Relative to stairway requirements in certain residential buildings.
SB 282 revises New Hampshire building code rules for certain residential buildings by allowing some structures to be built with a single stairway instead of the traditional multiple-stair requirement. The bill creates two categories: residential buildings with four or fewer floors above grade may have one stairway if they are sprinklered and the stairway meets fire-code construction standards; residential buildings with five or six floors above grade may also have one stairway, but only if they meet additional safety and design limits, including a maximum of 4,000 square feet per floor, a 125-foot exit travel distance limit, sprinkler protection, fire alarms, smoke detection in common areas, and restrictions on openings, elevator access, and electrical receptacles in the stair enclosure.
The measure is aimed at updating stairway requirements in RSA 155-A:2 for mid-rise residential construction. It would affect developers, builders, architects, fire code officials, and local permitting authorities by creating a narrower pathway for single-stair residential design in certain buildings. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and would become part of the state’s fire and building code framework governing residential egress and life-safety features.
SB 282 would amend RSA 155-A:2 by adding new paragraphs that expressly authorize single-stair residential buildings under specified conditions. In practice, it would relax existing stairway requirements for qualifying apartment or residential buildings while preserving fire-safety protections through sprinkler systems, fire-rated doors, fireproof stair construction, smoke detection, alarm systems, and limits on building size and travel distance. The bill primarily impacts residential developers and code enforcement officials, and it could influence the design and cost of mid-rise housing projects in New Hampshire.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or formal vote history to indicate broad support or opposition. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears to be framed as a targeted housing and building-code adjustment rather than a controversial policy shift, with an emphasis on balancing construction flexibility and fire safety. The sponsors listed suggest active legislative support, but the provided materials do not show public testimony or amendments reflecting a clear split in sentiment.
The main point of contention likely concerns whether allowing only one stairway in residential buildings could reduce life safety in an emergency, especially in buildings with five or six floors. Opponents of such changes would likely focus on evacuation, firefighter access, and the adequacy of a single egress route, while supporters would emphasize modern fire protection systems, code-based safeguards, and the potential to reduce construction costs and support housing development. Because no transcripts were provided, specific arguments from legislators, fire officials, builders, or housing advocates are not documented here.