Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0780 - Commerce and Insurance
Subtitle 0780-02 - Division of Fire Prevention
Chapter 0780-02-23 - One and Two Family Dwellings and Townhouses
Section 0780-02-23-.02 - ADOPTION BY REFERENCE

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0780-02-23-.02

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Unless otherwise provided by applicable law or the provisions of this chapter, the required minimum codes and standards for the construction of one (1) and two (2) family dwellings, townhouses, and additions thereto of thirty (30) square feet or more of interior space in the State of Tennessee shall be those prescribed in the following publications:

(a) International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), 500 New Jersey Avenue Northwest, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20001, and Appendix Q except that:
1. Section R313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems is not mandatory, pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-120-101(a)(8).

2. Chapters 34-43 relating to Electrical Installations are deleted and electrical standards adopted in 0780-02-01 Electrical Installations shall apply.

3. Figure R301.2(2) Seismic Design Categories is deleted and replaced with Figure R301.2(2) Seismic Design Categories Site Class D from 2015 IRC.

4. Section R314.6 Power Source relating to Smoke Alarms is amended to create Exception 3 that shall read:

Exception 3. Interconnection and hardwiring of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure.

5. Section N1102.4.1.2 (R402.4.1.2) Testing is replaced with Section N1102.4.2.1 Testing Option and Section N1102.4.2.2 Visual Inspection from 2009 IRC.

6. Section N1103.3.3 (R403.3.3) Duct Testing (Mandatory) and Section N1103.3.4 (R403.3.4) Duct Leakage (Prescriptive) are optional.

7. Table N1102.1.2 (R402.1.2) Insulation and Fenestration Requirement by Component and Table N1102.1.4 (R402.1.4) Equivalent U-Factors from 2018 IRC are replaced with Table N1102.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component and Table N1102.1.2 Equivalent U-Factor from 2009 IRC.

8. Section N1102.4.4 (R402.4.4) Rooms Containing Fuel-Burning Appliances is deleted in its entirety.

9. Table N1102.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component in the 2009 edition is adopted and amended by adding the following as footnote "l": "Log walls complying with ICC400 and with a minimum average wall thickness of 5" or greater shall be permitted in Zone 3 when a Fenestration U-Factor of .50 or lower is used, a Skylight U-Factor of .65 or lower is used, a Glazed Fenestration SHGC of .30 or lower is used, a 90 AFUE Furnace is used, an 85 AFUE Boiler is used, and a 9.0 HSPF Heat Pump (heating) and 15 SEER (cooling) are used."

10. Table N1102.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component in the 2009 edition is adopted and amended by adding the following as footnote "m": "Log walls complying with ICC400 and with a minimum average wall thickness of 5" or greater shall be permitted in Zone 4 when a Fenestration U-Factor of .35 or lower is used, a Skylight U-Factor of .60 or lower is used, a 90 AFUE Furnace is used, an 85 AFUE Boiler is used, and a 9.0 HSPF Heat Pump (heating) and 15 SEER (cooling) are used."

(b) International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2018 edition, published by the ICC, except that:
1. Section R402.4.1.2 Testing is deleted and replaced with Section 402.4.2.1 Testing Option and Section 402.4.2.2 Visual Inspection Option from 2009 IECC.

2. Section R403.3.3 Duct Testing (Mandatory) and Section R403.3.4 Duct Leakage (Prescriptive) are optional.

3. Table 402.1.2 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component and Table R402.1.4 Equivalent U-Factors are deleted and replaced with Table 402.1.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component and Table 402.1.3 Equivalent U-Factors 2009 IECC.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this rule shall not be construed as adopting any provision of the cited publications which establishes:

(a) Any provision superseded by law;

(b) An optional or recommended, rather than mandatory, standard or practice; or

(c) Any agency, procedure, fees, or penalties for administration or enforcement purposes inconsistent with these rules.

(3) The provisions of the cited publications adopted by reference in paragraph (1) shall govern the manner in which:

(a) The codes and standards are applied to construction of one (1) and two (2) family dwellings, townhouses, and additions thereto of thirty (30) or more square feet of interior space as defined in this chapter;

(b) Occupancies and types of construction are classified for the purpose of determining minimum requirements of the codes and standards; and

(c) The specific requirements of the codes and standards may be modified to permit the use of alternate materials or methods of construction.

Authority: T.C.A. § 68-120-101(a), (b), and (d).

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