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Bill to allow single-stair multifamily buildings prompts debate over sprinklers and local fire capacity
Summary
Senate Bill 282 would allow single-stair egress in certain sprinklered multifamily buildings; the state fire marshal and municipal officials discussed national code trends, sprinkler effectiveness and concerns about ladder-truck reach in smaller towns.
Senate Bill 282 would permit single-exit stair configurations in specified multifamily buildings under certain conditions, such as required sprinkler systems and square-footage limits. Senator Keith Murphy said the measure is intended to reduce construction costs and encourage more housing by eliminating a second stairway in some buildings.
Sean Toomey, the state fire marshal, testified that the amendment circulated to the committee reflected language he provided to address exiting, sprinkler and electrical protection issues; he said current state codes already allow four-story buildings and that national model codes are shifting to allow similar changes, which New Hampshire could adopt early. Toomey cautioned about the trade-offs at five and six stories: building construction type (lightweight wood versus noncombustible) and the rescue capabilities of local fire departments differ across municipalities, and ground ladders may not reach higher floors in all towns.
Representatives of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association and the New Hampshire Municipal Association urged caution. Scott Kenny of the building officials group argued code changes are typically handled through the Building Code Review Board and state code-adoption cycles rather than by statute; he noted similar language is expected in the 2027 code cycle and warned about statutory code language creating conflicts for end users.
Supporters including Housing Action New Hampshire and the Institute for Justice said modern sprinklers and fire-resistant construction make single-stair designs safer and can lower per-unit construction costs, enabling more infill and smaller multifamily projects. Witnesses suggested limiting the change to sprinklered buildings and smaller floor plates, and discussed possible site-specific reviews or approvals tied to local fire-department capacity.
The committee heard no final vote on the bill in the provided transcript; several lawmakers and witnesses signaled ongoing drafting and review would continue.
