Could housing be cheaper and better if we stop building so many staircases?

Re:Could housing be cheaper and better if we stop building s... by wolverine876 on Saturday December 25, 2021 @02:14AM (#29681177)

> The purported reason for such rules is fire safety, though there’s no evidence that Americans and Canadians are any safer from structure fires than our neighbors around the world, where one-staircase construction is permitted even in buildings eight, 10, or 20 stories high.

That is quite a thing to dismiss. Is there evidence otherwise? Shouldn't we be looking at evidence that two staircases improves safety regardless of location?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Could housing be cheaper and better if we stop building s... by lcpriest on Saturday December 25, 2021 @03:42AM (#29681549)

Europe resolves the fire issue in other ways. Regulations that limit the number of units per floor (4 for Germany, 8 for Austria), regulations for maximum distance to stairwell, and often building height.

The building height one is significant as the balcony is often the second means of egress, via a fire truck ladder.

https://www.treehugger.com/single-stair-buildings-united-sta...

[ Parent | on HN ]