VICTORIA – The Government of British Columbia has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) on design of single egress stairs in B.C. buildings.
Current British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) and British Columbia Fire Code (BCFC) requirements call for at least two egress, or exit, stairwells per floor in many buildings three storeys and higher, a release said.
The RFP, the release added, seeks options for what would be needed to protect safety, access and egress of occupants, while achieving the benefits of single egress stair designs in buildings up to eight storeys, such as flexibility for multi-bedroom apartments, more density within areas of transit-oriented development and possible improvement of energy efficiency in buildings.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned in our work to deliver more homes faster for people. This work will focus on developing an understanding of if and how this innovation can be incorporated into building and fire codes in a way that maintains and enhances safety, supports access and egress, while providing more homes for people in B.C.,” said B.C. Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon in a statement.
Consultants, if selected, will be required to engage with the Ministry of Housing, fire professionals, members of the accessibility community, engineers and architects, code users, technical safety specialists, and others to identify considerations and mitigation measures relating to access, egress, fire and life safety, the release said.
“This proposed change is significant in that it would make the construction of infill missing housing much easier. One of the things that Langley City Council has heard from the community is the desire to have more three-bedroom units for growing families. Single egress stair designs will help deliver more affordable, small-scale three-bedroom units in our community. I’m glad to see the province exploring the possibility,” City of Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal said.
The request for proposals can be reviewed here.
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