Athens City Code

Pursuant to the authority granted by T.C.A. §§ 6-54-501 through 6-54-506, and for the purpose of regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises in the city, the International Fire Code, 2021 edition (see Ordinance 1142 for full list of exceptions), as recommended by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference and included as a part of this Code. Pursuant to the requirement of T.C.A. § 6-54-502, one copy of the fire code has been placed on file in the city manager's office and shall be kept there for the use and inspection of the public. Said fire code is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein and shall be controlling with the corporate limits.

(Code 1972, § 7-201; Code 1995, § 7-201; Ord. No. 854, 4-20-1999; Ord. No. 869, § 1, 5-16-2000; Ord. No. 991, 8-17-2010; Ord. No. 1058, § 1, 1-17-2017; Ord. No. 1105, § 1, 12-21-2021)

The fire code adopted by reference in ACC 7-21 shall be enforced by the fire chief. The chief shall have the same powers as the state fire marshal.

(Code 1972, § 7-202; Code 1995, § 7-202; Ord. No. 991, 8-17-2010)

Whenever the term "municipality" is used in the fire code herein adopted, it shall be held to mean the city.

(Code 1972, § 7-203; Code 1995, § 7-203; Ord. No. 991, 8-17-2010)

1. (1) The fire chief may recommend to the city council variances from the provisions of the fire code upon application in writing by any property owner or lessee, or the duly authorized agent of either, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the fire code, provided that the spirit of the fire code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such variances when granted or allowed shall be contained in a resolution of the city council.
2. (2) The fire code adopted in ACC 7-21 is modified by requiring automatic sprinkler systems in future commercial, industrial, and residential occupancies having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or greater and requiring an automatic sprinkler system in hazards production material (HPM) facilities as defined by the adopted building code. All automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed by a licensed engineer or architect and shall conform to NFPA 13 requirements and to the building code sprinkler requirements. The sprinkler requirements shall be made a part of the plans and specifications submitted for approval and shall be installed by a state licensed automatic sprinkler system contractor. The city will not require sprinklers in one- and two-family residences with less than 10,000 gross square feet. Sprinklers will be required in three-unit townhouses with 5,000 gross square feet or more and townhouses built with four or more units regardless of square footage.

(Code 1972, § 7-205; Code 1995, § 7-204; Ord. No. 824, § 1, 12-17-1996; Ord. No. 991, 8-17-2010)

No person shall operate or park any gasoline tank truck within the central business district or within any residential area at any time except for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious delivery of gasoline.

It is a civil offense for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or the fire code adopted, or fail to comply therewith, or violate or fail to comply with any order made thereunder, or build in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the fire chief or city manager or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time fixed herein. The application of a civil penalty under ACC 1-13 shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

(Code 1972, § 7-207; Code 1995, § 7-206; Ord. No. 991, 8-17-2010)