Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings

The city of Edmonton is reforming its building code to allow single-staircase residential buildings, reports Emily Williams for CBC News.

“Also called point access block or single egress, advocates say they open up new missing middle housing options that allow for nicer units, family-friendly three-bedroom apartments, and can bring affordable housing opportunities.” One Edmonton developer estimated that removing a staircase for a small building can save up to $60,000 on the cost of construction.

While the typology has been banned in many jurisdictions, change is slowly happening in cities, states, and provinces across North America. 

The guide issued by Edmonton requires developers to provide “alternative solutions” to the double staircase requirement that can include sprinklers, widened stairwells, “Additional fire resistance ratings between suites and corridors,” and pressurized stairwells that prevent the spread of smoke.

Some local fire officials oppose the policy change, arguing that leaving just one egress option is inherently more dangerous in the event of a fire. However, supporters of single-stair construction argue recent safety innovations make the buildings just as safe as others.