair topic with a discussion about the central stairwell in Vancouver's 1906 Dominion Building.
cbc.ca
Single Exit Stairway Building Plan Design — BC Professional Fire Fighters
As it is always good to check the source, here is the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association news release on their opposition to Single Exit Stairs.
bcpffa.net
Single Egress Stairs: Residential Buildings in Canada, and What the Data Tells Us
Len Garis, former Fire Chief of the City of Surrey, through his partnership with The University of the Fraser Valley School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, has issued a research report on Single Exit Stairs. Len and his team look into the approaches taken in other jurisdictions in the world and our own local fire statistics including local fires, building on previous research.
ufv.ca
National Research Council of Canada Launches Consultations
The Federal Government has tasked the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) with looking at Single Exit Stairs as one potential solution to Canada's housing crisis. While it is unclear on what actions the NRCC will take at this time, the process has been started.
canada.ca
Single Stair, Many Questions
This indepth article by Jesse Roman in the NFPA Journal under Emerging Issues, provides a great discussion on single exit stairs in both the United States and in Canada, and the political push that is overrunning the much slower and methodical code development processes in each country.
nfpa.org
About
Thanks for reading today! It is wonderful that you have taken time out of your busy day to educate yourself on some of the current issues in our industry.
I appreciate your support and if you found this information useful, please forward this newsletter to a colleague!
If you have any comments, please let me know by emailing me at bfraser@celerity.ca.
I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. See you on the next issue for more Building Code entertainment!
Noncompliant Brian