B.C. no longer requires 2 exit stairwells in 6-storey buildings
Province says change will allow for more flexibility in housing projects
British Columbia is set to permit buildings up to six storeys high to have only one exit stairwell instead of the previously required two, as part of the government's latest initiative to increase housing supply.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced that the update to the provincial building code, removing the mandate for a second exit stairwell on each floor, will provide more options for residents needing larger living spaces.
According to a provincial statement, this change will enable the construction of housing projects on smaller lots and offer more flexibility for multi-bedroom apartments, thereby increasing housing density in areas close to transit-oriented developments.
A policy report commissioned by the province highlights that the primary purpose of having two exits is to give occupants an alternative escape route if one exit is blocked.
The province stated that all new buildings constructed under the updated regulations will be required to include safety measures such as sprinklers, smoke-management systems, and wider stairwells.
The report examined data from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, finding that around eight to 10 percent of fires in apartment buildings may start in exit stairs or common corridors, but these incidents are generally small.
It also suggests that single-stairwell buildings should focus on minimizing the use of combustible materials in exit routes and slowing the spread of fire.
These changes do not apply to Vancouver, which operates under its own governing charter and building code.
