DBI updates commission on emergency escape and rescue openings guidance for R3 buildings

Department of Building Inspection staff told the Building Inspection Commission on Wednesday that the department is working on permanent guidance to implement a State Fire Marshal interpretation requiring emergency escape and rescue openings (EGO2) for R3 occupancies be accessible to ground ladders.

Policy and Public Affairs staff Jeff Buckley traced the issue to a December 2018 State Fire Marshal interpretation and said DBI issued a revised 90‑day interim information sheet in December 2021. "DBI is currently meeting with representatives from the design community to get ideas on how to implement those changes on a more permanent basis," Buckley said, noting collaboration with the Fire Marshal and the Planning Department.

Buckley identified three central questions being discussed with AIA and other stakeholders: what triggers compliance with the State Fire Marshal's interpretation, what acceptable equivalencies the department can approve, and what changes should be incorporated into revised guidance. He said the department expects to return in April with a fuller update and a draft document for commissioners to review and comment on.

Public callers asked about scope and enforcement across other residential occupancy types and whether DBI staff coordinate early with Planning on projects; DBI staff said they plan additional stakeholder meetings before returning to the commission.

The department said its goal is to balance code and public safety principles with reasonable equivalencies for the design community and to present a draft for commission review in April.