Committee considers letting scissor stairs count as two means of egress to unlock middle‑housing designs

Committee staff described SB 6,001 as a directive for the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend amendments allowing scissor stairs for occupancies of more than two dwelling units where occupants are primarily permanent. Proponents told the committee the design provides two independent means of egress separated by fire‑resistant construction while enabling more efficient, sometimes taller, slender buildings.

Seattle architect Matt Hutchins testified the provision can make smaller buildings and mid‑rise floor plates more efficient by 3–4%, which may be the difference between a project pencil‑ing or not. He and other witnesses cited examples in Vancouver (B.C.), New York City and large public venues (Climate Pledge Arena) to show the stair type is already in use. Sightline Institute and other proponents framed the change as an incremental code modernization that can reduce regulatory barriers to housing production without compromising life safety.

Committee members asked about the history and safety implications; witnesses said fire‑resistant separations between stairways preserve egress safety and that jurisdictions already see scissor stairs in some facility types. The staff noted a modest fiscal note (~$5,100 in FY27) for the advisory work. The hearing closed after testimony; no committee vote was recorded during the hearing.