AIA chapters throughout California are tracking an important issue impacting the design and delivery of housing in California and we need your help.
Architects are advocating for single-stair design as one means to address the state’s housing shortage by making small and mid-sized multifamily projects more feasible.
Single-stair design (also called a Point Access Block or single stair egress strategy) refers to a design which uses only one enclosed stairway for occupant egress (exit) instead of the two or more stairs connected by a corridor typically required by building codes.
Proponents believe by allowing one carefully designed enclosed exit stair instead of two, architects can create more efficient floor plans, add units on smaller urban lots, and reduce construction costs. This strategy could also help deliver the “missing middle” housing California needs—filling the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings while maintaining safety and livability.
There are different groups exploring this option, looking at variations based on building size, number of stories, and potential amendments for consideration in the building code development process. There is an ongoing working group, publicly open and hosted by State Fire Marshall, which is open to receiving input. Some have observed that in that working group process, the architects’ voice has been lacking. AIA California encourages you to reach out and provide comment in this important process by sending your feedback to SESworkgroup@fire.ca.gov
For more information about the issues under consideration by the State Fire Marshall Working Group: click here.
This website link includes meeting minutes (which include link to recordings of the meetings), agendas; the working group charter; and these presentations:
International Code Council Presentation – Single Stair Code Proposals (PDF)
NFPA Presentation – Single Stair Summary (PDF)
NFPA Presentation – Single Stair NFPA History (PDF)
Presentation from the Center for Building (Stephen Smith) March 11, 2025
This is the primary presentation that lays out the objective and rationale behind the code change proposal
There is also a research report from the PEW Center here the looks at the track record of this type of design configuration where it is widely used.
The next meeting of the working group is Nov 4th 8 – 10am
