CAUTION: Scissor Stairwells Ahead

摘要

Scissor stairwells - or interlocking stairwells - are becoming more common in high-rise construction due to ever-increasing costs and a lack of adequately sized lots. They are particularly present in crowded cities that face the problem of running out of developable real estate in popular downtown urban areas. Scissor stair design offers the advantage of squeezing two stairwells into a much smaller footprint than the traditional return stair design. Scissor stairs are increasingly becoming a fact of life that is unlikely to change. This article will address some of the pitfalls associated with scissor stairs from the standpoint of the Life Safety Special Inspection Agency (SIA).