B.C. firefighters raise concerns over new stairway building code
B.C. firefighters raise concerns over new stairway building code
Buildings in B.C. that are under six storeys will no longer be required to have more than one egress staircase, a change that has firefighters concerned about safety.
Buildings in B.C. that are under six storeys will no longer be required to have more than one egress staircase, a change that has firefighters concerned about safety.
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced the change to the provincial building code last week.
He says the change will help with the province’s housing crisis.
Requiring only a single staircase leaves more space for housing units, and makes six-storey buildings viable on smaller lots.
About Here has a couple of videos on this. It's common in Europe.
This double staircase thing in Canada has always baffled me. A single staircase is the rule in Athens and afaik people are definitely not dying left and right.
"Help with the housing crisis" my ass. Who do you think you're trying to kid???
Single stairwell buildings are shown to be just as fire-safe as dual stairwell buildings when built properly. It also provides the benefit of more, larger units that are faster and less expensive to build.
Here's a fantastic video that was reportedly part of the influence for housing minister Revi Kahlon's announcement: https://youtu.be/iRdwXQb7CfM
Not according to Jason Cairney, second vice-president of the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C.
He says during a fire, 42 per cent of the time smoke impacts primary egress pathways. Sixty-eight per cent of fire-related deaths are due to smoke inhalation.
Fire chiefs come with stats. Politicians come with YT videos. I'm sticking with the experts here.
Well if we make building an already solidly profitable lot half a percent more profitable then suddenly all the developers will start selling units for far under market rate, obviously. It’s not like developers will continue to sit on land instead of risking completely supplying the market and thus causing unit prices and profit margins to fall, after all they can now add another closet to each floor instead of an interwoven staircase./s
Well, as even more people die in fires it will reduce the population, thus alleviating housing pressure.
/s
I hate that you're probably right. :(
The fire fighters should spend their time advocating for smaller fire trucks like the ones in europe to be able respond to emergencies quicker.
I don't see how the two are related.