One of the latest avenues to help tackle the current housing crisis is the recently introduced 2024 BCBC revision that enables the construction of single exit stair residential buildings greater than 2 storeys. For decades the two exit stair code requirement has resulted in the ubiquitous double loaded corridor apartment design all over the country. The change is intended to increase flexibility in design to allow projects on smaller lots and in different configurations. Join us for a discussion on the technical requirements, design opportunities and challenges of this recent code change, and what they could mean for the housing crisis.
First, Corie Luben of Celerity will provide an overview of the new technical requirements and mitigating features that will allow buildings up to 6 storeys to have a single exit stair. Inge Roecker of AIR Studio and Associate Professor at UBC SALA will follow with a discussion of the architectural opportunities this code change will enable for housing design and insights from a 6 storey single exit stair project currently at the Development Permit stage in the City of Vancouver.
The presentation will highlight the significant requirements that architects must be aware of when evaluating the feasibility or schematic design of single exit stair buildings.
Learning Objectives:
Types of buildings that the new requirements apply to.
Assumptions for fire protection and emergency response.
Factors that restrict the maximum size of single exit stair buildings.
Design requirements for the exit stair that differ from conventional buildings.
Design opportunities and challenges for apartment building design with a single exit stair.
Collaborating with permitting departments on single exit stair projects.
Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Venue: Online Via Zoom – Register HERE
Presenters:
Corie Lubben, EIT, RHFAC Professional
Corie Lubben is registered as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) with Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia. She graduated from McMaster University, with a B.Eng. degree. Corie has worked for Celerity since 2016, with responsibilities focused on Building Code and Fire Code reviews of new and existing buildings of residential, institution, commercial, industrial, assembly, and mixed uses. She completed the AIBC Advanced Code Knowledge course in 2021. In 2024, Corie completed the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Professional training program.
Inge Roecker
Inge is an Associate Professor at UBC SALA and founding Principal at AIR studio, an internationally awarded research-in-practice architecture design firm. As a Passive House trained professional, Inge’s practice is centered on inclusion, health and wellbeing of people and planet. Over the last 20 years, Inge’s focus on housing has ranged from multi-generational to purpose-built housing. Inge co-founded the research-to-action collective Design for Inclusion (D4i), a transdisciplinary initiative based in Vancouver and Montreal. As a collaboration, D4i works to innovate housing design processes toward new inclusive housing models, develop projects advocating for community equity, and seeks opportunities to prototype innovative inclusive housing models. Inge’s academic research investigates social issues arising through the mismatch between people and the spaces they inhabit. Her work responds to how we can meaningfully house people regardless of age, ability, or demographics. She is a frequent consultant to cities and community-based organizations on these topics.