Bill > SB282

This bill modifies stairway requirements for residential buildings with 4 to 6 floors above grade, allowing them to have only one stairway under specific safety conditions. For buildings with 4 or fewer floors, a single stairway is permitted if the building is equipped with a sprinkler system and the stairway is constructed of fireproof material with fire-rated doors at each floor. For buildings with 5 or 6 floors, additional requirements include a maximum floor area of 4,000 square feet, exit access travel distance not exceeding 125 feet, a sprinkler system, a manual fire alarm system, and automatic smoke detection in common spaces. The bill also specifies additional safety measures such as limiting openings to the stairway enclosure, ensuring elevators do not open into the stairway, prohibiting electrical receptacles in the stairway, and requiring fire-rated doors and fireproof construction. The new regulations aim to provide flexibility in building design while maintaining robust fire safety standards, and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=1083&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB282