Tennessee Insurance Chief Files Building Code Emergency Rules

Leslie Newman, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, filed emergency rules with the Tennessee Secretary of State to allow building plans to be submitted and reviewed under either the 2003 Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1) or the 2006 International Fire Code.

On Feb. 15, officials held a public meeting for interested parties to provide comments on whether the department should adopt the 2006 International Fire Code or the 2006 Uniform Fire Code. Since the meeting the department has continued to study the alternative codes and the comments made or submitted.

While a notice of rulemaking hearing was filed on May 30 proposing to adopt the International Fire Code as the state fire code, the hearing will not be held until July 30.

The permanent rule will not be in place for some time and emergency rules previously adopted by the department on Jan. 25 will expire July 8.

With these emergency rules, the Fire Prevention Division will review plans submitted under the 2003 Uniform Fire Code and the 2006 International Fire Code. The emergency rules are effective immediately and will remain in effect until December 20, 2008.

The International Building Code, 2006 edition, has already been adopted as a permanent rule and will go into effect Sept. 1. Newman said the department hopes to have formal permanent fire code rules in effect by the expiration of these emergency rules.

Source: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

Topics Tennessee