Firefighters oppose single-staircase, multi-level dwellings

Numerous fire departments expressed opposition to relaxing building codes in the Office of State Fire Marshal’s report, published Monday, that examines the safety of apartment buildings three or more stories tall. They argue that eliminating an exit way could pose a risk to both residents and first responders in the event of an emergency.

The findings of the report, published two months past its deadline, deliver a blow to lawmakers, who sought to reduce housing construction costs and maximize the number of units in future developments — when they’re next able to. Legislators and local lawmakers cannot revise building codes for the next five years, as part of a statewide effort to expedite housing development.

“Stairway requirements can have a profound effect on what does and does not get built in our neighborhoods,” Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas) wrote in a statement to Capitol Weekly. The Milpitas lawmaker, who authored legislation prompting the report, added, “With the development of modern fire mitigation measures, it is critical that we re-evaluate our building codes and unlock previously undevelopable properties to build more housing.”

California mandates two stairways on apartment buildings exceeding three stories. The fire and safety requirements are, according to the report, among the nation’s most comprehensive.

The report examined single-stairway building codes nationally and internationally. Seattle and New York City allow, for example, single stairways on apartments up to six stories tall; the latter doesn’t limit the number of units per level, so long as each doesn’t surpass 2,000 square feet. New York City maintains a “very simple” building code that has resulted in more than 4,000 single-stair apartments. Many of these apartments were built after the city started requiring them to have commercial-grade sprinkler systems in 2004.

Such safeguards — also including smoke detectors, building construction type, corridor vents — could reduce risks associated with a single stairway. But the report says these features don’t substitute having two. “The presence of an additional exit,” it reads, “is important for maintaining safety in the face of unforeseen failures, fire spread, or structural compromise.”

Members of California fire departments said a single stairway could result in first responders clashing with building evacuees, and equipment such as fire hoses could obstruct passageways.

The state fire marshal didn’t rule out, however, the possibility of single stairway housing up to four stories tall. Its report details criteria needed for it to recommend changes to state building code. California’s building standards commission has final say on such proposals.

Chris Ramirez is an intern with Capitol Weekly’s Public Policy Journalism Internship program. 

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