Representatives of the Renton Regional Fire Authority have expressed opposition to a residential housing regulation bill in the Washington state senate that could prevent cities from requiring more than a single stairway in residential buildings less than six stories tall.
HB 1167 passed through Washington’s House of Representatives on March 4 and moved on to the state Senate for review.
“Beginning July 1, 2026, cities may not require more than a single stairway in residential buildings of six or fewer stories if the conditions in the international building code are met,” reads a section of the bill as of March 30.
Fire Chief Steve Heitman of the Renton Regional Fire Authority called the section of the bill a “safety issue” at the March 20 Public Safety Committee meeting.
“They’re not listening to their experts,” Heitman said at the meeting. “They’re listening to contractors who are trying to make more money.”
Renton fire marshal Anjela Barton echoed Heitman’s sentiments.
“Any large incidents in our country’s history where there’s been a number of deaths, they’ve almost always [been] attributed to lack of exiting or inaccessible exiting,” Barton said. “It is a significant component when we’re looking at construction properties to make sure that there’s an adequate way for folks to be able to get out of those buildings in a fire or in an emergency.”
On Dec. 27, 2021, an intentionally set fire blocked the exit stairwell of a two-story building in Renton.
The blocked exit forced residents on the second floor to jump from the windows of the building. Residents experienced burns and broken bones, with one occupant suffering serious injuries including a fractured spine.
“That was from a two-story building,” Barton said. “And when you think about the impacts a six-story building would have if you took away that exit, it is definitely concerning.”
Additionally, in buildings with single stairwells, responding firefighters have to carry heavy equipment up stairwells as residents attempt to exit down.
“Anytime we start looking at limiting exiting, it just becomes concerning to us as a fire department,” Barton said. “We want to make sure folks can get out of their buildings in a safe and timely manner.”
As of now, the Renton Regional Fire Authority has and will continue to have conversations with policymakers as they attempt to raise awareness of the legislation.
Public Safety Committee members and council members Kim-Khánh Vân and Carmen Rivera did not immediately respond for comment in regards to opinions on HB1167.
