As mentioned in previous updates, at the Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities on February 26th, Council directed staff to further explore Provincial Single Egress Stair (SES) provisions and directed staff to report back to Council in Fall 2025 with further information for Council’s consideration. 

Concerns of SES implementation in the report focused on fire safety risks, such as congestion during response and evacuation due to only one exit route and occupants becoming trapped if smoke reached the stairwell. The report noted that taller buildings are at higher risk due to increased evacuation times. 

Alternatives for space-efficient egress alternatives proposed in the report include: 

• Scissor Stairs – The City has historically restricted the use of scissor stairs in wood and steel-framed buildings due to construction and seismic concerns. Additional simple design features could be introduced to improve safety or review the required minimum separation between exits to see if safer and more efficient designs are possible; and 
• Exterior Stairs – A key concern with SES is the risk of smoke filling the stairwell, making it unusable. External stairs could greatly reduce this risk by allowing smoke and heat to disperse outside. Staff recommend further study on this option, including suites opening directly onto exterior stairs, which could improve efficiency while maintaining fire and life safety. 

More information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

October 22, 2024

At the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services on October 9th, Council directed staff to report back on the potential to update the Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL) to enable Single Egress Stairs in low and mid-rise buildings. Staff were directed to report back in Q4 of 2024 on this progress to enable larger layouts and more multi-bedroom apartment options for families.  

Further direction noted that the report should be guided by the advice of architects with code and accessibility expertise, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services and IAFF18 representatives, and consideration of VFRS concerns, or recommendations concerning the identification or potential inclusion of supporting life safety and firefighting measures.   

More information can be found in the motion brought forward for consideration by Council and UDI’s correspondence to the City on the VBBL.