Single Exit Study RFP

The Department of State (“DOS”) plans to contract with a vendor to provide consulting services to the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (“Code Council”) and the Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes (“DBSC”) with a study to assist in the development of the report (required under section 2.2.2) to be issued to the Code Council on or before July 1, 2026.

The DOS’s objectives for the consultant for this study include, but are not limited to:
1. Evaluate current building code requirements for multi-unit residential
buildings above three stories, up to at least six stories.
2. Examine current building codes that allow for single-exit, single
stairway multi-unit residential buildings above three stories, up to at
least six stories, including but not limited to the City of New York.
3. Evaluate the feasibility of the design and installation of a single-exit in
multi-unit residential new buildings.
4. Evaluate the technical criteria for single-exit buildings, including
design features, mitigating factors, fire hazards, fire incident data, code
requirements, alternatives, and restrictions including added features to
reduce fire risk.
5. Estimate the potential cost savings of installing a single-exit building
(including any proposed mitigating provisions) compared to current
code requirements.
6. Examine any current or future code change proposals to the 2027 model
building codes (including state and local governments) for single-exit,
single stairway multi-unit residential buildings above three stories, up
to at least six stories.
7. Assessment of impact(s) for single-exit buildings on local fire
department response, capabilities, operations, and tactics. If
appropriate, draft potential code provisions for consideration by the
Code Council for incorporation of building codes for single-exit, single
stairway multi-unit residential buildings above three stories, up to six
stories, including any additional mitigating requirements to ensure the
health, safety, and security of building occupants and first responders.