Final answer:
In high-rise buildings, interior exit stairways serving floors more than 75 feet above the fire department vehicle access level must be smoke-proof enclosures, to prevent smoke inhalation during evacuations and ensure occupants' safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a high-rise building, every required interior exit stairway serving floors more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be a smoke-proof enclosure. This construction design is intended to provide a measure of protection against the dangers of smoke inhalation in case of a fire, allowing occupants to evacuate safely. Such safety measures have become increasingly critical, especially after historical fire incidents, such as the one described, where the inability to evacuate safely led to numerous fatalities.
The tragic circumstances highlighted here underscore the importance of safely designed escape routes in buildings, including adequate exit stairways and emergency exits that are unobstructed and accessible.