Soft-story construction raises concerns for fire safety because of what condition?

• A. Lateral bracing is excessive on the first floor
• B. The first floor lacks adequate lateral bracing, increasing vulnerability
• C. Upper floors are too heavy to support
• D. There are too many exits on the first floor

Answer: (B)

Soft-story construction means the ground floor has little lateral stiffness because of large openings or lack of shear walls, making the first level vulnerable to sway or collapse under lateral forces. In a fire, occupants need reliable egress and firefighters need a stable path to the fire scene; if the first floor isn’t adequately braced, it can deform or fail more easily, potentially blocking exits or trapping people. That lack of adequate lateral bracing on the first floor is the core safety concern. The other scenarios would actually improve stability or aren’t related to the soft-story risk.