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Virginia considering future building code updates that could help with infill development

I'd start with these questions,
1. how many "infill" lots are throughout the state?
2. how many of those "infill" lots could meet a secondary egress requirement?
3. how many of those "infill" lots immediate surrounding currently have parking issues?
4. would having an SD in the lobby truly help, provide examples of such?
5. we already have a minimum code, provide real world data that proves this will save additional lives.
 
lol, the article called it a “zoning code” change to allow 1 stair MOE.

A video summary of one of the studies behind this movement:
 
steveray said:
That has been in the IRC since 2009....And that does not make housing affordable.....Neither does this, but that doesn't fit the narrative...
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But it's amended out in the majority of states, and would prevent deaths (and lessen property loss), probably prevent more deaths than 2 stairs for 4-6 stories on a per occupant or per dwelling unit basis.

I find 375 deaths in all multifamily, and 2700 or so in one and two family dwellings. I'm much more bothered by jurisdictions removing fire protection requirements than I am by them permitting single stairs up to 6 floors with sprinklers and some total occupant limit - maybe a max of 2 units per floor. I'd also look at non-combustible construction - maybe limit to I, II, and IV, as the European examples appear. Two-bys and type X won't cut it IMHO.
 
bill1952 said:
But it's amended out in the majority of states, and would prevent deaths (and lessen property loss), probably prevent more deaths than 2 stairs for 4-6 stories on a per occupant or per dwelling unit basis.

I find 375 deaths in all multifamily, and 2700 or so in one and two family dwellings. I'm much more bothered by jurisdictions removing fire protection requirements than I am by them permitting single stairs up to 6 floors with sprinklers and some total occupant limit - maybe a max of 2 units per floor. I'd also look at non-combustible construction - maybe limit to I, II, and IV, as the European examples appear. Two-bys and type X won't cut it IMHO.
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Most of the proposals are 4 units per floor....We could really save lives if we would just outlaw stairs entirely....Which is about 3X the fire deaths...But that doesn't have an industry pushing it....

More than 1 million injuries are caused by stairway falls each year in the U.S. Stairway accidents are the second leading cause of injury, with motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause. Stairway accidents result in 12,000 fatalities each year.Nov 24, 2023
 
I believe the societal cost of falls in general are far exceed those from motor vehicle. Hers one study claiming just falls on sidewalks and streets exceed vehicular accidents. We could improve stairs in the built environment as well.

Before this topic was posted, I was thinking about the legislatures amending codes and wish the ICC and NFPA could retake the leadership role and look at some of these issues and offer better science, and the least impactful options to reduce cost of housing - which seems to be the driver. All one story type I fully sprinklered would be great but not practical.
 
How about only allowing one bathroom? That would free up floor space and significantly reduce the construction cost when eliminating a bathroom. Formica counter tops only would also reduce cost and make housing more affordable. How about eliminating the green energy and simplify the energy code for reduced cost.
 
mtlogcabin said:
How about only allowing one bathroom? That would free up floor space and significantly reduce the construction cost when eliminating a bathroom. Formica counter tops only would also reduce cost and make housing more affordable. How about eliminating the green energy and simplify the energy code for reduced cost.
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But you don't understand.....It's those pesky egress stairs that are the problem.... :rolleyes:

They really want 4 units around a central stair so you can have windows on two sides so you can watch the fire department as they hopefully come to rescue you because you can't get out...
 
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