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An ordinance to amend Section 16.08.012 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to amend adopted building codes to allow for certain residential buildings up to six stories to be served by a single exit stairway.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to Tennessee Cod Annotated ? 68-120-101(b)(2)(C), local governments, including the Metropolitan Government, can adopted amended versions of the International Building Code as long as the provisions are "designed to afford a reasonable degree of safety to life and property from fire and hazards incident to the design, construction, alteration, and repair of buildings or structures within the jurisdiction"; and
WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated ? 68-120-106(a) provides that the state's adopted building standards "supersede all less stringent provisions of municipal ordinances"; and
WHEREAS, the allowance of a single exit stairway in certain residential buildings up to six stories is not less stringent than the state's adopted International Building Code for the reasons contained in this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, data indicates that fires rarely originate in staircases; and
WHEREAS, the conditions contained in this ordinance provide a shorter travel time to exit the building compared to the distance required for two stair structures; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance further requires the installation of sprinklers, which are shown to be over 90% effective at extinguishing fires; and
WHEREAS, Seattle, Washington, New York City, New York, and Honolulu, Hawaii have implemented single stair reform up to six stories and have not experienced fire safety concerns related to the reform; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has determined that allowing residential buildings up to six stories to be served by a single exit stairway is not less stringent than the state standards for fire safety under the conditions contained in this ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON C...
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