Problem: The value of fire codes is well understood, and there remains a hotly-contested debate over the ownership of codes and standards. Should a nationally accepted standard be free, considering it is a requirement?
At their 2022 conference, NFPA President Jim Pauley pushed back against those who believe the organization's nationally-accepted codes and standards documents should be free to download. The NFPA, as we know, writes most of the standards currently required in the United States and contends that these resources - the result of hours spent by committee members - should be purchased. Note that the NFPA is a for-profit organization.
So what are your thoughts? Should communities pay for a standard or code which is required by law? Should it be free to acquire? Feel free to use other examples to support your argument. You might even want to look at patent laws.