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

States and cities are relaxing building codes to reduce construction costs and increase affordable housing, including allowing single-stairway apartment buildings and rolling back fire safety standards. Safety experts warn these changes could increase risks for occupants, while organizations like The Pew Charitable Trusts advocate for reforms. Legislative efforts in multiple states and proposed updates to national codes aim to expand single-stairway building allowances.