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> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Osaka_building_fire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Osaka_building_fire Good point. But to be fair, you should consider

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Osaka_building_fire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Osaka_building_fire Good point. But to be fair, you should consider the injuries and deaths caused by elderly falling off stairs - 1M injuries, 12,000 deaths in the US alone. [0] Compared that with 3,700 deaths and 16,600 injuries for ALL fires, not just fires in buildings [1]. My view would be that stairs KILL, and that new buildings should avoid stairs (at least, within a single unit) at all costs. We should also rethink how we design stairs and stair safety, and adjust building codes accordingly. Of course, this will most likely never happen. [0]: https://www.attorneywdkickham.com/stairway-staircase-accidents.html#:~:text=Over%201%20Million%20injuries%20occur,are%2012%2C000%20stairway%20accident%20deaths https://www.attorneywdkickham.com/stairway-staircase-acciden.... [1]: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/ https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/

montroser 5y ago
It would be far-fetched to think that having a second staircase for egress would result in additional deaths. More staircases does not cause more traversals of staircases.
- lumost 5y ago
  Secondary staircases are often steeper to save money.
pessimizer 5y ago
Turning stairs into ramps doesn't change anything about this. The point isn't the stairs, it's the exits. We just haven't figured out how to have entrances and exits in multi-story buildings that don't involve stairs or elevators. I don't think chutes and ladders would be safer for the elderly.
chongli 5y ago
Stairs can be made a lot safer for elderly people. One way is to put in landings every 3-4 stairs and change the direction 90 degrees each time. This way if you fall it’s not very far. You can also have very firm, easy to grasp handrails and thick padded carpet on the stairs and landings to soften them. Finally, for very frail elderly people you can install a chair lift so they can ride up and down instead of climbing the stairs.

montroser 5y ago

It would be far-fetched to think that having a second staircase for egress would result in additional deaths. More staircases does not cause more traversals of staircases.

lumost 5y ago
Secondary staircases are often steeper to save money.

pessimizer 5y ago

Turning stairs into ramps doesn't change anything about this. The point isn't the stairs, it's the exits. We just haven't figured out how to have entrances and exits in multi-story buildings that don't involve stairs or elevators. I don't think chutes and ladders would be safer for the elderly.

chongli 5y ago

Stairs can be made a lot safer for elderly people. One way is to put in landings every 3-4 stairs and change the direction 90 degrees each time. This way if you fall it’s not very far. You can also have very firm, easy to grasp handrails and thick padded carpet on the stairs and landings to soften them. Finally, for very frail elderly people you can install a chair lift so they can ride up and down instead of climbing the stairs.