single-stairway apartment buildings
Coverage of single-stairway apartment buildings in the Nexus archive.
- 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. Critics warn these changes could compromise safety, as existing rules were developed to prevent harm from past tragedies.
- States loosen building and fire codes to cut housing costs, sparking safety debate
U.S. states and cities are relaxing building and fire codes to reduce housing costs, with a focus on allowing single-stairway apartment buildings and adjusting electrical and elevator standards. Supporters claim these changes lower construction costs and improve urban housing efficiency, while critics warn they compromise emergency safety and evacuation protocols.