“This is boring to Europe because this could go anywhere on a lot with a ground floor commercial unit,” said Conrad Speckert , a housing designer and building code researcher, as he showed off a set of technical drawings he helped design for Toronto-based LGA Architectural Partners.

But in most of Canada, building codes generally require two sets of exit stairs for apartment buildings of more than two storeys. The main concern is allowing people out in case of fire, especially if one exit becomes unviable.

Yet with features such as sprinklers, smoke-sealed doors and more reliable fire alarm systems, mid-size apartment buildings can be just as safe, several studies have concluded. In other countries, single-stair apartment complexes are common. In Seattle, single stairways have been all

See Full Page