flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Washington state micro apartment law prompts fire safety concerns

Washington state micro apartment law prompts fire safety concerns

Townhome-style “apodments” are required to have one stairwell, with a secondary escape or rescue window from each sleeping area. 


By BD+C Staff | January 23, 2014
Photo: Icade via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Icade via Wikimedia Commons

Proposed legislation to further regulate the building of micro apartments has triggered appeals from community activists concerned that fire safety standards are sub-par.

Townhome-style “apodments” up to 3,200 sf and up to 16 bedrooms are required to have one stairwell, with a secondary escape or rescue window from each sleeping area.

Traditional apartments more than 4,000 sf must have two protected exit stairs.

(http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/fire-exits-building-code-different-apodments/ncjwX/)

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2016

Denver broadens its use of design reviews as construction booms

Support strong, but some wary of giving more say to review boards.  

Codes and Standards | Dec 23, 2015

International Code Council approves updates based on NIST study of Joplin, Mo. tornado

Applies to schools and other high occupancy buildings.

Codes and Standards | Dec 21, 2015

Changing building codes to protect against mass shootings at odds with other safety measures

Fire and other emergencies require getting people out quickly, not locking down sections.  

Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2015

Codes should be updated to reflect lessons learned from recent extreme weather events

More can be done to boost resiliency to flooding, extended power outages.

Codes and Standards | Dec 1, 2015

More than 50 design, construction, and real estate firms urge action on climate change

Call for policymakers to move on one of the ‘greatest economic opportunities of the 21st Century’

Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2015

Chicago suburb considers bird collision deterrent requirement on all new buildings

The rule would mandate that new commercial, multifamily structures comply with LEED pilot program.

Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2015

Anchorage may raise building height restrictions that would block precious winter sunlight

Controversial measure is part of plan to spur development.

Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2015

New California law means commercial building benchmarking program will be implemented

Multifamily housing to be included, a first for a U.S. state.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Resiliency

U.S. is reducing floodplain development in most areas

The perception that the U.S. has not been able to curb development in flood-prone areas is mostly inaccurate, according to new research from climate adaptation experts. A national survey of floodplain development between 2001 and 2019 found that fewer structures were built in floodplains than might be expected if cities were building at random.



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021