Although the design and operation of pedestrian facilities in disaster situations are much more er i ti cal than they are under everyday, normal conditions, comparatively little research has been done on people movement during disasters. A preliminary investigation of the nature of pedestrian movement on stairways in high-rise residential buildings under emergency or disaster conditions is described. Such people movement down stairways is the most crucial activity in cases of fire. It was found that current codes and regulations in regard to personal space, speed, and flow of people using stairways under emergency or disaster conditions are in need of revision. Recommendations based on the results of this study are made for designing safe stairways and for developing building code requirements. The findings can also be applied in designing stairways in stadiums, theaters, arenas, and other public facilities where stairways are a part of the pedestrian circulation system.