It'll always be the fire chief's business. It would not surprise me if one day soon, somewhere in the US, the fire chief got on the case of some large family in a home without enough exits. Then the code guy will command them to make some or get out in x number of days.
Sometimes I think even politically aware folks are just not all that aware of how bad it is in this supposedly free country. If the authorities want to hassle, harass, fine, stifle, incarcerate or DESTROY you, they will find a legal way.
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against- then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted- and you create a nation of law breakers- and then you cash in on the guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
That is from Atlas Shrugged, page 436.
Just sayin'...