SB 492

Requires the Building Code Council and local government officials enforcing the North Carolina Building Code to allow a qualifying R-2 building to be served by a single-exit stairway in lieu of multiple exists so long as the building meets the described requirements of either mid-rise or low-rise single exit buildings and all additional described universal requirements. Defines qualifying R-2 building to mean a Group R-2 occupancy building (as defined by the Building Code; excludes three-and four-family dwellings under rulemaking authority of the Residential Code Council) that contains between five and 32 dwelling units, having a total height of 75 feet or less above grade plane, and located solely on an individual lot. Lists three criteria that must be met for a mid-rise qualifying R-2 building to be served by a single exit, including that the building have no more than eight stories and has no more than seven stories above grade plane, and that there be no more than four dwelling units on any floor. Lists three criteria that must be met for a low-rise qualifying R-2 building to be served by a single exit, including that the building have no more than three total stories and has no more than two stories above grade plane, and that there be no more than six dwelling units on any floor. Lists nine additional requirements that must be met for either a mid-rise or low-rise qualifying R-2 building meeting their respective criteria to be eligible to be constructed with no more than one egress stair relating to stairway type, corridor separation, travel distance to the stairway, total travel distance, egress courts, elevators, other occupancies, exit discharge, and openings. Deems meeting the criteria for either a mid-rise or low-rise qualifying R-2 building and all universal requirements to constitute compliance with the means-of-egress requirements for exit stairways under the North Carolina Fire Code and any applicable local ordinances. Directs the Building Code Council to amend the Building Code to conform to the described directives and sunsets the act on the date the adopted rules become effective.