NC S492

Allows qualifying multifamily residential buildings (5-32 dwelling units, 75 feet or less in height) to be constructed with a single-exit stairway instead of multiple exits

Mid-rise buildings (up to 8 stories, max 4 units per floor) must have two-hour fire-resistance-rated construction and NFPA 13 automatic sprinkler systems throughout

Low-rise buildings (up to 3 stories, max 6 units per floor) must have either one-hour fire-resistance-rated construction or automatic sprinkler systems

All qualifying buildings must meet additional safety requirements including pressurized interior stairways, maximum 20-foot travel distance from unit doors to stairway entrance, and maximum 125-foot total travel distance to exit

Directs the Building Code Council to adopt permanent rules incorporating these single-exit stairway provisions into the North Carolina Building Code