National Fallen Firefighter Fund Joins Effort to Prevent Single Stairway Exits

EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has joined other major fire service groups in opposing the efforts in some jurisdictions to reduce the number of required exit stairwells and permit a single means of egress in multifamily buildings up to six stories.

Current model codes require at least two means of egress in residential occupancies above three stories. Several states have used—or are in the process of using—legislation to supersede the model safety codes, thus placing occupants and firefighters at greater risk of injury and death.

Allowing residential structures to be built with a single egress is contrary to decades of public safety tragedies. What’s more, in case of fire or other emergency, access to a single egress will result in increased risk to safe escape, both for residents/occupants of the building and for firefighters or other emergency personnel who are on the scene.

“The practice of a jurisdiction opting out of a portion of a code is not just a matter of choice, it’s a decision that nullifies the whole process—and endangers the public and those who are responsible for responding to fires and other life safety hazards,” says Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

“Codes are created with multiple factors in mind as part of a larger system to protect the public,” he says. “When legislators opt out of one portion of the code, it affects other systems in an occupancy and endangers everyone who works, lives, and otherwise occupies the affected building. This should raise concern about the potential risks.”

Inside the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Stance

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation concurs with other fire service groups on these positions:

1. A single means of egress places residents and firefighters in danger.
2. Many fire departments lack the personnel and equipment required to combat these types of fires and to safely evacuate large numbers of people from elevated floors through a single means of egress.
3. Operations on ground or aerial ladders are hazardous for trained firefighters. Removing occupants via ground or aerial devices places them at a greater risk of falls or being struck by debris from the fire scene, particularly individuals who may have mobility issues, disabilities, or other vulnerabilities.
4. Providing emergency responders access to only a single entryway for emergency operations negatively impacts rescue and fire suppression efforts, especially if the single exit is obstructed by occupants attempting to evacuate the structure. This removes the responders’ ability to utilize one stairwell for occupant egress and establish suppression operations in the second stairwell.
5. Many of these proposed multifamily dwellings serve our most vulnerable populations and place them at greater risk by degrading the standard of living and life safety.
6. Nationally developed consensus model codes and standards are promulgated based on real data from past tragedies—including fire deaths, injuries, and large dollar losses. In addition, modern fire science and technologies are used to create layered protection in buildings, ensuring and enhancing safety. To comply with portions of the code and promote the elimination of other parts will have devastating consequences.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation “urges state legislatures to reject efforts to circumvent the model code process and strongly supports that the established egress requirements be maintained,” the announcement says.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content

Iowa County Enhances Emergency Services

NFPA and Joey Gase Motorsports Drive Home Fire Safety Awareness at Watkins Glen

Florida SouthWestern State College Deploys AI Gun Detection and Situational Awareness

EPIC-FSC Partners with Calabasas to Ensure Critical Communications During Disasters