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Bill

Bill

A 4972

Permits single exit stairwells in certain new residential buildings under State Uniform Construction Code.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 2 co-sponsors

Bill allows single exit stairwells in specified new NJ residential buildings, reducing construction costs but eliminating backup evacuation routes during emergencies.

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 4972

Legislative bill overview

Assembly Bill A 4972 modifies New Jersey's State Uniform Construction Code to allow single exit stairwells in certain new residential buildings, rather than requiring the multiple egress routes currently mandated. The bill specifies conditions under which this relaxation of building safety standards would apply, though the specific building types and circumstances are referenced through amendments to existing code sections.

Why is this important

Building egress requirements are fundamental fire and life safety standards designed to ensure occupants can evacuate during emergencies. Relaxing these requirements could affect construction costs and development feasibility for certain residential projects, but also carries direct implications for occupant safety during fires or other disasters that may block the single available exit.

Potential points of contention

  • Life safety tradeoff: Single stairwells reduce evacuation options if that route becomes blocked by fire, smoke, or structural damage, potentially trapping occupants
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's reference to "certain" building types creates questions about which residential buildings qualify and whether the criteria are sufficiently narrow
  • Cost versus safety: Developers benefit from reduced construction expenses, but the public bears increased evacuation risk; unclear whether cost savings are proportional to safety reduction
  • Code consistency: May create patchwork safety standards across New Jersey's housing stock depending on construction date and building classification

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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