States are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

States and cities are loosening building code requirements in an effort to lower construction costs and boost affordable housing.

Some of these changes include allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have just one stairway, reducing how often building codes are updated and rolling back specific electrical or fire safety standards.

But critics have raised safety concerns, noting that existing rules were shaped by past tragedies and aim to prevent future harm.

For example, having only one staircase could allow a developer to add another unit or expand the size of units, said Nicolle Aube, principal and founder of Civex, a planning and civil engineering consulting firm, and an American Planning Association board member.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/22/repub/states-are-changing-fire-codes-to-make-housing-cheaper-some-safety-experts-are-worried/

[Mad_Machine76]

1. We don't just need affordable housing

We need safe housing too, which is even more important!

[EdmondDantes_]

2. The single staircase thing is a good change.

The available evidence shows it's just as safe for low rise apartment buildings.

While we shouldn't roll back all regulations, we also shouldn't never make changes. A lot of new things reduce fire risk whether it's having gotten rid of knob and tube wiring, better fire resistant roofs whether it's metal or fire resistant shingles.

Obviously we don't want to speed run world history by removing all regulations, but a periodic review of things is good too.

[ananda]

3. You're right, but this is magat world now.

I wouldn't trust them past a ten foot pole.

[EdmondDantes_]

5. Valid at the moment. But we have elections coming soon

And this dim moment in world history isn't going to last. Here or other countries with similarly horrible leadership.

[ananda]

9. From your lips to god's ears.

[mopinko]

6. they're trying to change it in chgo. i've had a fire. 2 exits matters.

it will only b allowed here w a sprinkler system.

[EdmondDantes_]

7. Except the evidence doesn't support that as noted in the original article

"Pew researchers found that modern four- to six-story single-stairway apartment buildings can be as safe as other residential buildings when they include fire-safety features such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, code-compliant drywall, self-closing doors and protected stairways.

Horowitz said Pew researchers counted every fire death in New York City and Seattle — two cities that have long allowed single-stairway apartment buildings — over 12 years.

In New York City, Pew identified 4,440 modern single-stairway buildings and found their fire-death rate was the same as other residential buildings — about five deaths per million occupant-years. Pew also found that the deaths it identified in modern single-stair buildings appeared to occur in the unit where the fire started, not because smoke or fire penetrated the single stairway."

The changes like a single staircase would be for new construction so getting the advantage of other advances. If the second staircase is necessary why doesn't the data show it hasn't saved any lives?

[Matthew28]

4. We need to cap housing prices

Their is too much corruption as a house shouldn't cost 300-500k for a 2 bed room home. period.

[Wonder Why]

8. Why not get rid of all stairs and put a moat around the building. Two advantages

The moat keeps out the criminals

The residents can jump into the moat.

The only downside is having to clean out the algae every month.