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by aperson_hello 1066 days ago
Do you? Most newer buildings go without external staircases (typically have two+ internals firewalled apart from each other)
2 comments

> Do you?

No, the window requirement is another housing suppression tactic. In New York, it is common for apartments to be illegally subdivided. It's how a lot of people live because it's affordable. I've done it. It's fine.

Stairwells are necessary. But nobody on the 60th story of a high rise is egressing externally, FDNY's ladders don't even go that high. If you're only home at night, the window is a luxury. As evidenced by, when people are given a choice between more cash and a window, many choosing the cash.

I believe there are two different requirements for residential: 1 is egress (fire regulations), and the other is natural light requirements for each room.
You're not going to egress out of a 60th floor window...
No, the natural light requirement is not a fire regulation. It's not about egress.