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Maryland committee backs study on single‑stair apartment buildings, weighing safety and housing gains
Summary
A House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing advanced a study bill directing the Maryland Department of Labor to analyze whether buildings up to six stories can safely use a single staircase, and whether sprinkler and other fire‑suppression measures can mitigate risks while lowering construction costs.
Delegate Bonser, sponsor of House Bill 489, urged the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Feb. 11 to order a neutral study of single‑stair residential buildings.
"This is a nice, study bill for you to kick off the day," Delegate Bonser said, framing the bill as an expert review rather than an immediate code change. He told the committee the study would ask the Maryland Department of Labor to consult with the International Association of Fire Fighters and local fire marshals and consider fire suppression measures, including sprinklers.
The bill would direct the Department of Labor to examine construction and safety practices in other U.S. jurisdictions and abroad and recommend whether Maryland could permit single stair egress in buildings of up to six stories while…
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