Economics of Egress Alternatives and Life-Safety Costs

Robert E. Chapman, David T. Butry, Allison L. Huang, and Douglas S. Thomas

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

Office of Applied Economics

Building and Fire Research Laboratory

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899

NIST Special Publication 1109

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

Economics of Egress Alternatives and Life-Safety Costs

Robert E. Chapman, David T. Butry, Allison L. Huang, and Douglas S. Thomas

Sponsored by:

U.S. General Services Administration

Public Buildings Service

Office of Facilities Management and Services Programs

Washington, DC 20405

September 2010

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Gary Locke, Secretary

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Patrick D. Gallagher, Director

NIST Special Publication 1109

Office of Applied Economics

Building and Fire Research Laboratory

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8603

iii

Abstract

Fire protection measures are needed to maintain the safety and integrity of the Nation’s 

building stock and to limit loss of life and property when building fires do occur. 

Statistics published by the National Fire Protection Association demonstrate that fire 

protection is a major investment cost in building construction. Therefore, ways to reduce 

these costs while ensuring safety are of interest to building owners, fire protection 

engineers, and other construction industry stakeholders. Although all fire protection 

measures have important economic implications, the focus of this report is on egressrelated requirements in new building construction.

Recent changes in the International Building Code have set the stage for analyzing the 

costs of several key egress-related requirements. The U.S. General Services 

Administration commissioned this study to conduct an economic analysis of the use of 

elevators and exit stairs for occupant evacuation and fire service access. The goal of this 

study is to produce analyses of cost data suitable for evaluating improved egress system 

designs that promote efficient and timely egress of occupants, including those with 

disabilities, and that facilitate more efficient fire department operations. This report 

tabulates cost data for selected egress-related requirements in five prototypical buildings. 

The five prototypical buildings range in height from a 5-floor, mid-rise building to a 75-

floor, high-rise building. Cost data are tabulated in a format that facilitates life-cycle cost 

analyses of selected egress-related requirements. Incremental costs are also tabulated to 

help assess the implications of changing one or more design parameters.

The results of the economic analysis for four prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m), 

with two over 420 ft (128 m) high, demonstrate that: (1) an additional exit stair is a costeffective alternative to the installation of occupant evacuation elevators on a first-cost 

basis; and (2) occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative to the 

installation of an additional exit stair on a life-cycle cost basis when rental rates are high 

and discount rates are low.

Keywords

Buildings; cost data; economic analysis; egress; exit stairs; fire protection; life-cycle cost; 

occupant evacuation elevators; safety
iv
v

Preface

This study was conducted by the Office of Applied Economics in the Building and Fire 

Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This report 

produces analyses of cost data suitable for evaluating improved egress system designs 

that promote efficient and timely egress of occupants, including those with disabilities, 

and that facilitate more efficient fire department operations. The intended audience is the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. General Services 

Administration, building owners, fire protection engineers, standards and codes 

developers, and other construction industry stakeholders interested in reducing the costs 

of fire protection while ensuring safety.

Disclaimer

Certain trade names and company products are mentioned in the text in order to 

adequately specify the technical procedures and equipment used. In no case does such 

identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the products are necessarily the best 

available for the purpose.

Disclaimer Regarding Non-Metrics Units

The policy of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is to use metric units in 

all of its published materials. Because this report is intended for the U.S. construction 

industry that uses U.S. customary units, it is more practical and less confusing to use U.S. 

customary units rather than metric units. Measurement values in this report are therefore 

stated in U.S. customary units first, followed by the corresponding values in metric units 

within parentheses.

Cover Photographs Credits

Digital Division Construction in Action clip gallery image used in compliance with

Digital Vision’s royalty free digital stock photography use policy.
vi
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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank all those who contributed so many excellent ideas and 

suggestions for this report. They include Mr. David W. Frable, Senior Fire Protection

Engineer, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), for his technical guidance, 

suggestions, and support; Messrs. Jason D. Averill and Richard D. Peacock of the Fire 

Research Division in the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute 

of Standards and Technology (NIST) for coordinating the GSA/NIST egress research 

program; and Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Director of the Building and Fire Research 

Laboratory (BFRL) at NIST, for his guidance and insights. Special appreciation is 

extended to Dr. Harold E. Marshall of BFRL’s Office of Applied Economics for his 

thorough review and many insights and to Ms. Carmen L. Pardo for her assistance in 

preparing the manuscript for review and publication. Special appreciation is also 

extended to Mr. William H. Hunt, GSA’s Chief Estimator; Mr. Ahmet Tanyeri, President 

Van Dusen and Associates; Mr. Carl Galioto, Partner Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP;

Ms. Barbara Balboni, Senior Engineer RS Means; Ms. Vivian Huang, Associate Principal 

Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; Mr. Muthiah Kasi, CEO Alfred Benesch & Company, 

and Mr. Brian D. Black, Code and Safety Consultant to National Elevator Industry, Inc., 

BDBlack Codes, Inc., for their help in developing much of the cost data that is the focus 

of this report. Special appreciation is also extended to Mr. Richard Bukowski, formerly 

with BFRL’s Fire Research Division, and Dr. John R. Hall, Jr., Division Director for Fire 

Analysis & Research at the National Fire Protection Association, for their comments on 

an earlier draft of this report. The report has also benefitted from the review and 

technical comments provided by Dr. Nicos S. Martys of BFRL’s Materials and 

Construction Research Division and Dr. Anthony P. Hamins, Chief of BFRL’s Fire 

Research Division.
viii
ix

Table of Contents

Abstract.............................................................................................................................iii

Preface................................................................................................................................ v

Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... vii

Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................................... xiii

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ xv

1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Background......................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose................................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Scope and Approach ........................................................................................... 3

1.4 Assumptions and Limitations ............................................................................. 4

2 Annual Cost of Fire Protection................................................................................. 5

2.1 Value of Construction Put in Place..................................................................... 5

2.2 Characteristics of Commercial Buildings........................................................... 7

3 Methodology for Conducting an Economic Analysis of Egress- Related Costs. 15

3.1 Types of Analysis ............................................................................................. 15

3.1.1 Baseline Analysis.......................................................................................... 15

3.1.2 Sensitivity Analysis ...................................................................................... 16

3.2 Overview of Evaluation Methods..................................................................... 16

3.2.1 Life-Cycle Cost Method ............................................................................... 17

3.2.2 Present Value Net Savings............................................................................ 18

3.2.3 Savings-to-Investment Ratio......................................................................... 18

3.2.4 Adjusted Internal Rate of Return .................................................................. 19

3.3 Presentation and Analysis of the Results of an Economic Analysis................. 19

3.3.1 Significance of Study Effort ......................................................................... 20

3.3.2 Analysis Strategy .......................................................................................... 20

3.3.3 Calculation of Benefits, Costs, and Additional Measures ............................ 23

4 Tabulation and Analysis of Egress-Related Cost Data ........................................ 25

4.1 Use of Prototypical Building Designs............................................................... 25

4.2 Exit Stairs.......................................................................................................... 25

4.2.1 Alternative Exit Stair Configurations ........................................................... 26

4.2.2 Incremental Cost of Adding an Exit Stair..................................................... 33

4.3 Occupant Evacuation Elevators and Fire Service Access Elevators ................ 39

4.3.1 Occupant Evacuation Elevators.................................................................... 40

4.3.2 Fire Service Access Elevators....................................................................... 44

4.4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Additional Exit Stair or Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators ....................................................................................................................... 47

4.4.1 Results of the Baseline Analysis................................................................... 49

4.4.2 Results of the Sensitivity Analysis ............................................................... 59

4.4.2.1 Uncertainty Parameters.......................................................................... 60

4.4.2.2 Monte Carlo Simulation of the Life-Cycle Costs of an Additional Exit 

Stair and Occupant Evacuation Elevator .............................................................. 61
x

4.4.2.3 Monte Carlo Simulation of the Economic Performance of Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators Compared to an Additional Exit Stair: PVNS, SIR, and 

AIRR ................................................................................................................ 62

4.4.2.4 Break-Even Analysis.......................................................................... 69

4.4.3 Presentation and Analysis of Results............................................................ 70

5 Summary and Recommendations for Further Research ..................................... 81

5.1 Summary........................................................................................................... 81

5.2 Recommendations for Further Research........................................................... 82

References........................................................................................................................ 83

Appendix A Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators............................................................................. 87

Appendix B Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service Elevators to Fire 

Service Access Elevators ....................................................................................... 101

List of Figures

Figure 2.1 Number of Commercial Buildings by Size Category: 2003........................... 10

Figure 2.2 Number of Commercial Buildings by Year of Construction: 2003 ............... 10

Figure 2.3 Total Floorspace of Commercial Buildings by Size Category: 2003............. 12

Figure 2.4 Total Floorspace by Size Category and Number of Floors for All Commercial 

Buildings: 2003......................................................................................................... 12

Figure 2.5 Breakdown of High-rise Commercial Buildings by Number19...................... 13

Figure 2.6 Breakdown of High-rise Commercial Buildings by Floorspace20.................. 13

Figure 4.1 Plan and Cross Section of Exit Stair Used in Calculating Lost Rental Income: 

Exit Stair with Nominal Width of 44 in (112 cm) .................................................... 34

List of Tables

Table ES.1 Summary Information on the Prototypical Buildings Used in Developing 

Egress-Related Cost Data1 .................................................................................... xviii

Table ES.2 Assumptions for the Monte Carlo Simulations............................................ xix

Table 2.13Value of Construction Put in Place for Selected Construction Types: 2002 to 

2008............................................................................................................................. 6

Table 2.24Annual Cost of Fire Protection in Buildings: 2002 to 2008 ............................. 7

Table 2.35Number of Commercial Buildings and Total Floorspace by Principal Building 

Activity ....................................................................................................................... 8

Table 4.16Summary Information on the Prototypical Buildings Used in Developing 

Egress-Related Cost Data ......................................................................................... 25

Table74.2 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 1: 5 Floors, Height of 60 ft (18 m), 

and Total Floorspace of 100 000 ft2(9290 m2)......................................................... 28

Table84.3 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft (48 

m), and Total Floorspace of 325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)............................................... 29

Table94.4 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft (102 

m), and Total Floorspace of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2)............................................... 30
xi

Table104.5 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft (154 

m), and Total Floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2).......................................... 31

Table114.6 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft (274 

m), and Total Floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m

2

).......................................... 32

Table124.7 Incremental Cost of Adding an Exit Stair..................................................... 33

Table134.8 Incremental Cost per Floor of Adding an Exit Stair..................................... 34

Table144.9 Loss of Rental Space Due to the Installation of an Additional Exit Stair .... 36

Table154.10 Annual Loss of Rental Income Due to the Installation of an Additional Exit 

Stair........................................................................................................................... 37

Table164.11 Life-Cycle Costs of an Additional Exit Stair.............................................. 38

Table174.12 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft (48 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)...................................................................... 41

Table184.13 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft (102 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2)...................................................................... 42

Table194.14 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft (154 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2)................................................................. 42

Table204.15 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft (274 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2)................................................................. 43

Table214.16 Life-Cycle Costs of Converting a Standard Passenger Elevator System to an 

Occupant Evacuation Elevator System..................................................................... 44

Table224.17 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft (48 m), and Total Floorspace of 

325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)............................................................................................. 45

Table234.18 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft (102 m), and Total Floorspace 

of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2) ........................................................................................ 45

Table244.19 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft (154 m), and Total Floorspace 

of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2) ................................................................................... 46

Table254.20 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft (274 m), and Total Floorspace 

of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2) ................................................................................... 46

Table264.21 Life-Cycle Costs of Converting a Standard Service Elevator System to a 

Fire Service Access Elevator System ....................................................................... 47

Table274.22A Summary of Key Life-Cycle Cost Measures for an Additional Exit Stair 

and Occupant Evacuation Elevators ......................................................................... 51

Table284.22B Summary of Key Life-Cycle Cost Measures for an Additional Exit Stair 

and Occupant Evacuation Elevators ......................................................................... 52

Table294.23A Calculation of Present Value Net Savings of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 53

Table304.23B Calculation of Present Value Net Savings of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 54
xii

Table314.24A Calculation of Savings-to-Investment Ratio of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 55

Table324.24B Calculation of Savings-to-Investment Ratio of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 56

Table334.25A Calculation of Adjusted Internal Rate of Return of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 57

Table344.25B Calculation of Adjusted Internal Rate of Return of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair.............................................................. 58

Table354.26 Assumptions for the Monte Carlo Simulations........................................... 60

Table364.27A Summary Statistics from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Life-Cycle Cost 

for an Additional Exit Stair and Occupant Evacuation Elevators (statistics in 

thousands of dollars)................................................................................................. 63

Table374.27B Summary Statistics from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Life-Cycle Cost 

for an Additional Exit Stair and Occupant Evacuation Elevators (statistics in 

thousands of dollars)................................................................................................. 63

Table384.28A Summary Statistics of the Economic Performance from the Monte Carlo 

Simulations of Occupant Evacuation Elevators compared to an Additional Exit Stair 

(PVNS in thousands of dollars) ................................................................................ 67

Table394.28B Summary Statistics of the Economic Performance from the Monte Carlo 

Simulations of Occupant Evacuation Elevators compared to an Additional Exit Stair 

(PVNS in thousands of dollars) ................................................................................ 68

Table404.29A Discount Rate and Rental Rate Required for the Investment into Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators to Break-Even Over the Life-Cycle ....................................... 69

Table414.29B Discount Rate and Rental Rate Required for the Investment into Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators to Break-Even Over the Life-Cycle ....................................... 70

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1ES.1 Summary of Building 2 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.............................. xx

Exhibit 2ES.2 Summary of Building 3 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis............................ xxii

Exhibit 3ES.3 Summary of Building 4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis........................... xxiv

Exhibit 4ES.4 Summary of Building 5 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis........................... xxvi

Exhibit 3.15Format for Summarizing the Results of an Economic Analysis.................. 22

Exhibit64.1 Summary of the Building 2 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis............................ 72

Exhibit74.2 Summary of the Building 3 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis............................ 74

Exhibit84.3 Summary of the Building 4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis............................ 76

Exhibit94.4 Summary of the Building 5 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis............................ 78
xiii

Acronyms and Abbreviations

AIRR Adjusted Internal Rate of Return

BC Base Case

BFRL Building and Fire Research Laboratory

BOMA Building Owners and Managers Association

CBECS Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey

DOE Department of Energy

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GSA General Service Administration

IBC International Building Code

LCC Life-Cycle Cost

NFPA National Fire Protection Association

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

OEES Occupant Evacuation Elevator System

OMB Office of Management Budget

PLEPM Photoluminons Exit Path Markings

PVNS Present Value Net Savings

RECS Residential Energy Consumption Survey

SIR Savings-to-Investment Ratio
xiv
xv

Executive Summary

Fire protection measures are needed to maintain the safety and integrity of the Nation’s 

building stock and to limit loss of life and property when building fires do occur. 

Statistics published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) demonstrate that 

fire protection is a major investment cost in building construction. Therefore, ways to 

reduce the costs of fire protection while ensuring safety are of interest to building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other construction industry stakeholders. Fire protection 

measures include, but are not limited to, building safety features concerned with 

extinguishment (e.g., sprinklers), containment (e.g., compartmentation), passive 

resistance (e.g., fire resistive materials), detection and alarm (e.g., smoke detectors), and 

egress (e.g., exit stairs). Although all fire protection measures have important economic 

implications, both in terms of first costs and future costs associated with operations and 

maintenance, the focus of this report is on egress-related measures in new building 

construction.

Egress-related measures are a major component of any fire protection strategy in 

buildings. Historically, building egress systems have evolved in response to specific 

large loss incidents. Aggressive building designs, changing occupant demographics, and 

consumer demand for more efficient systems have forced egress designs beyond the 

traditional exit stair-based approaches. Unfortunately, these approaches often lack a 

technical foundation for performance and economic trade-offs. Such performance and 

economic trade-off issues include the design for full-building and phased-evacuation of 

occupants, provisions for the evacuation of individuals with disabilities, and counterflow 

issues between first responders accessing a building and occupants evacuating a building.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) commissioned this study to conduct an 

economic analysis of the use of elevators and exit stairs for occupant evacuation and fire 

service access for buildings greater than 120 ft (37 m) in height. GSA’s general approach 

in the construction of new facilities and renovation projects in existing buildings is to 

incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life safety systems that result in overall 

building safety that meets or exceeds the levels required by local building codes. 

Unfortunately, there currently is a lack of data on the cost of existing, as well as newly 

proposed code requirements for occupant evacuation and fire service access in buildings. 

By sponsoring scientifically-based fire safety research, GSA will ensure building code 

requirements are cost-effective while ensuring safety. In addition, research will provide 

opportunities for GSA to evaluate the benefits of new technologies in their buildings and 

provide an opportunity to evaluate the cost of proposed code changes and ensure that they 

do not significantly increase construction and maintenance costs over the life of the 

building without demonstrably improving building safety.

Egress-related measures entail significant investment costs. In addition to initial capital 

investments, referred to as first costs, egress-related measures may result in significant 

future costs associated with major replacements as well as operations and maintenance 

costs. In some cases, egress-related measures may impinge on rentable floorspace, thus 

resulting in lost rental income. Therefore, any economic analyses must go beyond an 
xvi

evaluation of first cost considerations, because an alternative with higher first cost but 

lower future costs may be the most cost-effective choice. As a result, this report employs 

a life-cycle cost approach based on ASTM Standard Practice E 917 to analyze the costs 

of selected egress-related requirements. Where appropriate, additional cost related 

measures of economic performance are calculated.

Recent changes in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) have set the stage for 

analyzing the costs of several key egress-related requirements. Four changes to the IBC 

that are examined in this report are:

An additional exit stairway for buildings more than 420 ft (128 m) high;

An increase of 50 percent in the width of exit stairways in new sprinklered 

buildings with floor area exceeding 15 000 ft2(1394 m2);

Permitting the use of elevators for occupant evacuation in fires and other 

emergencies for all buildings, and as an alternative to the required addition of an 

exit stairway for buildings more than 420 ft (128 m) high; and

A minimum of one fire service access elevator for buildings more than 120 ft 

(37 m) high.

The purpose of this report is to produce economic analyses of cost data suitable for 

evaluating improved egress system designs that promote efficient and timely egress of 

occupants, including those with disabilities, and that facilitate more efficient fire 

department operations. This report tabulates cost data for selected egress-related 

requirements in five prototypical buildings. The five prototypical buildings range in 

height from a 5-floor, mid-rise building to a 75-floor, high-rise building. Cost data are 

tabulated in a format that facilitates life-cycle cost analyses of selected egress-related 

requirements. Incremental costs are also tabulated to help assess the implications of 

changing one or more design parameters.

This report contains five chapters and two appendices. Chapter 1 provides background 

information and introduces the subject matter. Chapter 2 provides a snapshot of the U.S. 

construction industry. Historical data on the value of construction put in place are used to 

highlight the NFPA procedure for estimating the annual cost of fire protection in 

buildings. Information from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Buildings 

Energy Consumption Survey is then used to summarize the characteristics of commercial 

buildings, with special emphasis on buildings over 10 floors. For the most part, these 

buildings are more than 120 ft (37 m) high. 

The methodology employed in this report to measure the economic performance of 

selected egress-related requirements is described in Chapter 3. The methodology is based 

on two types of analysis, four measures of economic performance, and a format for 

summarizing the results of an economic analysis of egress-related costs. The two types 

of analysis are baseline analysis and sensitivity analysis. The four measures of economic 
xvii

performance are life-cycle cost (LCC), present value of net savings (PVNS), savings-toinvestment ratio (SIR), and adjusted internal rate of return (AIRR); they are based on 

Standard Practices issued by ASTM International. The format for summarizing the 

results of an economic analysis of egress-related costs is based on an ASTM Standard 

Guide.

Chapter 4 presents information on the five prototypical buildings used to derive cost data 

for selected egress-related requirements. Chapter 4 covers the central theme of this report 

and, as such, will be summarized in greater detail than the other sections of this report.

Chapter 5 concludes the report with a summary and a recommendation for further 

research. Specifically, the current procedure for estimating the national cost of fire 

protection in buildings needs to be revised to incorporate changes in codes, standards, 

practices, and technologies that have been adopted over the last 20 to 30 years. Once 

completed, the revised procedure will provide a comprehensive, science-based approach 

for estimating the national cost of fire protection in buildings. 

Appendix A documents the specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships 

used to develop costs of the occupant evacuation elevator systems for the four 

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high presented in Chapter 4. Appendix B 

documents the specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships used to 

develop the costs of the fire service access elevator systems for the four prototypical 

buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high presented in Chapter 4.

An objective of Chapter 4 is analyzing the cost-effectiveness of the required installation 

of an additional exit stair in buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high versus the alternative of 

installing an occupant evacuation elevator system. Characteristics of the five prototypical 

buildings are summarized in Table ES.1. Egress-related cost data were compiled from a 

number of sources, including industry experts, design professionals, and cost estimating 

guidebooks and software. Although the life-cycle costs of either an additional exit stair 

or an occupant evacuation elevator system are likely to amount to several million dollars 

(see Table ES.1), they represent only a small fraction (i.e., about 0.6 % to 1.2 %) of the 

construction cost of those buildings.

Within Chapter 4, cost data on exit stairs are first presented along with information on the 

incremental costs of increasing the width of exit stairs and the implications of installing 

an additional exit stair for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high. Three nominal stair widths 

are considered: (1) 44 in (112 cm), the current minimum; (2) 56 in (142 cm), a width 

based on previous egress-related studies; and (3) 66 in (168 cm), the new minimum 

requirement for new sprinklered buildings with floor area exceeding 15 000 ft2

(1394 m

2

). Cost data on occupant evacuation elevator systems, and fire service access 

elevator systems, with special emphasis on buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high are then 

presented.
xviii

Table ES.1 Summary Information on the Prototypical Buildings Used in 

Developing Egress-Related Cost Data1

Building Number of 

Floors

Building 

Height

Per Floor 

Area

Total 

Floorspace

Cost

Feet (ft) ft2ft2$ million $/ft2

1 5 60 20,000 100,000 10.0 100.0

2 13 156 25,000 325,000 42.3 130.2

3 28 336 30,000 840,000 147.0 175.0

4 42 504 40,000 1,680,000 504.0 300.0

5 75 900 45,000 3,375,000 1,215.0 360.0

The life-cycle cost analysis presented in this report uses 2007 as the base year, a 25-year 

study period, and a 2.7 % real discount rate. The 2.7 % real discount rate conforms to 

Office of Management and Budget guidance for cost-effectiveness analyses of 

government programs with either a 20-year or 30-year study period. The length of the 

study period is based on the expected service life of elevators reported by Whitestone 

Research.

The baseline value for the life-cycle costs of installing an additional exit stair in 

Building 2 ranges from $1.5 million for the 44 in (112 cm) stair width to $2.4 million for 

the 66 in (168 cm) stair width. The baseline value for the life-cycle costs of installing an 

additional exit stair in Building 3 ranges from $3.2 million for the 44 in (112 cm) stair 

width to $5.2 million for the 66 in (168 cm) stair width. The baseline value for the lifecycle costs of installing an additional exit stair in Building 4 ranges from $4.8 million for 

the 44 in (112 cm) stair width to $7.8 million for the 66 in (168 cm) stair width. The 

baseline value for the life-cycle costs of installing an additional exit stair in Building 5 

ranges from $8.6 million for the 44 in (112 cm) stair width to $13.9 million for the 66 in 

(168 cm) stair width.

The baseline value for the life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator 

system to an occupant evacuation elevator system in Building 2 is $0.5 million. The 

baseline value for the life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator system 

to an occupant evacuation elevator system in Building 3 is $1.1 million. The baseline 

value for the life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator system to an 

occupant evacuation elevator system in Building 4 is $2.4 million. The baseline value for 

the life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator system to an occupant 

evacuation elevator system in Building 5 is $7.6 million.

It is important to note that although the life-cycle cost of converting a standard passenger 

elevator system to an occupant evacuation elevator system is less than the life-cycle cost 

of installing an additional exit stair in Buildings 2 through 5, the first cost of converting a 

standard passenger elevator system to an occupant evacuation elevator system is higher. 

Thus, the installation of an exit stair is designated as the Base Case—because it has a 

lower first cost—when performing the cost-effectiveness analysis.

Baseline values for the life-cycle costs of converting a standard service elevator system to 

a fire service access elevator system are calculated for Buildings 2 through 5, the four 
xix

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high. These values are: $195 thousand for 

Building 2; $395 thousand for Building 3; $660 thousand for Building 4; and $1.7 million 

for Building 5.

Because the values of many variables that enter into the baseline analysis are not known 

with certainty, it is advisable to select a small set of variables whose impact is likely to be 

substantial and subject them to a sensitivity analysis. Five inputs into the baseline 

analysis are identified as containing uncertainty in their estimates. The five inputs are: 

(1) the discount rate; (2) the rental rate for commercial office space; (3) the cost of the 

fire door and frame assembly protecting lobbies above the ground floor; (4) the Sky 

Lobby lost rental space for Building 5; and (5) the cost associated with signage, lobby 

status indicator, and a two-way communication system (see Table ES.2). The discount 

rate affects the life-cycle costs of both alternatives—installing an additional exit stair or 

installing occupant evacuation elevators—in Buildings 2 through 5. The rental rate 

affects the life-cycle costs of installing an additional exit stair in Buildings 2 through 5 

and installing occupant evacuation elevators in Building 5. The costs associated with the 

fire door and frame assembly and costs associated with signage, lobby status indicator, 

and a two-way communication system affect the life-cycle cost of installing occupant 

evacuation elevators in Buildings 2 through 5. The Sky Lobby lost rental space affects 

the life-cycle cost of installing occupant evacuation elevators in Building 5.

Table ES.2 Assumptions for the Monte Carlo Simulations

Monte Carlo simulation is used to assess the sensitivity of the life-cycle costs of an 

additional exit stair and the occupant evacuation elevator system to changes in the five 

uncertainty parameters. Each input is designed to follow a triangular distribution. 

Throughout this sensitivity analysis, 10 000 simulations were run for each combination of 

input variables under analysis.

The results of the baseline analysis and the sensitivity analysis are summarized in 

Exhibits ES.1 (Building 2), ES.2 (Building 3), ES.3 (Building 4), and ES.4 (Building 5). 

The summary format is based on ASTM Standard Guide E 2204.

Min Most-Likely Max

Discount Rate Triangular 1.0 2.7 10.0

Rental Rate Triangular $ 18.18 $ 36.92 $ 43.18

Fire Door and Frame System Triangular $ 4,000 $ 5,250 $ 6,000

Sky Lobby Lost Rental Space Triangular - 4,000 8,403

Signage, Lobby Status 

Indicator, and Two-Way 

Communication System

Triangular $ 4,000 $ 4,500 $ 5,000

Probability Setting & Value

Distribution

Variable
xx

Exhibit 1ES.1 Summary of Building 2 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

GSA was interested in evaluating the changes for buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) in height. Two such changes—an additional exit stair 

and permitting the use of occupant evacuation elevators as an 

alternative to the required addition of an exit stair—were the focus 

of an economic analysis. Information on the costs and 

specifications of alternative configurations for exit stairs and 

occupant evacuation elevators were compiled to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as a resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and key construction industry 

stakeholders concerned about egress and life-safety issues in high 

rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

GSA was interested in evaluating the 

changes for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) 

in height.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(1) Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(2) Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(1) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(2) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
xxi

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $1,501 $551 $2,402 $551

Investment Cost $114 $453 $48 $453

Delta Investment Cost N/A $339 N/A $405

Non-Investment Cost $1,387 $97 $2,354 $97

Savings N/A $1,290 N/A $2,257

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $950 N/A $1,827

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 3.80 N/A 5.57

AIRR N/A 8.33 % N/A 10.00 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 495 1,134 1,949 1,150 260 

LCCBC(56) 601 1,469 2,578 1,490 353 

LCCBC(66) 695 1,779 3,163 5,832 440 

LCCOEES 447 527 601 527 26 

PVNSBC(44):OEES -35 608 1,386 623 779 

PVNSBC(56):OEES 71 943 2,010 963 1,079 

PVNSBC(66):OEES 166 1,253 2,595 1,279 1,361 

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $1,501

Base Case (56) $1,968

Base Case (66) $2,402

OEES $551

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $951 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $1,418

BC(66):OEES $1,852

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 3.80

BC(56):OEES 4.82

BC(66):OEES 5.57

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 8.33 %

BC(56):OEES 9.37 %

BC(66):OEES 10.00 %
xxii

Exhibit 2ES.2 Summary of Building 3 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

GSA was interested in evaluating the changes for buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) in height. Two such changes—an additional exit stair 

and permitting the use of occupant evacuation elevators as an 

alternative to the required addition of an exit stair—were the focus 

of an economic analysis. Information on the costs and 

specifications of alternative configurations for exit stairs and 

occupant evacuation elevators were compiled to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as a resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and key construction industry 

stakeholders concerned about egress and life-safety issues in high 

rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

GSA was interested in evaluating the 

changes for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) 

in height.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(3) Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(4) Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(3) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(4) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
xxiii

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $3,229 $1,403 $5,173 $1,403

Investment Cost 241 $1,143 $103 $1,143

Delta Investment Cost N/A $902 N/A $1040

Non-Investment Cost $2,988 $259 $5,070 $259

Savings N/A $2729 N/A $4811

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $1,827 N/A $3,770

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 3.02 N/A 4.62

AIRR N/A 7.35 % N/A 9.19 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 1,063 2,438 4,195 2,472 559 

LCCBC(56) 1,293 3,162 5,550 3,208 760 

LCCBC(66) 1,497 3,830 6,812 3,888 949 

LCCOEES 1,152 1,344 1,522 1,343 62 

PVNSBC(44):OEES -274 1,100 2,762 1,129 1,234 

PVNSBC(56):OEES -44 1,822 4,102 1,865 1,649 

PVNSBC(66):OEES 160 2,491 5,364 2,545 2,091 

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $3,229

Base Case (56) $4,237

Base Case (66) $5,173

OEES $1,403

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $1,827 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $2,835

BC(66):OEES $3,770

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 3.02

BC(56):OEES 3.93

BC(66):OEES 4.62

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 7.35 %

BC(56):OEES 8.48 %

BC(66):OEES 9.19 %
xxiv

Exhibit 3ES.3 Summary of Building 4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

Two such changes—an additional exit stair and permitting the use 

of occupant evacuation elevators as an alternative to the required 

addition of an exit stair—were the focus of an economic analysis. 

Information on the costs and specifications of alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant evacuation elevators 

were compiled to support the economic analysis and to serve as a 

resource for building owners, fire protection engineers, and key 

construction industry stakeholders concerned about egress and lifesafety issues in high rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(5) Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(6) Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(5) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(6) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
xxv

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $4,842 $2,440 $7,759 $2,440

Investment Cost $360 $1,921 $154 $1,921

Delta Investment Cost N/A $1,561 N/A $1,767

Non-Investment Cost $4,482 $519 $7,605 $519

Savings N/A $3,963 N/A $7,086

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $2,402 N/A $5,319

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 2.54 N/A 4.01

AIRR N/A 6.60 % N/A 8.57 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 1,593 3,655 6,291 3,707 839

LCCBC(56) 1,938 4,742 8,324 4,811 1,140

LCCBC(66) 2,245 5,745 10,218 5,832 1,423

LCCOEES 2,004 2,330 2,644 2,330 109

PVNSBC(44):OEES -687 1,337 3,792 1,377 780

PVNSBC(56):OEES -341 2,421 5,798 2,482 1,080

PVNSBC(66):OEES -34 3,425 7,691 3,502 1,362

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $4,842

Base Case (56) $6,355

Base Case (66) $7,759

OEES $2,440

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $2,402 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $3,915

BC(66):OEES $5,319

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 2.54

BC(56):OEES 3.36

BC(66):OEES 4.01

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 6.60 %

BC(56):OEES 7.80 %

BC(66):OEES 8.57 %
xxvi

Exhibit 4ES.4 Summary of Building 5 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

Two such changes—an additional exit stair and permitting the use 

of occupant evacuation elevators as an alternative to the required 

addition of an exit stair—were the focus of an economic analysis. 

Information on the costs and specifications of alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant evacuation elevators 

were compiled to support the economic analysis and to serve as a 

resource for building owners, fire protection engineers, and key 

construction industry stakeholders concerned about egress and 

life-safety issues in high rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(7) Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(8) Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(7) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(8) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
xxvii

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $8,644 $7,604 $13,855 $7,604

Investment Cost $640 $3,761 $274 $3,761

Delta Investment Cost N/A $3,121 N/A $3,487

Non-Investment Cost $8,004 $3,843 $13,581 $3,843

Savings N/A $4,161 N/A $9,738

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $1,040 N/A $6,251

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 1.33 N/A 2.79

AIRR N/A 3.89 % N/A 7.01 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 2,841 6,525 11,232 6,616 1,498

LCCBC(56) 3,459 8,466 14,864 8,590 2,036

LCCBC(66) 4,009 10,258 18,245 10,414 2,542

LCCOEES 4,271 6,641 11,408 6,768 1,114

PVNSBC(44):OEES -2,880 -301 5,876 -151 1,235

PVNSBC(56):OEES -2,148 1,639 9,410 1,822 1,651

PVNSBC(66):OEES -1,599 3,446 12,708 3,646 2,093

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $8,644

Base Case (56) $11,347

Base Case (66) $13,855

OEES $7,604

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $1,040 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $3,743

BC(66):OEES $6,251

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 1.33

BC(56):OEES 2.14

BC(66):OEES 2.79

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 3.89 %

BC(56):OEES 5.87 %

BC(66):OEES 7.01 %
xxviii

Because the format is fairly compact, it is necessary to abbreviate some of the terms 

reported in the exhibits. The term Base Case is used to represent the installation of an 

additional exit stair because the first cost for each of the three exit stair configurations 

was lower than the first cost for an occupant evacuation elevator system. The 

abbreviation BC refers to the Base Case (exit stair). The values in parentheses—(44), 

(56), and (66)—refer to the width of the additional exit stair. The abbreviation OEES 

refers to the occupant evacuation elevator system. The abbreviations BC(44), BC(56), 

BC(66), and OEES refer to the corresponding exit stair configurations and the occupant 

evacuation elevator system. For example, LCCBC(44) corresponds to the life-cycle cost of 

the 44 in (112 cm) wide exit stair. The abbreviations BC(44):OEES, BC(56):OEES, and 

BC(66):OEES are used to represent comparisons between a given exit stair width and the 

corresponding occupant evacuation elevator system. For example, PVNSBC(66):OEES

corresponds to the present value net savings of the occupant evacuation elevator system 

vis-à-vis the 66 in (168 cm) wide exit stair.

The results of the baseline analysis, reported in the exhibits, demonstrate that occupant 

evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative to the installation of an additional exit 

stair for the four prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high. Furthermore, these 

results are reasonably representative, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis, with 

some notable exceptions.

While installation of occupant evacuation elevators is generally cost-effective vis-à-vis 

the installation of an additional exit stair on a life-cycle cost basis, the sensitivity analysis 

reveals combinations of the uncertainty parameters which produce comparisons that are 

not. This is best seen by referring to the entries for the present value of net savings 

(PVNS) entries in the exhibits. A negative PVNS value indicates that installation of 

occupant evacuation elevators are not cost effective vis-à-vis the installation of an 

additional exit stair.

For Building 2, PVNS ranges from a minimum of -$0.04 million (compared to the 44 in 

(112 cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $2.6 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit 

stair). Refer next to the negative PVNS entries in Exhibit ES.1. For the comparison with 

the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 0.02 % of the simulations. For 

the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair and 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, the 

occupant evacuation elevators were cost-effective. For all three exit stair widths, 

minimum PVNS corresponds with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For Building 3, PVNS ranges from a minimum of -$0.3 million (compared to the 44 in 

(112 cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $5.4 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit 

stair). Refer next to the negative PVNS entries in Exhibit ES.2. For the comparison with 

the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 0.5 % of the simulations. For 

the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 0.02 % of 

the simulations. For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, the occupant 

evacuation elevator was cost-effective. For all three exit stair widths, minimum PVNS 

corresponds with low rental rates and high discount rates.
xxix

For Building 4, PVNS ranges from a minimum of -$0.7 million (compared to the 44 in 

(112 cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $7.7 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit 

stair). Refer next to the negative PVNS entries in Exhibit ES.3. For the comparison with 

the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 2.6 % of the simulations. For 

the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 0.1 % of 

the simulations. For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS

occurred in 0.01 % of the simulations. For all three exit stair widths, minimum PVNS 

corresponds with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For Building 5, PVNS ranges from a minimum of -$2.9 million (compared to the 44 in 

(112 cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $12.7 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit 

stair). Refer next to the negative PVNS entries in Exhibit ES.4. For the comparison with 

the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 59.2 % of the simulations. For 

the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS occurred in 13.0 % of 

the simulations. For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, a negative PVNS

occurred in 2.1 % of the simulations. For all three stair widths, minimum PVNS 

corresponds with low rental rates, large Sky Lobby areas, and high discount rates. Large 

Sky Lobby areas affect both lobby enclosure costs, a first cost, and rentable floorspace on 

the Sky Lobby floor, an annual recurring cost.

In summary, the results of the economic analysis for the four prototypical buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) high, demonstrate that: (1) an additional exit stair is a cost-effective 

alternative to the installation of occupant evacuation elevators on a first-cost basis; and 

(2) occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative to the installation of an 

additional exit stair on a life-cycle cost basis when rental rates are high and discount rates 

are low. 
xxx
1

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

Fire protection measures are needed to maintain the safety and integrity of the Nation’s 

building stock and to limit loss of life and property when building fires do occur. 

Statistics published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) demonstrate that 

fire protection is a major investment cost in building construction.1 Therefore, ways to 

reduce the costs of fire protection while ensuring safety are of interest to building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other construction industry stakeholders. Fire protection 

measures include, but are not limited to, building safety features concerned with 

extinguishment (e.g., sprinklers), containment (e.g., compartmentation), passive 

resistance (e.g., fire resistive materials), detection and alarm (e.g., smoke detectors), and 

egress (e.g., exit stairs). Although all fire protection measures have important economic 

implications, both in terms of first costs and future costs associated with operations and 

maintenance, the focus of this report is on egress-related measures in new building 

construction.

Egress-related measures are a major component of any fire protection strategy in 

buildings. Historically, building egress systems have evolved in response to specific 

large loss incidents. Aggressive building designs, changing occupant demographics, and 

consumer demand for more efficient systems have forced egress designs beyond the 

traditional exit stair-based approaches. Unfortunately, these approaches often lack a 

technical foundation for performance and economic trade-offs. Such performance and 

economic trade-off issues include the design for full-building and phased-evacuation of

occupants, provisions for the evacuation of individuals with disabilities, and counterflow 

issues between first responders accessing a building and occupants evacuating a building.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) commissioned this study to conduct an 

economic analysis of the use of elevators and exit stairs for occupant evacuation and fire 

service access for buildings greater than 120 ft (37 m) in height. GSA’s general approach 

in the construction of new facilities and renovation projects in existing buildings is to 

incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life safety systems that result in overall 

building safety that meets or exceeds the levels required by local building codes. 

Unfortunately, there currently is a lack of data on the cost of existing, as well as newly 

proposed code requirements for occupant evacuation and fire service access in buildings. 

By sponsoring scientifically-based fire safety research, GSA will ensure building code 

requirements are cost-effective while ensuring safety. In addition, research will provide 

opportunities for GSA to evaluate the benefits of new technologies in their buildings and 

provide an opportunity to evaluate the cost of proposed code changes and ensure that they 

do not significantly increase construction and maintenance costs over the life of the 

building without demonstrably improving building safety.

 

1 Hall, J.R. 2008. “The Total Cost of Fire in the United States.” Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection 

Association.
2

Egress-related measures entail significant investment costs. In addition to initial capital 

investments, referred to as first costs, egress-related measures may result in significant 

future costs associated with major replacements as well as operations and maintenance 

costs. In some cases, egress-related measures may impinge on rentable floorspace, thus 

resulting in lost rental income. Therefore, any economic analyses must go beyond an 

evaluation of first cost considerations, because an alternative with higher first cost but 

lower future costs may be the most cost-effective choice. As a result, this report employs 

a life-cycle cost approach based on ASTM Standard Practice E 9172to analyze the costs

of selected egress-related requirements. Where appropriate, additional cost related 

measures of economic performance are calculated.

Recent changes in the International Building Code (IBC)3have set the stage for analyzing 

the costs of several key egress-related requirements.

4

 Four changes to the IBC that are 

examined in this report are:

An additional exit stairway for buildings more than 420 ft (128 m) high;

An increase of 50 percent in the width of exit stairways in new sprinklered 

buildings with floor area exceeding 15 000 ft2(1394 m2);

5

Permitting the use of elevators for occupant evacuation in fires and other 

emergencies for all buildings, and as an alternative to the required addition of an 

exit stairway for buildings more than 420 ft (128 m) high;6and

A minimum of one fire service access elevator for buildings more than 120 ft 

(37 m) high.7

 

2

For a detailed description of the ASTM life-cycle cost standard, see ASTM International. “Standard 

Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems,” E 917, Annual Book of 

ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

3

International Code Council, Inc. 2009. International Building Code. Washington, DC: International Code 

Council, Inc.

4 National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Safer Buildings Are Goal of New Code Changes Based 

on Recommendations from NIST World Trade Center Investigation” TechBeat: October 1, 2008. 

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/wtc_100108.html (accessed December 2008).

5 Due to changes to Section 1005 of the IBC. See NIST’s Recommendations Following the Federal 

Building and Fire Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster, 

http://wtc.nist.gov/recommendations/recommendations.htm#Recommendation_17. 

It states, 

Requires that the width of exit stairs in all (new) buildings be calculated on the basis that has 

traditionally been applied to unsprinklered buildings, which is 50 percent greater than what was 

permitted for sprinklered buildings. This will result in wider exit stairs where the occupant load 

exceeds the minimum capacity provided by two 1100 mm (44 in) stairs. For an office building, 

wider stairs will be required in floors with a gross area exceeding about 15,000 sq ft per stair 

(30,000 sq ft with the minimum of two 1100 mm stairs).

6

Passenger elevators must meet specific criteria to be used for occupant evacuation purposes; these criteria 

are provided in Section 3008 of the 2009 International Building Code, Op Cit.

7 Elevators must meet specific criteria to be used for fire service access; these criteria are provided in 

Section 3007 of the 2009 International Building Code, Ibid.
3

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to produce economic analyses of cost data suitable for 

evaluating improved egress system designs that promote efficient and timely egress of 

occupants, including those with disabilities, and that facilitate more efficient fire 

department operations. This report tabulates cost data for selected egress-related 

requirements in five prototypical buildings specified by GSA. The five prototypical 

buildings range in height from a 5-floor, mid-rise building to a 75-floor, high-rise 

building. Cost data are tabulated in a format that facilitates life-cycle cost analyses of 

selected egress-related requirements. Incremental costs are also tabulated to help assess 

the implications of changing one or more design parameters.

1.3 Scope and Approach

This report contains four chapters and two appendices in addition to the Introduction. 

Chapters 2 through 4 are the core components of the report. These chapters lay the 

foundation for the economic analyses of the cost data that are the purpose of this report.

Chapter 2 provides a snapshot of the U.S. construction industry. Historical data on the 

value of construction put in place are used to highlight the NFPA procedure for 

estimating the annual cost of fire protection in buildings. Information from the U.S. 

Department of Energy’s Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey8is then 

used to summarize the characteristics of commercial buildings, with special emphasis on 

buildings over 10 floors. For the most part, these buildings are more than 120 ft (37 m) 

high.

The methodology and the standardized methods employed in this report to measure the 

economic performance of selected egress-related requirements are described in Chapter 

3. A standardized format for summarizing the results of an economic evaluation is also 

presented.9

Chapter 4 presents information on the five prototypical buildings used to derive cost data 

for selected egress-related requirements. A key objective of Chapter 4 is analyzing the 

cost-effectiveness of the required installation of an additional exit stair in buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) high versus the alternative of installing an occupant evacuation elevator 

system. Cost data on exit stairs are first presented along with information on the 

incremental costs of increasing the width of exit stairs and the implications of installing 

an additional exit stair for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high. Cost data on occupant 

evacuation elevator systems and fire service access elevator systems for the four 

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high are then presented. A cost-effectiveness 

analysis is then presented where occupant evacuation elevator systems are compared to 

 

8 United States Department of Energy: Energy Information Administration. “Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey.” (Washington DC: United States Department of Energy, September 2008).

9

For a detailed description of the ASTM summary format, see ASTM International. “Standard Guide for 

Summarizing Economic Impacts of Building Related Projects,” E 2204, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 

2008, Vol. 04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
4

the installation of an additional exit stair for the four prototypical buildings over 120 ft 

(37 m) high. The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis are then summarized in a 

standardized format. These results demonstrate that occupant evacuation elevators are a 

cost-effective alternative to the installation of an additional exit stair in the four 

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high.

Chapter 5 concludes the report with a summary and recommendations for further 

research.

Appendix A documents the specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships 

used to develop the costs of the occupant evacuation elevator systems for the four 

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high presented in Chapter 4. The objective of 

providing the cost data contained in Appendix A is to help other researchers and 

practitioners to evaluate improved egress system designs that provide for efficient and 

timely evacuation of occupants, including those with disabilities.

Appendix B documents the specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships 

used to develop the costs of the fire service access elevator systems for the four 

prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high presented in Chapter 4. The objective of 

providing the cost data contained in Appendix B is to help other researchers and 

practitioners to evaluate elevator system designs that facilitate more efficient fire 

department operations.

1.4 Assumptions and Limitations

The specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships of the occupant 

evacuation elevators were developed in consultation with industry experts. The elevator 

configuration and related cost elements, described in Appendix A, are representative of 

one design possibility. Others may exist. 

It is important to understand how changes to the assumed cost structure will affect the 

results. The costs can be separated into two categories: initial and reoccurring costs. 

Initial costs include those related to water protection, signage, lobby status indicator, twoway communication system, protection of wiring or cables, and the lobby enclosures. 

Reoccurring costs include those required for maintenance. Changes to the initial costs 

will affect the first-cost of the occupant evacuation elevators, and are easier to assess

their effect on cost-effectiveness. A reduction in assumed initial costs will only increase 

the cost-effectiveness of occupant evacuation elevators. An increase in the initial costs 

will have the opposite effect. Only when an increase exceeds the (positive) present value 

net savings will the occupant evacuation elevators become uneconomic. Changes in the 

assumed reoccurring costs to economic results are more difficult to (quickly) assess, as a 

life-cycle analysis is required.
5

2 Annual Cost of Fire Protection

2.1 Value of Construction Put in Place

In 2008, the latest year for which construction data are available, the construction 

industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) was $582 billion, or 4.1 % of 

GDP.10 In 2008, the value of construction put in place was $1072 billion ($749 billion 

for new construction, $323 billion for renovation).11 Maintenance and repair added 

another $133 billion.12 

A major investment cost in building construction is fire protection. Fire protection 

measures include but are not limited to building safety features concerned with 

extinguishment (e.g., sprinklers), containment (e.g., compartmentation), passive 

resistance (e.g., fire resistive materials), detection and alarm (e.g., smoke detectors), and 

egress (e.g., exit stairs). The focus of this report is on egress-related measures in new 

building construction.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes statistics on the total cost of 

fire in the U.S.13 A key component of these statistics is an estimate of the annual costs of 

fire protection in buildings. The annual costs of fire protection in buildings published by 

NFPA are based on the Value of Construction Put in Place reported by the U.S. Census 

Bureau in its C30 report. Table 2.1 reports the values of the key components used to 

develop the annual estimates of the costs of fire protection in buildings for calendar years 

2002 through 2008. Three types of building construction are summarized in the table: 

Private Residential, Private Nonresidential, and Public Buildings. Specific categories of 

construction are reported under Private Nonresidential (e.g., Lodging) and Public 

Buildings (e.g., Office). Private Nonresidential and Public Buildings may be grouped 

under the more general heading of commercial buildings. Several non-building 

categories included in the C30 report have been eliminated from Table 2.1.14

 

10 Bureau of Economic Analysis. “Gross-Domestic-Product-(GDP)-by-Industry Data.” Industry Economic 

Accounts (Washington, DC: Bureau of Economic Analysis), 

http://www.bea.gov/bea/dn2/gdpbyind_data.htm (accessed December 2009).

11 United States Census Bureau: Manufacturing and Construction Division. “Annual Value of Construction 

Put in Place.” Current Construction Report (CCR) C30 (Washington, DC: United States Census Bureau,

August 1, 2009), http://www.census.gov/const/C30/total.pdf (accessed December 2009).

12 The value for maintenance and repair is calculated by using the ratio of maintenance and repair to new 

construction put in place from the 1997 census and multiplying it by the current value for new construction 

put in place.

13 Hall, J.R. 2008. “The Total Cost of Fire in the United States.” Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection 

Association.

14 Private nonresidential construction excludes transportation, communication, power, sewage and waste 

disposal, and water supply. Public building construction includes all public construction except 

transportation, power, highway and street, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, and conservation and 

development. 
6

Table 2.13Value of Construction Put in Place for Selected Construction Types: 2002 

to 2008

Construction Type 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Private Residential 396,696 446,035 532,900 611,899 613,731 493,246 350,078

Private Nonresidential 179,092 173,614 187,570 203,325 235,098 283,046 310,491

Lodging 10,467 9,930 11,982 12,666 17,624 27,481 35,379

Office 35,296 30,579 32,879 37,276 45,680 53,815 57,084

Other 59,008 57,505 63,195 66,584 73,368 85,858 81,495

Health care 22,438 24,217 26,272 28,495 32,016 35,588 39,101

Educational 13,109 13,424 12,701 12,788 13,839 16,691 18,585

Religious 8,335 8,559 8,153 7,715 7,740 7,522 7,097

Public safety 217 185 289 408 419 595 650

Amusement and recreation 7,478 7,781 8,432 7,507 9,326 10,193 10,316

Manufacturing 22,744 21,434 23,667 29,886 35,086 45,303 60,784

Public Building 100,673 100,125 101,349 105,221 112,537 131,366 141,551

Public Housing 5,264 5,216 5,508 5,608 6,083 7,222 7,330

Office 8,982 8,839 9,525 8,487 8,507 11,445 13,222

Other 3,512 4,024 3,862 3,658 3,345 3,827 3,447

Health care 4,701 5,112 5,912 5,935 6,456 8,179 8,598

Educational 60,753 60,892 61,549 66,899 71,089 80,068 85,496

Public safety 7,610 6,976 6,730 6,906 7,350 9,606 12,286

Amusement and recreation 9,851 9,066 8,263 7,728 9,707 11,019 11,172

Annual Value of Construction Put in Place

(millions of dollars)

The annual costs of fire protection in buildings for calendar years 2002 through 2008 are 

reported in Table 2.2. Table 2.2 reports the estimated cost of fire protection for each of 

the three types of construction—Private Residential, Private Nonresidential, and Public 

Buildings—as well as for the overall TOTAL. These values are obtained by multiplying 

the value of construction put in place by 2.5 % for Private Residential and 4.0 % for 

Public Buildings construction,

15 and 12.0 % for Private Nonresidential.16

 Applying the 

NFPA procedure to the most recent data on value of construction put in place, produces 

an estimated cost of fire protection of $51.7 billion in 2008. The values for each type of 

construction in 2008 are: $8.8 billion for Private Residential, $37.3 billion for Private 

Nonresidential, and $5.7 billion for Public Buildings. The bulk of the estimated cost of 

fire protection, $42.9 billion, is associated with commercial buildings.

 

15 Apostolou, J.J., D.L. Bowers, and C.M. Sullivan. 1978. “The Nation’s Annual Expenditure for the 

Prevention and Control of Fire.” Project Report. Worcester, MA: Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

16 Meade, W.P. 1991. “A First Pass at Computing Fire Safety in a Modern Society.” NIST-GCR-91-592. 

Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology.
7

Table 2.24Annual Cost of Fire Protection in Buildings: 2002 to 2008

Construction Type 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Private Residential 9,917 11,151 13,323 15,297 15,343 12,331 8,752

Private Nonresidential 21,491 20,834 22,508 24,399 28,212 33,966 37,259

Public Building 4,027 4,005 4,054 4,209 4,501 5,255 5,662

TOTAL 35,435 35,990 39,885 43,905 48,057 51,551 51,673

Annual Cost of Fire Protection

(millions of dollars)

The $51.7 billion estimated cost for fire protection in buildings in 2008 provides a useful 

reference point vis-à-vis the value of construction put in place. Unfortunately, neither the 

NFPA procedure nor the source documents upon which the NFPA procedure is based 

allows us to break out the cost of egress-related measures from the other fire protection 

measures. Reference documents, such as RS Means Building Construction Cost Data,17

provide costs per unit of floor area for many types of commercial buildings, including but 

not limited to: Office, Healthcare, Education, and Lodging. These costs per unit of floor 

area (e.g., $/ft2) are often reported in terms of a distribution of values, including: low 

(25th percentile), median (50th percentile), and high (75th percentile). In addition, costs 

per unit of floor area for many types of commercial buildings, such as Offices, are often 

broken out by low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise. However, a close examination of such 

reference documents shows considerable variation in cost per unit of floor area as well as 

in building characteristics. Also, the breakouts for cost per unit of floor area provided in 

most reference documents are highly aggregated (e.g., they combine mechanical and 

electrical systems). Therefore, to get at egress-related costs requires an in-depth 

approach involving analyses of both the characteristics of commercial buildings and cost 

estimates tied to specific prototypical buildings.

2.2 Characteristics of Commercial Buildings

Characteristics of commercial buildings are analyzed to establish the linkage between the 

national level cost estimates presented in Table 2.2 and the egress-related cost estimates 

presented in Chapter 4, Appendix A, and Appendix B of this report. This section focuses 

on key characteristics involving floor area and year of construction, and concludes with 

an analysis of buildings with 11 or more floors. Particular emphasis is placed on highrise Office Buildings, Healthcare Facilities, Educational Facilities, and Lodgings.

Although there are a number of data sets that allow in-depth analyses of the commercial 

sector, the data associated with the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) Commercial 

Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) is an ideal source for summarizing the 

characteristics of the commercial sector’s stock of buildings. The CBECS collects 

information on physical characteristics of commercial buildings, building use and 

 

17 Reed Construction Data, Inc. 2008. “RS Means Construction Cost Data.” 66th Edition. Kingston, MA: 

Reed Construction Data, Inc.
8

occupancy patterns, equipment use, conservation features and practices, and types and 

uses of energy in buildings. The survey is conducted in two stages, the Building 

Characteristics Survey and the Energy Suppliers Survey. Our focus is on the Building 

Characteristics Survey. The types of buildings covered by the CBECS are similar to 

those appearing in the C30 report, which facilitates a detailed examination of the 

commercial sector. The most recent DoE CBECS was conducted in 2003; it provides 

detailed information on the size, age, and other characteristics of commercial buildings. 

In 2003, there were 4.86 million commercial buildings and 71.66 billion ft2(6.66 billion 

m

2

) of commercial floorspace in the U.S. Table 2.3 summarizes the distribution and total 

floorspace of commercial buildings in 2003 in total and by principal building activity; it 

is derived from data posted on the CBECS 2003 website.18 

Table 2.35Number of Commercial Buildings and Total Floorspace by Principal 

Building Activity

ft2 m

2

All Buildings 4,859 71,658 6,657

Education 386 9,874 917

Food Sales and Service 523 2,909 270

Health Care 129 3,163 294

Lodging 142 5,096 473

Mercantile 657 11,192 1,040

Office 824 12,208 1,134

Public Assembly 277 3,939 366

Public Order and Safety 71 1,090 101

Religious Worship 370 3,754 349

Service 622 4,050 376

Warehouse and Storage 597 10,078 936

Other 261 4,305 400

Total Floorspace (Millions)

Principal Building Activity

Number of 

Buildings in 

Thousands

Public use data files were downloaded from the CBECS website. These “microdata” files 

enable us to perform more detailed data sorts than the reports posted on the CBECS 

website. CBECS groups buildings into eight size categories and into eight age 

categories. The vast majority of commercial buildings were found in the smallest size 

categories, with more than half in the smallest category and nearly three-quarters in the 

two smallest categories. Most commercial buildings, once constructed, are expected to 

last for decades or longer. New buildings are constructed each year and older buildings 

 

18 United States Department of Energy: Energy Information Administration. “Commercial Buildings 

Energy Consumption Survey.” (Washington DC: United States Department of Energy, September 2008), 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set1/2003excel/a1.xls (accessed 

December 2008).
9

are demolished, but the commercial building stock at any point in time is dominated by 

older buildings. More than 50 % of all commercial buildings and total floorspace were 

constructed prior to 1980, and more than 25 % of buildings and floorspace were 

constructed prior to 1960.

Figures 2.1 through 2.4 provide detailed snapshots of the nation’s stock of commercial 

buildings. In each figure, information is classified along one of two major dimensions, 

either by building size, measured in terms of a building’s total floorspace, or by building 

age, measured in terms of a building’s year of construction. Each set of figures (e.g., 

Figures 2.1 and 2.2, and Figures 2.3 and 2.4) uses the same bar chart format to facilitate 

comparisons of characteristics.

Figure 2.1 records the distribution of the number of commercial buildings by building 

size. The DoE size categories are specified in customary units; they range from 1001 ft2

to 5000 ft2(93.0 m

2

to 464.5 m2) for the smallest size category to over 500 000 ft2(over 

46 451.5 m2) for the largest size category. Figure 2.1 shows clearly that smaller buildings 

dominate the key category of commercial buildings. More than half of the stock of 

commercial buildings (2 586 000 of the 4 859 000) is contained in the smallest size 

category and almost three-fourths (3 534 000 of the 4 859 000) in the two smallest size 

categories. By contrast, only five percent or 255 000 buildings are contained in the four 

largest size categories. However, total floorspace for the four largest size categories is 

35.7 billion ft2(3.3 billion m2) or about half the total floorspace across all size categories 

(i.e., 71.7 billion ft2(6.7 billion m2)).

Figure 2.2 records the distribution of the number of commercial buildings by year of 

construction. This report uses six “year of construction” categories instead of the eight 

employed by CBECS. The three “oldest” CBECS year of construction categories are 

grouped into the 1960 or before year of construction category. All other year of 

construction categories are the same as in CBECS, The year of construction categories 

used in this report are 1960 or before, 1960 to 1969, 1970 to 1979, 1980 to 1989, 1990 to 

1999, and 2000 to 2003. Figure 2.2 shows that there were more commercial buildings 

constructed before 1960 (1 442 000 of 4 859 000) than in any other single category, with 

the next largest number in the 1990 to 1999 year of construction category (917 000 of 

4 859 000). Note that the 2000 to 2003 year of construction category contains the 

smallest number of buildings. This is because the most recent CBECS was conducted in 

2003 and thus does not include any buildings constructed since then. The 2007 CBECS, 

scheduled for release in 2010, will contain a more complete picture of post 2000 

commercial building construction.
10

No table of figures entries found.

000-1Figure 2.1 Number of Commercial Buildings by Size Category: 2003

00-2Figure 2.2 Number of Commercial Buildings by Year of Construction: 2003

2586

948

810

261

147 74 26 8

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000 Number of Buildings (Thousands)

Building Floorspace in Square Feet (Square Meters)

Total Number of Commercial Buildings (2003) = 4,859,000 

1442

600

784 768

917

347

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

before 1960 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2003 Number of Commerical Buildings (Thousands)

Year of Construction

Total Number of Commercial Buildings (2003) = 4,859,000
11

Figure 2.3 shows the distribution of total floorspace (i.e., nationwide) by building size 

(i.e., per building). The total floorspace of commercial buildings first increases for the 

three smallest size categories and then trends downward for the five largest size 

categories. Figure 2.3 shows that the largest amount of total floorspace is in the third 

smallest size category (i.e., 10 001 ft2to 25 000 ft2(929.1 m

2

to 2322.6 m2)). Although 

the largest size category (i.e., over 500 000 ft2(over 46 451.5 m2)) contains the smallest 

number of buildings (refer to Figure 2.1), it contains a significant proportion of total 

floorspace.

Figure 2.4 introduces an additional characteristic, the number of floors in the building. 

This characteristic serves to sharpen the distinctions between the buildings in each size 

category. Figure 2.4 uses the CBECS classification scheme to group commercial 

buildings into five “number of floor” categories. The number of floors categories are one 

floor, two floors, three floors, four to ten floors, and 11 or more floors. In Figure 2.4, 

each number of floors category is coded by shading; a legend is provided on the figure to 

match the number of floors category to a specific bar in each of the eight size categories. 

Figure 2.4 shows clearly that commercial buildings with one and two floors dominate the 

smaller size categories. With the exception of the peak in the third smallest size category 

(i.e., 10 001 ft2to 25 000 ft2(929.1 m

2

to 2322.6 m2)), floorspace for commercial 

buildings with one floor tends to decrease as the building size gets larger. Figure 2.4 

shows that buildings in the three smallest size categories, which contain the largest 

number of commercial buildings as shown in Figure 2.1, are constructed largely with one 

and two floors. For the three smallest size categories (i.e., 1001 ft2to 25 000 ft2(93.0 m

2

to 2322.6 m2)), the ratio of total floorspace for buildings with one floor to those with two 

floors is about 2:1. Reference to Figure 2.4 shows that commercial buildings with four to 

ten floors first increase in total floorspace, reach a peak at 100 001 ft2to 200 000 ft2

(9290.4 m

2

to 18 560.6 m2), and then decline. Buildings with 11 or more floors increase 

steadily in total floorspace from the 50 001 ft2to 100 000 ft2(4645.2 m

2

to 9290.3 m2) 

size category to the over 500 000 ft2(over 46 451.5 m2) size category.

Figures 2.5 and 2.6 provide a more detailed look at commercial buildings with 11 or 

more floors. Both figures are constructed as pie charts. For the purpose of this report, we 

classify buildings with 11 or more floors as high-rise buildings. Figure 2.5 contains 

information on the number of high-rise commercial buildings by principal building 

activity. Reference to the figure reveals that of the 9700 high-rise commercial buildings 

57 % are Office Buildings. Lodging (e.g., hotels) account for the second largest 

proportion at 27 %. Healthcare and Educational Facilities, at 5 % and 0 %, respectively, 

account for only a small proportion of the total number of high-rise commercial 

buildings. Note that all Other Commercial buildings only accounts for 11 % of the total. 
12

00-3Figure 2.3 Total Floorspace of Commercial Buildings by Size Category: 2003

0-4Figure 2.4 Total Floorspace by Size Category and Number of Floors for All 

Commercial Buildings: 2003

6922 7033

12659

9382

10291 10217

7494 7660

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000 Total Floorspace (Million Square Meters) Total Floorspace (Million Square Feet)

Building Floorspace in Square Feet (Square Meters)

Floorspace of All Commercial Buildings (2003)

= 71,658 Million Square Feet = 6,657 Million Square Meters

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000 Total Floorspace (Million Square Meters) Total Floorspace (Million Square Feet)

Building Size/Floorspace in Square Feet (Square Meters)

Floorspace of All Commercial Buildings (2003)

= 71,658 Million Square Feet = 6,657 Million Square Meters

One Floor

Two Floors

Three Floors

Four to Ten Floors

Eleven or More Floors
13

19

05Figure 2.5 Breakdown of High-rise Commercial Buildings by Number19

200-6 Figure 2.6 Breakdown of High-rise Commercial Buildings by Floorspace20

 

19 Source: Information on all commercial buildings comes from 2003 CBECS.

20 Source: Information on all commercial buildings comes from 2003 CBECS.

office

57%

healthcare

5%

education

0%

lodging

27%

other commerical

11%

Total Number of Highrise Commercial Buildings = 9,700

office

65%

healthcare

9%

education

0%

lodging

17%

other commercial

9%

Floorspace of All Highrise Commercial Buildings 

= 4,485 Million Square Feet = 417 Million Square Meters
14

Figure 2.6 contains information on the distribution of floorspace by principal building 

activity.21 The figure shows that 4485 million ft2(417 million m2) are in high-rise 

commercial buildings. Once again, Office Buildings at 65 % account for the largest 

proportion of total floorspace. Lodging accounts for 17 %. Healthcare and Other 

Commercial complete the total with 9 % each.

 

21 Information on high-rise apartment buildings has not been incorporated into Figures 2.5 and 2.6 due to a 

variety of data classification issues. Readers interested in apartment buildings data are referred to DoE’s 

Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS); United States Department of Energy: Energy 

Information Administration. “Residential Energy Consumption Survey.” (Washington DC: United States 

Department of Energy, April 2008), 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recs2005/hc2005_tables/detailed_tables2005.html (accessed December 

2008).
15

3 Methodology for Conducting an Economic Analysis of EgressRelated Costs

This chapter focuses on laying out a methodology for conducting and summarizing an 

economic analysis of egress-related costs. The methodology is based on two types of 

analysis, four measures of economic performance, and a format for summarizing the 

results of an economic analysis of egress-related costs. The two types of analysis are 

baseline analysis and sensitivity analysis. They are described in Section 3.1. The four

measures of economic performance are life-cycle cost, present value of net savings, 

savings-to-investment ratio, and adjusted internal rate of return. They are described in 

Section 3.2. The format for summarizing the results of an economic analysis of egressrelated costs is described in Section 3.3.

As noted in Chapter 1, there are four egress-related requirements for which cost data are 

presented in this report. Two of the four requirements are “alternatives” in the context of 

the material presented in this chapter and elsewhere in this report. The two alternatives 

are: (1) the required installation of an additional exit stair in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) 

high or (2) the installation of an occupant evacuation elevator system. The alternatives 

are evaluated for all buildings exceeding 120 ft (37 m) in height.

3.1 Types of Analysis

An economic analysis of egress-related costs is a complicated process, entailing two 

distinct levels of analysis. This “analysis strategy” systematically adds increased detail to 

the decision-making process. The first level is referred to as the baseline analysis. Here 

we are working with our best-guess estimates (often some values are not known with 

certainty). The baseline analysis provides a frame of reference for the treatment of 

uncertainty, which is the focus of the second level—sensitivity analysis—which 

systematically varies selected sets of data elements to measure their economic impacts on 

project outcomes.

3.1.1 Baseline Analysis

The starting point for conducting an economic evaluation is to do a baseline analysis. In 

the baseline analysis, all data elements entering into the calculations are fixed. For some 

data, the input values are considered to be known with certainty. Other data are 

considered uncertain and their values are based on some measure of central tendency, 

such as the mean or the median, or input from subject matter experts. Baseline data 

represent a fixed state of analysis. For this reason, the analysis results are referred to as 

the baseline analysis. The term baseline analysis is used to denote a complete analysis in 

all respects but one; it does not address the effects of uncertainty.
16

3.1.2 Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity analysis measures the impact on project outcomes of changing the values of 

one or more key data elements about which there is uncertainty. Sensitivity analysis can 

be performed for any measure of economic performance (e.g., life-cycle cost or present 

value of net savings). Therefore, a sensitivity analysis complements the baseline analysis 

by evaluating the changes in output measures when selected data inputs are allowed to 

vary about their baseline values. There are two basic types of sensitivity analyses: 

deterministic and probabilistic.

The key advantage of deterministic sensitivity analyses is that they are easily constructed 

and computed and the results are easy to explain and understand. Their disadvantage is 

that they do not produce results that can be tied to probabilistic levels of significance.

Monte Carlo simulation, a widely used probabilistic sensitivity analysis method, varies a 

small set of key parameters either singly or in combination according to an experimental 

design. Associated with each key parameter is a probability distribution function from 

which values are randomly sampled. The major advantage of the Monte Carlo simulation 

technique is that it permits the effects of uncertainty to be rigorously analyzed through 

reference to a derived distribution of project outcome values. Their disadvantage is that 

data on the probability distribution are generally not well known.

3.2 Overview of Evaluation Methods

Numerous methods are available for measuring the economic performance of investments 

in buildings and building systems. Use ASTM Standard Guide E 118522 to identify types 

of decisions on building designs and systems that require economic evaluation and to 

match the technically appropriate economic methods with those decisions.

Four economic evaluation methods addressed in ASTM Standard Guide E 1185 apply to 

the economic analysis of egress-related costs: (1) life-cycle costs (ASTM Standard 

Practice E 91723); (2) present value net savings (ASTM Standard Practice E 107424); (3) 

 

22 ASTM International. “Standard Guide for Selecting Economic Methods for Evaluating Investments in 

Buildings and Building Systems,” E 1185, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.11. West 

Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

23 For a detailed description of the ASTM life-cycle cost standard, see ASTM International. “Standard 

Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems,” E 917, Annual Book of 

ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

24 For a detailed description of the ASTM present value of net savings standard, see ASTM International. 

“Standard Practice for Measuring Net Benefits and Net Savings for Investments in Buildings and Building 

Systems,” E 1074, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM 

International.
17

savings-to-investment ratio (ASTM Standard Practice E 96425); and (4) adjusted internal 

rate of return (ASTM Standard Practice E 105726).

More than one method can be technically appropriate for many design and system 

decisions. If more than one method is technically appropriate, use all that apply, since 

many decision makers need information both on measures of magnitude (life-cycle costs 

and present value net savings) and of return (savings-to-investment ratio and adjusted 

internal rate of return) to assess economic performance.

3.2.1 Life-Cycle Cost Method

The life-cycle cost (LCC) method measures, in present-value or annual-value terms, the 

sum of all relevant costs associated with owning and operating a constructed facility over 

a specified period of time. The basic premise of the LCC method is that to an investor or 

decision maker all costs arising from that investment decision are potentially important to 

that decision, including future as well as present costs associated with egress-related 

requirements. Applied to constructed facilities, the LCC method encompasses all 

relevant costs over a designated study period, including the costs of designing, 

purchasing/leasing, constructing/installing, operating, maintaining, repairing, replacing, 

and disposing of a particular design or system. Should any pure benefits result (e.g., 

increased rental income due to improvements), include them in the calculation of LCC.

The LCC method is particularly suitable for determining whether the higher initial cost of 

a constructed facility or system specification is economically justified by lower future 

costs when compared to an alternative with a lower initial cost but higher future costs. If 

a design or system specification has both a lower initial cost and lower future costs 

relative to an alternative, an LCC analysis is not needed to show that the former is 

economically preferable.

Denote the alternative with the lowest initial investment cost (i.e., first cost) as the base 

case. The LCC method compares alternative, mutually exclusive, designs or systems that 

satisfy a given functional requirement—in this case, two of the four egress-related 

requirements specified in the IBC—on the basis of their life-cycle costs to determine 

which is the least-cost means (i.e., minimizes life-cycle cost) of satisfying that 

requirement over a specified study period. With respect to the base case, an alternative is 

economically preferred if, and only if, it results in lower life-cycle costs.

Again, the two alternatives are: (1) the required installation of an additional exit stair in 

buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high or (2) the installation of an occupant evacuation 

 

25 For a detailed description of the ASTM savings-to-investment ratio standard, see ASTM International. 

“Standard Practice for Measuring Benefit-to-Cost and Savings-to-Investment Ratios for Investments in 

Buildings and Building Systems,” E 964, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.11. West 

Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

26 For a detailed description of the ASTM adjusted internal rate of return standard, see ASTM International. 

“Standard Practice for Measuring Internal Rate of Return and Adjusted Internal Rate of Return for 

Investments in Buildings and Building Systems,” E 1057, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 

04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
18

elevator system, although these are evaluated for all buildings exceeding 120 ft (37 m) in 

height.

The alternative—installation of an additional exit stair (base case) or installation of an 

occupant evacuation elevator system—that results in the lowest life-cycle cost is 

designated as the most cost-effective.

3.2.2 Present Value Net Savings

The present value of net savings (PVNS) method is reliable, straightforward, and widely 

applicable for finding the economically efficient choice among investment alternatives. 

It measures the net savings from investing in a given alternative instead of investing in 

the foregone opportunity (e.g., some other alternative or the base case).

The PVNS for a given alternative, vis-à-vis the base case, equals their difference in lifecycle costs. Any pure benefits that result (e.g., increased rental income due to 

improvements) are included in the calculation of PVNS, since they are included in the 

LCC calculation.

With respect to the base case, if PVNS is positive for a given alternative the investment is 

economic; if it is zero, the investment is as good as the base case; if it is negative, the 

investment is uneconomical.

The installation of an occupant evacuation elevator system vis-à-vis the exit stair base 

case is cost-effective if the PVNS is greater than zero.

3.2.3 Savings-to-Investment Ratio

The savings-to-investment ratio (SIR) is a numerical ratio whose value indicates the 

economic performance of a given alternative instead of investing in the foregone 

opportunity. The SIR is savings divided by investment costs. The LCC method provides 

all of the necessary information to calculate the SIR. The SIR for a given alternative is 

calculated vis-à-vis the base case.

The numerator equals the difference in the present value of non-investment costs between 

the base case and the given alternative. The denominator equals the difference in the 

present value of investment costs for the given alternative and the base case. A ratio less 

than 1.0 indicates that the given alternative is an uneconomic investment relative to the 

base case; a ratio of 1.0 indicates an investment whose benefits or savings just equal its 

costs; and a ratio greater than 1.0 indicates an economic project.

The installation of an occupant evacuation elevator system vis-à-vis the exit stair base 

case is cost-effective if the SIR is greater than 1.0.
19

3.2.4 Adjusted Internal Rate of Return

The adjusted internal rate of return (AIRR) is the average annual yield from a project 

over the study period, taking into account reinvestment of interim receipts. The 

reinvestment rate in the AIRR calculation is equal to the minimum acceptable rate of 

return (MARR), which is assumed to equal the discount rate. When the reinvestment rate 

is made explicit, all investment costs are easily expressible as a time equivalent initial 

outlay (i.e., a value at the beginning of the study period) and all non-investment cash 

flows as a time equivalent terminal amount. This allows a straightforward comparison of 

the amount of money that comes out of the investment (i.e., the terminal value) with the 

amount of money put into the investment (i.e., the time equivalent initial outlay).

The AIRR is defined as the interest rate applied to the terminal value, which equates (i.e., 

discounts) it to the time equivalent value of the initial outlay of investment costs. It is 

important to note that all investment costs are discounted to a time equivalent initial 

outlay using the discount rate.

With regard to the base case, if the AIRR is greater than the discount rate (also referred to 

as the hurdle rate), then investment in the given alternative is economic; if the AIRR 

equals the discount rate, the investment is as good as the base case; if AIRR is less than 

the discount rate, the investment is uneconomical.

The installation of an occupant evacuation elevator system vis-à-vis the exit stair base 

case is cost-effective if the AIRR is greater than the discount rate.

3.3 Presentation and Analysis of the Results of an Economic Analysis

The presentation and analysis of the results of an economic analysis are central to 

understanding and accepting its findings. If the presentation is clear and concise, and if 

the analysis strategy is logical, complete, and carefully spelled out, then the results will 

stand up under close scrutiny. The purpose of this section is to outline a generic 

framework for economic analyses that meets the two previously cited conditions. The 

generic framework is built upon the following three factors: (1) the significance of the 

study effort; (2) the analysis strategy; and (3) the calculation of key benefit and cost 

measures.16F

27

 A specific framework, tailored to BFRL, is given in Exhibit 3.1; it is also 

used as the basis for summarizing the economic analysis of egress-related costs (see 

Section 4.4.3). 

The discussion that follows relates the three factors for the generic framework referenced 

above to the specific framework given in Exhibit 3.1. Exposition of the generic 

framework serves two purposes. First, it provides a means for organizing the way to

present material associated with an in-depth economic analysis of egress-related costs. 

Second, it provides a vehicle for clearly and concisely presenting the salient results of the 

 

27 This framework is based on ASTM Standard Guide E 2204 (ASTM International. “Standard Guide for 

Summarizing Economic Impacts of Building Related Projects,” E 2204, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 

2008, Vol. 04.12. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.).
20

analysis. Such a short summary is appropriate for use by senior managers (e.g., research

directors, facilities executives, development executives) as the basis for statements on the 

benefits of the study.

3.3.1 Significance of Study Effort

This section of an economic analysis sets the stage for the results that follow. The goal at 

this point is to clearly describe:

(1) why the study is important and how the organization conducting it became 

involved; and

(2) why some or all of the changes brought about were due to the study

organization’s contribution.

Emphasis is placed on providing dollar estimates to define the magnitude of the problem. 

If any non-financial characteristics are of key importance to senior management, list and 

describe them briefly.28 A clear tie into the study organization’s mission or vision is 

included to demonstrate why the organization conducting the study is well qualified and 

well positioned to participate in the study. The section concludes with a statement of the 

study organization’s contribution.

3.3.2 Analysis Strategy

This section of an economic analysis focuses on documenting the steps taken to ensure 

that the analysis strategy is logical and complete. Particular emphasis is placed on 

summarizing the key assumptions, including any constraints that limited the scope of the 

analysis. Responses are provided for key assumptions concerning: (a) the base year for 

the analysis; (b) the length of the study period; and (c) the discount rate or minimum 

acceptable rate of return used. 

Special emphasis is placed on documenting the sources and validity of any data used to 

make estimates or projections of key benefit and cost measures. This section establishes 

an audit trail from the raw data, through data manipulations (e.g., represented by 

equations and formulae), to the results which describe how to determine:

(1) the present value of total benefits (savings);

(2) the present value of total costs;

(3) the present value of net benefits (savings); and

(4) the way in which any additional measures were calculated.

Decision makers typically experience uncertainty about the correct values to use in 

establishing basic assumptions and in estimating both first costs and future costs. Specify 

the assumptions or costs that have a high degree of uncertainty and are likely to have a 

 

28 Refer to ASTM Standard Practice E 1765 (ASTM International. “Standard Practice for Applying 

Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Multiattribute Decision Analysis of Investments Related to 

Buildings and Building Systems,” E 1765, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.12. West 

Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.) and its adjunct for guidance on how to present unquantified 

effects.
21

significant impact on the results of the analysis. Document the sensitivity of the results to 

these assumptions or data. ASTM Standard Guide E 1369 recommends techniques for 

treating uncertainty in parameter values in an economic analysis.

29

 It also recommends 

techniques for evaluating the risk that a project will have a less favorable economic 

outcome than what is desired or expected. ASTM Standard Practice E 1946 establishes a 

procedure for measuring cost risk for buildings and building systems, using the Monte 

Carlo simulation technique as described in ASTM Standard Guide E 1369.30

 

29 ASTM International. “Standard Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncertainty and Risk in the 

Economic Evaluation of Buildings and Building Systems,” E 1369, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 

2008, Vol. 04.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

30 ASTM International. “Standard Practice for Measuring Cost Risk of Buildings and Building Systems,” 

E 1946, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 04.12. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM 

International.
22

Exhibit 3.15Format for Summarizing the Results of an Economic Analysis

1.a Significance of Study Effort:

Describe why the study is important and how BFRL became 

involved.

Describe the changes brought about by BFRL.

1.b Key Points:

Highlight two or three key points which 

convey why this study effort is important.

2. Analysis Strategy:

Describe how the present value of total benefits (savings) was determined.

Describe how the present value of total costs was determined. 

Describe how the present value of net benefits (savings) was determined.

Describe how any additional measures were calculated.

Summarize key data and assumptions: (a) Base year; (b) Length of study period; (c) Discount rate or 

minimum acceptable rate of return; (d) Data; and (e) other.

3.a Calculation of Benefits, Costs, and Additional 

Measures:

Total Benefits (Savings):

Report the present value of the total benefits (savings).

Total Costs:

Report the present value of the total costs.

Net Benefits (Savings):

Report the present value of net benefits (savings).

Additional Measures:

Report the values of any additional measures calculated.

3.b Key Measures:

Report the calculated value of the Present 

Value of Net Benefits (PVNB) or the 

Present Value of Net Savings (PVNS) and 

at least one of the following:

Benefit-to-Cost Ratio (BCR) or Savingsto-Investment Ratio (SIR)

Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR)

3.c Traceability

Cite references to specific ASTM 

standard practices, ASTM adjuncts, or 

any other standards, codes, or regulations 

used.
23

3.3.3 Calculation of Benefits, Costs, and Additional Measures

This section of an economic analysis focuses on reporting the calculated values of the key 

benefit and cost measures, as well as any additional measures that are deemed 

appropriate, and establishing traceability to standardized practices or, where appropriate, 

to statutory documents or procedures. It consists of three subsections, designated as 3.a, 

3.b, and 3.c. Subsection 3.a includes descriptive information as well as calculated values. 

Subsection 3.b reports calculated values for key measures of economic performance. 

Subsection 3.c is included to ensure traceability to appropriate national standards, codes, 

or regulations.

In subsection 3.a, report summaries (e.g., using text, mathematical expressions, tables, 

graphs, comparative statistics) of the following information:

(1) the present value of the total benefits (savings); 

(2) the present value of the total costs;

(3) the present value of net benefits (savings); and

(4) the values of any additional measures calculated.

In subsection 3.b, report the calculated value of the present value of net benefits or the 

present value of net savings and at least one of the following:

(a) the benefit-to-cost ratio or the savings-to-investment ratio; or

(b) the adjusted internal rate of return.

In subsection 3.c, cite references to specific ASTM standard practices, ASTM adjuncts, 

or any other standards, codes, or regulations used.
24
25

4 Tabulation and Analysis of Egress-Related Cost Data

4.1 Use of Prototypical Building Designs

Egress-related measures are a major component of any fire protection strategy in 

buildings. This report tabulates cost data for selected egress-related requirements in five 

prototypical buildings. The five prototypical buildings range in height from a five-floor,

mid-rise building to a 75-floor, high-rise building. Characteristics of the five prototypical 

buildings are summarized in Table 4.1. Egress-related cost data were compiled from a 

number of sources, including industry experts, design professionals, and cost estimating 

guidebooks and software. Cost data are tabulated in a format that facilitates life-cycle 

cost analyses of selected egress-related requirements. Incremental costs are also 

tabulated to help assess the implications of changing one or more design parameters.

Table 4.16Summary Information on the Prototypical Buildings Used in Developing 

Egress-Related Cost Data

Building Number of 

Floors

Building 

Height

Per Floor 

Area

Total 

Floorspace

Cost

Feet (ft) ft2ft2$ million $/ft2

1 5 60 20,000 100,000 10.0 100.0

2 13 156 25,000 325,000 42.3 130.2

3 28 336 30,000 840,000 147.0 175.0

4 42 504 40,000 1,680,000 504.0 300.0

5 75 900 45,000 3,375,000 1,215.0 360.0

An objective of this chapter is analyzing the cost-effectiveness of the required installation 

of an additional exit stair in buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high versus the alternative of 

installing an occupant evacuation elevator system. Although the life-cycle costs of either

an additional exit stair or an occupant evacuation elevator system are likely to amount to 

several million dollars for both Buildings 4 and 5, reference to Table 4.1 demonstrates 

they represent only a small fraction (i.e., about 0.6 % to 1.2 %) of the construction cost of 

those buildings.

4.2 Exit Stairs

Much of the cost data presented in this section was provided by William Hunt, Chief 

Estimator, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). To distinguish these cost data 

from other sources, we reference the source as Exit Stair Cost Analysis document.

31

 

Most of the design guidance for the five prototypical buildings summarized in Table 4.1 

was contained in the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document. The section concludes with a 

calculation of the life-cycle costs of installing and maintaining an additional exit stair in 

each of the five prototypical buildings, with particular emphasis on prototypical buildings 

greater than 120 ft (128 m) in height.

 

31 United States General Services Administration. “Exit Stair Cost Analysis.” (Washington, DC: United 

States General Services Administration, July 12, 2007).
26

4.2.1 Alternative Exit Stair Configurations

As noted earlier, many of the cost estimates are based on “initial capital cost” data 

contained in the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document. Since the cost estimates contained in 

the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document are for July 2007 in Washington, DC, all other 

cost information presented in this report uses July 2007 as its reference date and the 

greater Washington, DC metropolitan area as the building’s location. The Exit Stair Cost 

Analysis document data as well as data compiled by the project team are summarized in 

Tables 4.2 through 4.6. Table 4.2 summarizes cost data for Building 1. Table 4.3 

summarizes cost data for Building 2. Table 4.4 summarizes cost data for Building 3. 

Table 4.5 summarizes cost data for Building 4. Table 4.6 summarizes cost data for 

Building 5. The cost data summarized in Tables 4.2 through 4.6 are “initial capital 

costs.” The implications of future costs are examined at the end of this section.

Each table is divided into three parts. Part 1 covers the case where there are two exit 

stairs present. Part 2 covers the case where there are three exit stairs present. Part 3 

covers the case where there are four exit stairs present. Each of the three parts is 

subdivided into three subparts. Subpart 1 covers the case where the nominal width of the 

exit stair is 44 in (112 cm), the current minimum. Subpart 2 covers the case where the 

nominal width of the exit stair is 56 in (142 cm), a width based on previous egress 

studies.32 Subpart 3 covers the case where the nominal width of the exit stair is 66 in 

(168 cm). Subpart 3 addresses the recently adopted 2009 International Building Code 

requirement for an increase of 50 % in the width of exit stairs in new sprinklered 

buildings for buildings with floor areas exceeding 15 000 ft2(1394 m2).

Four types of cost data are presented in Tables 4.2 through 4.6: total cost of the system as 

configured (e.g., two exit stairs with a nominal width of 44 in (112 cm)); the cost per unit 

of floor area; the cost per unit of building height; and the cost per floor. Entries in Tables 

4.2 through 4.6 that are tied directly to the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document are shown 

in boldface font.

Specific cost items reported in Tables 4.2 through 4.6 are: the cost of the exit stair system 

as configured;33 the cost of installing photoluminous exit path markings (PLEPM) in the 

exit stair system as configured; and the total cost of the exit stair system and PLEPM. 

Installation of PLEPM is accomplished by placing one in (2.54 cm) wide marking stripes 

on the horizontal leading edge of each step, the horizontal leading edge of each landing, 

and the top surface of each handrail.

 

32 E.g., see Templer, J.A. Stair Shape and Human Movement, Ph.D. dissertation. New York, NY: Columbia 

University, (1974).

33 Individual cost items included in the exit stair assembly are: foundation/slab; steel frame; stair treads; 

stair landings; stair rails; wall hand rails; exterior wall; exterior doors; roofing; interior partition; interior 

doors; interior wall finish; interior floor finish; stair pressurization; stair lighting; and exit lights.
27

For cases where there was not a direct match between the cost data contained in the Exit 

Stair Cost Analysis document and the system as configured in Tables 4.2 through 4.6, it 

was necessary to develop a cost estimating relationship to fill the gap. These cost 

estimating relationships involved both linear interpolations of data contained in the Exit 

Stair Cost Analysis document and using cost factor models to extrapolate for those cases 

outside the ranges contained in the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document (e.g., exit stairs 

with a nominal width of 66 in (168 cm)).

Reference to Table 4.2, where the cost estimates for Building 1 are presented, shows that 

eight of the 27 Total Cost entries are traceable directly to the Exit Stair Cost Analysis 

document (i.e., they appear in boldface font). This pattern is repeated in Tables 4.2 

through 4.6.

Returning to Table 4.2, we see in Part 1.1 that the estimated total cost of the system as 

configured (i.e., two exit stairs with a nominal width of 44 in (112 cm) and PLEPM 

installed) is $252 455. This estimate is directly traceable to the Exit Stair Cost Analysis 

document. Turning to Table 4.2, Part 1.2, we see that the Total Cost estimate of 

$283 693 is a combination of cost data from the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document and 

cost estimating relationships developed by the project team. In this case, the cost 

estimate for the two exit stairs with a nominal width of 56 in (142 cm) is directly 

traceable to the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document, but the estimate for the PLEPM 

installation is based on the project team’s cost estimating relationship. In this case, the 

estimated cost of installing PLEPM was based on an interpolation from the 44 in (112 

cm) and 57 in (145 cm) values reported in the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document.

34

 

Turning next to Table 4.2, Part 1.3, we see that expanding the nominal width of the exit 

stair from 44 in (112 cm) to 66 in (168 cm) increases the Total Cost to $309 724.

Reference to Part 1.1 of Tables 4.2 through 4.6 (two exit stairs each having a nominal 

width of 44 in (112 cm)) reveals that the cost of exit stairs per unit of floor area declines 

from $2.50/ft2($26.91/m2) for Building 1 (five floor mid-rise) to $1.08/ft2($11.63/m2) 

for Building 5 (75 floor high-rise). This decline in the cost of exit stairs per unit of floor 

area is due to the increasing floor “footprint.” Reference to Table 4.1 provides the 

necessary insight. For Building 1, the floor “footprint” is 20 000 ft2(1858 m2). The floor 

“footprint” increases steadily for Buildings 2, 3, and 4, and reaches a maximum of 45 000 

ft2(4181 m2) for Building 5. Note that the number of exit stairs in Part 1.1 of Tables 4.2 

through 4.6 is held constant at two, whereas the total floorspace increases from 100 000 

ft2(9290 m2) for Building 1 to 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2) for Building 5.

 

34 Although the cost of installing exit stairs with a nominal width of 56 in (142 cm) was included in the Exit 

Stair Cost Analysis document, no estimates of the cost of installing PLEPM was included for that stair 

configuration, so they were based on a linear interpolation between the 44 in (112 cm) and 57 in (145 cm) 

values.
28

Table74.2 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 1: 5 Floors, Height of 60 ft 

(18 m), and Total Floorspace of 100 000 ft2(9290 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 249,772 2.50 4,162.87 49,954.40

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 2,683 0.03 44.72 536.60

Total Cost: 252,455 2.52 4,207.58 50,491.00

Part 1.2: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 280,278 2.80 4,671.30 56,055.60

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 3,415 0.03 56.91 682.95

Total Cost: 283,693 2.84 4,728.21 56,738.55

Part 1.3: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 305,700 3.06 5,094.99 61,139.93

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 4,025 0.04 67.08 804.90

Total Cost: 309,724 3.10 5,162.07 61,944.83

Part 2.1: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 374,658 3.75 6,244.30 74,931.60

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 4,025 0.04 67.08 804.90

Total Cost: 378,683 3.79 6,311.38 75,736.50

Part 2.2: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 420,417 4.20 7,006.95 84,083.40

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 5,122 0.05 85.37 1,024.42

Total Cost: 425,539 4.26 7,092.32 85,107.82

Part 2.3: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 458,550 4.59 7,642.49 91,709.90

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 6,037 0.06 100.61 1,207.35

Total Cost: 464,586 4.65 7,743.10 92,917.25

Part 3.1: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 499,544 5.00 8,325.73 99,908.80

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 5,366 0.05 89.43 1,073.20

Total Cost: 504,910 5.05 8,415.17 100,982.00

Part 3.2: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 560,556 5.61 9,342.60 112,111.20

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 6,829 0.07 113.82 1,365.89

Total Cost: 567,385 5.67 9,456.42 113,477.09

Part 3.3: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 611,399 6.11 10,189.99 122,279.87

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 8,049 0.08 134.15 1,609.80

Total Cost: 619,448 6.19 10,324.14 123,889.67

Values in bold came from the "Exit Stair Cost Analysis" document.
29

Table84.3 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft 

(48 m), and Total Floorspace of 325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)

Part 1.1: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 637,889 1.96 4,089.03 49,068.38

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 8,048 0.02 51.59 619.08

Total Cost: 645,937 1.99 4,140.62 49,687.46

Part 1.2: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 721,490 2.22 4,624.94 55,499.23

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 10,243 0.03 65.66 787.92

Total Cost: 731,733 2.25 4,690.60 56,287.15

Part 1.3: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 791,158 2.43 5,071.52 60,858.27

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 12,072 0.04 77.38 928.62

Total Cost: 803,230 2.47 5,148.91 61,786.88

Part 2.1: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 956,834 2.94 6,133.55 73,602.58

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 12,072 0.04 77.38 928.62

Total Cost: 968,906 2.98 6,210.93 74,531.19

Part 2.2: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,082,235 3.33 6,937.40 83,248.85

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 15,364 0.05 98.49 1,181.87

Total Cost: 1,097,599 3.38 7,035.89 84,430.72

Part 2.3: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,186,736 3.65 7,607.28 91,287.40

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 18,108 0.06 116.08 1,392.92

Total Cost: 1,204,844 3.71 7,723.36 92,680.33

Part 3.1: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,275,778 3.93 8,178.06 98,136.77

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 16,096 0.05 103.18 1,238.15

Total Cost: 1,291,874 3.97 8,281.24 99,374.92

Part 3.2: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,442,980 4.44 9,249.87 110,998.46

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 20,486 0.06 131.32 1,575.83

Total Cost: 1,463,466 4.50 9,381.19 112,574.29

Part 3.3: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,582,315 4.87 10,143.04 121,716.54

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 24,144 0.07 154.77 1,857.23

Total Cost: 1,606,459 4.94 10,297.81 123,573.77

Values in bold came from the "Exit Stair Cost Analysis" document.
30

Table94.4 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft 

(102 m), and Total Floorspace of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2)

Part 1.1: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,365,608 1.63 4,064.31 48,771.71

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 18,107 0.02 53.89 646.68

Total Cost: 1,383,715 1.65 4,118.20 49,418.39

Part 1.2: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,548,763 1.84 4,609.41 55,312.96

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 23,045 0.03 68.59 823.05

Total Cost: 1,571,808 1.87 4,678.00 56,136.01

Part 1.3: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 1,701,392 2.03 5,063.67 60,764.01

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 27,161 0.03 80.83 970.02

Total Cost: 1,728,553 2.06 5,144.50 61,734.02

Part 2.1: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,048,412 2.44 6,096.46 73,157.57

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 27,161 0.03 80.83 970.02

Total Cost: 2,075,573 2.47 6,177.30 74,127.59

Part 2.2: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,323,145 2.77 6,914.12 82,969.45

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 34,568 0.04 102.88 1,234.57

Total Cost: 2,357,712 2.81 7,017.00 84,204.01

Part 2.3: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,552,088 3.04 7,595.50 91,146.01

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 40,741 0.05 121.25 1,455.03

Total Cost: 2,592,829 3.09 7,716.75 92,601.04

Part 3.1: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,731,216 3.25 8,128.62 97,543.43

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 36,214 0.04 107.78 1,293.36

Total Cost: 2,767,430 3.29 8,236.40 98,836.79

Part 3.2: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,097,526 3.69 9,218.83 110,625.93

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 46,091 0.05 137.17 1,646.09

Total Cost: 3,143,617 3.74 9,356.00 112,272.02

Part 3.3: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,402,784 4.05 10,127.33 121,528.01

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 54,321 0.06 161.67 1,940.04

Total Cost: 3,457,105 4.12 10,289.00 123,468.05

Values in bold came from the "Exit Stair Cost Analysis" document.
31

Table104.5 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft 

(154 m), and Total Floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2)

Part 1.1: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,044,813 1.22 4,057.17 48,686.02

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 27,496 0.02 54.56 654.67

Total Cost: 2,072,309 1.23 4,111.72 49,340.69

Part 1.2: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,320,884 1.38 4,604.93 55,259.14

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 34,995 0.02 69.43 833.21

Total Cost: 2,355,879 1.40 4,674.36 56,092.35

Part 1.3: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 2,550,943 1.52 5,061.40 60,736.74

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 41,244 0.02 81.83 982.00

Total Cost: 2,592,187 1.54 5,143.23 61,718.74

Part 2.1: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,067,220 1.83 6,085.75 73,029.04

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 41,244 0.02 81.83 982.00

Total Cost: 3,108,464 1.85 6,167.59 74,011.04

Part 2.2: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,481,326 2.07 6,907.39 82,888.71

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 52,492 0.03 104.15 1,249.82

Total Cost: 3,533,818 2.10 7,011.54 84,138.53

Part 2.3: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,826,415 2.28 7,592.09 91,105.11

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 61,866 0.04 122.75 1,473.00

Total Cost: 3,888,281 2.31 7,714.84 92,578.11

Part 3.1: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 4,089,626 2.43 8,114.34 97,372.05

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 54,992 0.03 109.11 1,309.33

Total Cost: 4,144,618 2.47 8,223.45 98,681.38

Part 3.2: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 4,641,768 2.76 9,209.86 110,518.29

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 69,990 0.04 138.87 1,666.42

Total Cost: 4,711,758 2.80 9,348.73 112,184.71

Part 3.3: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 5,101,886 3.04 10,122.79 121,473.48

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 82,488 0.05 163.67 1,964.00

Total Cost: 5,184,374 3.09 10,286.46 123,437.48

Values in bold came from the "Exit Stair Cost Analysis" document.
32

Table114.6 Exit Stair-Related Cost Data for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft 

(274 m), and Total Floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2)

Part 1.1: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 3,645,796 1.08 4,050.88 48,610.61

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 49,627 0.01 55.14 661.69

Total Cost: 3,695,423 1.09 4,106.03 49,272.31

Part 1.2: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 4,140,885 1.23 4,600.98 55,211.80

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 63,162 0.02 70.18 842.16

Total Cost: 4,204,047 1.25 4,671.16 56,053.96

Part 1.3: 2 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 4,553,459 1.35 5,059.40 60,712.79

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 74,441 0.02 82.71 992.54

Total Cost: 4,627,900 1.37 5,142.11 61,705.33

Part 2.1: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 5,468,694 1.62 6,076.33 72,915.92

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 74,441 0.05 82.71 992.54

Total Cost: 5,543,135 1.67 6,159.04 73,908.46

Part 2.2: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 6,211,328 1.84 6,901.48 82,817.70

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 94,742 0.03 105.27 1,263.23

Total Cost: 6,306,070 1.87 7,006.74 84,080.93

Part 2.3: 3 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 6,830,189 2.02 7,589.10 91,069.18

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 111,661 0.03 124.07 1,488.81

Total Cost: 6,941,850 2.06 7,713.17 92,557.99

Part 3.1: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 44 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 7,291,592 2.16 8,101.77 97,221.23

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 99,254 0.03 110.28 1,323.39

Total Cost: 7,390,846 2.19 8,212.05 98,544.61

Part 3.2: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 56 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 8,281,770 2.45 9,201.97 110,423.60

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 126,323 0.04 140.36 1,684.31

Total Cost: 8,408,093 2.49 9,342.33 112,107.91

Part 3.3: 4 exit stairs each having a nominal width dimension of 66 inches

Total Cost $/ft2 $/VLF $/floor

Cost of Stairs: 9,106,918 2.70 10,118.80 121,425.58

Cost of Photoluminous Exit Markings: 148,881 0.04 165.42 1,985.08

Total Cost: 9,255,799 2.74 10,284.22 123,410.66

Values in bold came from the "Exit Stair Cost Analysis" document.
33

4.2.2 Incremental Cost of Adding an Exit Stair

The cost estimates reported in Tables 4.2 through 4.6 are easily reformatted to examine 

the incremental cost of adding an exit stair. The case of adding an exit stair is of special 

interest because for buildings greater than 420 ft (128 m) in height the recently adopted 

provisions of the International Building Code (IBC) allow the substitution of occupant 

evacuation elevators in lieu of an additional exit stair.35 The case for examining exit 

stairs of nominal width of 66 in (168 cm), rather than limiting our attention to 44 in (112 

cm) and 56 in (142 cm) exit stairs is of special interest because a recently adopted 

provision of the IBC requires an increase of 50 % in the width of exit stairs in new 

sprinklered buildings.36 It is important to note that the incremental cost of adding an exit 

stair differs from the total cost of an exit stair. The incremental cost of adding an exit 

stair reflects the substitution of the exit stair “footprint” for a corresponding floorspace

footprint. Thus, it is necessary to net out the cost of the floorspace footprint. This is 

done by subtracting a nominal rate of $100.00 per ft2($1076.43 per m2) from the total 

cost of the exit stair.37

Table 4.7 reports estimates of the incremental cost of adding an exit stair for each of the 

three exit stair widths analyzed. The incremental costs reported in Table 4.7 are on a per 

exit stair basis; they are initial capital costs referred to hereafter as first costs. Table 4.8 

reports estimates of the incremental cost on a per floor basis. Reference to Tables 4.7 and 

4.8 reveals that incremental costs decline as the width of the exit stair is increased for all 

five prototypical buildings. This is because there is a substantial fixed cost associated 

with an exit stair (e.g., framing, landings, doors), whereas increasing the stair width from 

44 in (112 cm) to 66 in (168 cm) results in a less than proportionate increase in total cost. 

Thus, when the fixed nominal rate of $100.00 per ft2($1076.43 per m2) is subtracted 

from the total cost of the stair, the incremental cost declines as the stair width increases.

Table124.7 Incremental Cost of Adding an Exit Stair

 

35 International Building Code, Sections 403.5.2 and 3008.4, Op Cit.

36 National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Safer Buildings Are Goal of New Code Changes Based 

on Recommendations from NIST World Trade Center Investigation” TechBeat: October 1, 2008. 

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/wtc_100108.html (accessed December 2008).

37 The nominal rate of $100.00 per ft2

for building floorspace is based on data compiled from RS Means, 

CostWorks.

Building #1 

5 Floors

Building #2 

13 Floors

Building #3 

28 Floors

Building #4 

42 Floors

Building #5 

75 Floors

44 45,728 113,669 241,058 359,955 640,212

56 32,846 82,466 175,504 262,339 467,023

66 18,862 48,015 102,676 153,694 273,950

Change in Total Cost

Width of 

Stairs (in)
34

Table134.8 Incremental Cost per Floor of Adding an Exit Stair

As noted earlier, for buildings greater than 420 ft (128 m) in height, the IBC requires 

either an additional exit stair or occupant evacuation elevators. Reference to Table 4.7 

provides an important component of this decision problem, namely the incremental

capital cost of adding an exit stair. To cover the exit stair portion of the break-even 

analysis, we need information on any future operations and maintenance costs associated 

with the installation of an additional exit stair. Although the incremental costs to heat 

and cool the column of air in the exit stair is not expected to exceed the office and 

hallway spaces around it, the “footprint” taken up by the added exit stair removes some 

space from a revenue generating status (i.e., a loss of rental income). Figure 4.1 shows 

the plan and cross section of an exit stair with a nominal width of 44 in (112 cm). 

01Figure 4.1 Plan and Cross Section of Exit Stair Used in Calculating Lost Rental 

Income: Exit Stair with Nominal Width of 44 in (112 cm)

Building #1 

5 Floors

Building #2 

13 Floors

Building #3 

28 Floors

Building #4 

42 Floors

Building #5 

75 Floors

44 9,146 8,744 8,609 8,570 8,536

56 6,569 6,344 6,268 6,246 6,227

66 3,772 3,693 3,667 3,659 3,653

Width of 

Stairs (in)

Change in Total Cost per Floor per Exit Stair
35

Table 4.9 provides estimates of lost rental space. The “footprints” presented in Table 4.9 

were derived from CostWorks.38, 39 To get the value of the lost rental stream, we use 

information from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Experience 

Exchange Report.40 A rental rate of $36.92 per ft2($397.37 per m2) is used to estimate 

the annual lost rental income. This rate corresponds to the rate in downtown Washington, 

DC for buildings with over 600 000 ft2(55 740 m2) of floorspace in July 2007.41 The 

expected annual loss of rental income values are reported in Table 4.10. For prototypical 

buildings 4 and 5—the two buildings greater than 420 ft (128 m) in height—they range 

from $248 878 per year for Building 4 with an exit stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm) 

to $754 091 for Building 5 with an exit stair of nominal width 66 in (168 cm). Rental 

rates for major urban areas vary from a high of $43.18 per ft2($464.80 per m2) for 

downtown New York to a low of $18.18 per ft2($195.69 per m2) for downtown 

Houston.42, 43

 

38 RS Means, CostWorks.

39 CostWorks contains information on typical ranges of risers for various story heights. The prototypical 

buildings in Table 4.1 have a story height of 12 feet. For a story height of 12 feet, the average number of 

risers is 21. The minimum tread width for commercial buildings is 11 inches. The cross sectional area in 

the calculation of loss of rental space includes two landing areas, two stair areas, a gap area between stairs, 

and surrounding wall space. One flight of stairs would have 11 risers. The other flight of stairs would have 

10 risers. The landing area would be slightly larger on the side where there are 10 risers. The increase in 

the landing area is the same as the decrease in the stair area. For the calculation, we would use 11 risers to 

calculate the length of stairs with no increase in the landing area. For the case where the stair width is 44 

inches, the stair length is 11 inches x (11-1) = 110 inches. In this calculation, 1 is subtracted from 11 

because the last step of a flight of stairs is on the landing area. The gap between the stairs in our 

calculation is 4 inches. The wall is 8 inches in thickness. With a stair width of 44 inches, the width of a 

landing area is also 44 inches. Therefore, the length of the cross sectional area is 8 inches x 2 + 44 inches x 

2 + 110 inches = 214 inches. The width of the cross sectional area is 8 inches x 2 + 44 inches x 2 + 4 

inches = 108 inches. The cross sectional area is therefore 214 inches x 108 inches = 23 112 square inches = 

160.5 square feet. In the case of prototypical building #4, where there are 42 floors, the loss of rental space 

due to an additional stairwell is 160.5 square feet x 42 = 6741 square feet.

40 BOMA, Experience Exchange Report.

41 Since the cost estimates contained in the Exit Stair Cost Analysis document are for July 2007 in 

Washington, DC, all other cost information presented in this report uses July 2007 as its reference date and 

the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area as the building’s location. 

42 BOMA, Experience Exchange Report.

43 Rental rates for downtown locations for the 10 most populated urban areas, listed according to 

population, are as follows: (1) New York, $43.18; (2) Los Angeles, $25.03; (3) Chicago, $25.69; (4) 

Dallas, $20.09; (5) Philadelphia, $27.02; (6) Houston, $18.18; (7) Miami, $30.02; (8) Washington, DC, 

$36.92; (9) Atlanta, $26.47; and (10) Boston, $35.95.
36

Table144.9 Loss of Rental Space Due to the Installation of an Additional Exit Stair

Building Height (ft) Floors Square Feet 

Per Floor Stair Width (in) Crosssectional Area (sq ft)

Total Loss of 

Rental Space (sq ft)

1 60 5 20,000 44 161 803

1 60 5 20,000 56 218 1,091

1 60 5 20,000 66 272 1,362

2 156 13 25,000 44 161 2,087

2 156 13 25,000 56 218 2,836

2 156 13 25,000 66 272 3,540

3 336 28 30,000 44 161 4,494

3 336 28 30,000 56 218 6,109

3 336 28 30,000 66 272 7,625

4 504 42 40,000 44 161 6,741

4 504 42 40,000 56 218 9,163

4 504 42 40,000 66 272 11,438

5 900 75 45,000 44 161 12,038

5 900 75 45,000 56 218 16,363

5 900 75 45,000 66 272 20,425
37

Table154.10 Annual Loss of Rental Income Due to the Installation of an Additional 

Exit Stair

The life-cycle cost analysis presented in this report uses 2007 as the base year, a 25-year 

study period, and a 2.7 % real discount rate. The 2.7 % real discount rate conforms to 

OMB guidance for cost-effectiveness analyses of government programs with either a 20-

year or 30-year study period. 44, 45 The first cost and annual recurring cost estimates are 

shown in Tables 4.7 and 4.10. The length of the study period is based on the expected 

service life of elevators reported by Whitestone Research.46

The results of the life-cycle cost analyses are reported in Table 4.11. For each building, 

three life-cycle cost analyses were performed—one for each exit stair width. The 

columns of Table 4.11 are laid out so that the values for the incremental first cost can be 

easily traced to Table 4.7 and the annual loss of rental income can be easily traced to 

Table 4.10. The last three columns of Table 4.11 contain the present value of the annual 

stream of lost rental income, the life-cycle cost for each building exit stair width 

combination, and the corresponding life-cycle cost per floor. The value of life-cycle cost 

found in the nest to last column is the sum of the incremental first cost and the present 

value of the annual stream of lost rental income. 

 

44 Office of Management and Budget. “Circular A-94: Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost 

Analysis of Federal Programs.” 

45 Orszag, P.R. “Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies: 2010 Discount Rates for OMB 

Circular No. A-94,” Office of Management and Budget, December 8, 2009.

46 Whitestone Research, 2008. “The Whitestone Building Maintenance and Repair Cost Reference: 2008-

2009.” 13th Edition. Santa Barbara, CA: Whitestone Research.

Building Floors

Stair 

Width 

(in)

Total Loss of 

Rental Space 

(sq ft)

Annual Loss of Rental 

Income in Dollars

Annual Loss of 

Rental Income in 

Dollars per Floor

1 5 44 803 29,647 5,929

1 5 56 1,091 40,280 8,056

1 5 66 1,362 50,285 10,057

2 13 44 2,087 77,052 5,927

2 13 56 2,836 104,705 8,054

2 13 66 3,540 130,697 10,054

3 28 44 4,494 165,918 5,926

3 28 56 6,109 225,544 8,055

3 28 66 7,625 281,515 10,054

4 42 44 6,741 248,878 5,926

4 42 56 9,163 338,298 8,055

4 42 66 11,438 422,291 10,055

5 75 44 12,038 444,425 5,926

5 75 56 16,363 604,104 8,055

5 75 66 20,425 754,091 10,055
38

Table164.11 Life-Cycle Costs of an Additional Exit Stair

Annual Value 

in Dollars

Present Value 

in Dollars

1 5 44 45,728 29,628 533,601 579,328 115,866

1 5 56 32,846 40,274 725,320 758,166 151,633

1 5 66 18,862 50,273 905,403 924,265 184,853

2 13 44 113,669 77,034 1,387,361 1,501,030 115,464

2 13 56 82,466 104,711 1,885,832 1,968,298 151,408

2 13 66 48,015 130,709 2,354,048 2,402,063 184,774

3 28 44 241,058 165,918 2,988,163 3,229,220 115,329

3 28 56 175,504 225,532 4,061,791 4,237,296 151,332

3 28 66 102,676 281,527 5,070,258 5,172,934 184,748

4 42 44 359,955 248,878 4,482,244 4,842,199 115,290

4 42 56 262,339 338,298 6,092,687 6,355,027 151,310

4 42 66 153,694 422,291 7,605,387 7,759,080 184,740

5 75 44 640,212 444,425 8,004,008 8,644,219 115,256

5 75 56 467,023 604,104 10,879,799 11,346,822 151,291

5 75 66 273,950 754,091 13,581,047 13,854,997 184,733

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars Per 

Floor

Incremental 

First Cost in 

Dollars

Stair 

Width 

(in)

Building Floors

Loss of Rental Income

Life-Cycle Cost 

in Dollars
39

The next to last column of Table 4.11 contains the break-even values indicating when the 

installation of occupant evacuation elevators is cost effective vis-à-vis the addition of an 

exit stair. Recall that in a life-cycle cost analysis the alternative with the lowest life-cycle 

cost is the most cost effective. Thus, for a given prototypical building/stair width 

combination, occupant evacuation elevators are cost effective if and only if their 

corresponding life-cycle cost is less than or equal to the numbers in the next to last 

column of Table 4.11. For example, if Building 4 were a new sprinklered building (i.e., a 

building requiring an exit stair width of 66 in (168 cm)), then occupant evacuation 

elevators would be cost effective if their life-cycle costs over the 25-year study period 

were less than or equal to the break-even value of $7 759 080.

4.3 Occupant Evacuation Elevators and Fire Service Access Elevators

As noted earlier, for buildings greater than 420 ft (128 m) in height, the IBC requires 

either an additional exit stair or occupant evacuation elevators.

47

 The exit stair 

calculations presented in the previous section (see Table 4.11) established the break-even 

value for the life-cycle costs of installing occupant evacuation elevators in all five 

prototypical buildings. Subsection 4.3.1 presents data on the incremental costs of when it 

would be cost-effective to “convert” a standard passenger elevator system to an occupant 

evacuation elevator system.48 Although the focus is in on Buildings 4 and 5 when 

comparing the cost-effectiveness of occupant evacuation elevators vis-à-vis the 

installation of an additional exit stair, cost data for occupant evacuation elevator systems 

for Buildings 2 and 3 are also included. This is because the U.S. General Services 

Administration (GSA) is considering adding a provision in the GSA Design Standards49

to require occupant evacuation elevators in buildings greater than 120 ft (37 m) in 

height.50 Both Buildings 2 (13 floors) and Building 3 (28 floors) are greater than 120 ft 

(37 m) in height.

Much of the focus of this report is on buildings with 11 or more floors (see Section 2.2). 

By and large, these buildings are over 120 ft (37 m) in height. Buildings with 11 or more 

floors are of particular importance to any comprehensive economic analysis of egress and 

life-safety measures because a recently adopted provision in the IBC requires a minimum 

of one fire service access elevator for buildings more than 120 ft (37 m) in height.51 Fire 

service access elevators are an important consideration in the analysis of egress 

 

47 Passenger elevators must meet specific criteria to be used for occupant evacuation purposes; these 

criteria are provided in Section 3008 of the 2009 International Building Code, Op Cit.

48 The term “convert” is meant to convey the idea that there are additional costs associated with occupant 

evacuation elevators that are over and above those needed to install a standard passenger elevator.

49 U.S. General Services Administration, Public Building Service. 2005. Facilities Standards for the Public 

Buildings Service, PBS-100. (Washington, DC: U.S. General Services Administration, March 2005).

50 David Frable, Senior Fire Protection Engineer, U.S. General Services Administration, Personal 

Communication, August 3, 2010.

51 Elevators must meet specific criteria to be used for fire service access; these criteria are provided in 

Section 3007 of the 2009 International Building Code, Op Cit.
40

alternatives, as responder use of stairs has been shown to increase total building 

evacuation time.52 Section 4.3.2 presents these data for Buildings 2, 3, 4, and 5.

4.3.1 Occupant Evacuation Elevators

As was the case for the exit stair cost analysis, cost information presented in this 

subsection uses July 2007 as its reference date and the greater Washington, DC

metropolitan area as the building’s location. Cost data were compiled from elevator 

contractors, designers, cost estimating guides, and subject matter experts. The 

incremental costs of converting a standard passenger elevator system to an occupant 

evacuation elevator system are summarized in Tables 4.12 through 4.15. The tables are 

divided into two parts: Part A summarizes the incremental investment costs (i.e., first 

costs) and Part B summarizes the annual recurring costs due to the additional 

maintenance requirements associated with occupant evacuation elevators. Table 4.12 

summarizes data for Building 2. Table 4.13 summarizes data for Building 3. Table 4.14 

summarizes data for Building 4. Table 4.15 summarizes data for Building 5. It is 

important to note that the data contained in Tables 4.12 through 4.15 are an aggregation 

of a series of cost estimating relationships. Readers wishing to examine the 

specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships for Buildings 2, 3, 4, and 5 

are referred to Appendix A.

Four types of cost data are presented in Tables 4.12 through 4.15: total cost of the system 

as configured; the cost per unit of floor area; the cost per unit of building height; and the 

cost per floor. Specific cost items reported in Tables 4.12 through 4.15 are: the cost of 

water protection; the cost of installing signage, lobby status indicator, and a two-way 

communication system; the costs of protecting wiring and cables; the costs of enclosing 

the lobbies on all floors above the ground floor; and the total first cost of the occupant 

evacuation elevator system. Building 5 includes a sky lobby, which is used to provide 

access from the ground floor to the high-zone elevators, via shuttle elevators. Since the 

shuttle elevators to the sky lobby and the high-zone elevators are treated as two lobbies, a 

connection between these lobbies is needed and the connections need to be protected. 

Hence Table 4.15 includes an additional cost item: sky lobby increment. These first costs 

are recorded in Part A of each table. The annual recurring costs associated with elevator 

maintenance are recorded in Part B of each table. Part B of Table 4.15 includes an 

additional recurring cost item: lost rental income due to sky lobby increment.

The cost estimates reported in Tables 4.12 through 4.15 are easily reformatted to 

facilitate calculation of the life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator 

system to an occupant evacuation elevator system. As noted earlier, the life-cycle cost 

analysis presented in this report uses 2007 as the base year, a 25-year study period, and a 

2.7 % real discount rate. The first cost and annual recurring cost estimates are shown in 

 

52 Averill, J.D., and W. Song. 2007. Accounting for Emergency Response in Building Evacuation: 

Modeling Differential Egress Capacity Solutions. NISTIR 7425. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of 

Standards and Technology.
41

Tables 4.12 through 4.15. The length of the study period is based on the expected service 

life of elevators reported by Whitestone Research.53

Table174.12 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft (48 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 97,500 0.30 625.00 7,500.00

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 54,000 0.17 346.15 4,153.85

Protection of Wiring/Cables 1,800 0.01 11.54 138.46

Lobby Enclosure 300,000 0.92 1,923.08 23,076.92

Total 453,300 1.39 2,905.77 34,869.23

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 5,400 0.02 34.62 415.38

Total 5,400 0.02 34.62 415.38

Part A: Incremental Capital Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 2

Part B: Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 2

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

 

53 Whitestone Research, 2008. Op cit.
42

Table184.13 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft (102 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 342,000 0.41 1,017.86 12,214.29

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 121,500 0.14 361.61 4,339.29

Protection of Wiring/Cables 4,800 0.01 14.29 171.43

Lobby Enclosure 675,000 0.80 2,008.93 24,107.14

Total 1,143,300 1.36 3,402.68 40,832.14

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 14,400 0.02 42.86 514.29

Total 14,400 0.02 42.86 514.29

Part B: Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 3

Part A: Incremental Capital Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 3

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Table194.14 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft (154 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 702,000 0.42 1,392.86 16,714.29

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 184,500 0.11 366.07 4,392.86

Protection of Wiring/Cables 9,600 0.01 19.05 228.57

Lobby Enclosure 1,025,000 0.61 2,033.73 24,404.76

Total 1,921,100 1.14 3,811.71 45,740.48

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 28,800 0.02 57.14 685.71

Total 28,800 0.02 57.14 685.71

Part A: Incremental Capital Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 4

Part B: Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 4

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators
43

Table204.15 Incremental Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant 

Evacuation Elevators for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft (274 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 1,472,000 0.44 1,635.56 19,626.67

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 342,000 0.10 380.00 4,560.00

Protection of Wiring/Cables 21,900 0.01 24.33 292.00

Lobby Enclosure 1,900,000 0.56 2,111.11 25,333.33

Sky Lobby Increment 25,000 0.01 27.78 333.33

Total 3,760,900 1.11 4,178.78 50,145.33

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Lost Rental Income Due to Sky Lobby 

Increment 147,680 0.04 164.09 1,969.07

Maintenance 65,700 0.02 73.00 876.00

Total 213,380 0.06 237.09 2,845.07

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Cost of Coverting Standard Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Part A: Incremental Capital Cost of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 5

Part B: Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Passenger Elevators to 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators for Building 5

The results of the life-cycle cost analyses are reported in Table 4.16. The columns of 

Table 4.16 are laid out so that the values for the incremental first cost can be easily traced 

to Part A of Tables 4.12 through 4.15 and the incremental annual cost can be easily traced 

to Part B of Tables 4.12 through 4.15. The last three columns of Table 4.16 contain the 

present value of the annual stream of increased maintenance costs, the life-cycle cost for 

converting a standard passenger elevator system to an occupant evacuation elevator 

system for each prototypical building, and the corresponding life-cycle cost per floor. 

The value of life-cycle cost found in the next to last column is the sum of the incremental 

first cost and the present value of the incremental annual cost.
44

Table214.16 Life-Cycle Costs of Converting a Standard Passenger Elevator System 

to an Occupant Evacuation Elevator System

Note: The annual dollar values for Building 5 include lost rental income due to the Sky Lobby Increment.

4.3.2 Fire Service Access Elevators

As was the case for the occupant evacuation elevators cost analysis, cost information 

presented in this subsection uses July 2007 as its reference date and the greater 

Washington, DC metropolitan area as the building’s location. Cost data were compiled 

from elevator contractors, designers, cost estimating guides, and subject matter experts. 

The incremental costs of converting a standard service elevator to a fire service access 

elevator are summarized in Tables 4.17 through 4.20. The tables are divided into two 

parts: Part A summarizes the incremental investment costs (i.e., first costs) and Part B 

summarizes the annual recurring costs due to the additional maintenance requirements 

associated with fire service access elevators. Table 4.17 summarizes data for Building 2. 

Table 4.18 summarizes data for Building 3. Table 4.19 summarizes data for Building 4. 

Table 4.20 summarizes data for Building 5. It is important to note that the data contained 

in Tables 4.17 through 4.20 are an aggregation of a series of cost estimating relationships. 

Readers wishing to examine the specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating 

relationships are referred to Appendix B.

Four types of cost data are presented in Tables 4.17 through 4.20: total cost of the system 

as configured; the cost per unit of floor area; the cost per unit of building height; and the 

cost per floor. Specific cost items reported in Tables 4.17 through 4.20 are: the cost of 

water protection; the cost of installing signage, lobby status indicator, and a two-way 

communication system; the costs of protecting wiring and cables; the costs of enclosing 

the lobbies on all floors above the ground floor; and the total first cost of the fire service 

access elevator system. These first costs are recorded in Part A of each table. The annual 

recurring costs associated with elevator maintenance are recorded in Part B of each table.

Annual Value 

in Dollars

Present Value in 

Dollars

2 13 453,300 5,400 97,253 550,553 42,350

3 28 1,143,300 14,400 259,341 1,402,641 50,094

4 42 1,921,100 28,800 518,683 2,439,783 58,090

5 75 3,760,900 213,380 3,842,937 7,603,837 101,384

Life-Cycle Cost 

in Dollars Per 

Floor

Incremental 

First Cost in 

Dollars

Building Floors

Incremental Annual Cost

Life-Cycle Cost 

in Dollars
45

Table224.17 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 2: 13 Floors, Height of 156 ft (48 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 325 000 ft2(30 193 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 32,500 0.10 208.33 2,500.00

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 54,000 0.17 346.15 4,153.85

Protection of Wiring/Cables 600 0.00 3.85 46.15

Lobby Enclosure 75,000 0.23 480.77 5,769.23

Total 162,100 0.50 1,039.10 12,469.23

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 1,800 0.01 11.54 138.46

Total 1,800 0.01 11.54 138.46

Part A: Incremental Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire 

Service Access Elevators for Building 2

Part B: Annual Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 2

Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Table234.18 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators for Building 3: 28 Floors, Height of 336 ft (102 m), and Total Floorspace 

of 840 000 ft2(78 038 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 70,000 0.08 208.33 2,500.00

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 121,500 0.14 361.61 4,339.29

Protection of Wiring/Cables 600 0.00 1.79 21.43

Lobby Enclosure 168,750 0.20 502.23 6,026.79

Total 360,850 0.43 1,073.96 12,887.50

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 1,800 0.00 5.36 64.29

Total 1,800 0.00 5.36 64.29

Part A: Incremental Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire 

Service Access Elevators for Building 3

Part B: Annual Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 3

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators
46

Table244.19 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 4: 42 Floors, Height of 504 ft (154 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 161,250 0.10 319.94 3,839.29

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 189,000 0.11 375.00 4,500.00

Protection of Wiring/Cables 900 0.00 1.79 21.43

Lobby Enclosure 262,500 0.16 520.83 6,250.00

Total 613,650 0.37 1,217.56 14,610.71

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 2,700 0.00 5.36 64.29

Total 2,700 0.00 5.36 64.29

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Part A: Incremental Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire 

Service Access Elevators for Building 4

Part B: Annual Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 4

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Table254.20 Incremental Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 5: 75 Floors, Height of 900 ft (274 m), and Total 

Floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2)

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Water Protection 382,500 0.11 425.00 5,100.00

Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and TwoWay Communication 508,500 0.15 565.00 6,780.00

Protection of Wiring/Cables 1,500 0.00 1.67 20.00

Lobby Enclosure 706,250 0.21 784.72 9,416.67

Total 1,598,750 0.47 1,776.39 21,316.67

Total Cost $/ft2 $/vlf $/floor

Maintenance 4,500 0.00 5.00 60.00

Total 4,500 0.00 5.00 60.00

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Cost of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

Part A: Incremental Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire 

Service Access Elevators for Building 5

Part B: Annual Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service 

Access Elevators for Building 5
47

The cost estimates reported in Tables 4.17 through 4.20 are easily reformatted to 

facilitate calculation of the life-cycle costs of converting a standard service elevator 

system to a fire service access elevator system. As noted earlier, the life-cycle cost 

analysis presented in this report uses 2007 as the base year, a 25-year study period, and a 

2.7 % real discount rate. The first cost and annual recurring cost estimates are shown in 

Tables 4.17 through 4.20. The length of the study period is based on the expected service 

life of elevators reported by Whitestone Research.54

The results of the life-cycle cost analyses are reported in Table 4.21. The columns of 

Table 4.21 are laid out so that the values for the incremental first cost can be easily traced 

to Part A of Tables 4.17 through 4.20 and the annual maintenance cost increment can be 

easily traced to Part B of Tables 4.17 through 4.20. The last two columns of Table 4.21 

contain the present value of the annual stream of increased maintenance costs, the lifecycle cost for converting a standard service elevator system to a fire service access 

elevator system for each prototypical building, and the corresponding life-cycle cost per 

floor. The value of life-cycle cost found in the next to last column is the sum of the 

incremental first cost and the present value of the annual maintenance cost increment.

Table264.21 Life-Cycle Costs of Converting a Standard Service Elevator System to a 

Fire Service Access Elevator System

4.4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Additional Exit Stair or Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators

This section sets the ranges of values for when occupant evacuation elevators would be 

cost effective relative to installing an additional exit stair and when they would not be 

cost effective for buildings over 420 ft (128 m) in height. This decision requires a close 

examination of both the incremental first cost of installing an additional exit stair and the 

annual value of lost rental income and the incremental first cost of converting passenger 

elevators to occupant evacuation elevators and the incremental annual recurring cost of 

 

54 Ibid.

Annual Value 

in Dollars

Present Value in 

Dollars

2 13 162,100 1,800 32,418 194,518 14,963

3 28 360,850 1,800 32,418 393,268 14,045

4 42 613,650 2,700 48,627 662,277 15,768

5 75 1,598,750 4,500 81,044 1,679,794 22,397

Life-Cycle Cost 

in Dollars Per 

Floor

Incremental 

First Cost in 

Dollars

Building Floors

Incremental Maintenance Cost

Life-Cycle Cost 

in Dollars
48

maintaining them. Three cases are examined. The first two do not require a life-cycle 

cost (LCC) analysis, whereas the third does.

Case 1: First Cost of Occupant Evacuation Elevators is less than the First Cost of the 

Corresponding Additional Exit Stair and Annual Operations and Maintenance are less 

than the Lost Rental Income Corresponding to an Additional Exit Stair.

Occupant Evacuation Elevators are Cost Effective: “If a building design or 

system specification has both a lower initial cost and lower future costs relative to 

an alternative, an LCC analysis is not needed to show that the former is the 

economically preferable choice.”55

Case 2: First Cost of Occupant Evacuation Elevators is greater than the First Cost of the 

Corresponding Additional Exit Stair and Annual Operations and Maintenance are greater

than the Lost Rental Income Corresponding to an Additional Exit Stair.

Occupant Evacuation Elevators are not Cost Effective: Installation of an 

additional exit stair is the most cost-effective alternative.

Case 3: First Cost of Occupant Evacuation Elevators is greater (less) than the First Cost 

of the Corresponding Additional Exit Stair but Annual Operations and Maintenance are 

less (greater) than the Lost Rental Income Corresponding to an Additional Exit Stair.

In this case a life-cycle cost analysis is needed to determine which alternative is 

the more cost effective. For example, if the first cost for occupant evacuation 

elevators is greater than the addition of an exit stair of a given width, but annual 

operations and maintenance costs for occupant evacuation elevators are very low, 

then their life-cycle cost could be significantly lower.

Decision Criterion: When using life-cycle cost analysis, the alternative with the lowest 

life-cycle cost is the most cost effective.

Although the life-cycle costs of either an additional exit stair or occupant evacuation 

elevators are likely to amount to several million dollars for both Buildings 4 and 5, they 

represent only a small fraction (i.e., about 0.6 % to 1.2 %) of the construction cost of 

those buildings. Estimates provided by William Hunt, the GSA’s Chief Estimator, 

translated into a total project cost slightly in excess of $500 million for Building 4 (42 

floors, height of 504 ft (154 m), and total floorspace of 1 680 000 ft2(156 076 m2)) and 

slightly less than $1.2 billion for Building 5 (75 floors, height of 900 ft (274 m), and total 

floorspace of 3 375 000 ft2(313 545 m2)).56

 

55 ASTM International. “Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building 

Systems,” E 917, Annual Book of ASTM Standards: 2008, Vol. 4.11. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM

International.

56 Personal communication, February 5, 2009.
49

4.4.1 Results of the Baseline Analysis

The baseline values for the incremental first costs, annual loss of rental income, present 

value of lost rental income, and life-cycle costs of an additional exit stair for nominal 

widths of 44 in (112 cm), 56 in (142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm) for Buildings 2 through 5 

are recorded in Table 4.11. The baseline values for the incremental first costs, annual 

maintenance cost increment, present value of the annual maintenance cost increment; and 

life-cycle costs of converting a standard passenger elevator system to an occupant 

evacuation elevator system for Buildings 2 through 5 are recorded in Table 4.16. 

Baseline comparisons between Tables 4.11 and 4.16 reveal that the life-cycle costs of 

each occupant evacuation elevators alternative is less than the corresponding additional 

exit stair alternative. In addition, for each alternative, the incremental first cost of an 

additional exit stair is less than the incremental first cost of an occupant evacuation 

elevator system and the annual loss of rental income associated with an additional exit 

stair is greater than the annual maintenance cost increment for occupant evacuation 

elevators. Thus, Case 3 applies and a comprehensive life-cycle cost analysis is required. 

In performing the life-cycle cost analysis, the additional exit stair alternative is 

designated the base case because its first cost is less than that of the corresponding 

occupant evacuation elevators alternative. Furthermore, because of the way first costs 

and annual recurring costs/losses differ, it is appropriate to compute additional measures 

of economic performance. In this subsection four baseline measures of economic 

performance are computed and analyzed: (1) life-cycle costs; (2) present value net 

savings; (3) savings-to-investment ratio; and (4) adjusted internal rate of return.

Tables 4.22A and 4.22B summarize the key life-cycle cost components for each 

additional exit stair alternative and the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators 

alternative. The table includes all investment-related costs, expressed as first costs, and 

all non-investment costs, expressed as either the present value of lost rental income 

(additional exit stair) or present value of maintenance cost (occupant evacuation 

elevators). Note that Tables 4.22A and 4.22B include three rows for each prototypical 

building, one for each stair width. For each prototypical building, varying the stair width 

affects both the incremental first cost and the present value of lost rental income for the 

additional exit stair alternative, but leaves the incremental first cost and the present value 

of maintenance cost unchanged for the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators 

alternative. The columns of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B are numbered to facilitate 

comparisons between the two sets of alternatives. Columns 1, 2, and 3 provide 

information on the building number, the number of floors, and the stair width for the 

additional exit stair alternative. Reference to Tables 4.22A and 4.22B show that the lifecycle cost of each additional exit stair alternative recorded in Column 6 equals the sum of 

the entries in Column 4 (incremental first cost) and Column 5 (present value of lost rental 

income). The life-cycle cost of the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators 

alternative recorded in Column 9 equals the sum of the entries in Column 7 (incremental 

first cost) and Column 8 (present value of maintenance cost). Comparison of Columns 6 

and 9 demonstrates that the occupant evacuation elevator alternative is the most costeffective choice. For example, the additional exit stair alternative for Building 4 with an 

exit stair width of 44 in (112 cm) has a baseline value of life-cycle cost of $4.8 million 
50

versus $2.4 million for the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative (see 

Table 4.22A).

Additional information can be gleaned from Tables 4.22A and 4.22B, and used to 

calculate other baseline measures of economic performance. The information needed to 

calculate the present value of net savings (PVNS), savings-to-investment ratio (SIR), and 

adjusted internal rate of return (AIRR) associated with the corresponding sets of occupant 

evacuation elevators alternatives compiled from Tables 4.22A and 4.22B is summarized 

in Tables 4.23A, 4.23B, 4.24A, 4.24B, 4.25A and 4.25B. The first three columns in each 

table are copied from Tables 4.22A and 4.22B, respectively. 
51

Table274.22A Summary of Key Life-Cycle Cost Measures for an Additional Exit Stair and Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) 

(4) + (5) Col. (7) Col. (8) Col. (9) (7) + (8)

2 13 44 113,669 1,387,361 1,501,030 453,300 97,253 550,553

2 13 56 82,466 1,885,832 1,968,298 453,300 97,253 550,553

2 13 66 48,015 2,354,048 2,402,063 453,300 97,253 550,553

3 28 44 241,058 2,988,163 3,229,220 1,143,300 259,341 1,402,641

3 28 56 175,504 4,061,791 4,237,296 1,143,300 259,341 1,402,641

3 28 66 102,676 5,070,258 5,172,934 1,143,300 259,341 1,402,641

Building Floors

Additional Exit Stair Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Stair 

Width (in)

Incremental 

First Cost

Present 

Value Lost 

Rental 

Income

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Incremental 

First Cost

Present 

Value 

Maintenance 

Cost

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars
52

Table284.22B Summary of Key Life-Cycle Cost Measures for an Additional Exit Stair and Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Note: The present value entries in Column 8 for Building 5 include lost rental income due the Sky Lobby Increment.

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) 

(4) + (5) Col. (7) Col. (8) Col. (9) (7) + (8)

4 42 44 359,955 4,482,244 4,842,199 1,921,100 518,683 2,439,783

4 42 56 262,339 6,092,687 6,355,027 1,921,100 518,683 2,439,783

4 42 66 153,694 7,605,387 7,759,080 1,921,100 518,683 2,439,783

5 75 44 640,212 8,004,008 8,644,219 3,760,900 3,842,937 7,603,837

5 75 56 467,023 10,879,799 11,346,822 3,760,900 3,842,937 7,603,837

5 75 66 273,950 13,581,047 13,854,997 3,760,900 3,842,937 7,603,837

Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Incremental 

First Cost

Present 

Value 

Maintenance 

Cost

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Building Floors

Additional Exit Stair

Stair 

Width (in)

Incremental 

First Cost

Present 

Value Lost 

Rental 

Income

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars
53

In Tables 4.23A and 4.23B, the life-cycle cost of each additional exit stair alternative 

recorded in Column 4 is copied from Column 6 of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B, and the lifecycle cost of the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative recorded in 

Column 5 is copied from Column 9 of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B. ASTM Standard 

Practice E 1074 defines PVNS as the difference between the life-cycle cost of the base 

case and the corresponding alternative. Column 6 of Tables 4.23A and 4.23B records the 

PVNS associated with the corresponding sets of occupant evacuation elevators 

alternatives; it equals the difference between Column 4 (life-cycle cost of the base case 

(additional exit stair)) and Column 5 (life-cycle cost of the corresponding occupant 

evacuation elevators alternative). For each baseline comparison, PVNS is positive 

indicating that the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative is cost

effective.

Table294.23A Calculation of Present Value Net Savings of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) 

(4) - (5)

2 13 44 1,501,030 550,553 950,477

2 13 56 1,968,298 550,553 1,417,745

2 13 66 2,402,063 550,553 1,851,510

3 28 44 3,229,220 1,402,641 1,826,579

3 28 56 4,237,296 1,402,641 2,834,654

3 28 66 5,172,934 1,402,641 3,770,293

Building Floors

Additional Exit Stair Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators

Stair 

Width (in)

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Present 

Value Net 

Savings in 

Dollars
54

Table304.23B Calculation of Present Value Net Savings of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) 

(4) - (5)

4 42 44 4,842,199 2,439,783 2,402,416

4 42 56 6,355,027 2,439,783 3,915,244

4 42 66 7,759,080 2,439,783 5,319,297

5 75 44 8,644,219 7,603,837 1,040,383

5 75 56 11,346,822 7,603,837 3,742,985

5 75 66 13,854,997 7,603,837 6,251,161

Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators

Building Floors

Additional Exit Stair

Stair 

Width (in)

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Life-Cycle 

Cost in 

Dollars

Present 

Value Net 

Savings in 

Dollars
55

Table314.24A Calculation of Savings-to-Investment Ratio of Occupant Evacuation Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) Col. (7) 

(6) - (4) Col. (8) Col. (9) (5) - (8)

Col. (10) 

(9) / (7)

2 13 44 113,669 1,387,361 453,300 339,632 97,253 1,290,108 3.80

2 13 56 82,466 1,885,832 453,300 370,834 97,253 1,788,579 4.82

2 13 66 48,015 2,354,048 453,300 405,285 97,253 2,256,795 5.57

3 28 44 241,058 2,988,163 1,143,300 902,243 259,341 2,728,821 3.02

3 28 56 175,504 4,061,791 1,143,300 967,796 259,341 3,802,450 3.93

3 28 66 102,676 5,070,258 1,143,300 1,040,624 259,341 4,810,916 4.62

Building Floors

Additional Exit Stair Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Stair 

Width (in)

Incremental 

First Cost

Present 

Value Lost 

Rental 

Income

Incremental 

First Cost

Delta 

Investment 

Cost in 

Dollars

Present 

Value 

Maintenance 

Cost

Present 

Value 

Savings in 

Dollars

SavingstoInvestm

ent 

Ratio
56

Table324.24B Calculation of Savings-to-Investment Ratio of Occupant Evacuation Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

Note: The present value entries in Column 8 for Building 5 include lost rental income due the Sky Lobby Increment.

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) Col. (7) 

(6) - (4) Col. (8) Col. (9) (5) - (8)

Col. (10) 

(9) / (7)

4 42 44 359,955 4,482,244 1,921,100 1,561,146 518,683 3,963,561 2.54

4 42 56 262,339 6,092,687 1,921,100 1,658,761 518,683 5,574,004 3.36

4 42 66 153,694 7,605,387 1,921,100 1,767,406 518,683 7,086,704 4.01

5 75 44 640,212 8,004,008 3,760,900 3,120,689 3,842,937 4,161,071 1.33

5 75 56 467,023 10,879,799 3,760,900 3,293,877 3,842,937 7,036,862 2.14

5 75 66 273,950 13,581,047 3,760,900 3,486,950 3,842,937 9,738,111 2.79

Building Floors

Stair 

Width (in)

Incremental 

First Cost

Incremental 

First Cost

Savings-toInvestment 

Ratio

Additional Exit Stair

Present 

Value Lost 

Rental 

Income

Occupant Evacuation Elevators

Present 

Value 

Maintenance 

Cost

Present 

Value 

Savings in 

Dollars

Delta 

Investment 

Cost in 

Dollars
57

Tables 4.24A and 4.24B contain the information needed to calculate the SIR for each 

corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative vis-à-vis the base case (additional exit 

stair). Columns 3, 4, and 5 are associated with each additional exit stair alternative. The entries 

in Columns 3 (stair width), 4 (incremental first cost), and 5 (present value of lost rental income) 

are copied from Columns 3, 4, and 5 of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B. Columns 6 through 10 are 

associated with the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative. The entries in 

Column 6 (incremental investment cost) and Column 8 (present value maintenance cost) are 

copied from Column 7 and Column 8 of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B. The entries in Columns 7, 9, 

and 10 are calculated from the entries in the other columns. ASTM Standard Practice E 964 

defines SIR of the occupant evacuation elevators alternative vis-à-vis the base case (additional 

exit stair) as the present value of non-investment savings divided by the present value of 

incremental “delta” investment costs. Reference to Tables 4.24A and 4.24B show how this 

calculation is performed. The present value of non-investment savings equals the difference 

between the present value of lost rental income for the base case (Column 5) and the present 

value of maintenance cost (Column 8); these entries are recorded in Column 9. The present 

value of the delta investment cost equals the difference between the incremental first costs of 

each corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative and the incremental first costs of 

each exit stair base case; these entries are recorded in Column 7. The savings-to-investment ratio 

for each occupant evacuation elevators alternative is the quotient of the numbers in Columns 9 

and 7; these entries are recorded in Column 10 of Tables 4.24A and 4.24B. For each baseline 

comparison, the SIR is greater than 1.0 indicating that the corresponding occupant evacuation 

elevators alternative is cost effective.

Table334.25A Calculation of Adjusted Internal Rate of Return of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

2 13 44 8.33

2 13 56 9.37

2 13 66 10.00

3 28 44 7.35

3 28 56 8.48

3 28 66 9.19

Building Floors Stair 

Width (in)

Adjusted 

Internal Rate 

of Return 

(Percent)
58

Table344.25B Calculation of Adjusted Internal Rate of Return of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators vis-à-vis an Additional Exit Stair

Tables 4.25A and 4.25B report the AIRR for each corresponding occupant evacuation elevators 

alternative vis-à-vis the base case (additional exit stair). The entries in the first three columns are 

copied form Columns 1, 2, and 3 of Tables 4.22A and 4.22B. The entries in the last column are 

the AIRR expressed as a percent. Several procedures exist for calculating the AIRR, denoted as 

r* if expressed as a decimal and R* (i.e., r* times 100) if expressed as a percent. These 

procedures are derived and described in detail in the report by Chapman and Fuller.57 The most 

convenient procedure for calculating the AIRR is based on its relationship to the SIR. This 

procedure results in a closed-form solution for r*; it is expressed mathematically as:

Where 

d = the discount rate expressed as a decimal; and

L = the length of the study period in years.

For each baseline comparison, the AIRR over the 25-year study period is greater than the 

minimum attractive rate of return, which is set equal to the 2.7 % real discount rate, indicating 

that the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators alternative is cost effective.

 

57 Chapman, R.E., and Fuller, S.K. 1996. Benefits and Costs of Research: Two Case Studies in Building Technology. 

NISTIR 5840. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology.

4 42 44 6.60

4 42 56 7.80

4 42 66 8.57

5 75 44 3.89

5 75 56 5.87

5 75 66 7.01

Adjusted 

Internal Rate 

of Return 

(Percent)

Building Floors Stair 

Width (in)
59

4.4.2 Results of the Sensitivity Analysis

Because the values of many variables that enter into the baseline analysis are not known with 

certainty, it is advisable to select a small set of variables whose impact is likely to be substantial 

and subject them to a sensitivity analysis. Variations in the values of these input variables 

translate into the value of each outcome (e.g., the SIR) in such a manner that the impacts of 

uncertainty can be measured quantitatively.

Sensitivity analysis may be divided into two distinct cases: (1) deterministic; and (2) 

probabilistic. Deterministic sensitivity analyses are the most straightforward. Their advantage is 

that they are easy to apply and the results are easy to explain and understand. Their disadvantage 

is that they do not produce results that can be tied to probabilistic levels of significance (i.e., the 

probability that the SIR is less than 1.0).

For example, a deterministic sensitivity analysis might use as inputs a pessimistic value, a value 

based on a measure of central tendency (e.g., mean or median), and an optimistic value for the 

variable of interest. Then an analysis could be performed to see how each outcome (e.g., the 

SIR) changes as each of the three chosen values for the selected input is considered in turn, while 

all other input variables are maintained at their baseline values. A deterministic sensitivity 

analysis can also be performed on different combinations of input variables. That is, several 

variables are altered at once and then an outcome measure is computed. 

In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, a small set of key input variables is varied either singly or 

in combination according to an experimental design. In most cases, probabilistic sensitivity 

analyses are based on Monte Carlo or Latin Hypercube techniques. The major advantage of 

probabilistic sensitivity analysis is that it permits the effects of uncertainty to be rigorously 

analyzed. For example, not only the expected value of each economic measure can be computed 

but also the variability of that value. In addition, probabilistic levels of significance can be 

attached to the computed values of each economic measure. The disadvantages of a probabilistic 

sensitivity analysis are: (1) that it requires many calculations carried out according to an 

experimental design, and is therefore practical only when used with a computer and (2) that data 

on the probability distribution are generally not well known.

The approach selected for this study makes use of works by McKay, Conover, and Beckman58

and by Harris;59 it is based on the method of model sampling. Model sampling provides the 

basis for many probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Model sampling is a procedure for sampling 

from a stochastic process to determine, through multiple trials, the characteristics of a probability 

distribution. 

The method of model sampling was implemented through application of the Crystal Ball

software product.60 This software product is an add-in for spreadsheets. The Crystal Ball

 

58 McKay, M. C., W. H. Conover, and R.J. Beckman. 1979. “A Comparison of Three Methods for Selecting Values 

of Input Variables in the Analysis of Output from a Computer Code.” Technometrics (Vol. 21): pp. 239-245.

59 Harris, Carl M. 1984. Issues in Sensitivity and Statistical Analysis of Large-Scale, Computer-Based Models. NBS 

GCR 84-466. Gaithersburg, MD: National Bureau of Standards.

60 Crystal Ball. 2007. Crystal Ball 7.3 User Manual. Denver, CO: Decisioneering, Inc.
60

software product allows the user to specify a unique probability distribution for each uncertainty

variable. Specification of the experimental design involves defining which variables are to be 

simulated and the number of simulations. Throughout this sensitivity analysis, 10 000 

simulations were run for each combination of input variables under analysis. When the Crystal 

Ball software product is executed, it randomly samples from the parent probability distribution 

for each input variable of interest (i.e., the input variable(s) specified by the experimental 

design). In this analysis, a Monte Carlo sampling approach is used.

In reality, the exact nature of the parent probability distribution for each input variable is 

unknown. Estimates of the parameters (e.g., mean and variance) of the parent probability 

distribution can be made and uncertainty can be reduced by investigation and research. 

However, uncertainty can never be eliminated completely. Therefore, to implement the 

procedure without undue attention to the characterization of the parent probability distribution, it 

was decided to focus on only the triangular probability distribution. The triangular distribution is 

widely used in simulation modeling; its specification requires three data points, the minimum 

value, the most-likely value, and the maximum value. The triangular distribution is used 

whenever the range of input values is continuous and a clustering about some central value is 

expected. 

4.4.2.1 Uncertainty Parameters

Five inputs into the baseline analysis are identified as containing uncertainty in their estimates. 

Table 4.26 presents the five inputs and their associated uncertainty values. The inputs include 

the discount rate, the rental rate, the cost of the fire door and frame system for lobbies above the 

ground floor, the Sky Lobby lost rental space for Building 5, and the cost associated with 

signage, lobby status indicator, and a two-way communication system. Each input is designed to 

follow a triangular distribution. The most-likely values were used in the baseline analysis. 

Table354.26 Assumptions for the Monte Carlo Simulations

The discount rate is set to follow a minimum value of 1.0 %, a most-likely value of 2.7 %, and a 

maximum value of 10.0 %. All discount rates are real. The most-likely value conforms to 

OMB’s guidance of using a 2.7 % real rate for cost-effectiveness analysis of government 

Min Most-Likely Max

Discount Rate Triangular 1.0 2.7 10.0

Rental Rate Triangular $ 18.18 $ 36.92 $ 43.18

Fire Door and Frame System Triangular $ 4,000 $ 5,250 $ 6,000

Sky Lobby Lost Rental Space Triangular - 4,000 8,403

Signage, Lobby Status 

Indicator, and Two-Way 

Communication System

Triangular $ 4,000 $ 4,500 $ 5,000

Probability Setting & Value

Distribution

Variable
61

programs, which produce private benefits over either a 20- or 30-year period.61, 62 The minimum 

value approximates returns on short-term Treasury notes and bonds. The maximum value 

follows OMB’s guidance on sensitivity analysis. The rental rate is set to follow a minimum 

value of $18.18 per ft2($195.69 per m2), a most-likely value of $36.92 per ft2($397.37 per m2), 

and a maximum value of $43.18 per ft2($464.80 per m2). The range of the rental values 

correspond with the minimum (Houston) and maximum (New York) rental rates for downtown 

locations of the 10 most populated urban areas (see footnote 40). The most-likely value is set to 

Washington, DC. The costs of the fire door and frame system is set to follow a minimum value 

of $4000, a most-likely value of $5250, and a maximum value of $6000. The amount of rentable 

space lost to the Sky Lobby range from a minimum of 0 ft2 (0 m2) to a maximum of 8403 ft2(781 

m

2

), with a most likely value of 4000 ft2(372 m2). The costs associated with signage, lobby 

status indicator, and a two-way communication system is set to a follow a minimum value of 

$4000, a most-likely value of $4500, and a maximum value of $5000. The minimum and 

maximum values for both cost variables were selected based on inputs from industry experts. 

The discount rate and the rental rate affect the life-cycle costs of additional exit stairs for all 

buildings and occupant evacuation elevators for Building 5. The cost associated with the fire 

door and frame system and costs associated with signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication system affects the life-cycle cost of the occupant evacuation elevators. The Sky 

Lobby lost rental space affects the life-cycle cost of the occupant evacuation elevators in 

Building 5.

4.4.2.2 Monte Carlo Simulation of the Life-Cycle Costs of an Additional Exit Stair and 

Occupant Evacuation Elevator

Monte Carlo simulation is used to assess the sensitivity of the life-cycle costs of an additional 

exit stair and the occupant evacuation elevator system to changes in the five uncertainty 

parameters (described above). Tables 4.27A presents the mean, median, minimum, maximum, 

and standard deviation of the life-cycle costs for Buildings 2 and 3. Tables 4.27B presents the 

mean, median, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation of the life-cycle costs for Buildings 

4 and 5.

For Building 2 the life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives range from a minimum of $0.5 

million (44 in (112 cm) width) to a maximum of $3.2 million (66 in (168 cm) width). The mean 

life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives are $1.2 million, $1.5 million, and $1.8 million for 

the 44 in (112 cm), 56 in (142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm) widths, respectively. In contrast, the lifecycle costs of the occupant evacuation elevator range from $0.4 million to $0.6 million, with a 

mean cost of $0.5 million. On average, the occupant evacuation elevator is less expensive to 

install and operate over a 25-year period when compared to the exit stair alternatives. 

For Building 3 the life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives range from a minimum of $1.0

million (44 in (112 cm) width) to a maximum of $6.8 million (66 in (168 cm) width). The mean 

life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives are $2.5 million, $3.2 million, and $3.9 million for 

 

61 Office of Management and Budget. “Circular A-94: Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of 

Federal Programs.” 

62 Orszag, P.R. “Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies: 2010 Discount Rates for OMB Circular 

No. A-94,” Office of Management and Budget, December 8, 2009.
62

the 44 in (112 cm), 56 in (142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm) widths, respectively. In contrast, the lifecycle costs of the occupant evacuation elevator range from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, with a 

mean cost of $1.3 million. On average, the occupant evacuation elevator is less expensive to 

install and operate over a 25-year period when compared to the exit stair alternatives. 

For Building 4 the life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives range from a minimum of $1.6

million (44 in (112 cm) width) to a maximum of $10.2 million (66 in (168 cm) width). The 

mean life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives are $3.7 million, $4.8 million, and $5.8 million 

for the 44 in (112 cm), 56 in (142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm) widths, respectively. In contrast, the 

life-cycle costs of the occupant evacuation elevator range from $2.0 million to $2.6 million, with 

a mean cost of $2.3 million. On average, the occupant evacuation elevator is less expensive to 

install and operate over a 25-year period when compared to the exit stair alternatives. 

For Building 5 the life-cycle costs of the exit stair alternatives range from a minimum of $2.8

million (44 in (112 cm) width) to a maximum of $18.2 million (66 in (168 cm) width). The 

mean life-cycle costs are $6.6 million, $8.6 million, and $10.4 million for the 44 in (112 cm), 56 

in (142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm) widths, respectively. In contrast, the life-cycle costs of the 

occupant evacuation elevator range from $4.3 million to $11.4 million, with a mean cost of $6.8

million. On average, the occupant evacuation elevator is less expensive to install and operate 

over a 25-year period when compared to the exit stair alternatives of only the 56 in (142 cm) and 

66 in (168 cm) widths.

A notable difference across the life-cycle costs is costs associated with the additional exit stairs 

vary considerably more than the corresponding occupant evacuation elevators—i.e., there is 

greater uncertainty in the estimates of the life-cycle cost for stairs than elevators. This can be 

seen in comparisons of the standard deviation, where for instance, the standard deviation of the 

life-cycle cost of the 44 in (112 cm) stair in Building 4 is almost eight times larger than the 

corresponding life-cycle costs of the occupant evacuation elevator system.

4.4.2.3 Monte Carlo Simulation of the Economic Performance of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators Compared to an Additional Exit Stair: PVNS, SIR, and AIRR

The economic performance of the occupant evacuation elevators are compared with the 

installation of an additional exit stair, while again, accounting for uncertainty of five key model 

inputs, using three economic measures: present value net savings (PVNS), savings-to-investment 

ratio (SIR), and adjusted internal rate of return (AIRR). Summary statistics of the economic 

performance measures are presented in Tables 4.28A (Buildings 2 and 3) and 4.28B (Buildings 4 

and 5).
63

Table364.27A Summary Statistics from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Life-Cycle Cost for an Additional Exit Stair and 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators (statistics in thousands of dollars)

Table374.27B Summary Statistics from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Life-Cycle Cost for an Additional Exit Stair and 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators (statistics in thousands of dollars)

Stair Width Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev. Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev.

2 13 44 1,150 495 1,134 1,949 260

2 13 56 1,490 601 1,469 2,578 353

2 13 66 1,806 695 1,779 3,163 440

3 28 44 2,472 1,063 2,438 4,195 559

3 28 56 3,208 1,293 3,162 5,550 760

3 28 66 3,888 1,497 3,830 6,812 949

Building Floors Additional Exit Stair Occupant Evacuation Elevator

 527 447 527 601 26

1,343 1,152 1,344 1,522 62

Stair Width Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev. Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev.

4 42 44 3,707 1,593 3,655 6,291 839

4 42 56 4,811 1,938 4,742 8,324 1,140

4 42 66 5,832 2,245 5,745 10,218 1,423

5 75 44 6,616 2,841 6,525 11,232 1,498

5 75 56 8,590 3,459 8,466 14,864 2,036

5 75 66 10,414 4,009 10,258 18,245 2,542

 109

 1,114

Occupant Evacuation Elevator

6,768 4,271 6,641 11,408

2,330 2,004 2,330 2,644

Additional Exit Stair Building Floors
64

For Building 2, the PVNS range from a minimum of -$0.04 million (compared to the 44 in (112 

cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $2.6 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair). The 

mean PVNS are all positive, at $0.6 million for the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, $1.0 million for the 

56 in (142 cm) exit stair, and $1.3 million for the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair. On average, the 

occupant evacuation elevators are cost-effective as compared to the additional exit stairs. Again, 

the cost-effectiveness is further highlighted with mean SIR’s greater than one and AIRR’s 

greater than 0.027. 

While the occupant evacuation elevators are generally cost-effective, the sensitivity analysis 

reveals combinations of the uncertainty parameters yield comparisons that are not (e.g., a 

negative PVNS). For the comparison with the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair this occurred in 0.02 % 

of the simulations (i.e., 2 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The majority of variation in 

the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the 

rental rate and discount rate. For the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, 55 % of the variation in PVNS 

can be explained by changes in the discount rate, followed by 45 % of the variation explained by 

variation in rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates 

and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were 

cost-effective in all of the simulations. The majority of variation in the PVNS measure can be 

explained by variation in the rental rate and discount rate. For the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, 56 % 

of the variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in the discount rate, followed by 44 % of 

the variation explained by variation in rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS 

correspond with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were 

cost-effective in all of the simulations. The majority of variation in the PVNS measure (and SIR 

and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the rental rate and discount rate. For 

the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, 57 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in the 

discount rate, followed by 43 % of the variation explained by variation in rental rate (analysis not 

shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For Building 3, the PVNS range from a minimum of -$0.3 million (compared to the 44 in (112 

cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $5.4 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair). The 

mean PVNS are all positive, at $1.1 million for the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, $1.9 million for the 

56 in (142 cm) exit stair, and $2.5 million for the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair. On average, the 

occupant evacuation elevators are cost-effective as compared to the additional exit stairs. Again, 

the cost-effectiveness is further highlighted with mean SIR’s greater than one and AIRR’s 

greater than 0.027. 

While the occupant evacuation elevators are generally cost-effective, the sensitivity analysis 

reveals combinations of the uncertainty parameters yield comparisons that are not (e.g., a 

negative PVNS). For the comparison with the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair this occurred in 0.5 % of 

the simulations (i.e., 50 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The majority of variation in 

the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the 

rental rate and discount rate. For the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, 54 % of the variation in PVNS 
65

can be explained by changes in the discount rate, followed by 46 % of the variation explained by 

variation in rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates 

and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were not 

cost-effective in 0.02 % of the simulations (i.e., 2 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The 

majority of variation in the PVNS measure can be explained by variation in the rental rate and 

discount rate. For the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, 55 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained 

by changes in the discount rate, followed by 45 % of the variation explained by variation in 

rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates and high 

discount rates.

For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were 

cost-effective in all of the simulations. The majority of variation in the PVNS measure (and SIR 

and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the rental rate and discount rate. For 

the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, 56 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in the 

discount rate, followed by 44 % of the variation explained by variation in rental rate (analysis not 

shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For Building 4, the PVNS range from a minimum of -$0.7 million (compared to the 44 in (112 

cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $7.7 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair). The 

mean PVNS are all positive, at $1.4 million for the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, $2.5 million for the 

56 in (142 cm) exit stair, and $3.5 million for the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair. On average, the 

occupant evacuation elevators are cost-effective as compared to the additional exit stairs. Again, 

the cost-effectiveness is further highlighted with mean SIR’s greater than one and AIRR’s 

greater than 0.027. 

While the occupant evacuation elevators are generally cost-effective, the sensitivity analysis 

reveals combinations of the uncertainty parameters yield comparisons that are not (e.g., a 

negative PVNS). For the comparison with the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair this occurred in 2.6 % of 

the simulations (i.e., 264 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The majority of variation in 

the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the 

rental rate and discount rate. For the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, 52 % of the variation in PVNS

can be explained by changes in the discount rate, followed by 48 % of the variation explained by 

variation in rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates 

and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were not 

cost-effective in 0.1 % of the simulations (i.e., 13 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The 

majority of variation in the PVNS measure can be explained by variation in the rental rate and 

discount rate. For the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, 54 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained 

by changes in the discount rate, followed by 46 % of the variation explained by variation in 

rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates and high 

discount rates.
66

For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair the occupant evacuation elevators were not 

cost-effective in 0.01 % of the simulations (i.e., 1 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The 

majority of variation in the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained 

by variation in the rental rate and discount rate. For the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, 55 % of the 

variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in the discount rate, followed by 45 % of the 

variation explained by variation in rental rate (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond 

with low rental rates and high discount rates.

For Building 5, the PVNS range from a minimum of -$2.9 million (compared to the 44 in (112 

cm) exit stair) to a maximum of $12.7 million (compared to the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair). The

mean PVNS are positive compared to the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair ($1.8 million) and for the 66 

in (168 cm) exit stair ($3.6 million), but negative for the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair (-$0.2 million).

While the occupant evacuation elevator system (OEES) alternatives are generally cost-effective, 

at least when compared to the wider stair widths, the sensitivity analysis reveals combinations of 

the uncertainty parameters that are not (e.g., a negative PVNS). For the comparison with the 44 

in (112 cm) exit stair this occurred in 59.2 % of the simulations (i.e., 5924 trials out of 10 000) 

(analysis not shown). The majority of variation in the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for 

that matter) can be explained by variation in the rental rate, discount rate, and Sky Lobby size. 

For the 44 in (112 cm) exit stair, 52 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in 

the size of the Sky Lobby, 27 % of the variation can be explained by variation in rental rate, and 

20 % of the variation can be explained by the discount rate (analysis not shown). Minimum 

PVNS correspond with low rental rates, large Sky Lobby areas, and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair the OEES were not cost-effective in 13.0 % 

of the simulations (i.e., 1304 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The majority of 

variation in the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by 

variation in the rental rate, discount rate, and Sky Lobby size. For the 56 in (142 cm) exit stair, 

36 % of the variation in PVNS can be explained by changes in the rental rate, 36 % of the 

variation explained by the discount rate, and 28 % of the variation explained by variation in the 

size of the Sky Lobby (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates, 

large Sky Lobby areas, and high discount rates.

For the comparison with the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair the OEES were not cost-effective in 2.1 % 

of the simulations (i.e., 208 trials out of 10 000) (analysis not shown). The majority of variation 

in the PVNS measure (and SIR and AIRR, for that matter) can be explained by variation in the 

rental rate, discount rate, and Sky Lobby size. For the 66 in (168 cm) exit stair, 43 % of the 

variation explained by variation in the discount rate, 40 % of the variation in PVNS can be 

explained by changes in the rental rate, and 17 % of the variation explained by the size of the 

Sky Lobby (analysis not shown). Minimum PVNS correspond with low rental rates, large Sky 

Lobby areas, and high discount rates.
67

Table384.28A Summary Statistics of the Economic Performance from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators compared to an Additional Exit Stair (PVNS in thousands of dollars)

Building Floors Economic Measure Stair Width Trials Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev.

2 13 PVNS 44 10,000 623 (35) 608 1,386 779

2 13 PVNS 56 10,000 963 71 943 2,010 1,079

2 13 PVNS 66 10,000 1,279 166 1,253 2,595 1,361

3 28 PVNS 44 10,000 1,129 (274) 1,100 2,762 1,234

3 28 PVNS 56 10,000 1,865 (44) 1,822 4,102 1,649

3 28 PVNS 66 10,000 2,545 160 2,491 5,364 2,091

2 13 SIR 44 10,000 2.89 0.91 2.84 5.77 0.5137

2 13 SIR 56 10,000 3.67 1.18 3.61 7.20 0.6688

2 13 SIR 66 10,000 4.23 1.38 4.16 8.18 0.7902

3 28 SIR 44 10,000 2.28 0.72 2.25 4.47 0.4031

3 28 SIR 56 10,000 2.97 0.96 2.92 5.74 0.5117

3 28 SIR 66 10,000 3.50 1.15 3.44 6.68 0.6127

2 13 AIRR 44 10,000 0.09 0.04 0.09 0.14 0.0145

2 13 AIRR 56 10,000 0.10 0.06 0.10 0.15 0.0144

2 13 AIRR 66 10,000 0.11 0.06 0.10 0.15 0.0144

3 28 AIRR 44 10,000 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.13 0.0206

3 28 AIRR 56 10,000 0.09 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.0164

3 28 AIRR 66 10,000 0.10 0.05 0.10 0.14 0.0154
68

Table394.28B Summary Statistics of the Economic Performance from the Monte Carlo Simulations of Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators compared to an Additional Exit Stair (PVNS in thousands of dollars)

Note: The number of trials corresponds with the number of values used in the calculation of the statistics.

Building Floors Economic Measure Stair Width Trials Mean Min Median Max Std. Dev.

4 42 PVNS 44 10,000 1,377 (687) 1,337 3,792 780

4 42 PVNS 56 10,000 2,482 (341) 2,421 5,798 1,080

4 42 PVNS 66 10,000 3,502 (34) 3,425 7,691 1,362

5 75 PVNS 44 10,000 (151) (2,880) (301) 5,867 1,235

5 75 PVNS 56 10,000 1,822 (2,148) 1,639 9,410 1,651

5 75 PVNS 66 10,000 3,646 (1,599) 3,446 12,708 2,093

4 42 SIR 44 10,000 1.90 0.58 1.87 3.70 0.5139

4 42 SIR 56 10,000 2.53 0.80 2.49 4.84 0.6690

4 42 SIR 66 10,000 3.02 0.98 2.97 5.72 0.7905

5 75 SIR 44 10,000 0.95 0.08 0.90 3.05 0.4035

5 75 SIR 56 10,000 1.56 0.38 1.51 4.10 0.5121

5 75 SIR 66 10,000 2.06 0.56 2.01 4.94 0.6131

4 42 AIRR 44 10,000 0.07 0.03 0.07 0.12 0.0145

4 42 AIRR 56 10,000 0.08 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.0144

4 42 AIRR 66 10,000 0.09 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.0144

5 75 AIRR 44 10,000 0.04 (0.07) 0.04 0.10 0.0206

5 75 AIRR 56 10,000 0.06 0.00 0.06 0.12 0.0164

5 75 AIRR 66 10,000 0.07 0.02 0.07 0.13 0.0154
69

4.4.2.4 Break-Even Analysis

The discount rate and rental rate required for the investment in an OEES to break-even 

over its life-cycle is shown in Tables 4.29A and 4.29B. For example, the discount rate 

would need to exceed 13.5 % or the rental rate would need to be less than $17.14 per ft2

($184.43 per m2) for the PVNS associated with Building 4 with 44 in (112 cm) stairs to 

be negative (not cost-effective). The discount rate would need to exceed 15.0 % or the 

rental rate would need to less than $15.79 per ft2($169.96 per m2) for the PVNS 

associated with Building 5 with 66 in (168 cm) stairs to be negative (not cost-effective). 

Table404.29A Discount Rate and Rental Rate Required for the Investment into 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators to Break-Even Over the Life-Cycle

2 13 44 20.9 11.63

2 13 56 26.7 9.17

2 13 66 30.8 7.89

3 28 44 16.4 14.36

3 28 56 21.6 11.16

3 28 66 25.5 9.47

Building Floors

Stair 

Width 

(in)

Break-Even 

Discount 

Rate (%)

Break-Even 

Rental Rate 

in Dollars
70

Table414.29B Discount Rate and Rental Rate Required for the Investment into 

Occupant Evacuation Elevators to Break-Even Over the Life-Cycle

4 42 44 13.5 17.14

4 42 56 18.3 13.20

4 42 66 22.1 11.10

5 75 44 5.4 29.74

5 75 56 10.9 20.11

5 75 66 15.0 15.79

Break-Even 

Rental Rate 

in Dollars

Break-Even 

Discount 

Rate (%)

Stair 

Width 

(in)

Building Floors

4.4.3 Presentation and Analysis of Results

The results of the baseline analysis and the sensitivity analysis are summarized in 

Exhibits 4.1 (Building 2), 4.2 (Building 3), 4.3 (Building 4), and 4.4 (Building 5). 

The summary format is based on ASTM Standard Guide E 2204; it was described in 

Section 3.3. Because the format is fairly compact, it was necessary to abbreviate some of 

the terms reported in the exhibits. As noted earlier, the term Base Case is used to 

represent the installation of an additional exit stair because the first cost for each of the 

three exit stair configurations was lower than the first cost for an occupant evacuation 

elevator system. The abbreviation BC refers to the Base Case (exit stair). The values in 

parentheses—(44), (56), and (66)—refer to the width of the additional exit stair. The 

abbreviation OEES refers to the occupant evacuation elevator system. The abbreviations 

BC(44), BC(56), BC(66), and OEES refer to the corresponding exit stair configurations 

and the occupant evacuation elevator system. For example, LCCBC(44) corresponds to the 

life-cycle cost of the 44 in (112 cm) wide exit stair. The abbreviations BC(44):OEES, 

BC(56):OEES, and BC(66):OEES are used to represent comparisons between a given 

exit stair width and the corresponding occupant evacuation elevator system. For 

example, PVNSBC(66):OEES corresponds to the present value net savings of the occupant 

evacuation elevator system vis-à-vis the 66 in (168 cm) wide exit stair.

This chapter presented tables summarizing cost data associated with four recently 

adopted egress-related requirements in the IBC. Two of the four requirements—
71

increased stair width for new sprinklered buildings and installation of a fire service 

access elevator in buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high—were analyzed from a life-cycle 

cost perspective. The two remaining requirements—installation of an additional exit stair 

in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high and installation of occupant evacuation elevators—

were analyzed via a two-step process. First, life-cycle costs were calculated and 

analyzed. Second, an economic analysis was performed to determine when the 

installation of occupant evacuation elevators was a cost-effective alternative to the 

required installation of an additional exit stair in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. The 

economic analysis included both a baseline analysis, where all inputs were held constant, 

and a sensitivity analysis, where key input variables were varied about their baseline 

values. The results of the baseline analysis demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to the installation of an additional exit stair for 

all four prototypical buildings over 120 ft (37 m) high, and not just for those prototypical 

buildings over 420 (128 m) high. Furthermore, these results are fairly robust, as 

demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis.
72

Exhibit64.1 Summary of the Building 2 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

GSA was interested in evaluating the changes for buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) in height. Two such changes—an additional exit stair 

and permitting the use of occupant evacuation elevators as an 

alternative to the required addition of an exit stair—were the focus 

of an economic analysis. Information on the costs and 

specifications of alternative configurations for exit stairs and 

occupant evacuation elevators were compiled to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as a resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and key construction industry 

stakeholders concerned about egress and life-safety issues in high 

rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

GSA was interested in evaluating the 

changes for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) 

in height.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(9) Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(10)Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(9) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(10) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
73

Exhibit 4.1 Summary of Building 2 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (Cont.)

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $1,501 $551 $2,402 $551

Investment Cost $114 $453 $48 $453

Delta Investment Cost N/A $339 N/A $405

Non-Investment Cost $1,387 $97 $2,354 $97

Savings N/A $1,290 N/A $2,257

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $950 N/A $1,827

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 3.80 N/A 5.57

AIRR N/A 8.33 % N/A 10.00 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 495 1,134 1,949 1,150 260 

LCCBC(56) 601 1,469 2,578 1,490 353 

LCCBC(66) 695 1,779 3,163 5,832 440 

LCCOEES 447 527 601 527 26 

PVNSBC(44):OEES -35 608 1,386 623 779 

PVNSBC(56):OEES 71 943 2,010 963 1,079 

PVNSBC(66):OEES 166 1,253 2,595 1,279 1,361 

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $1,501

Base Case (56) $1,968

Base Case (66) $2,402

OEES $551

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $951 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $1,418

BC(66):OEES $1,852

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 3.80

BC(56):OEES 4.82

BC(66):OEES 5.57

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 8.33 %

BC(56):OEES 9.37 %

BC(66):OEES 10.00 %
74

Exhibit74.2 Summary of the Building 3 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

GSA was interested in evaluating the changes for buildings over 

120 ft (37 m) in height. Two such changes—an additional exit stair 

and permitting the use of occupant evacuation elevators as an 

alternative to the required addition of an exit stair—were the focus 

of an economic analysis. Information on the costs and 

specifications of alternative configurations for exit stairs and 

occupant evacuation elevators were compiled to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as a resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and key construction industry 

stakeholders concerned about egress and life-safety issues in high 

rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

GSA was interested in evaluating the 

changes for buildings over 120 ft (37 m) 

in height.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(11)Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(12)Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(11) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(12) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
75

Exhibit 4.2 Summary of Building 3 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (Cont.)

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $3,229 $1,403 $5,173 $1,403

Investment Cost 241 $1,143 $103 $1,143

Delta Investment Cost N/A $902 N/A $1040

Non-Investment Cost $2,988 $259 $5,070 $259

Savings N/A $2729 N/A $4811

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $1,827 N/A $3,770

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 3.02 N/A 4.62

AIRR N/A 7.35 % N/A 9.19 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 1,063 2,438 4,195 2,472 559 

LCCBC(56) 1,293 3,162 5,550 3,208 760 

LCCBC(66) 1,497 3,830 6,812 3,888 949 

LCCOEES 1,152 1,344 1,522 1,343 62 

PVNSBC(44):OEES -274 1,100 2,762 1,129 1,234 

PVNSBC(56):OEES -44 1,822 4,102 1,865 1,649 

PVNSBC(66):OEES 160 2,491 5,364 2,545 2,091 

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $3,229

Base Case (56) $4,237

Base Case (66) $5,173

OEES $1,403

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $1,827 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $2,835

BC(66):OEES $3,770

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 3.02

BC(56):OEES 3.93

BC(66):OEES 4.62

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 7.35 %

BC(56):OEES 8.48 %

BC(66):OEES 9.19 %
76

Exhibit84.3 Summary of the Building 4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

Two such changes—an additional exit stair and permitting the use 

of occupant evacuation elevators as an alternative to the required 

addition of an exit stair—were the focus of an economic analysis. 

Information on the costs and specifications of alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant evacuation elevators 

were compiled to support the economic analysis and to serve as a 

resource for building owners, fire protection engineers, and key 

construction industry stakeholders concerned about egress and lifesafety issues in high rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(13)Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(14)Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(13) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(14) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
77

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $4,842 $2,440 $7,759 $2,440

Investment Cost $360 $1,921 $154 $1,921

Delta Investment Cost N/A $1,561 N/A $1,767

Non-Investment Cost $4,482 $519 $7,605 $519

Savings N/A $3,963 N/A $7,086

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $2,402 N/A $5,319

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 2.54 N/A 4.01

AIRR N/A 6.60 % N/A 8.57 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 1,593 3,655 6,291 3,707 839

LCCBC(56) 1,938 4,742 8,324 4,811 1,140

LCCBC(66) 2,245 5,745 10,218 5,832 1,423

LCCOEES 2,004 2,330 2,644 2,330 109

PVNSBC(44):OEES -687 1,337 3,792 1,377 780

PVNSBC(56):OEES -341 2,421 5,798 2,482 1,080

PVNSBC(66):OEES -34 3,425 7,691 3,502 1,362

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $4,842

Base Case (56) $6,355

Base Case (66) $7,759

OEES $2,440

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $2,402 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $3,915

BC(66):OEES $5,319

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 2.54

BC(56):OEES 3.36

BC(66):OEES 4.01

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 6.60 %

BC(56):OEES 7.80 %

BC(66):OEES 8.57 %

Exhibit 4.3 Summary of Building 4 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (Cont.)
78

Exhibit94.4 Summary of the Building 5 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

1.a Significance of the Project:

Recent changes to the International Building Code (IBC) affect 

egress-related measures in buildings over 420 ft (128 m) high. 

Two such changes—an additional exit stair and permitting the use 

of occupant evacuation elevators as an alternative to the required 

addition of an exit stair—were the focus of an economic analysis. 

Information on the costs and specifications of alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant evacuation elevators 

were compiled to support the economic analysis and to serve as a 

resource for building owners, fire protection engineers, and key 

construction industry stakeholders concerned about egress and 

life-safety issues in high rise buildings.

The economic analysis was commissioned by GSA in support of 

its objective to incorporate cost-effective fire protection and life 

safety systems that result in overall building safety that meets or 

exceeds the levels required by local building codes. The economic 

analysis was conducted in two phases. First a baseline analysis 

was performed holding all input variables at their most likely 

values. Second a sensitivity analysis employing Monte Carlo 

simulation was performed through which probabilistic levels of 

significance were calculated for the key measures of economic 

performance. The results of the economic analysis demonstrate 

that occupant evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative 

to the installation of an additional exit stair. Furthermore, these 

results are fairly robust, as demonstrated in the sensitivity analysis 

where key input variables were varied about their baseline values.

1.b Key Points:

Recent changes to the IBC affect egressrelated measures in buildings over 420 ft 

(128 m) high.

GSA commissioned NIST to perform an 

economic analysis in support of its 

objective to incorporate cost-effective fire 

protection and life safety systems that 

result in overall building safety that meets 

or exceeds the levels required by local 

building codes.

NIST compiled cost data on alternative 

configurations for exit stairs and occupant 

evacuation elevators to support the 

economic analysis and to serve as an 

information resource for building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other key 

construction industry stakeholders 

concerned about egress and life-safety 

issues in high rise buildings.

The results of the economic analysis 

demonstrate that occupant evacuation 

elevators are a cost-effective alternative to 

the installation of an additional exit stair.

2. Analysis Strategy: How Key Measures are Estimated

The following economic measures are calculated as present-value (PV) amounts:

(15)Life-Cycle Costs (LCC) for the Base Case (Additional Exit Stair of nominal width 44 in (112 cm), 56 in 

(142 cm), and 66 in (168 cm)) and for the Proposed Alternative (Occupant Evacuation Elevators), including all 

costs of installing and operating the two systems over the length of the study period. The selection criterion is 

lowest LCC.

(16)Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) that will result from selecting the lowest-LCC alternative. PVNS > 0 

indicates an economically worthwhile project. 

Additional measures:

(15) Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR), the ratio of savings from the lowest-LCC to the extra investment required 

to implement it. A ratio of SIR >1 indicates an economically worthwhile project.

(16) Adjusted Internal Rate of Return (AIRR), the annual return on investment over the study period. An AIRR > 

discount or hurdle rate indicates an economically worthwhile project.

Data and Assumptions:

- The Base Date is 2007. 

- The alternative with the lower first cost (Additional Exit Stair) is designated the Base Case. 

- The study period is 25 years and ends in 2031.

- The baseline value of the discount or hurdle rate is 2.7 % real.
79

3.a Calculation of Savings, Costs, and Additional Measures

 Results of Baseline Analysis (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure Base 

Case (44) OEES Base Case (66) OEES

Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) $8,644 $7,604 $13,855 $7,604

Investment Cost $640 $3,761 $274 $3,761

Delta Investment Cost N/A $3,121 N/A $3,487

Non-Investment Cost $8,004 $3,843 $13,581 $3,843

Savings N/A $4,161 N/A $9,738

Present Value Net Savings (PVNS) N/A $1,040 N/A $6,251

Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) N/A 1.33 N/A 2.79

AIRR N/A 3.89 % N/A 7.01 %

 Results of Monte Carlo Simulation (Savings and Costs in Thousands of Dollars)

Economic Measure

Statistical Measure

Minimum Median Maximum Mean Standard 

Deviation

LCCBC(44) 2,841 6,525 11,232 6,616 1,498

LCCBC(56) 3,459 8,466 14,864 8,590 2,036

LCCBC(66) 4,009 10,258 18,245 10,414 2,542

LCCOEES 4,271 6,641 11,408 6,768 1,114

PVNSBC(44):OEES -2,880 -301 5,876 -151 1,235

PVNSBC(56):OEES -2,148 1,639 9,410 1,822 1,651

PVNSBC(66):OEES -1,599 3,446 12,708 3,646 2,093

3.b Key Results 3.c Traceability

*LCC (Thousands of Dollars) Life-cycle costs and supplementary 

measures were calculated according 

to ASTM standards E 917, E 964, 

E 1057, and E 1074. Treatment of 

uncertainty and measures of project 

risk were calculated according to 

ASTM standards E 1369 and E 1946.

Base Case (44) $8,644

Base Case (56) $11,347

Base Case (66) $13,855

OEES $7,604

*PVNS (Thousands of Dollars)

BC(44):OEES $1,040 Section 3008 of the 2009 edition of 

the International Building Code 

specifies the criteria that passenger 

elevators must meet to be used for 

evacuation purposes.

BC(56):OEES $3,743

BC(66):OEES $6,251

*SIR

BC(44):OEES 1.33

BC(56):OEES 2.14

BC(66):OEES 2.79

*AIRR

BC(44):OEES 3.89 %

BC(56):OEES 5.87 %

BC(66):OEES 7.01 %

Exhibit 4.4 Summary of Building 5 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (Cont.)
80
81

5 Summary and Recommendations for Further Research

5.1 Summary

Fire protection measures are needed to maintain the safety and integrity of the Nation’s 

building stock and to limit loss of life and property when building fires do occur. 

Statistics published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) demonstrate that 

fire protection is a major investment cost in building construction. Therefore, ways to 

reduce the costs of fire protection while ensuring safety are of interest to building owners, 

fire protection engineers, and other construction industry stakeholders. Fire protection 

measures include, but are not limited to, building safety features concerned with 

extinguishment (e.g., sprinklers), containment (e.g., compartmentation), passive 

resistance (e.g., fire resistive materials), detection and alarm (e.g., smoke detectors), and 

egress (e.g., exit stairs). Although all fire protection measures have important economic 

implications, both in terms of first costs and future costs associated with operations and 

maintenance, the focus of this report is on egress-related measures in new building 

construction.

Recent changes in the International Building Code (IBC) have set the stage for a 

analyzing the costs of several key egress-related requirements. The U.S. General 

Services Administration (GSA) commissioned this study to conduct an economic analysis

of the use of elevators and exit stairs for occupant evacuation and fire service access. 

The goal of this report is to produce economic analyses of cost data suitable for 

evaluating improved egress system designs that promote efficient and timely egress of 

occupants, including those with disabilities, and that facilitate more efficient fire 

department operations. This report tabulates cost data for selected egress-related 

requirements in five prototypical buildings specified by GSA. The five prototypical 

buildings range in height from a 5-floor, mid-rise building to a 75-floor, high-rise 

building. Cost data are tabulated in a format that facilitates life-cycle cost analyses of 

selected egress-related requirements. Incremental costs are also tabulated to help assess 

the implications of changing one or more design parameters.

The results of the economic analysis for the two prototypical buildings over 420 ft (128 

m) high, demonstrate that: (1) an additional exit stair is a cost-effective alternative to the 

installation of occupant evacuation elevators on a first-cost basis; and (2) occupant 

evacuation elevators are a cost-effective alternative to the installation of an additional exit 

stair on a life-cycle cost basis when rental rates are high and discount rates are low.

The specifications, assumptions, and cost estimating relationships of the occupant 

evacuation elevators were developed in consultation with industry experts. The elevator 

configuration and related cost elements, described in Appendix A, are representative of 

one design possibility. Others may exist.
82

5.2 Recommendations for Further Research

The background work for this report uncovered an additional area of research that would 

be of value to government agencies, private-sector organizations, building owners and 

managers, and fire protection engineers concerned with the relative costs of alternative 

fire protection measures. This area of research is concerned with the development of a 

revised procedure for estimating the national costs of fire protection for building 

construction.

The current procedure for estimating the national cost of fire protection in buildings 

needs to be revised to incorporate changes in codes, standards, practices, and 

technologies that have been adopted over the last 20 to 30 years. Once completed, the 

revised procedure will provide a comprehensive, science-based approach for estimating 

the national cost of fire protection in buildings. The approach will be based on cost 

estimating relationships applied to the value of construction put in place statistics 

produced by the U.S. Census Bureau in its C30 Report. Thus, the revised procedure will 

enable annual estimates for the national cost of fire protection to be produced. An added 

advantage of the proposed approach is that it will enable not only the overall national cost 

of fire protection in buildings to be estimated but also the national cost for each of the 

key fire protection strategies (e.g., extinguishment, containment, passive resistance, 

detection and alarm, and egress) to be estimated. No such information is currently 

available and represents a serious gap in understanding how the costs of fire protection 

are distributed among fire protection strategies. Ideally, the approach will include an 

“assembly-level” summary of fire protection costs for each fire protection strategy (e.g., 

occupant evacuation elevators) that will facilitate analyses of key cost drivers for specific 

fire safety measures (e.g., water protection for occupant evacuation elevators) covered in 

an assembly.
83

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86
87

Appendix A Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger 

Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

This appendix contains the cost estimates for converting standard passenger elevators to 

occupant evacuation elevators in Buildings 2 through 5. These costs include water 

protection costs, signage, lobby status indicators, two-way communication systems, 

protection of wiring, lobby enclosures, and annual maintenance costs. Building 5 has 

additional costs for a sky lobby. The table for each building is broken up into sections. 

Section I describes characteristics of the building, section II describes the elevator 

requirements for the building, and the final two sections include the total initial capital 

costs and the total annually recurring costs. The remaining sections describe individual 

costs. When applicable, metric units have been provided in a column on the right side of 

the page.

Building 5 has two zones of elevators. The low-zone elevators service floors 1 through 

38 while the high-zone elevators service floors 39 through 75. Shuttle elevators go to a 

sky lobby where individuals can transfer to high-zone elevators. Dimensions of the sky 

lobby are provided along with the cost estimates. This lobby must be protected; these 

costs are described in section VII, Sky Lobby Increment. The lobby is required to be 

large enough that at 25 % occupant load there is 3 ft2per person in addition to 10 ft2for 

every 50 people served by the shuttle elevators. Also notice that within each zone there 

are elevators that each service different floors. Buildings 3 and 4 also have elevators that 

each service differing floors, but do not have a sky lobby.

Some cost items are present on every floor that an elevator travels through while others 

are only present on floors that an elevator stops. Hoistways/landings are present on every 

floor that an elevator travels through while entrances and lobbies occur only on the floors 

that an elevator stops. Water protection costs include the installation of a linear drainage 

channel in front of each elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing. These occur 

at every floor an elevator travels through. Water protection costs also include installation 

of interlocking elements on elevator frames and door panels to provide seal for the 

elevator entrance and installation of door interlocks and wiring devices on the hoistway 

doors. These occur at each floor that an elevator stops. 
88

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 13

b. Building Height: 156 ft 48 m

c. Per Floor Area: 25,000 ft22,323 m

2

II. Passenger Elevator Requirements

a. Number of Elevators: 6

b. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

c. Travel Speed: 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

− 1

d. Number of Floors Served: 13

e. Entrances 78

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (6 elevators traveling 13 

floors) x 78

iii. Total $39,000

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames 

and door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (6 elevators serving 13 floors) x 78

iii. Total $19,500

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (6 elevators serving 13 floors) x 78

iii. Total $39,000

d. Total water protection costs $97,500

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

c. Total $54,000

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 6

c. Total $1,800

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators: Building 2

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
89

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and frame 

system with vision panels and automatic closing devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Set per lobby 4

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

iv. Total $252,000

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per passenger elevator lobby $4,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

iii. Total $48,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $300,000

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of passenger elevators x 6

c. Total $5,400

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Water protection $97,500

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $54,000

c. Protection of wiring/cables $1,800

d. Lobby enclosure $300,000

e. Total $453,300

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Maintenance $5,400

b. Total $5,400
90

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 28

b. Building Height: 336 ft 102 m

c. Per Floor Area: 30,000 ft22,787 m

2

II. Passenger Elevator Requirements

a. Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 14

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1-14

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 14 floors) 112

b. Mid Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,000 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 15

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 15-28

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 15 floors) 120

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (8 low rise elevators 

traveling 14 floors and 8 mid low elevators traveling 28 

floors) x 336

iii. Total $168,000

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames and 

door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (8 low rise elevators serving 14 

floors and 8 mid low elevators serving 15 floors) x 232

iii. Total $58,000

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (8 low rise elevators serving 14 

floors and 8 mid low elevators serving 15 floors) x 232

iii. Total $116,000

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators: Building 3
91

d. Total water protection costs $342,000

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

c. Total $121,500

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 16

c. Total $4,800

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and frame 

system with vision panels and automatic closing devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 4

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

iv. Total $567,000

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per passenger elevator lobby $4,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

iii. Total $108,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $675,000

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of passenger elevators x 16

c. Total $14,400

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Water protection $342,000

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $121,500

c. Protection of wiring/cables $4,800

d. Lobby enclosure $675,000

e. Total $1,143,300

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Maintenance $14,400

b. Total $14,400

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
92

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 42

b. Building Height: 504 ft 154 m

c. Per Floor Area: 40,000 ft23,716 m

2

II. Passenger Elevator Requirements

a. Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 12

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1-12

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 14 floors) 96

b. Mid Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,000 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 11

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 13-22

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 15 floors) 88

c. Mid High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,200 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 11

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 23-32

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 15 floors) 88

d. High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,400 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 11

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 33-42

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 15 floors) 88

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators: Building 4
93

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of 

each elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (8 low rise elevators 

traveling 12 floors, 8 mid low elevators traveling 22 

floors, 8 mid high rise elevators traveling 32 floors, and 

8 high rise elevators traveling 42 floors) x 864

iii. Total $432,000

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator 

frames and door panels to provide seal for the elevator 

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (8 low rise elevators serving 

12 floors, 8 mid low elevators serving 11 floors, 8 mid 

high rise elevators serving 11 floors, and 8 high rise 

elevators serving 11 floors) x 360

iii. Total $90,000

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (8 low rise elevators serving 

12 floors, 8 mid low elevators serving 11 floors, 8 mid 

high rise elevators serving 11 floors, and 8 high rise 

elevators serving 11 floors) x 360

iii. Total $180,000

d. Total water protection costs $702,000

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 41

c. Total $184,500

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 32

c. Total $9,600

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
94

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and 

frame system with vision panels and automatic closing 

devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 4

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 41

iv. Total $861,000

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per passenger elevator lobby $4,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 41

iii. Total $164,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $1,025,000

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of passenger elevators x 32

c. Total $28,800

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Water protection $702,000

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $184,500

c. Protection of wiring/cables $9,600

d. Lobby enclosure $1,025,000

e. Total $1,921,100

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Maintenance $28,800

b. Total $28,800
95

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 75

b. Building Height: 900 ft 274 m

c. Per Floor Area: 45,000 ft24,181 m

2

II. Passenger Elevator Requirements

a. Low-Zone Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 500 ft/min 3.6 m·s

− 1

iv. Number of Floors Served 12

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1-12

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 12 floors) 96

b. Low-Zone Mid Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

− 1

iv. Number of Floors Served 11

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 13-22

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 11 floors) 88

c. Low-Zone Mid High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 7

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,000 ft/min 3.6 m·s

− 1

iv. Number of Floors Served 9

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 23-30

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 9 floors) 63

d. Low-Zone High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 7

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,200 ft/min 3.6 m·s

− 1

iv. Number of Floors Served 9

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 31-38

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 9 floors) 63

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation 

Elevators: Building 5
96

e. Shuttle Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 14

ii. Elevator Weight: 10,000 lbs 4,536 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,200 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 2

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1, 39

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 9 floors) 28

f. High-Zone Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 8

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 500 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 12

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator 39-50

vi. Number of Entrances (8 elevators for 12 floors) 96

g. High-Zone Mid Low Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 7

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 10

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 10 floors) 70

h. High-Zone Mid High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 7

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 9

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 9 floors) 63

i. High-Zone High Rise Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 7

ii. Elevator Weight: 3,500 lbs 1,588 kg

iii. Travel Speed 1,200 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 9

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator

vi. Number of Entrances (7 elevators for 9 floors) 63

39, 51-59

39, 68-75

39, 60-67
97

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Total number of hoistways/landings:

i. Number of hoistways/landings Low-Zone (8 low 

rise elevators traveling 12 floors, 8 mid low elevators 

traveling 22 floors, 7 mid high rise elevators traveling 

30 floors, and 7 high rise elevators traveling 38 floors) 748

ii. Number of hoistways/landings Shuttle (14 shuttle 

elevators traveling 39 floors) 546

iii. Number of hoistways/landings High-Zone (8 low 

rise elevators traveling 12 floors, 7 mid low elevators 

traveling 21 floors, 7 mid high rise elevators traveling 

29 floors, and 7 high rise elevators traveling 37 floors) + 705

iv. Total hoistways/landings 1,999

b. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of 

each elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings x 1,999

iii. Total

c. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator 

frames and door panels to provide seal for the elevator 

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (two zones and shuttle 

elevators) x 630

iii. Total

d. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and 

wiring devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (two zones and shuttle 

elevators) x 630

iii. Total

e. Total water protection costs

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor, including 2 

separate lobbies for the shuttle elevators) x 76

c. Total $342,000

$315,000

$999,500

$157,500

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 

$1,472,000
98

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 73

c. Total $21,900

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and 

frame system with vision panels and automatic closing 

devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 4

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 76

iv. Total

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per passenger elevator lobby $4,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 76

iii. Total

c. Total lobby enclosure costs

VII. Sky Lobby Increment

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and 

frame system with vision panels and automatic closing 

devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby x 4

iii. Total $21,000

b. Sealing of 160 linear feet of interstitial space:

i. Cost per linear foot $25

ii. Total linear feet x 160

iii. Total $4,000

c. Total cost of protecting sky lobbies $25,000

VIII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of passenger elevators x 73

c. Total $65,700

IX. Loss of Rental Income Due to Sky Lobby Increment

a. Incremental loss $36.92 /ft2$121.13 /m2

b. Additional space needed for sky lobbies x 4,000 ft2372 m

2

c. Total

$1,900,000

$1,596,000

$304,000

$147,680
99

X. Sky Lobby (Floor 39) Dimensions

a. Gross area 45,000 gsf 4,181 m

2

b. Ratio of gross area to net area 0.85 nsf/gsf 0.08 nsm/gsm

c. Average occupancy density 160 nsf/person 15 nsm/person

d. Population per floor (gross area multiplied by the 

ratio of gross area to net area. The product is then 

divided by the average occupancy density.) 239

e. Occupant load (the number of people served by the 

shuttle elevators is calculated by taking the 37 floors 

that people are being shuttled, multiplied by the 

population per floor) 8,845

f. Area required for occupant load (3ft2 per person at 

25 % occupant load) 6,634 ft2616 m

2

g. Additional area required for wheelchair 

accessability (10 ft2/50 people) 1,769 ft2164 m

2

h. Sky lobby area (area required for occupant load 

plus additional area required for wheelchair 

accessability) 8,403 ft2781 m

2

i. Anticipated lost rental income space 4,000 ft2372 m

2

XI. Initial Capital Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Water protection

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication

c. Protection of wiring/cables $21,900

d. Lobby enclosure

e. Sky Lobby Increment $25,000

f. Total

XII. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting passenger Elevators to Occupant Evacuation Elevators

a. Maintenance $65,700

b. Loss of Rental Income Due to Sky Lobby 

Increment 147,680

c. Total

$3,760,900

$1,472,000

$1,900,000

$342,000

$213,380
100
101

Appendix B Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service 

Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

This appendix contains the cost estimates for converting service elevators to fire service 

access elevators in buildings 2 through 5. These costs include water protection costs, 

signage, lobby status indicators, two-way communication systems, protection of wiring, 

lobby enclosures, and annual maintenance costs. The table for each building is broken up 

into sections. Section I describes characteristics of the building, section II describes the 

elevator requirements for the building, and the final two sections include the total initial 

capital costs and the total annually recurring costs. The remaining sections describe 

individual costs. When applicable, metric units have been provided in a column on the 

right side of the page.

Building 5 has two zones of elevators. The low-zone elevators service floors 1 through 38 

while the non-zone elevators service all floors. This is different than the passenger 

elevators, where each zone has elevators that service different floors. Buildings 2, 3, and 

4 are the only buildings to have service elevators that service all floors.

Some cost items are present on every floor that an elevator travels through while others 

are only present on floors that an elevator stops. Hoistways/landings are present on every 

floor that an elevator travels through while entrances and lobbies occur only on the floors 

that an elevator stops. Water protection costs include the installation of a linear drainage 

channel in front of each elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing. These occur 

at every floor an elevator travels through. Water protection costs also include installation 

of interlocking elements on elevator frames and door panels to provide seal for the 

elevator entrance and installation of door interlocks and wiring devices on the hoistway 

doors. These occur at each floor that an elevator stops.
102

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 13

b. Building Height: 156 ft 48 m

c. Per Floor Area: 25,000 ft22,323 m

2

II. Service Elevator Requirements

a. Number of Elevators: 2

b. Elevator Weight: 5,000 lbs 2,268 kg

c. Travel Speed: 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

d. Number of Floors Served: 13

e. Entrances (2 elevators for 13 floors) 26

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (2 elevators traveling 13 

floors) x 26

iii. Total $13,000

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames 

and door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (2 elevators serving 13 floors) x 26

iii. Total $6,500

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (2 elevators serving 13 floors) x 26

iii. Total $13,000

d. Total water protection costs $32,500

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

c. Total $54,000

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 2

c. Total $600

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators: 

Building 2

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
103

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and frame 

system with vision panels and automatic closing devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Set per lobby 1

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

iv. Total $63,000

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per service elevator lobby $1,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 12

iii. Total $12,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $75,000

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of service elevators x 2

c. Total $1,800

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Water protection $32,500

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $54,000

c. Protection of wiring/cables $600

d. Lobby enclosure $75,000

e. Total $162,100

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Maintenance $1,800

b. Total $1,800
104

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 28

b. Building Height: 336 ft 102 m

c. Per Floor Area: 30,000 ft22,787 m

2

II. Service Elevator Requirements

a. Number of Elevators 2

b. Elevator Weight: 5,000 lbs 2,268 kg

c. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

d. Number of Floors Served 28

e. Floors Serviced by Elevator 1-28

f. Number of Entrances (2 elevators for 28 floors) 56

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (2 elevators traveling 28 

floors) x 56

iii. Total $28,000

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames 

and door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (2 elevators serving 28 floors) x 56

iii. Total $14,000

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (2 elevators serving 28 floors) x 56

iii. Total $28,000

d. Total water protection costs $70,000

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators: Building 3
105

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

c. Total $121,500

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 2

c. Total $600

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and frame 

system with vision panels and automatic closing devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 1

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

iv. Total $141,750

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per service elevator lobby $1,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 27

iii. Total $27,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $168,750

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of service elevators x 2

c. Total $1,800

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Water protection $70,000

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $121,500

c. Protection of wiring/cables $600

d. Lobby enclosure $168,750

e. Total $360,850

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Maintenance $1,800

b. Total $1,800

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
106

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 42

b. Building Height: 504 ft 154 m

c. Per Floor Area: 40,000 ft23,716 m

2

II. Service Elevator Requirements

a. Number of Elevators 3

b. Elevator Weight: 5,000 lbs 2,268 kg

c. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

d. Number of Floors Served 43

e. Floors Serviced by Elevator Floor B, 1-42

f. Number of Entrances (3 elevators for 43 floors) 129

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings (3 elevators traveling 43 

floors) x 129

iii. Total $64,500

b. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames 

and door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (3 elevators serving 43 floors) x 129

iii. Total $32,250

c. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (3 elevators serving 43 floors) x 129

iii. Total $64,500

d. Total water protection costs $161,250

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 42

c. Total $189,000

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access 

Elevators: Building 4

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
107

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 3

c. Total $900

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and 

frame system with vision panels and automatic closing 

devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 1

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 42

iv. Total $220,500

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per service elevator lobby $1,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 42

iii. Total $42,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $262,500

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of service elevators x 3

c. Total $2,700

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Water protection $161,250

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $189,000

c. Protection of wiring/cables $900

d. Lobby enclosure $262,500

e. Total $613,650

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Maintenance $2,700

b. Total $2,700
108

I. Characteristics

a. Number of Floors: 75

b. Building Height: 900 ft 274 m

c. Per Floor Area: 45,000 ft24,181 m

2

II. Service Elevator Requirements

a. Low-Zone Service Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 2

ii. Elevator Weight: 5,000 lbs 2,268 kg

iii. Travel Speed 500 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 39

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator Floor B, 1-38

vi. Number of Entrances (2 elevators for 39 floors) 78

b. Non-Zone Service Elevators:

i. Number of Elevators 3

ii. Elevator Weight: 5,000 lbs 2,268 kg

iii. Travel Speed 700 ft/min 3.6 m·s

−1

iv. Number of Floors Served 76

v. Floors Serviced by Elevator Floor B, 1-75

vi. Number of Entrances (3 elevators for 76 floors) 228

III. Water Protection Costs

a. Total number of hoistways/landings:

i. Number of hoistways/landings Low-Zone (2 elevators 

traveling 39 floors) 78

ii. Number of hoistways/landings Non-Zone (3 elevators 

traveling 76 floors) + 228

iv. Total hoistways/landings 306

b. Installation of a linear drainage channel in front of each 

elevator hoistway and associated elevator landing:

i. Cost per hoistway/landing $500

ii. Number of hoistways/landings x 306

iii. Total $153,000

c. Installation of interlocking elements on elevator frames and 

door panels to provide seal for the elevator entrances:

i. Cost per entrance $250

ii. Number of entrances (low-zone and non-zone) x 306

iii. Total $76,500

Summary of Cost Estimates for Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators: 

Building 5
109

d. Installation of weatherproof door interlocks and wiring 

devices on the hoistway doors:

i. Cost per entrance $500

ii. Number of entrances (low-zone and non-zone) x 306

iii. Total $153,000

e. Total water protection costs $382,500

a. Cost per elevator lobby $4,500

b. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 113

c. Total $508,500

V. Protection of Wiring or Cables 

a. Cost per elevator $300

b. Number of elevators x 5

c. Total $1,500

VI. Lobby Enclosure Costs

a. Installation of two hollow-core steel fire doors and frame 

system with vision panels and automatic closing devices:

i. Cost per set $5,250

ii. Sets per lobby 1

iii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 113

iv. Total $593,250

b. Sealing of interstitial spaces:

i. Cost per service elevator lobby $1,000 ($25 per linear foot)

ii. Number of lobbies (above ground floor) x 113

iii. Total $113,000

c. Total lobby enclosure costs $706,250

VII. Maintenance Costs

a. Cost per elevator (above and beyond a passenger 

elevator) $900

b. Number of service elevators x 5

c. Total $4,500

IV. Signage, Lobby Status Indicator, and Two-Way Communication System 
110

VIII. Initial Capital Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Water protection $382,500

b. Signage, lobby status indicator, and two-way 

communication $508,500

c. Protection of wiring/cables $1,500

d. Lobby enclosure $706,250

e. Total $1,598,750

IX. Annually Recurring Costs of Converting Service Elevators to Fire Service Access Elevators

a. Maintenance $4,500

b. Total $4,500