The City of Murfreesboro says that newly proposed building and fire codes are to ensure the safety of residents. The press release suggested the codes are from the “2012 International Building Code.” The entire 2012 International Building Code book consist of 700 plus pages. Of course locally speaking, the city only hopes to adopt some of it by May of 2014.
WGNS took a peek at the new codes and quickly realized they are not a guide to simply browse through. It is written entirely in mandatory language intended for adoption by local cities like Murfreesboro to enforce. To fully understand the code and what is being implemented and what is being omitted, you have to be a lawyer. The press release we received on Wednesday evening did not clearly explain the new suggestions for builders to follow.
To give you a taste of what WGNS found:
(O) The 2012 International Building Code is amended with respect to floor joists by: (1)
R502.3.1(1) and R502.3.1(2), respectively, from the International Residential Code (April
2013 Amendments—Legislative Format); and (2) replacing all references in the text of the
2012 International Building Code to Table 2308.8(1) and Table 2308.8(2) with Table
R502.3.1(1) and Table R502.3.1(2), respectively
The new codes call for a substantial reduction in overall energy usage. According to Niles Bolton Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, “Many of these requirements have major cost impacts for apartment construction, and data suggests that such changes do not have a timely payback.” Another statement outlined by the architectural design firm stated, “The estimated energy cost savings pegged to these buildings upgrades yields a payback period of 191 to 252 years.” Some of the items outlined by the firm in Atlanta discussed both the 2009 Energy Conservation Code and the 2012 Code. Murfreesboro aims to first adopt the 2009 energy related code.
The vast majority of structures in Murfreesboro are not subject to review by the State Fire Marshal, however the city says to keep that exemption, the local adopted building construction standards and fire codes must be current within seven years of the date of the latest editions of the publications on which the standards and codes are based.
The City of Murfreesboro reported in a press release, "Most other major Middle Tennessee cities are adopting a similar Building and Fire Code."
More from the City of Murfreesboro:
According to the press release WGNS received Wednesday evening, “This new Building and Fire Code includes the 2012 International Building, Fire, Residential (except chapter 11), Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas and Property Maintenance Code, 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, 2008 National Electrical Code, ICC A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Building and Facilities, and certain amendments to such codes and standards.”
Both Murfreesboro Building and Codes and Fire and Rescue Departments worked collaboratively in seeking input and engaging stakeholders with community meetings prior to the recommendation to City Council.
The new City of Murfreesboro Building and Fire Code Ordinance and Amendments can be viewed at www.murfreesborotn.gov/codes. The new Building and Fire Code can be viewed in the Building and Codes Department at City Hall located at 111. West Vine St.
