January 30th, 2024

On January 26th, 2024, the province issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking consultants with expertise in design, engineering and life safety to provide input on single egress stair (SES) designs.

Input is being sought on how B.C. could incorporate this innovative design technique into building and fires codes to maintain and enhance building safety, while making design and construction more streamlined. This would be a positive step, modeled after other cities including Seattle and New York, which could increase density and improve energy efficiency. The current B.C. Building Code and B.C. Fire Code require at least two egress stairwells, and this proposal would explore allowing a single egress for buildings up to eight storeys.

The RFP will be open to consultants until February 22nd, 2024.