For a building with less than 50 people, what is the minimum width for stairs?

The minimum width for stairs in a building with less than 50 occupants is correctly identified as 44 inches. This dimension is established to ensure adequate safety and accessibility for individuals using the stairs, especially during emergencies when evacuation speed is crucial.

The 44-inch width allows for a sufficient number of individuals to traverse the stairs simultaneously, facilitating efficient evacuation. Such specifications are crucial in minimizing congestion and ensuring the safety of occupants as they exit the building.

In this context, other widths such as 36 inches, 42 inches, and 48 inches do not offer the same combination of safety and comfort for evacuation scenarios as the 44-inch standard does. It has been determined that wider staircases can enhance safety, specifically in buildings hosting a significant number of occupants, thus the choice of 44 inches is a balanced and practical measure for structures with smaller populations.