How to Bring Six-Story Single-Stair Buildings to Austin

The below recommendations are built on common standards in other cities and states.

1. Legalize single-stair buildings up to six stories

Here’s why six stories is THE height limit to adopt:

  • This would allow Austin to add more “gentle density” housing

  • Six stories is the height to which fire truck ladders can comfortably reach

  • Six stories has become the standard height limit for single-stair buildings in cities and states across the US

2. Cap the number of units at four per floor

This will keep foot traffic on stairways low during an emergency.

3. Limit corridor lengths and total exit distances

We propose adopting standards used by cities such as Knoxville, which limit corridors to 20 feet and total exit distances to 125 feet. This will keep exit distances modest.

4. Require one-hour fire-rated assemblies

Fire-rated assemblies are elements like walls and doors that can contain fires for a certain period of time. We’re recommending one hour, which will provide ample time for the Fire Department to arrive before a fire can spread.

With all these measures combined, the safety of single-stair buildings in Austin will be sky high!

Single-Stair Buildings Are Common Around the World and Spreading Quickly Across The US