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These two-stair, zero-elevator buildings are such a scourge. And nobody in the building or fire worlds is concerned about them even after years of debate, they still think this is fine and I’m somewhere between misguided and evil for making them think about this. phillyyimby.com/2026/10/new-...

phillyyimby.comNew Permits Issued for Eight-Unit Building at 203-09 Diamond Street in Norris Square, North PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia YIMBY reports that construction permits were issued for an eight-unit residential building at 203-09 Diamond Street in Norris Square.

14/10/26, 1:17 pm3 reposts44 likes

Sam G

@samthegeek.net

One stair one elevator would be a much better balance. Do other countries consider an elevator an okay (if inadequate) secondary safety egress?

Stephen Jacob Smith

@stephenjacobsmith.com

They’re not seen as substitutes for each other, no. They serve different purposes.

Ben S

@bensh3.bsky.social

IBC 2027 would fix this building though right?

Stephen Jacob Smith

@stephenjacobsmith.com

Maybe not because there’s a basement level

Ben S

@bensh3.bsky.social

Basement people evacuate upward, everyone else evacuates downward, doesn't seem to be a problem as long as the landing is wide enough

Stephen Jacob Smith

@stephenjacobsmith.com

What they’ll say is that there’s more risk of the single stair becoming contaminated by an open door because of the greater number of units feeding into it. (I’m totally fine with current protections for a single stair up to the high-rise height limit, it doesn’t bother me.)