Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-13-.02 - STANDARDS AND INSPECTION PROGRAMS

(1) Unless otherwise provided by applicable law or the provisions of this chapter, the standards for the construction and installation of modular building units in the State of Tennessee shall be those prescribed in:

(a) The National Electrical Code, as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-01-.02 [Adoption by Reference];

(b) The International Building Code, as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference], except that:

1. Section 1204.1 does not apply to stand alone toilet facilities that are not used in the months of December through February and are winterized in accordance with the manufacturer instructions; and

2. Sleeping Cabins are not required to have minimum plumbing facilities within the structure as required by Table 2902.1, but must have minimum plumbing fixtures located not more than two hundred (200) feet from the nearest door;

(c) The International Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference];

(d) For state buildings, educational occupancies, and any other occupancy requiring an inspection by the state fire marshal for initial licensure, the Life Safety Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference];

(e) The International Mechanical Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference];

(f) The International Fuel Gas Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference];

(g) The International Plumbing Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference], except that:

1. Structures classified as Business (Group B) and Storage (S-1 or S-2), that are not intended for use by the general public and that have the required number of plumbing fixtures within five hundred (500) feet of the nearest door, are not required to have the minimum number of toilet facilities in accordance with Table 403.1 within the structure itself;

2. Sleeping Cabins are not required to have minimum plumbing facilities within the structure as required by Table 403.1, but must have minimum plumbing fixtures located not more than two hundred (200) feet from the nearest door;

(h) The International Energy Conservation Code as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-02-.01 [Adoption by Reference];

(i) The Tennessee Public Buildings Accessibility Act, T.C.A. §§ 68-120-201 to -205), where applicable; and

(j) Safety Glazing Materials, T.C.A. §§ 68-120-301 to -306, where applicable.

(2) In the event of a conflict or inconsistency among the codes herein adopted by reference, the more stringent code provision shall prevail.

(3) In lieu of the codes listed in subparagraphs (1)(b) through (1)(e) and (1)(i) above, the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings as adopted in Chapter 0780-02-23-.02 [Adoption by Reference] may be used for any "dwelling" (as defined therein) covered by such code. This includes units that a manufacturer designates or describes as being a "tiny home" where all of the following apply:

(a) The unit is built upon a fixed chassis but does not fall under the regulation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(b) The unit is designed primarily for use as a dwelling unit that includes permanent provisions for water supply and sanitation; and

(c) The unit is provided with an engineered anchoring system design for permanent installation.

(4) This rule shall not be construed as adopting any provision of the cited publications which establishes:

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

(b) Any agency, procedure, fees, or penalties for administration or enforcement purposes.

(5) In order to provide a transition period for the application of newly adopted codes, for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of a code change, a manufacturer may begin construction of modular units based on previously approved plans for the codes that were in effect on the day immediately prior to the effective date of the newly adopted codes.

(6) Inspections shall be conducted through one of the following programs:

(a) Approved Construction Inspection Program; or

(b) Commissioner's Inspection Program (residential or commercial and electrical).

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-13-.02

Original rule filed September 17, 1986; effective November 1, 1986. Amendment filed November 20, 1987; effective January 4, 1988. Amendment filed October 2, 1989; effective January 29, 1990. Amendment filed June 10, 2004; effective August 24, 2004. Amendment filed June 15, 2009; effective August 29, 2009. Amendments filed March 31, 2021; effective 6/29/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-102-113 and 68-126-305.